A YouTube Short is a vertical video of up to 3 minutes designed for mobile-first viewing on YouTube's dedicated Shorts feed. Launched in 2020 as YouTube's answer to TikTok, Shorts have exploded to over 70 billion daily views as of 2025. They appear in a swipeable, full-screen feed separate from regular YouTube videos.
For creators, Shorts represent the fastest way to grow a YouTube channel. The algorithm exposes Shorts to non-subscribers aggressively, making them a discovery engine. Many channels have gone from 0 to 100,000 subscribers using Shorts alone.
YouTube Shorts Format Specifications
Aspect ratio — 9:16 (vertical). 16:9 and 1:1 are technically accepted but perform poorly.
Maximum length — 3 minutes (was 60 seconds until October 2024).
Minimum length — No official minimum, but under 15 seconds may underperform.
Resolution — 1080x1920 recommended (1080p vertical).
File format — MP4 recommended.
Title — Up to 100 characters. Include #Shorts for older uploads (no longer required).
Description — Standard YouTube description. Links are clickable.
How the YouTube Shorts Algorithm Works
The Shorts algorithm prioritizes different signals than long-form YouTube:
Swipe-away rate — The #1 signal. If viewers swipe past your Short quickly, it stops being recommended. Hook viewers in the first 1-2 seconds.
Watch time percentage — Watching 100% of a 30-second Short is more valuable than 50% of a 60-second Short.
Re-watches — Viewers watching your Short multiple times is a strong positive signal.
Engagement — Likes, comments, shares, and subscribes from the Short.
Freshness — New Shorts get an initial push to a test audience. Performance in the first 1-2 hours determines broader distribution.
Key insight: Shorts are shown to people who DON'T subscribe to you. This makes them a growth tool, not a retention tool. Use Shorts to attract new viewers, then convert them to long-form watchers.
YouTube Shorts Monetization
Requirements
To monetize Shorts through the YouTube Partner Program, you need either:
1,000 subscribers + 4,000 watch hours (long-form) in the past 12 months
OR 1,000 subscribers + 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days
How Revenue Works
Shorts revenue comes from ads shown between Shorts in the feed. YouTube pools ad revenue and distributes it based on your share of total Shorts views. The RPM (revenue per thousand views) for Shorts is lower than long-form — typically $0.02-0.07 per 1,000 views vs $2-8 for long-form.
Other Monetization
Super Thanks — Viewers can tip on Shorts
Channel memberships — Shorts drive subscribers who may become members
Affiliate links — Include links in description
Brand deals — Sponsors pay for Shorts placement
Funnel to long-form — Shorts drive viewers to higher-RPM long-form content
How to Create YouTube Shorts
Method 1: Film on Your Phone
Open the YouTube app → tap + → Create a Short → record or upload. Basic editing available in-app (music, text, filters). Best for vlog-style and casual content.
Method 2: Edit in CapCut or Premiere
Record or gather footage → edit in a desktop editor → export at 1080x1920 → upload as a regular YouTube video. The vertical format automatically classifies it as a Short.
Method 3: AI Video Generation
Use an AI tool like Vexub to generate Shorts from text. Write a script → AI creates visuals, voiceover, subtitles, and music → export in 9:16. Best for faceless channels and high-volume content.
Method 4: AI Clipping from Long-Form
Paste a YouTube URL into Vexub's clipping tool → AI extracts the best moments, reframes to 9:16, adds subtitles and hook text → download ready-to-post Shorts.
Create videos like this with AI
Script, voiceover, images and subtitles — automated in minutes.
YouTube Shorts vs TikTok vs Instagram Reels
Maximum length — Shorts: 3 min. TikTok: 10 min. Reels: 3 min.
Monetization — Shorts: ad revenue share. TikTok: Creator Fund + gifts. Reels: bonuses (limited).
Discoverability — Shorts: best for non-subscribers. TikTok: best overall reach. Reels: good for existing followers.
Audience — Shorts: 25-45 age range skew. TikTok: 16-30. Reels: 20-40.
Best for — Shorts: channel growth + search. TikTok: virality. Reels: brand building.
Most creators post the same vertical video to all three platforms. Tools like Vexub export in 9:16 format that works everywhere.
Tips for Better YouTube Shorts
Hook in 1 second — Show the payoff or ask a question immediately. No logos, intros, or hey guys.
Loop your Shorts — Make the ending flow into the beginning. Loops = re-watches = algorithm boost.
Add subtitles — Always. 85% of mobile video is watched muted. Use animated word-by-word captions.
Post 1-3 daily — Consistency beats quality for Shorts. The algorithm rewards frequent posters.
Use trending sounds — Check YouTube's trending audio and use relevant sounds in your Shorts.
Optimize titles for search — Shorts appear in YouTube search. Use keywords people actually search for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do YouTube Shorts hurt my channel?
No. YouTube confirmed Shorts and long-form have separate recommendation systems. Shorts won't reduce your long-form reach. They can only help by bringing new subscribers.
Can I upload the same video as a Short and a regular video?
Technically yes, but YouTube may deprioritize duplicates. Better to create separate content optimized for each format.
How many Shorts should I post per day?
1-3 per day is the sweet spot. Top Shorts creators post 2-3 daily. Quality per Short matters less than consistency and volume.
Can I make Shorts without showing my face?
Yes. Faceless Shorts are extremely popular — use stock footage, AI-generated visuals, or screen recordings with voiceover. Tools like Vexub are built specifically for this.
What's the best length for YouTube Shorts?
30-60 seconds performs best on average. Under 15 seconds feels rushed; over 90 seconds risks higher swipe-away rates. Test different lengths for your niche.
Create videos like this with AI
Script, voiceover, images and subtitles — automated in minutes.