News from YouTube - What are YOUTBE shorts?
YouTube has launched a new format on the market: YouTube Shorts. In this blog post, we explain exactly what they are, how they work and what advantages the new format has. We also explain how YouTube Shorts can be created, what is important here and how they fit into an existing online marketing strategy.
What are YouTube Shorts?
The new content format YouTube Shorts, which is optimized for mobile devices, are short videos similar to reels in Instagram or TikTok. With Shorts, the full-screen videos are also shot in vertical format and should have a maximum length of 60 seconds. After that: have fun, try it out, like and share.
How do YOUTUBE shorts work?
Shorts are usually recorded or uploaded using a smartphone and can be edited as desired. You can either create new shorts or use existing short videos. In both cases, it is important that the videos have the appropriate vertical 9:16 format. In addition, no platform-specific terms from other channels should be used within the short and, ideally, no labels from other platforms should be visible.
With a few simple steps, you can also add filters, reduce or increase the recording speed, edit different videos together or add subtitles. As with most videos, shorts look more interesting and appealing when music or audio clips from the YouTube media library are added to them.
Please note that short videos with original audio content from other videos and music from the media library may only be 15 seconds long.
Uploading from a computer is also possible. A video file that is no longer than 60 seconds is automatically recognized as a short. It does not matter whether it is a square or vertical format. Optionally, the suffix "#Shorts" can be added to the title or description so that the short videos are better recommended by YouTube.
Where can I find YOUTUBE shorts?
The new function is already available in all countries so that videos can be created and viewed in all languages. The shorts can be found on all end devices, whether via the browser or in the smartphone app. YouTube Shorts are displayed on the platform's homepage, in the "Shorts" tab of the YouTube app and on the homepage of your own channel.
Advantages of Shorts
Shorts make it possible to reach millions of YouTube users - every day! The brevity of the videos means that additional target groups can be reached, for example people with little time or those who prefer to watch snackable content.
Another major advantage of the new YouTube format is that content ideas, topics and styles can be tested quickly and easily. This avoids long preparation, implementation or adaptation times for long videos until they are created. The shorts also allow current trends to be addressed quickly, easily and spontaneously.
And perhaps not uninteresting for some creators: there is also a YouTube Shorts Fund. This rewards creators who inspire the YouTube community with unusual and creative shorts on a monthly basis.
IT'S SO EASY TO CREATE SHORTS ON YOUR SMARTPHONE
Creating a short and uploading existing videos can be done in just a few steps. However, the prerequisite for this is that you have a YouTube account or create a new one.
Create video
Once you have logged into YouTube, tap on the plus sign in the app and then select Create short video. This takes you directly to the recording mode. It is interesting to note that not only can a single video be recorded here, but videos can also be uploaded and different video sequences can be recorded one after the other. It is also possible to edit the respective sequences both before and after recording.
Recording a video
There are two ways to record a clip: Either the record button is tapped once to start recording and again to end it. Alternatively, the record button can be pressed continuously. This works both for a long clip in one go and for several video sequences in a row. If several videos are strung together, it is possible to adjust different settings for each individual video directly before the respective recording.
Editing a video
The following editing options are available while the individual clips are being created:
- Switch between front and back camera
- Effects, such as fisheye mode
- Speed adjustment
- Use of timers
- Green screen or other background use
- Retouching, color filters and alignment
- Brightness and flash
- Trimming the respective clips
By clicking on the checkmark, the created short can be viewed and further editing options appear: Music, voiceovers and filters can be added to the clip and different texts can be inserted. It is also possible to add subtitles in the respective sections with a timeline and specify when they appear and disappear again.
It is also possible to adjust the volume of background noises, voiceovers or music.
Upload and publish a short
As soon as the short video has been created, the standard YouTube settings for title, visibility, target group, etc. can be adjusted. We also recommend using suitable hashtags and the hashtag #Shorts so that the algorithm can place the created short in a better context and play it out accordingly. Then click on Upload short video and the short is ready.
Adjustments can then be made not only via the app, but also in the browser. It should be noted that it is possible to add certain settings, such as a video description or a thumbnail.
However, these functions are not available in the app itself, as this is not necessary for shorts compared to normal YouTube videos. It is therefore essential to ensure that the beginning of each short is interesting, special and concise and thus motivates viewers to watch it.
Now that we have clarified what YouTube shorts are, what advantages they have, where they can be found and how to create them, we will take a look at YouTube shorts within the marketing mix in our second blog post. We will look at how shorts can be used, whether it is better to use the main channel or a second channel, how direct evaluations are possible and the use of shorts with or as advertisements.
All articles on the topic of YouTube shorts can be found here: