You’ve got an awesome video that’s perfect for YouTube Shorts, but when you upload it, YouTube doesn’t recognize it as a short. What gives? This is a common frustration for many content creators eager to tap into the massive potential of short-form video on YouTube.
In fact, YouTube Shorts has surpassed 30 billion daily views, making it a powerful tool for expanding your reach and engaging your audience.
As a seasoned YouTuber with over 5 years of experience creating and optimizing content across various formats, I’ve encountered my fair share of challenges when it comes to YouTube Shorts.
Through trial and error, I’ve discovered the key criteria YouTube uses to identify shorts and developed a foolproof process for ensuring my videos are recognized and promoted as shorts.
In this blog post, I’ll share my insights and practical tips to help you navigate the world of YouTube Shorts like a pro. Let’s get your videos the attention they deserve!
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Shorts are vertical videos (9:16 aspect ratio) up to 60 seconds long that can help creators expand their reach, with the platform seeing over 30 billion daily views.
- Common mistakes when uploading Shorts include incorrect video length (15-60 seconds), wrong aspect ratio (must be 9:16), low resolution (minimum 720p), and forgetting to add “#Shorts” in the title or description.
- Best practices for creating and uploading Shorts involve keeping videos under 60 seconds, using a vertical aspect ratio, adding engaging titles and descriptions, incorporating trending music, utilizing text overlays and captions, and optimizing thumbnails.
- Troubleshooting Shorts not showing up includes checking video length, verifying aspect ratio, confirming file format, reviewing title and description for “#Shorts”, and waiting for YouTube processing.
- Eligible creators can monetize Shorts through the YouTube Partner Program by meeting requirements like having 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months, and leveraging the Shorts algorithm by creating engaging content that encourages viewer interaction.
Understanding the YouTube Shorts Feature and Eligibility Criteria
YouTube Shorts is a game-changing feature that allows you to create and share engaging, short-form videos up to 60 seconds long. It’s perfect for showcasing your creativity and connecting with your audience in a fun, bite-sized format.
To ensure your content qualifies as a YouTube Short, keep these eligibility criteria in mind:.
YouTube Shorts is all about embracing creativity and sharing your unique voice with the world in 60 seconds or less. – YouTube Creator Academy
Your video must be in a vertical format with an aspect ratio of 9:16, making it ideal for viewing on smartphones. Keep your content concise and captivating, as YouTube Shorts are designed to be enjoyed in quick bursts.
Include the #shorts hashtag in your title or description to help YouTube recognize your video as a Short and increase its visibility on the platform. By understanding and adhering to these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to creating compelling YouTube Shorts that resonate with your audience and showcase your creative flair.
Next, let’s explore some common pitfalls to avoid when uploading YouTube Shorts.
Common Pitfalls When Uploading YouTube Shorts
Many creators struggle to get their videos recognized as Shorts on the platform. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when uploading your vertical videos:
- Incorrect video length: Your Shorts should be between 15 to 60 seconds long. Videos longer than 60 seconds or shorter than 15 seconds may not be eligible for the Shorts shelf.
- Wrong aspect ratio: Shorts require a vertical aspect ratio of 9:16. Square videos (1:1) or horizontal videos (16:9) won’t be recognized as Shorts.
- Low resolution: While Shorts don’t need to be in 4K, ensure your video resolution is at least 720p. Videos with lower resolutions might not qualify for the Shorts section.
- Uploading from a PC: Uploading Shorts directly from a computer can be tricky. It’s best to use the YouTube mobile app to create and upload your short-form content.
- Forgetting to add “#Shorts” in the title or description: Including this hashtag helps YouTube’s algorithm identify your video as a Short more easily.
- Not optimizing metadata: Just like regular YouTube videos, Shorts need compelling titles, descriptions, and tags to improve discoverability and engagement.
- Skipping the Shorts camera: While you can upload pre-recorded videos as Shorts, using YouTube’s built-in Shorts camera offers unique features and effects that can enhance your content’s appeal.
Creating and Uploading YouTube Shorts: Best Practices
Creating and uploading YouTube Shorts requires following some best practices to ensure your content is recognized and displayed correctly. By adhering to these guidelines, you can maximize the visibility and impact of your Shorts on the platform.
- Keep your videos under 60 seconds: YouTube Shorts are designed for short-form content, so make sure your videos are 60 seconds or less in length. Aim for concise, engaging clips that capture your audience’s attention quickly.
- Use a vertical aspect ratio: Shorts are optimized for mobile viewing, so record or edit your videos in a vertical 9:16 aspect ratio. This ensures your content fills the entire screen when viewed on smartphones.
- Add engaging titles and descriptions: Craft catchy, descriptive titles and include relevant keywords in your video descriptions. This helps your Shorts appear in search results and attracts viewers.
- Incorporate trending music and sounds: Take advantage of the YouTube Shorts music library or use popular songs and sounds to enhance your content. Trending audio can boost your visibility and engagement.
- Utilize text overlays and captions: Add text overlays, captions, and subtitles to your Shorts to convey key information and make your content more accessible. Keep the text concise and easy to read on mobile screens.
- Engage with your audience: Encourage viewers to like, comment, and share your Shorts. Respond to comments and foster a sense of community around your content to build a loyal following.
- Collaborate with other creators: Participate in challenges, duets, or collaborations with other YouTube Shorts creators. This can expose your content to new audiences and help you grow your channel.
- Optimize your thumbnails: Choose eye-catching, representative thumbnails for your Shorts. Compelling visuals can entice viewers to click on your content and increase views.
- Experiment with different styles and formats: Try out various content styles, such as tutorials, behind-the-scenes footage, or creative storytelling. Diversifying your Shorts can help you discover what resonates best with your audience.
- Upload regularly and consistently: Maintain a consistent upload schedule to keep your audience engaged and anticipating your next Shorts. Regular uploads can also help you gain traction in the YouTube algorithm.
Troubleshooting YouTube Shorts Not Showing as Expected
Sometimes, even after following the best practices, your YouTube Shorts might not show up as expected. Here are some common issues and fixes to troubleshoot when your YouTube Shorts aren’t displaying correctly:
- Check the video length: Ensure your video is 60 seconds or less. If it’s even a second over, YouTube won’t recognize it as a Short.
- Verify the aspect ratio: YouTube Shorts must have a vertical aspect ratio of 9:16. If your video is in a different aspect ratio, it won’t qualify as a Short.
- Confirm the file format: YouTube supports various video formats for Shorts, including MP4, MOV, and AVI. Make sure your video is in one of these supported formats.
- Review the title and description: While not mandatory, including “#Shorts” in your title and description can help YouTube identify your video as a Short.
- Check for copyright issues: If your Short contains copyrighted music or content, it may be flagged and not show up in the Shorts feed.
- Wait for processing: After uploading, give YouTube some time to process your video. It can take a few minutes for your Short to appear in the feed.
- Reach out to YouTube support: If you’ve followed all the guidelines and your Short still isn’t showing up, contact YouTube’s support team for further assistance.
Monetizing YouTube Shorts and Leveraging the Shorts Algorithm
After troubleshooting any issues with your Shorts not appearing as expected, it’s time to focus on monetizing your content and leveraging the Shorts algorithm to maximize your reach.
YouTube’s Partner Program allows eligible creators to earn money from ads played on their Shorts, providing a valuable revenue stream for your short-form video content. To qualify, you need to meet certain requirements, such as having a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months.
Once you’re part of the program, you can start earning from ads, including overlay ads and sponsored content.
To make the most of the Shorts algorithm, it’s crucial to create engaging, high-quality content that resonates with your target audience. The algorithm favors Shorts that keep viewers watching until the end and encourage them to interact with the video through likes, comments, and shares.
Experiment with different video editing techniques, catchy titles, and eye-catching thumbnails to grab viewers’ attention. Include relevant keywords in your titles and descriptions to improve discoverability.
Additionally, leverage trending topics, challenges, and popular music to increase your chances of being featured on the Shorts shelf. By consistently uploading Shorts that align with the algorithm’s preferences, you can boost your visibility, attract more subscribers, and ultimately increase your earning potential on the platform.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, mastering YouTube Shorts is key to thriving on the platform. By following best practices for creating and uploading your bite-sized videos, you can troubleshoot common issues and ensure your content gets the recognition it deserves.
Leverage the power of the Shorts algorithm to boost your visibility and grow your channel. Whether you’re using a foldable smartphone or the YouTube app itself to record and edit, keep those clips under 60 seconds, use the right aspect ratio, and tag them correctly.
With a little know-how and persistence, you’ll be on your way to YouTube Shorts stardom – and maybe even earning some cash through the YouTube Shorts Fund.
FAQs
1. What are the requirements for a video to be recognized as a YouTube Short?
To create a YouTube Short, your video must be vertical (aspect ratio of 9:16), 60 seconds or less in length, and uploaded via the YouTube app or by choosing “Upload Short” on desktop.
2. Why isn’t my video showing up as a Short even though it meets the requirements?
If your video meets the format and length requirements but isn’t recognized as a Short, try adding “shorts” to the title or description. YouTube’s system may need this extra hint to categorize it correctly.
3. Can I turn an existing video into a YouTube Short?
Yes! If you have an existing video under 60 seconds, you can upload it as a Short. Just make sure it’s in the vertical format and add “shorts” to the title or description.
4. How do YouTube Shorts differ from other short-form video platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels?
While the concept is similar, YouTube Shorts allows you to tap into YouTube’s vast audience and algorithm. Shorts can also help drive traffic to your long-form YouTube videos and channel.
5. Can I monetize my YouTube Shorts?
If you’re part of the YouTube Partner Program, you can earn money from ads played between Shorts. There’s also the YouTube Shorts Fund, which rewards creators for making engaging and popular Shorts content.
6. What are some tips for creating successful YouTube Shorts?
Keep your Shorts engaging and to the point – aim for around 58 seconds or less. Use eye-catching thumbnails, descriptive titles, and relevant tags. Encourage viewer interaction through comments, likes, and shares to boost your Shorts in YouTube’s recommendations.
