The Complete Guide to YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts is the answer to TikTok from the world's largest video hosting platform. Vertical videos up to 60 seconds long, shot on a phone, edited directly in the app, and having their own section in the recommendations feed.

In two years of existence, Shorts have accumulated billions of views. YouTube has reconfigured its algorithm to promote short-form content alongside long-form content. Today, Shorts are not just "another format," but a separate ecosystem with its own rules, trends, and earning mechanics.

This guide covers everything you need to know about YouTube Shorts. From technical requirements to promotion strategies and answers to frequently asked questions.

What are YouTube Shorts and why should you create them?

Shorts are vertical videos up to 60 seconds long, published through a special interface in the YouTube app. They have a separate feed (like TikTok) and can gain millions of views even for channels with a small number of subscribers.

How Shorts differ from regular videos

Regular videos are horizontal or square, of any duration, appear in main search and recommendations, and are monetized through ads and YouTube Premium.

Shorts are vertical, up to 60 seconds, have a separate #Shorts feed, and are monetized through a separate fund and ads in the Shorts feed.

The main difference for creators: Shorts gain views faster, but the stable income from them is less. They are ideal for channel promotion, but not yet for earning.

Who are Shorts suitable for?

Shorts are suitable for almost everyone. For bloggers – for rapid growth and attracting new audiences. For businesses – for demonstrating products, reviews, life hacks. For experts – for short answers to questions and warming up subscribers. For musicians and artists – for showcasing the process and results.

If you already create long videos, Shorts can help bring viewers to your main channel. If you're just starting out, Shorts will give you a quick start without the need to shoot 20-minute videos.

Technical requirements for YouTube Shorts

For a video to be considered a Short, it must meet strict parameters. If something is wrong, the video will appear in the regular feed and will not receive algorithm bonuses.

Duration

From 3 to 60 seconds. Anything shorter than 3 seconds or longer than 60 is not a Short. Optimal length for retention: 15–25 seconds.

Format and aspect ratio

Vertical video with an aspect ratio of 9:16. This is 1080×1920 pixels. Horizontal, square, or any other videos will not appear in the Shorts feed.

Where to publish

Only through the YouTube app on your phone (iOS or Android). You cannot upload Shorts on a computer via a browser. The "Create a Short" button is located in the bottom panel of the app (the icon with a plus sign and a camera).

Music and sound

YouTube provides a library of licensed music for Shorts. You cannot use tracks from other sources – videos may be blocked or demonetized.

Thumbnail

YouTube automatically creates a thumbnail from the first frame of the video. You cannot change it. Therefore, the first frame should be as captivating as possible: large text, emotion, intrigue.

How to create and publish your first Short

The process is as simple as possible. Designed for phones, it does not require editing knowledge.

Step-by-step process

Open the YouTube app on your phone. Tap the plus sign in the bottom panel, select "Create a Short." Record a video by holding the round button, or upload a ready-made one from your gallery (vertical, up to 60 seconds). Add music from the YouTube library (optional). Tap "Next." Add a title (up to 100 characters). Add the hashtag #Shorts – this is mandatory. Tap "Upload Short."

Settings before publishing

Choose privacy settings: public (everyone sees it), unlisted (only with a link), private (only you). Choose the video category (gaming, education, music, etc.). Enable or disable comments. Set age restrictions (if the content is 18+).

Important: The #Shorts hashtag must be in the title or description. Without it, YouTube may not recognize the video as a Short.

YouTube Shorts algorithm: how it ranks videos

The Shorts algorithm differs from the algorithm for regular videos. It is closer to TikTok: the main thing is retention and repeated views.

Test pool

YouTube shows a new Short to 500–2000 random viewers in the #Shorts feed. If the video gets likes, comments, and a high watch completion rate, the algorithm expands its reach to tens and hundreds of thousands.

Key metrics

Watch completion rate (what percentage of the video viewers watched). Above 70–80% is excellent. Repeated views (did the viewer rewatch the video several times in a row) – a powerful signal. Likes and saves – secondary, but important. Comments – tertiary due to the short video length.

What kills Shorts in recommendations

A boring start – the viewer left at the 2nd second. Overall duration close to 60 seconds with low retention. No hook in the first frame – the thumbnail doesn't grab attention. Too frequent publications (10+ per day) – the algorithm may consider it spam.

YouTube Shorts promotion strategy

Shorts do not require complex SEO. But a few rules will help videos get more views.

Publication frequency

Optimal – 1–3 Shorts per day. Less – slow growth. More – risk of spam. For beginners, 1 Short per day is enough.

Publication time

YouTube is not as strictly tied to "peak hours" as TikTok. But it's better to publish between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM according to the time zone of your main audience. Check statistics in YouTube Studio: "Audience" tab → "When your viewers are on YouTube."

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