Short videos are currently the way to go. Whether on TikTok or Instagram in the form of reels or on YouTube, they are getting billions of clicks every day. In this blog post, we take a particularly close look at YouTube shorts. You’ll learn all about their creation, development and success. We’ll also highlight the benefits for creators and give you valuable tips for your own shorts.
What are YouTube Shorts?
YouTube Shorts are short video clips that are specially optimized for mobile devices, but can also be viewed on other devices. They offer creators a platform to share entertaining content in a compact form. The original length of YouTube Shorts was 60 seconds, but recently the videos can be up to 3 minutes long. Shorts can be created directly in the YouTube app. The associated editing screen offers common tools such as music, text and filters. Shorts appear in their own feed in the YouTube app.
Lade dir jetzt unsere Checkliste herunter, um die wichtigsten Infos und To-dos von Social Proof auf einen Blick parat zu haben.
The Creation of YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts were introduced in September 2020 in response to the TikTok boom. They initially launched in India as a beta version. This was at the time when TikTok was banned in India.
In March 2021, the format expanded to the USA. YouTube Shorts have been available worldwide since July 2021 and are enjoying growing popularity. The global launch marked a turning point in YouTube’s strategy.
Rapid Development and Success
Within a few months of the launch, they recorded 3.5 billion views per day in India. In the USA, this figure rose to over 6.5 billion views per day.
Today, shorts are one of the fastest growing formats on YouTube. They have become an integral part of the platform. Many established long-form creators on YouTube use shorts to expand their audience.
What makes YouTube Shorts so successful?
YouTube Shorts offer a mix of entertainment and creativity in a compact form. They are easy to create and consume. The vertical orientation makes them perfect for smartphones. YouTube also uses its existing user base to promote Shorts.
Another success factor is the seamless integration into the YouTube platform. Users can switch between long videos and shorts. This increases the time spent on the platform. The YouTube algorithm also favors shorts, which increases their reach.
User Numbers and Reach
In 2022, they already recorded 50 billion views per day. This shows the enormous reach and popularity of the format. Many creators use shorts to gain new followers.
These high figures make shorts an attractive advertising medium. Companies are increasingly using the format for their marketing strategies. The combination of high reach and a targeted approach makes Shorts particularly effective.
Advantages for Creator
YouTube shorts offer creators many advantages. They can be produced quickly and reach a wide audience. YouTube actively promotes the format and offers financial incentives. This makes shorts an attractive option for content creation. In addition, many users discover new channels through shorts.
Tips for successful Shorts
To create successful shorts, you should pay attention to quality and relevance. Use appealing thumbnails and clear images. Pick up on current trends and challenges. Interact with your community and boost the engagement rate of your videos.
In general, you should also pay attention to the basic things that are important for creating a successful short video. These include dynamic cuts to keep the pace of the video up or visual transitions so that the flow is not lost. You should also consider and incorporate current trends, which significantly increases the potential to go viral
The Future of YouTube Shorts
Since the introduction of the extended YouTube Shorts to up to 3 minutes in October 2024, new opportunities have opened up for creators to create more detailed and engaging content. This extension makes it possible to tell more complex stories and thus reach a wider audience.
The longer video duration has also opened the door for expanded monetization strategies. With the planned integration of e-commerce features, creators can link their shorts directly to products, creating new revenue streams and deepening interaction with the community.
Compared to other platforms such as TikTok, which sometimes allows videos of up to 60 minutes in length, YouTube is positioning itself competitively in the area of short video content with this adjustment. The introduction of templates for shorts also makes it easier for users to react to trends and produce creative content more efficiently.
Experts predict that shorts will play an increasingly central role in YouTube’s content strategy. The continuous expansion of functions and the focus on creator support underline YouTube’s commitment to asserting itself in the dynamic environment of the short video format and providing creators with a wide range of tools for their success.
Embed YouTube Shorts on your own Website
You can easily embed YouTube Shorts on your website. To do this, use the embed code provided by YouTube. Copy the code and paste it into the HTML section of your website. This way you can also present your shorts outside of YouTube.
The integration of shorts can make your website livelier and more interactive. They offer visitors a quick insight into your content. Make sure that the embedded shorts match the overall aesthetics of your website.
