Short Tutorial/FAQ – What Should I Know About YouTube Shorts?

Question: I've watched a few YouTube Shorts and am curious to find out more. Can you give me a short overview of YouTube Shorts?

Answer: YouTube Shorts (think 60 seconds or less) launched in the U.S. in 2021. However, short-form video is no stranger to YouTube. The channel's first-ever upload was only 18 seconds long, filmed 17 years ago in front of elephants at the San Diego Zoo.

YouTube Shorts are vertical video content created using a smartphone and uploaded directly to YouTube from the YouTube app. The built-in creation tools allow people to easily:

• Edit footage.
• Add music from major labels.
• Add animated text.
• Control the speed of the footage.
• Edit together up to four 15-second video clips to create one YouTube Short.

Unlike other short-form video apps — including Instagram Stories and Snapchat — YouTube Shorts don't disappear after a certain period of time and will remain on YouTube. Viewers of YouTube Shorts can share, comment, like, dislike, or subscribe to a channel while viewing the video.

Has this short overview inspired your creativity? All you need to make a YouTube Short for your friends is your smartphone and an idea. Click here for more information including "5 Steps to Create a YouTube Short."