How Long Can YouTube Shorts Be and Ideal Length for Shorts

Creating engaging content for YouTube Shorts can feel daunting. What should you focus on? How can you grab viewers’ attention? And of course, how long can YouTube Shorts be? While Shorts are fun and easy to make, there’s a lot to explore before you hit record. 

This guide YouTube Shorts ideas will break down the length requirements for YouTube Shorts and explain how you can use this info to your advantage when creating content. 

Table of Content

• Benefits of YouTube Shorts

• How Long Can YouTube Shorts Be and Ideal Length for Shorts

• How to Create Viral YouTube Shorts in 15 Ways

• 12 Content Ideas for Viral YouTube Shorts

• Go Viral with Virlo's Virality Analysis Tool

Benefits of YouTube Shorts

Exponential Reach: How YouTube Shorts Can Jumpstart Your Growth

During its initial phase, the usage of Short's functionality was still low compared to the long-duration content created due to the limited understanding of its possibilities. However, this represents a significant competitive advantage, especially for creators with prior experience in shorter formats. 

They have learned how to package such content to capture the audience’s attention and ensure quick retention. Moreover, Shorts have the potential to reach a vast audience in a short period, enabling creators to gain visibility at a faster rate. 

YouTube Integration: Shorts Are a Part of the YouTube Ecosystem

As a YouTube content creator, you can easily integrate Shorts with your existing channel. This new feature makes diversifying your content and reaching a broader audience easier. With the latest September update, you can now link your short content to your longer videos, creating a funnel that encourages your less-engaged audience to become more loyal. This feature is excellent for building a stronger relationship with your viewers and boosting your channel’s growth. 

Content Reuse: Shorten Your Long Videos Without the Hassle

As mentioned earlier, Short is a feature that enables you to reuse clips or concepts from longer videos. This helps to maximize the value of your existing content and optimize your investment in content creation. Furthermore, it facilitates a crossover strategy between long-form and short-form content. It’s not simply about recycling your old content, but rather identifying the pieces that have performed well and have the potential to rival other content on YouTube. 

Long-Term Discovery: Shorts Have a Shelf Life

You can optimize the titles and descriptions of Shorts through keywords, just like with long-form content. As a result, they become discoverable in the long term through their integration with Google, allowing your content to attract viewers for an extended period. This means you can get a higher return on investment in content creation. 

Ease Production: Create Shorts Fast

Videos can have varying levels of complexity, but platforms like TikTok allow anyone to create content quickly and easily, without requiring knowledge of editing software or expensive equipment. The spontaneous and authentic nature of these videos makes them accessible to everyone. This means that content creators can focus on producing a larger quantity of videos, without worrying about how it will perform or reach their audience. 

Attracting New Audiences: Shorts Draw in Viewers from Across YouTube

To find out where your audience is coming from on YouTube, go to YouTube Studio > Analytics > Traffic Source. If you enter your metrics, you will be able to analyze that there are different functions by which users reach your content (Search, suggested videos, playlist, notifications, etc). YouTube Shorts are displayed in the Feed and are shown by algorithmic correspondence in the “For You” tab, which increases the possibility of new users discovering your content. 

Monetization: Use Shorts to Get Paid

However, the monetization by ads within the same platform, for short content, is drastically lower than the income obtained in longer videos… Due to its broad reach and the high conversion of viewers into subscribers (as I have been able to verify in the different channels of clients for which I work). 

YouTube shorts can allow you to break the initial barrier of requirements to monetize on YouTube, which involves joining its partner program. In the last update in 2023, the program established a minimum of 500 subscribers, 3,000 hours of viewing, and at least three uploaded videos. I do not see it as an end but a tool to access other, more profitable monetization functions. 

High Interaction: Engage with Your Audience

The short format appeals to viewers with short attention spans. While this can be a disadvantage, leading to less engagement, it can also be an opportunity. As they are more likely to react to the content more spontaneously, Shorts tend to have a higher engagement rate and greater interaction with the content, which helps to drive reach. 

Potential Virality: Shorts Can Blow Up

Various factors contribute to the mass production of content, making it easier for videos to go viral. This increase in visibility and reach is achieved through quantity rather than quality or systematic knowledge. However, creators who can identify common behavioral patterns of their audience can systematize their content to achieve intentional and consistent results. By creating a “formula” and iterating on it, they can produce similar outcomes every time.

How Long Can YouTube Shorts Be and Ideal Length for Shorts

YouTube Shorts must be a minimum of 15 seconds and a maximum of 60 seconds in length. A maximum-length 60-second clip on YouTube Shorts can be a single video or an amalgamation of several 15-second clips. However, if you use music from the YouTube catalog, your video will be limited to 15 seconds.  

YouTube Shorts dimensions must have a 9:16 aspect ratio and a vertical video orientation. Videos should achieve a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels.

The Ideal Length for YouTube Shorts

While the YouTube platform will support Shorts of up to 60 seconds long, this doesn’t mean you have to use the whole time duration. In fact, in many cases, shorter clips can deliver better performance results. 

Over 70% of YouTube Shorts exceed the 15-second minimum duration, but many don’t reach the 60-second limit. Somewhere in the middle is a good choice to provide value for your audience without losing their attention before your clip ends. 

What Is the Best Length for My YouTube Shorts? 

The ideal length for your YouTube Shorts will vary depending on a range of factors, such as:

• Audience

• Type of content

• Brand identity 

• Video elements 

• Series or standalone

• Insights from previous content 

For example, a simple comedy skit might only require a very short clip to get the message across. An educational Short might need you to take more time for explanations.  

The best approach is to do your research. Watch YouTube Shorts and look for content that aligns closely with your industry or niche. Try a few different video lengths across a range of projects. Note the typical length associated with successful videos and aim to emulate this.

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How to Create Viral YouTube Shorts in 15 Ways

1. Use Virlo to Find Trends for YouTube Shorts

Virlo helps short-form content creators crack the code of virality through AI-powered trend analysis. Our platform combines creator insights with advanced analytics to identify winning content patterns, optimal posting times, and successful audio/video combinations that help your content stand out in today's fast-moving social landscape. 

Perfect for independent creators looking to build a sustainable side business, Virlo takes the guesswork out of content strategy. We analyze the latest viral trends and help you understand not just when to post but also what combinations of elements drive engagement. Whether you're just starting or looking to optimize your existing content, Virlo helps you navigate the ever-changing algorithms to increase your chances of going viral. Go viral with Virlo's virality analysis tool.

2. Give it an Attractive Title

Optimizing the title/caption of your Short is just as important as making the video itself engaging. Consider using the title as a hook to keep viewers watching your Short until its end. You’ll need to experiment with this since different kinds of language work for various audiences. That said, it’s a good idea to keep your title short and punchy and use words that resonate with your audience. 

3. Make the First Few Seconds Count

Come up with a compelling hook to get your viewers’ attention within the first few seconds of your video. Avoid clickbait, though! Nothing makes a viewer swipe to the next YouTube Short faster than a clickbait video. It’s a great idea to brainstorm a few hooks before filming your Short, and to make sure you experiment with different kinds of hooks across your videos. 

4. Create the Perfect Loop

YouTube Shorts are played on a loop by default. If the viewer doesn’t swipe to the next Short video, they will see the same Short again for the second time, or even more times. A perfect loop will help make your Shorts look crisper. When filming and editing a Short, create a smooth loop to encourage multiple views. 

5. Re-Hook Your Audience

It isn’t enough to just create a strong hook for the beginning portion of your Short. Despite the short length of the video, you need to keep viewers engaged throughout its duration. Ideally, you should aim to re-hook your audience every three to five seconds, whether with a trending sound, text, or other visuals. 

6. Create Consistently

Whenever a new platform — or a feature like YouTube Shorts — gets released, content creators will pour themselves into testing it out and figuring out how to make it a part of their strategy. But all too often, these creators give up after a few attempts that don’t go far. If you want to go viral with Shorts, you have to create them consistently. That can be one video a day or one a week, but just make sure you stick with them. That’s the only way you’ll start seeing results! 

7. Use Relevant Hashtags

Hashtags are a great way to make your Shorts more discoverable and should be part of your YouTube Shorts strategy. Do some research and see what hashtags top creators in your specific niche use or what hashtags are featured in viral videos, and include them in your content. 

8. Post Your Shorts at the Right Time

While there’s no hard-and-fast rule for the best time to post on YouTube Shorts, there are some general tips you can follow. According to research from HubSpot, most marketers post YouTube content between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, or Saturdays. That’s generally a good time to post. But if you have a big enough audience, you can check YouTube Analytics to see when your subscribers will most likely be on the platform. Post at those times for the best chance of going viral. 

9. Learn From the Competition

Ever heard the saying “great artists steal?” It has been attributed to everyone, from Russian composer Igor Stravinsky to Steve Jobs, but the whole saying goes like this: “Good artists copy, great artists steal.” The difference? Copying would mean just taking what the competition’s doing and doing the same thing. “Stealing” means finding out what works and putting your spin on it — injecting your creativity into an established format or trend. Doing this should be an essential part of your research. 

10. Create a Series

One-off Shorts are great, especially with a strong hook and the perfect loop. But do you know what’s even more engaging? A series of Shorts. A series can keep your audience returning for more, with a natural sequence they can follow from one content piece to the next. You can break down more complex topics into multiple bite-sized, short videos by making your Shorts into a series. And if you include something like “Part 1” in the video title, people will know they should keep checking in to see the rest of your series. 

11. Look Out for Other Viral Trends

Besides trending music, keep an eye out for trending topics and viral video trends. Creating a great YouTube Shorts video inspired by a specific trend of the moment is a great way to attract new viewers. Just be careful not to blindly follow trends to keep up with what’s in. When incorporating trends in your Shorts, be sure that they are relevant to your content in one way or another. 

12. Try Different Types of Content

Just because your YouTube channel is dedicated to your podcast doesn’t mean all your Shorts must be clips of your longer content. Similarly, even if you’re a Let’s Play creator, that doesn’t mean every Short of yours has to be a snapshot of my best gaming moments. No matter what kind of creator you are, there are many ways you can connect with your audience — and the rest of YouTube — with Shorts, film behind-the-scenes content showing your setup or tidbits of your personal life. Summarize longer videos and link back to the original video. Share updates about your travels or any time off you take. Try different things and see what sticks. 

13. Drive Your Audience to Other Content

Creating Shorts is one of the best ways to funnel people toward other types of content. Use pinned comments to direct viewers to additional content, like another Short that serves as a part two to the video, or your channel’s long-form content. Whatever you point viewers to, it’s easier to pull them in if there’s some kind of connection between the two pieces of content. 

14. Promote Your Content

To get your Shorts in front of as many viewers as possible, promote your content on YouTube and beyond. You can share snippets of your Shorts on YouTube Stories and other social media platforms like Instagram Reels. 

15. Engage With Other Creators

Too many creators think they’re on their own, and any views their Shorts get have to come at the expense of another content creator, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. With YouTube Shorts getting billions of daily views, there is more than enough. Collaborating with other creators is a great way to get your content in front of a different audience, which means more views for your videos!

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12 Content Ideas for Viral YouTube Shorts

1. Offer a Quick Insight

You're the expert; share that knowledge with your audience! Create a YouTube Short that offers a quick tip or insight about your niche. For instance, a chef could share a cooking tip, a contractor could share a measurement tip, and a gamer could share a hack. Exaltus Whiteboard Animation uses YouTube Shorts to share quick tips with its audience. 

If you understand the needs of your audience, it’ll be easier to figure out what kind of tips to share. People like easily digestible information. By sharing quick tips, you’ll become a subject matter expert in the eyes of your audience—and cement your trustworthiness with them.

2. 60-Second Brand Stories

Share your clients’ brand story as a one-minute YouTube short video to make it exciting and compact. For example, your client’s short content can focus on their core values or how they maintain top service or product quality. 

Warby Parker nails this with the brand’s version of The Real Housewives TV show. The brand’s YouTube Shorts content focuses on The Real Store Advisors of Warby Parker and how they assist customers who buy the products at its new physical store.

3. Respond to Questions from Followers

Any small business encounters the same questions over and over again. Instead of constantly repeating yourself, craft YouTube Shorts that answer these FAQs. Try answering questions like: 

• How did this business begin? 

• What materials do you use? 

• What’s your return policy? 

• What do your products cost? 

• Where are you located? 

• What are your hours? 

• What is the best advantage of this strategy? 

The next time someone asks you an FAQ, you can send them a link to your YouTube Short explainer.

4. Make Them Laugh

Who doesn’t like getting instant laughs? It is not the surgeons currently doing brain surgery who need steady hands, but besides them, most people want to get a smile or a good laugh out of short content. So, if we combine two and two, making funny YouTube Shorts can help your clients’ videos go viral. Share popular meme videos, behind-the-scenes bloopers, silly skits, and even knock-knock jokes in your clients’ Shorts. 

A great example is Oreo’s skit, which shows viewers what to do when they run out of Oreo cookies. It earned more than 41k views. While the idea is to make your clients’ viewers laugh, remember to keep their short videos classy, on-brand, and appropriate. Don’t make rookie mistakes when your clients start creating YouTube Shorts to avoid potential disasters to their brand reputations.

5. Share Customer Reviews on YouTube Shorts

Social proof is crucial to the success of your business. Testimonials from your customers show your target audience that others have succeeded with what you offer. If you don’t yet have customer reviews, ask your customers to leave an honest review. Create a Yelp and a Facebook page, and own your Google Business Profile to show off good reviews online—and repurpose them on social media.

6. Life Hacks and Pro Tips

Share pro tips and life hacks, or show your clients’ viewers how to do something through Shorts. It’s a great way to share valuable information and teach your clients’ viewers something new without boring them with long, drawn-out videos. If you nail your clients’ content, the chances of the Shorts going viral go up. The secret hack or tips and tricks don’t always have to highlight your client’s products or services front and center. 

For example, HP’s YouTube Shorts below shares Five Wellness Tips for Positive Mental Health at Work. The content provides helpful tips that don’t mention or focus on the products but are still related to the brand’s niche. It’s subtle yet effective since it can offer your clients’ viewers value without the obvious sales pitch. The more value your clients’ content offers audiences, the higher the chances of it getting picked up by the YouTube Shorts algorithm, featuring it across more users’ feeds.

7. Share a Software Hack

There are many software options for any type of work—productivity apps, note-taking software, meditation apps, accounting software, etc. You probably already know some handy shortcuts for your most frequently used software solutions. Share what you know with your audience!

8. Mini Tutorials

Can you teach viewers something in a minute? Absolutely. You and your clients need to be creative and strategic with the content. Creators who share quick recipes and DIY repairs use this tactic the most. Take a look at the creator below. He shows viewers how to spray paint The Hulk with stencils to cover up a hole in the wall in a little under a minute.

9. Talk About Your Favorite Apps

You’ve probably used many tools and apps to get where you are. People enjoy learning about different types of tools to use that will make their lives easier. Create a YouTube Short where you share your favorite apps. Introduce them to a new tool. Share an app you love that’s not yet popular. Then, if you want, you can turn your thoughts into a longer YouTube video!

10. Behind-The-Scenes Sneak Peek

Want to help your clients be more relatable to their audiences and subscribers? Create YouTube Shorts that take your clients’ viewers behind the scenes. BTS YouTube Shorts allows your clients to show off their brand’s more relatable, fun, and even “normal” side, helping them better connect with their target audience. 

Share YouTube Shorts that show a typical day at the office or a sneak peek into your client’s product development process. For example, small businesses like YeeYeeApparel share behind-the-scenes YouTube Shorts to take viewers along the brand’s new product development process.

11. Create a YouTube Short Showing a Day in Your Life

Film yourself working through the day and turn it into a YouTube Short. Sharing a day in your life allows you to share your routine, struggles, and triumphs. You get to showcase your accomplishments and experiences in front of your audience. A day in your life might be typical for you, but audience members will relish the opportunity to understand your business better.

12. Quick Product Reviews

YouTube Shorts that are too promotional or sales-y can cause viewers to swipe away. After all, most YouTube Shorts viewers are there for entertainment, so a big sales pitch isn’t likely to go down too well. A better approach is to share quick reviews of your clients’ products on YouTube Shorts. 

No, we’re not saying your clients should review their products and toot their horns. Instead, your clients can collaborate with influencers and even other brands to share one-minute reviews of their products. For instance, an influencer could highlight the top three benefits they experienced using your client’s product in a YouTube Shorts video. 

Virlo helps short-form content creators crack the code of virality through AI-powered trend analysis. Our platform combines creator insights with advanced analytics to identify winning content patterns, optimal posting times, and successful audio/video combinations that help your content stand out in today's fast-moving social environment. 

Perfect for independent creators looking to build a sustainable side business, Virlo takes the guesswork out of content strategy. We analyze the latest viral trends and help you understand when to post and what combinations of elements drive engagement. Whether you're just starting or looking to optimize your existing content, Virlo enables you to navigate the ever-changing algorithms to increase your chances of going viral. Go viral with Virlo's virality analysis tool.

Go Viral with Virlo's Virality Analysis Tool

While YouTube allows you to make as short as 60 seconds, research shows that the sweet spot for engagement is between 15 and 30 seconds. Most of the top-performing YouTube Shorts are around 30 seconds long. Keeping your YouTube Shorts under 30 seconds is a great way to capture your audience’s attention and increase their likelihood of watching your short. 

Virlo helps short-form content creators crack the code of virality through AI-powered trend analysis. Our platform combines creator insights with advanced analytics to identify winning content patterns, optimal posting times, and successful audio/video combinations that help your content stand out in today's fast-moving social environment. 

Perfect for independent creators looking to build a sustainable side business, Virlo takes the guesswork out of content strategy. We analyze the latest viral trends and help you understand when to post and what combinations of elements drive engagement. Whether you're just starting or looking to optimize your existing content, Virlo helps you navigate the ever-changing algorithms to increase your chances of going viral. Go viral with Virlo's virality analysis tool.

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