How to Clip a YouTube Video in 6 Steps
Virlo Team
Learn how to clip a YouTube video in 6 simple steps to save or share your favorite moments quickly and easily.
Jul 16, 2025
Consider you’re scrolling through YouTube, searching for the latest trend. Suddenly, you spot one that excites you! You click on it, only to find that there's a long intro or a dull segment before the juicy content you're after. Clipping videos is one of those things that may seem trivial, but it offers significant value for content creators. Learning how to clip a YouTube video can help you create better, more engaging videos that go viral with trend analysis. By trimming the fat off YouTube videos, you'll uncover the hidden gems that provide quality content for your next video or help you create an engaging opening for your clip. Let's talk about how to get started as a content creator.
One of the best tools to help you get started as a content creator is Virlo's virality analysis tool. This tool can help you achieve your goals, such as going viral through trend analysis, by analyzing YouTube videos for their performance and pinpointing the segments that will contribute to viral success.
Table of Contents
Use Cases of Clipping YouTube Videos
Create Teasers for Your Full-Length Videos
YouTube clips help creators generate buzz for their upcoming content by creating teasers or trailers for their full-length videos. These short clips, which can range from 5 to 60 seconds in length, provide viewers with a preview of what to expect if they watch the entire video. This option is only available for videos up to 8 hours long and is unsuitable for long streams.
Announce Broadcasts of Existing Streams and Webinars
You can attract your audience to your old streams or webinars by cutting them up and announcing them again on YouTube Live.
Attract New Viewers to Your Channel
Since people new to your channel may not want to spend much time familiarizing themselves with it by watching full-length videos, you can make this easier by creating clips.
Improve Your Brand's Service
YouTube Clips for businesses can focus on the most valuable information; thus, you will be able to refer to them when one of your clients encounters problems that your content can help them solve.
Optimize Your Channel's Google Visibility .
YouTube short clips are displayed in Google for relevant queries, as they are presented on separate URLs and not the same ones as the main videos to which they link. This means you can increase your presence in search engines and attract more viewers through organic search.
Go Viral with Virlo's Virality Analysis Tool
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 eliminates the guesswork from content strategy.
We analyze the latest viral trends and help you understand not just when to post, but what combinations of elements are currently driving 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.
How to Clip a YouTube Video in 6 Steps
Clipping a YouTube video on a desktop is simple using YouTube's built-in tools:
1. Open a Video
Find the video you want to clip.
2. Click "More"
Select the three-dot menu below the player.
3. Choose "Clip"
Pick the scissors icon to start clipping.
4. Set Duration:
Adjust the slider for start/end times (5-60 seconds max).
5. Title (Optional)
Add a brief title (140 characters max).
6. Share
Copy the link, post on social media, or embed. Eligible clips can be remixed or turned into Shorts.
How to Make a YouTube Clip on Mobile
To clip YouTube videos on mobile:
Open the YouTube app (iOS/Android).
Select a video to clip.
Tap "Clip" (found under "More" or below the video—location varies by device).
Set start/end times (5-60 seconds max).
Add a title (optional, 140 chars).
Share via link, social media, or messaging.
We analyze the latest viral trends and help you understand not just when to post, but what combinations of elements are currently driving 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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How To Find Content Ideas for YouTube Clipping
1. Compilations of Best Moments
Feature the most thrilling, humorous, or moving segments from longer videos. For instance, if you like gaming, clip the best kills or fails. If it’s a podcast, extract the most intense debates or the most provocative hot takes. These short, high-impact clips keep viewers engaged.
2. Reaction Highlights
Take long-form reaction videos and clip the most expressive or surprising moments. This works exceptionally well for music reactions, trailer breakdowns, or challenge videos. These short clips go viral because they are highly shareable and relatable.
3. Educational Nuggets
If a YouTuber posts long educational videos, you can clip valuable 30 to 60-second segments that answer common questions. For example, in finance content, you could clip “how compound interest works” from a 45-minute seminar.
4. Motivational Quotes or Speeches
Extract segments from inspirational talks, interviews, or vlogs and turn them into short, punchy motivation clips. Add subtitles and cinematic background music to boost engagement.
5. Celebrity or Influencer One-Liners
Clipping witty, controversial, or profound one-liners from interviews or podcasts can gain traction quickly, especially on Shorts and Reels. These are snackable, easy-to-digest moments that people love to share.
6. Before & After Transformations
If you’re working with makeover, renovation, or fitness videos, clip the exact before-and-after moments. These visually satisfying edits are great for Shorts and TikTok-style content.
7. Behind-the-Scenes Clips
Clip moments that show bloopers, candid laughs, or off-script interactions from long BTS videos. These humanize the creators and help build a stronger connection with fans.
8. Hidden Details or Easter Eggs
From movie reviews or breakdowns, pull clips that point out small details viewers might’ve missed. Add annotations, zoom-ins, and voiceover if needed. This works well for entertainment, anime, or content with a heavy focus on lore.
9. Unpopular Opinions or Hot Takes
From debates or commentary content, clip short moments where someone shares a bold or controversial opinion. These clips stir conversation and drive engagement in the comments.
10. Skill Demos or Step Previews
If you're working with how-to or tutorial content, clip the most visually appealing or result-driven part. For example, in cooking, show the sizzling moment of a finished dish. In makeup, clip the final transformation moment.
11. List Countdown Snippets
Clip a single item from a list-style video (like “Top 10 Sci-Fi Movies”). Label the clip as “#5 Will Shock You” to pique curiosity and encourage viewers to explore the complete list.
12. Audience Reactions & Live Chat Highlights
From livestream replays, extract audience reactions (either via super chats or chat shoutouts) or the streamer’s response to fan input. These clips are well-suited for gaming, live Q&As, or Twitch-style content creators.
13. Trending Topics or News Soundbites
Clip concise comments about current news, celebrity gossip, or social media drama from a longer vlog or commentary video. Quick takes on trending issues help you stay relevant.
14. Clipping Iconic Catchphrases or Running Jokes
If a creator has an inside joke or iconic phrase they repeat, clip it out with fan edits or meme-style cuts. These often resonate well with loyal subscribers.
15. Teasers for Full Episodes
Create a suspenseful or intriguing clip from a podcast, interview, or series episode that leaves the viewer wanting more. It should conclude just before the key moment or twist, prompting viewers to watch the full video. We analyze the latest viral trends and help you understand not just when to post, but what combinations of elements are currently driving 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.
Benefits of YouTube Clips
Boosts Engagement and Watch Time
Clips highlight the most exciting or valuable moments of a longer video, making it easier for viewers to jump straight into action. When viewers get hooked on a short clip, they’re more likely to watch the full video, increasing your total watch time and retention rates—two critical metrics for YouTube’s algorithm.
Makes Content Easily Shareable
Clips can be shared directly via a link or social media, helping your content spread faster. People are more likely to share a 15–60 second clip than a full 45-minute video. This helps extend your content’s reach to audiences who wouldn’t usually watch long videos.
Attracts New Viewers
Short clips act like "trailers" for your main content. They lower the barrier to entry for first-time viewers. If someone watches a 30-second clip and enjoys it, they're more likely to explore your channel or subscribe. This is especially valuable for channels trying to grow organically.
Increases Visibility on Multiple Platforms
Clips can be repurposed as YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, or TikToks. Algorithms currently prioritize these formats and are highly discoverable. By turning your clips into short-form content, you increase visibility across platforms without having to create something entirely new from scratch.
Saves Time for Viewers
Not all viewers have time to watch long videos. Clips offer quick value whether it’s a joke, a highlight, or a tip. This caters to today’s fast-paced attention spans, keeping your content consumable on the go.
Encourages Repeat Viewing
Some clips especially funny moments, iconic quotes, or emotional highlights tend to get replayed multiple times. This repeat viewing behavior sends strong engagement signals to YouTube, helping your content get recommended more often.
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Go Viral with Virlo's Virality Analysis Tool
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 eliminates the guesswork from content strategy.
We analyze the latest viral trends and help you understand not just when to post, but what combinations of elements are currently driving 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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