You’re probably seeing YouTube Shorts everywhere these days, They’re those quick, snappy videos that pop up on your phone, perfect for a quick scroll. YouTube really pushed them hard, and it totally paid off. By May 2025, Shorts had gained over 5 trillion total views since its global launch, with more than 2 billion monthly logged-in users engaging with the platform. This makes it the highest engaging media for short videos with an engagement rate of 5.91%. Resourcera, which is just insane! That’s a massive audience tuning in for short-form content, and it shows how much people love that quick hit of entertainment or information.
What’s even more interesting is how YouTube keeps tweaking things to make it better for creators. They’re constantly trying to compete with other short-form video platforms out there. And one of the biggest changes, which is super relevant right now, is about how long these Shorts can actually be. It used to be just a minute, which felt pretty limiting sometimes. But things have changed! let’s dive into the updated length limits and what that means for creators like you and me. It’s not just about the length, but how you use that time effectively to grab and keep attention.
The Big Change: From 60 Seconds to 3 Minutes
This is the big news, and it’s a pretty recent one! As of October 15, 2024, YouTube Shorts can now be up to 3 minutes long. Yeah, you heard that right, three whole minutes! Before this update, the maximum length was strictly 60 seconds, which felt super limiting for some types of content. This change is huge because it gives creators so much more flexibility. You can tell a bit more of a story, dive slightly deeper into a topic, or just show a more extended snippet of something cool. It’s a clear move by YouTube to give creators more room to play and perhaps encourage a different kind of short-form content. It also kind of puts them more in line with platforms like TikTok, which also expanded their video lengths. So, if you’ve been thinking about getting into Shorts but felt cramped by the one-minute limit, now you have way more breathing room to express yourself.
Why the Length Matters: Grabbing Attention Fast
Even though Shorts can now be up to 3 minutes, it doesn’t mean every Short should be that long. The sweet spot often depends on your content. The whole point of short-form video is to grab attention super fast. Think about it: people are scrolling through the Shorts feed, and if your video doesn’t hook them in the first few seconds, they’re just gonna swipe past. So, even with 3 minutes available, your first 3-5 seconds are absolutely critical. That’s your hook. You need something engaging, intriguing, or surprising right at the beginning to make people stop scrolling. Longer Shorts might be good for quick tutorials, mini-vlogs, or behind-the-scenes peeks, where a minute just wasn’t enough. But for quick jokes, challenges, or trend participation, a shorter Short, even 15-30 seconds, might still be more effective. It’s all about respecting the viewer’s attention span in a fast-paced environment.
Vertical Video is Key: Optimizing for Mobile
This one is non-negotiable for YouTube Shorts: your video absolutely has to be vertical. We’re talking a 9:16 aspect ratio, which basically means it’s taller than it is wide, just like how you hold your phone when you’re scrolling through TikTok or Instagram Reels. If you upload a horizontal video, YouTube might still categorize it as a Short if it’s under the time limit, but it’ll have black bars on the sides, which doesn’t look great and can make it less engaging for viewers. Shorts are designed for mobile-first consumption, so making sure your video fills the screen is super important for a seamless viewing experience. Always shoot your content vertically or edit it into a vertical format before uploading to really optimize for the Shorts feed. It’s all about making your content fit perfectly into how people are watching these days.
Music and Sounds: The Heartbeat of Shorts
You know how some TikToks just hit different because of the sound? YouTube Shorts are exactly the same. Music and trending sounds are a huge part of what makes Shorts go viral. Find out how to find trending sounds YouTube has a massive library of licensed music that you can use in your Shorts, which is awesome because it protects you from copyright issues. Many creators will use trending sounds to jump on a trend or create a specific mood. But here’s a little catch: if you use music from the Shorts Audio Library, your video might be capped at 60 seconds. For videos longer than one minute (up to the 3-minute limit), you generally need to use royalty-free music from the YouTube Audio Library or original sounds to avoid content ID claims. So, if you’re planning a longer Short, keep that in mind when choosing your soundtrack. The right sound can really make your Short pop and get more people watching.
Editing for Shorts: Keep It Snappy
Even with the new 3-minute limit, the core principle of Shorts editing remains the same: keep it snappy! You want to minimize any dead air, awkward pauses, or unnecessary slow-motion shots (unless it’s for a specific effect, of course). Fast cuts, dynamic transitions, and quick changes in perspective often work best to keep viewers engaged. Think about cutting out any “ums,” “ahs,” or moments where nothing really happens. Get straight to the point and deliver your message or entertainment efficiently. You can use text overlays to add more context or emphasize key points, and sometimes even speed up certain segments. The idea is to pack as much engaging content as possible into the shortest effective timeframe, even if you have more time available. People scroll quickly, so your editing needs to hold their attention every single second.
The Algorithm and Shorts: How They Get Discovered
Shorts actually get seen by those billions of daily viewers? It’s all about the YouTube Shorts algorithm, which is a bit different from the regular YouTube algorithm. Shorts are primarily discovered in the Shorts feed, which is basically a continuous stream of vertical videos that users swipe through. The algorithm learns what viewers like and serves them more of that content. Factors like watch time (how long people watch your Short), repeat views, likes, comments, and shares all tell the algorithm that your content is good. The more engagement you get, the more your Short will be pushed out to new viewers. Using relevant hashtags can also help with discoverability, though sometimes Shorts blow up without any hashtags at all. It’s a bit of a mystery, but consistent, engaging, and well-made content is always your best bet to get picked up by the algorithm.
Monetization and Shorts: Earning Your Cash
You can absolutely make money from YouTube Shorts! It used to be just the Shorts Fund, which was more of a bonus pool, but now it’s part of the full YouTube Partner Program (YPP). To be eligible for YPP through Shorts, you generally need 1,000 subscribers and 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. Once you’re in YPP, you can earn from ads that play between Shorts in the Shorts Feed. Creators get 45% of the ad revenue generated from their Shorts, after YouTube’s cut and any music licensing costs. This revenue-sharing model started in February 2023. This is a pretty significant shift because it means more consistent earning potential directly from your Shorts views, rather than just relying on discretionary fund payouts. It’s a game-changer for many short-form creators on the platform.
Repurposing Content for Shorts: Work Smarter, Not Harder
One super clever strategy for creators is to repurpose existing long-form content into Shorts. Do you have a longer YouTube video, a podcast, or even just some good B-roll footage? You can easily take short, punchy clips from those and turn them into Shorts. Think about highlights, key takeaways, funny moments, or quick tips from your longer videos. This is a fantastic way to maximize your content creation efforts and potentially drive traffic back to your main YouTube channel. Many creators use this method to get more eyes on their longer videos, effectively using Shorts as a discovery tool. Just remember to re-edit them into that vertical format and make sure they’re engaging enough to stand alone as a Short. It’s all about getting the most mileage out of your content.
When to Choose Shorts vs. Long-Form: Picking Your Battles
With the new 3-minute limit, when do you decide to make a Short versus a full-length YouTube video? It really comes down to the content and your goals. If your message is simple, quick, and can be delivered effectively in under 3 minutes, then a Short is probably the way to go, especially if you’re aiming for broad, fast discovery. Shorts are great for trends, quick tutorials, comedic skits, or daily vlogs. However, if your content requires deep dives, detailed explanations, complex storytelling, or simply needs more than 3 minutes to truly convey your message, then a traditional long-form video is still your best bet. Long-form videos typically offer higher RPM (revenue per thousand views) for ad revenue, though Shorts can bring in a huge number of views quickly, potentially leading to more subscribers. It’s about figuring out the best format for your specific content and audience.
FAQs:
What is the maximum length of a YouTube Short?
As of October 15, 2024, the maximum length for a YouTube Short is 3 minutes. Before this update, the limit was 60 seconds.
Do YouTube Shorts have to be vertical?
Yes, to be recognized as a YouTube Short and appear correctly in the Shorts feed, your video needs to be in a vertical (portrait) aspect ratio, typically 9:16. If you upload a horizontal video, it might still show up as a Short but will have black bars on the sides.
Can I use any music in my YouTube Shorts?
You can use music from YouTube’s Shorts Audio Library for videos up to 60 seconds. For Shorts longer than one minute (up to 3 minutes), you generally need to use royalty-free music from the YouTube Audio Library or original sounds to ensure monetization eligibility and avoid copyright issues.
How do YouTube Shorts get monetized?
YouTube Shorts are monetized through ad revenue sharing. Ads play between Shorts in the Shorts Feed, and creators in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) receive 45% of the ad revenue generated from their Shorts views, after YouTube’s share and music licensing costs.
What are the requirements to monetize YouTube Shorts?
To monetize Shorts through the YouTube Partner Program, you need 1,000 subscribers and either 10 million valid public Shorts views (buy Youtube views) in the last 90 days, or 4,000 valid public watch hours on your long-form videos in the last 12 months.
Do Shorts views count towards the 4,000 watch hours needed for YouTube Partner Program eligibility?
No, views from Shorts in the Shorts feed generally do not count towards the 4,000 public watch hours requirement for the YouTube Partner Program. However, you can qualify for YPP using the 10 million Shorts views threshold instead.
Should I make all my videos Shorts now that they can be 3 minutes long?
Not necessarily. While the 3-minute limit offers more flexibility, the ideal length still depends on your content. If your video requires detailed explanations or complex storytelling, a traditional long-form video might still be more effective. Shorts are best for quick, engaging content that grabs attention fast.
