What is YouTube Shorts?

YouTube Shorts is YouTube's vertical short-form video format under 60 seconds. Learn Shorts specs, safe zones, and how to use Shorts for channel growth.

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Definition

YouTube Shorts is YouTube's short-form vertical video format for videos up to 60 seconds long, displayed in a dedicated Shorts feed and distributed by YouTube's recommendation algorithm to non-subscribers.

YouTube Shorts explained

YouTube Shorts launched globally in 2021 as YouTube's answer to TikTok, enabling creators to publish vertical videos up to 60 seconds directly from a mobile device or through desktop upload. Shorts are displayed in a dedicated vertical-scrolling Shorts feed and are also surfaced in the main YouTube recommendation feed and search results. Shorts are an effective discovery tool for YouTube channels because they reach non-subscriber audiences at scale, driving channel growth that can convert viewers into long-form subscribers. Technical requirements: 9:16 aspect ratio (1080x1920 recommended), maximum 60 seconds, and square captions or text should respect the YouTube Shorts UI safe zones (bottom caption bar, right action rail). BlitzReels provides YouTube Shorts-specific export presets and safe zone overlays to ensure content is formatted correctly for the platform.

Create youtube shorts content with BlitzReels

BlitzReels provides the tools and automation to put these concepts into practice.

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Crée ta prochaine vidéo short-form maintenant.

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