The Rise of YouTube Shorts: Why You Should Start Testing Them Now
Published: October 10, 2022
For YouTube content creators, the buzz around YouTube Shorts cannot be ignored. This blog post will explore the essence of YouTube Shorts, their rising popularity, and why creators should consider integrating them into their strategy sooner rather than later.
Understanding YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts are succinct, vertical videos that do not exceed 60 seconds in length. Their format and function closely resemble TikTok videos. Despite their brief nature, these bite-sized clips can significantly influence a channel’s growth and engagement levels.
YouTube Shorts and Their Surging Popularity
Early adopters of YouTube Shorts have experienced a surge in viewership, dwarfing the numbers of their standard content. Case in point, creator Brandon Lam witnessed his subscribers catapult from a modest 21 to an impressive 6,000+ within just three months, thanks to a viral short that racked up over 3 million views.
Maximizing YouTube Shorts for Your Channel
Though primarily being tested in India, creators around the globe can still participate by tagging their videos with specific keywords in the titles or descriptions. This allows the Shorts to feature in the dedicated ‘Shorts shelf,’ receiving considerable promotion from YouTube’s recommendation algorithms.
The engaging and addictive nature of scrolling through these Shorts encourages users to dive deep into a new dimension of content on the platform.
An important note is that while there might be some initial challenges with visibility outside of test regions, the tangible growth experienced by some indicates a robust opportunity for those who embrace YouTube Shorts early in the game.
One potential drawback includes the less-than-optimal display of vertical videos on desktop screens, but this is a minor issue considering the massive mobile user base.
Interested to learn more? Well, we’re just getting started!
Why Creators Should Care About YouTube Shorts
Adapting and Capitalizing on Shifts in Social Media
Recalling past transformative moments in social media, such as Facebook’s expansion beyond a college audience, we’re reminded of the importance of embracing change. Being adaptable and proactive during these shifts is vital to avoid being relegated to playing catch-up later on. For creators, engaging with YouTube Shorts now is an opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and reap the benefits of early adoption.