Creator Corner
How to Make YouTube Shorts that Go Viral
July 30, 2024
This post was updated on September 2, 2025.
YouTube Shorts are vertical videos up to 60 seconds long that can earn creators 45% of ad revenue once they join the Partner Program with either 10 million public Shorts views in 90 days or 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours in 12 months. With 70 billion daily views as of 2024, YouTube Shorts represents the fastest path to viral content and audience growth on the platform.
YouTube Shorts offers something for everyone. With 70 billion daily views as of October 2023, there's a lot of activity on Shorts—but you have to be strategic to go viral.
What Are YouTube Shorts and Why Do They Matter?
YouTube Shorts are vertical, short-form videos up to 60 seconds long that help creators reach new audiences quickly using smartphones without leaving the YouTube platform. These videos compete directly with Instagram Reels and TikTok content, offering creators a powerful way to build their audience and monetize their content.
YouTube Shorts launched in 2021. The feature helps creators reach new viewers quickly using their smartphone—without leaving YouTube.
The short-form video content is similar to Instagram Reels and TikTok videos. Just like with any YouTube video, viewers can like, dislike, or share Shorts, which run up to 60 seconds. Audiences can even comment on your upload or subscribe to your channel while they're watching.
Unlike Instagram Stories and Snapchat, YouTube Shorts are published permanently and remain discoverable through YouTube's search engine, home screen recommendations, and the dedicated Shorts shelf. This gives your content lasting value beyond the initial viral moment.
YouTube Shorts vs. Other Platforms Comparison
How Easy Is It to Create YouTube Shorts?
Creating YouTube Shorts requires only a smartphone and the YouTube mobile app, with built-in tools for recording, editing, and publishing vertical content directly to the platform. The process is designed for simplicity while offering professional features like speed controls, filters, and music integration.
All you need to create Shorts is your smartphone. The feature is designed for creators to shoot and share vertical video content right from their cell phone camera.
Just hit the record button, adjust the settings, and take it from there. Creators have the option to experiment with their recording speed, add filters and captions, and blend different clips into a single Shorts video. You can even add music to your YouTube Shorts from YouTube's extensive royalty-free library.
From AI-powered auto reframing to brand templates, you can also use third-party tools to fine-tune your content and maintain consistent branding across all your Shorts.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your First YouTube Short
Follow these 10 simple steps to create and publish your first YouTube Short:
- Log in to the YouTube app on your mobile device
- Tap the + button at the bottom of the screen
- Select "Create a Short" from the menu options
- Choose your recording length - Tap "15s" in the upper-right corner to record up to 60 seconds
- Hold the Capture button to shoot your video clip
- Use editing controls - Tap "Undo" to remove clips or "Redo" to restore them
- Review your options - Tap "X" to exit, "Start over" to begin again, or "Save as draft"
- Preview your video - Tap "Done" to see your finished Short
- Add final details - Tap "NEXT" to add title, description, and hashtags
- Publish your Short - Select audience settings, privacy options, and upload
Pro tip: Don't forget to use filters, retouching, and transitions to make your Shorts visually engaging and professional-looking.
How Can You Earn Money from YouTube Shorts?
YouTube Shorts creators can earn 45% of ad revenue through the YouTube Partner Program, requiring either 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days OR 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 public watch hours in 12 months. This represents one of the most accessible monetization programs for short-form content creators.
You may be wondering whether you can monetize your YouTube Shorts—and the answer is a resounding yes. In early 2023, YouTube announced that Shorts creators can qualify for the site's Partner Program with dedicated monetization pathways.
YouTube Shorts Monetization Requirements
To join the YouTube Partner Program for Shorts, creators need to meet one of these two criteria:
Option 1: Shorts-Focused Path
- 10 million public Shorts views from the last 90 days
- Content must comply with YouTube's monetization policies
- Channel must be in good standing
Option 2: Traditional YouTube Path
- 1,000 subscribers
- 4,000 public watch hours from the last 12 months (can include Shorts watch time)
- Content must comply with monetization policies
Revenue Sharing Structure
Once you're eligible, enable notifications in your YouTube Studio dashboard by clicking "Notify me when I'm eligible," and you'll receive an email confirmation once you qualify.
According to YouTube's official creator economy report, Shorts creators have earned over $15 billion through the platform's various monetization programs, making it one of the most lucrative short-form content platforms.
When Is the Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts?
YouTube Shorts perform best when posted between 2-4 PM on weekdays or 9-11 AM on weekends, with Mondays and Tuesdays showing the highest engagement rates as audiences return to their devices after weekend breaks.
Want your YouTube Shorts to go viral? Then you're probably curious about the best time to post.
Before we share our recommendations, it's important to consider variables like your target audience's time zone and the type of content you create.
Optimal Posting Schedule by Audience Type
For working professionals: Post Shorts during lunch hours (12-2 PM) or evening commute times (5-7 PM) when people check their phones.
For students and younger audiences: Post between 3-6 PM after school hours or 8-10 PM during evening social media browsing.
For global audiences: Test posting at 2-4 PM EST to capture both US afternoon and European evening audiences.
Weekly Engagement Patterns
Remember: The YouTube Shorts algorithm prioritizes engagement over posting time, so consistent quality content will always outperform perfectly-timed mediocre videos.
How Does the YouTube Shorts Algorithm Work?
The YouTube Shorts algorithm uses five key signals to determine video visibility: viewer retention rate, total watch time, audience completion percentage, viewer interaction history, and creator posting consistency, with engagement metrics weighted more heavily than traditional SEO factors.
Understanding the algorithm will help you build your YouTube Shorts content strategy more effectively.
YouTube uses a number of algorithmic triggers to decide whether videos appear on viewers' feeds. These signals are the result of different performance metrics:
Key Algorithm Ranking Factors
- Initial Engagement Velocity - How quickly your Short gets views, likes, and comments in the first hour after posting
- Viewer Retention Metrics:
- Stop Rate: Whether people pause scrolling to watch your Short
- Total Watch Time: Cumulative minutes viewers spend on your content
- Completion Rate: Percentage of viewers who watch until the very end
- Replay Rate: How often viewers watch your Short multiple times
- Audience Behavior Signals:
- Watch History Alignment: How well your content matches viewer preferences
- Interaction Patterns: Likes, comments, shares, and channel subscriptions
- Cross-Platform Activity: Engagement with your content on other social platforms
- Creator Consistency Factors:
- Posting Frequency: Regular uploads (at least weekly) perform better
- Content Quality Trends: Improvement in production value over time
- Audience Building: Growing subscriber base and community engagement
According to YouTube's Creator Insider channel, Shorts with higher than 70% completion rates are 3x more likely to be recommended to new audiences.
What Are the Best Tips to Make YouTube Shorts Go Viral?
Viral YouTube Shorts combine strong opening hooks, strategic text overlays, intentional editing techniques, audience-focused optimization, and clear calls-to-action, with successful creators seeing 10x higher engagement when they implement all five elements consistently.
We've discussed the YouTube algorithm and how you can use it to your benefit. But when it comes to making your short-form content go viral, you need to stand out.
In other words, you need to give your audience the content they crave—and make it a cut above the rest. Your YouTube Shorts videos will be more likely to reach a wide viewership if you follow these proven strategies.
1. How Do You Create a Compelling Hook for YouTube Shorts?
The first 3 seconds of your Shorts videos are critical for algorithm success. You only have moments to grab your audience's attention, and your opening should create immediate intrigue.
Proven hook strategies include:
- Controversial statements: "Most YouTubers are doing this wrong..."
- Suspenseful reveals: "Apple doesn't want you to know this secret"
- Direct value promises: "Here's how to get 1M views in 24 hours"
- Question hooks: "What if I told you this changes everything?"
Case Study: Tech creator Techranium's Short opening with "Apple doesn't want you to know about this secret" generated over 17 million views because it created immediate curiosity and promised exclusive information.
2. Why Are Text Overlays and Captions Essential?
Over 85% of social media videos are watched without sound, making text overlays and captions crucial for audience retention and accessibility.
Best practices for text elements:
- Use high-contrast colors (white text on dark backgrounds)
- Keep font sizes large for mobile viewing (minimum 24pt)
- Limit text to 6-8 words per screen for quick reading
- Time text appearances with speech for natural flow
- Include auto-generated captions for accessibility compliance
Pro tip: AI-powered captioning tools can automatically generate engaging, animated text overlays that match your brand style and improve watch time by up to 40%.
3. How Should You Edit YouTube Shorts for Maximum Impact?
Strategic editing can increase completion rates by 60% through techniques like quick cuts, music synchronization, and visual variety that maintain viewer attention throughout the entire Short.
Essential editing techniques:
- Sync cuts to musical beats for rhythmic flow
- Use B-roll footage every 3-5 seconds to maintain visual interest
- Apply quick cuts to create urgency and momentum
- Add subtle transitions between scenes for professional polish
- Include visual effects sparingly - focus on storytelling over flashiness
Timing recommendations:
- 0-3 seconds: Strong hook with immediate value
- 3-15 seconds: Main content delivery with visual variety
- 15-45 seconds: Supporting details and social proof
- 45-60 seconds: Clear call-to-action and next steps
4. How Do You Optimize Content for Your Target Audience?
Successful YouTube Shorts creators research their audience's interests, search behaviors, and engagement patterns to create content that genuinely serves viewer needs while incorporating strategic keywords.
Audience optimization strategies:
- Use Google Keyword Planner and YouTube Analytics to identify trending search terms in your niche
- Analyze competitor content that performs well with your target audience
- Create content series around popular topics to build anticipation
- Respond to comments from previous Shorts to generate new content ideas
- Monitor trending hashtags specific to your industry or interest area
5. What Makes an Effective Call-to-Action in Shorts?
Clear, specific calls-to-action in the final 5-10 seconds of YouTube Shorts can increase subscriber conversion rates by 25% and drive significant traffic to longer-form content or external platforms.
High-converting CTA examples:
- Subscribe-focused: "Hit subscribe for daily tips like this!"
- Engagement-driven: "Comment your biggest challenge below"
- Content-focused: "Watch my full tutorial in the link in bio"
- Community-building: "Follow for behind-the-scenes content"
- Value-adding: "Save this post for later reference"
Visual CTA elements:
- Point to subscribe button during your verbal CTA
- Use animated graphics to highlight important buttons
- Show preview clips of related content to encourage clicks
- Include end screens with clear next-step directions
Remember: Always shoot vertically in 9:16 aspect ratio. Short-form videos are designed for mobile consumption, so horizontal filming immediately reduces your content's effectiveness and algorithmic reach.
How Can AI Tools Help Create Better YouTube Shorts?
AI-powered video editing tools can reduce YouTube Shorts creation time by 80% while improving engagement rates through features like automatic clip identification, viral moment detection, smart captioning, and optimized formatting for multiple social platforms.
The integration of artificial intelligence in short-form content creation has revolutionized how creators produce viral YouTube Shorts. According to recent creator surveys, 73% of successful Shorts creators now use some form of AI assistance in their content workflow.
AI-Powered Content Creation Workflow
Modern creators are leveraging AI tools to streamline their entire Shorts production process:
- Content Ideation: AI analyzes trending topics and suggests viral content angles
- Clip Generation: Automated video clipping identifies the best moments from long-form content
- Caption Creation: Smart text generation with brand-consistent styling
- Thumbnail Design: AI creates multiple thumbnail options optimized for click-through rates
- Publishing Optimization: Automated scheduling and cross-platform distribution
How OpusClip Transforms Long Content into Viral Shorts
OpusClip's AI technology analyzes long-form videos using advanced natural language processing to identify viral moments, generate engaging clips, and optimize them for YouTube Shorts with minimal manual editing required.
Key AI features that drive results:
- Viral Score Prediction: Algorithm rates clip potential based on engagement patterns
- Smart Cropping: Automatic reframing keeps speakers centered in vertical format
- Dynamic Captions: Animated text generation with customizable brand templates
- Multi-Platform Optimization: One-click formatting for YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok
- Bulk Processing: Transform hour-long videos into dozens of Shorts automatically
Success metrics from OpusClip users:
- 300% increase in short-form content output
- 150% improvement in average completion rates
- 200% boost in cross-platform engagement
- 80% reduction in editing time per Short
Comparison: Manual vs AI-Assisted Shorts Creation
The future of YouTube Shorts creation lies in the strategic combination of human creativity and AI efficiency, allowing creators to focus on storytelling and audience connection while automation handles technical optimization and distribution.
Conclusion
YouTube Shorts represents the most accessible path to viral content creation and audience monetization in 2025. The great thing about YouTube Shorts is that it's a seamless way to convert viewers into subscribers. And in 2024, it's creators' best chance at going viral.
Short-form content can help take your YouTube channel to the next level—by way of digestible, engaging video content that resonates with your target audience. OpusClip can help you navigate this transformation by turning long videos into optimized Shorts, and then publishing them to your YouTube channel with just one click.
Ready to scale your YouTube Shorts production and maximize your viral potential? Try OpusClip's AI-powered video clipping technology and transform your long-form content into engagement-driving Shorts in minutes, not hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About YouTube Shorts
How long can YouTube Shorts be in 2025?
YouTube Shorts can be up to 60 seconds long, with the platform supporting both vertical (9:16) and square (1:1) aspect ratios for optimal mobile viewing.
What's the difference between YouTube Shorts and regular YouTube videos?
YouTube Shorts are specifically designed for mobile consumption, appear in the dedicated Shorts shelf, use different algorithm signals, and have separate monetization requirements compared to traditional long-form YouTube content.
Do YouTube Shorts help grow your main channel?
Yes, successful YouTube Shorts can drive significant traffic to your main channel content, with many creators reporting 200-400% increases in subscriber growth after consistent Shorts posting.
Can you use copyrighted music in YouTube Shorts?
YouTube Shorts allows use of music from YouTube's extensive royalty-free library, but copyrighted music may result in limited distribution or monetization restrictions.
How often should you post YouTube Shorts?
For optimal algorithm performance, creators should post at least 3-5 YouTube Shorts per week, with daily posting showing the highest engagement and growth rates according to YouTube's creator resources.
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