Are you a creator looking to make YouTube Shorts and wondering about the ideal length? The short answer is that YouTube Shorts should be a maximum of 60 seconds. In this blog, we’ll walk you through what YouTube Shorts are, the ideal length for maximum engagement, and best practices to keep your audience hooked. Plus, we’ll dive into how to make money on YouTube Shorts. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents:
What is the Ideal YouTube Shorts Length?
The ideal length for a YouTube Short is under 60 seconds, but the key is to make every second count. While YouTube allows up to a minute for Shorts, shorter videos—around 15 to 30 seconds—tend to perform exceptionally well in engagement and retention.
Why? Because viewers often prefer bite-sized, snappy content that delivers value or entertainment quickly. The quicker your message is delivered, the more likely viewers will stay engaged until the end and even replay it.
That said, don’t feel pressured to cut down valuable content. The focus should be on creating a concise, engaging video that leaves a lasting impact, regardless of whether it’s 10 seconds or 60 seconds long.
Best Practices to Get More Views on YouTube Shorts:
While gaining more views on YouTube Shorts can take some experimentation, there are some proven methods that can help you achieve better results Here are some tips to help you increase your views and visibility:
1. Hook Viewers in the First 3-5 Seconds
The first 3-5 seconds are crucial. Grab your viewers’ attention immediately with a strong hook, whether it’s an interesting fact, a visually engaging shot, or a compelling statement.
2. Use Trending Music and Sounds
Using trending music or sounds can boost your Shorts in the algorithm, as the platform tends to push content that’s aligned with trends.
3. Create Content Around Viral Trends
Keep an eye on viral challenges, trending hashtags, and themes within your niche. Piggybacking on trends increases your chances of your content being discovered.
4. Optimize for Vertical Format
YouTube Shorts are meant to be vertical, so make sure your content is filmed in a 9:16 aspect ratio. This ensures that your video fills the entire screen and looks natural to viewers.
5. Keep It Concise and Focused
Stay focused on one idea per Short. Try to cram only a little into 60 seconds. Instead, create multiple Shorts if needed, each targeting a single theme or message.
6. Use Captions and On-Screen Text
Adding captions or on-screen text not only makes your video accessible but also helps reinforce key points. It can keep viewers engaged, especially if they’re watching without sound.
7. Engage with Your Audience
Use the comments section to encourage interaction. Ask viewers to respond to a question or share their thoughts, which can boost engagement and help your Short reach more users.
8. Post Consistently
The more frequently you post, the better your chances of appearing in users’ feeds. Consistency is key to building momentum and staying visible.
9. Promote Your Shorts Across Other Platforms
Share your Shorts on other platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. Cross-promoting your content can help attract a wider audience and increase views on your Shorts on YouTube.
ProTip: Monetize Your YouTube Shorts:
Now that you know the ideal length for YouTube Shorts and how to get more views, it’s time to think about monetization. If you’re just starting out, you may not yet meet the eligibility requirements to run ads and earn revenue on YouTube. But don’t worry—this is where tools like CheckYa can help you earn from your content immediately.
CheckYa allows you to accept tips directly from your YouTube subscribers who want to show their appreciation for your content. Imagine someone loving your Shorts so much that they decide to send you a tip—that’s instant revenue! But that’s not all. With CheckYa, you can:
- Sell Digital Downloads: Whether it’s an eBook, a digital guide, or exclusive video content, you can easily sell digital downloads directly from your YouTube channel.
- Promote Affiliate Products: Use CheckYa to promote affiliate products and earn commissions when your viewers make a purchase through your affiliate links.
- Offer Paid Bookings: If you provide coaching, consultations, or any other service, you can offer paid bookings. This gives subscribers an easy way to book time and support your work.
The best part? CheckYa is free to use, and you can set up all of these monetization options simply by adding a single link to your YouTube video descriptions. This helps you start seeing revenue from the beginning and keeps you motivated to continue creating more content, knowing you’re already earning as you grow.
Conclusion
Now that you know YouTube Shorts can be up to 60 seconds long and you have all the tips to increase views combine these strategies with tools like CheckYa to start monetizing your Shorts from the get-go. Whether it’s accepting tips, selling digital downloads, promoting affiliate products, or offering paid bookings, you have everything you need to grow your channel and start seeing revenue early on. So create, monetize, and watch your YouTube Shorts thrive!
