Why are Youtubers doing shorts?
Since it was launched in 2005, YouTube has grown into the world''s largest video-sharing platform. It has more than two billion monthly active users, and a staggering one billion hours of video are watched on the platform every day. As the platform has grown, so too has the way in which content creators engage with their audiences. One of the ways in which creators are currently engaging with audiences is through shorts.
What are YouTube shorts?
YouTube shorts are vertical videos that are 60 seconds or less in length. They are similar to the popular social media app TikTok, in that they''re designed to be watched in short bursts. Shorts can be created using the YouTube app, and can include music, text, and other effects. They can be found on the Shorts tab on the YouTube homepage, as well as in search results.
Why are Youtubers doing shorts?
Shorts are currently one of the hottest trends on YouTube, with creators from across the platform jumping on the bandwagon. There are a number of reasons why creators are embracing shorts:
1. Shorts are a great way to reach new audiences. YouTube''s algorithms are currently promoting shorts heavily, meaning that even creators with small audiences have the potential to reach millions of viewers.
2. Shorts are a quick and easy way to create content. Since shorts are only 60 seconds long, they don''t require the same level of planning and preparation as longer-form videos.
3. Shorts allow creators to experiment with new content formats and styles. Since shorts are still a relatively new format, there''s a lot of creativity and experimentation going on.
4. There is potential revenue to be made from shorts. Although Shorts is still in beta mode, YouTube has confirmed that it is working on a monetization strategy for creators.
Examples of successful shorts
So far, there have been a number of creators who have found success with shorts. Here are a few examples:
1. Chriselle Lim: Fashion and beauty influencer Chriselle Lim has been using shorts to showcase short fashion tips and tricks.
2. MrBeast: YouTuber MrBeast has been using shorts to create bite-sized versions of his popular challenges and stunts.
3. Juice WRLD: The late rapper Juice WRLD has been posthumously topping the charts with his shorts music videos, which feature snippets of his songs set to visuals.
Potential downsides to shorts
While shorts are currently a popular trend, there are potential downsides for creators who rely heavily on the platform for their income. Here are a few examples:
1. Shorts may cannibalize views from longer-form videos. Since YouTube''s algorithm is promoting shorts heavily, creators may find that viewers are spending more time watching shorts and less time watching their longer videos.
2. Shorts may inflate subscriber counts. Since shorts are so heavily promoted, creators may find that they are gaining subscribers who are only interested in shorts content, and not their longer-form videos.
3. Shorts may lead to burnout for creators who feel pressured to continually create new content. Since shorts are so quick and easy to create, creators may feel like they have to continually churn them out in order to remain relevant.
Conclusion
YouTube shorts are currently one of the hottest trends on the platform. They offer creators an opportunity to reach new audiences, experiment with new formats and styles, and potentially earn revenue. However, there are potential downsides to shorts, including the potential cannibalization of views from longer-form videos and the potential for burnout. As shorts continue to grow in popularity, it will be interesting to see how creators continue to engage with the format.
