5 Shorts Hacks YouTube Doesn't Want You to Know About
YouTube has become one of the most popular platforms for content creators to share their videos with a wide audience and make a profit from their content.
With the rise of short-form videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, content creators on YouTube are also exploring the potential of creating Shorts, especially now that monetization is possible. Shorts are still a new type of format for a platform like YouTube that has long focused on long-form content.
In this blog post, we will spill the beans on all of the YouTube Shorts hacks that actually work.
Table of Contents:
- Find Your Niche and Commit to it
- Keep Your Shorts Short
- Thumbnails Make or Break Your Shorts
- Optimize Your Titles with SEO
- Make Awesome Shorts
Find Your Niche and Commit to it
Your niche will be the foundation upon which you will build your content and will help you to create a unique and recognizable brand identity.
Finding a niche for your YouTube channel is crucial for your success. It is essential to have a clear focus on a specific topic or niche, which will help you to stand out from the crowd and attract a loyal audience. Your niche will be the foundation upon which you will build your content and will help you to create a unique and recognizable brand identity.
It's tempting to think that you can create videos on any topic and still be successful on YouTube. However, this approach is not recommended as it dilutes your message and confuses your audience. When you create videos on a specific niche, you are catering to a specific audience that is interested in that particular topic. By focusing on a specific niche, you can create high-quality content that addresses the needs and interests of your audience.
Popular content creators on YouTube have all found a niche that works for them. Take They create content on specific topics that are of interest to their target audience. Take @SenayaiGrubs, a Food Shorts content creator, as an example. His content is easily recognizable on the platform for not only featuring some very delicious food but also his dry sense of humor.

When people subscribe to a channel, they do so because they want to see more of the same kind of content. By sticking to a specific niche, you can build a community around your channel. Your viewers will feel connected to you, and they will engage with your content more often. They will also recommend your channel to others who share their interests. In this way, you can build a loyal and engaged audience that will support your channel and help it to grow.
Keep Your Shorts Short
Videos that are 15 to 30 seconds long tend to be the most effective in terms of capturing viewers' attention and driving engagement due to declining attention spam.
With the rise of online video consumption, the way people engage with video content has also evolved. Short-form videos have become increasingly popular among viewers, with platforms such as TikTok and Instagram's Reels taking center stage in the social media space. As a result, content creators on YouTube are also exploring the potential of short-form videos to reach a wider audience.
While YouTube does allow creators to create videos up to 60 seconds long, it's important to note that shorter videos tend to perform better in terms of engagement and reach. This is because shorter videos are easier to consume and share, and are more likely to hold viewers' attention for the duration of the video.
Videos that are 15 to 30 seconds long tend to be the most effective in terms of capturing viewers' attention and driving engagement due to declining attention spam. This means that creators who are looking to boost the spread of their short videos on YouTube should aim to keep their videos within this optimal time range.
Thumbnails Make or Break Your Shorts
The thumbnail is the first thing viewers see before deciding whether to click on your video or not.
If you're looking to create Shorts on YouTube, one important factor to consider is the thumbnail image.
Thumbnail images are an essential part of any video's success on YouTube, and Shorts are no exception. The thumbnail is the first thing viewers see before deciding whether to click on your video or not. It is essentially the cover of your video and needs to be eye-catching and attention.
When it comes to creating Shorts, using an interesting thumbnail picture can significantly improve your views. You want to make sure that the image is relevant to the content of your video and stands out from the sea of other thumbnails on the platform. Consider using bright colors or bold text to grab the viewer's attention-grabbing.
It's important to note that if you don't add a custom thumbnail image to your Short video, YouTube will automatically select a random snapshot from your video. This snapshot may not accurately represent your content or be as visually appealing as a custom thumbnail. Therefore, it's best to take the time to create a custom thumbnail that accurately reflects your video and attracts viewers.
Optimize Your Titles with SEO
It is important to ensure that your videos are easily discoverable by potential viewers. One way to do this is by using SEO keywords in your titles and descriptions.
By using relevant keywords that relate to your video niche in your title and description, you can improve your video's ranking on YouTube search. This means that when users search for specific topics, your video will appear as a result, increasing the chances of gaining more views and subscribers.
You may have noticed that when you search for something on YouTube, relevant short videos often come up in the results. This is because YouTube's algorithm prioritizes content that includes relevant keywords and metadata.
You can use SEO tools like Semrush and Ahrefs to conduct your research and give your videos a fighting chance on YouTube.
Make Awesome Shorts
With the declining attention span, people don't want to waste their time on videos that don't provide any value to them. Short videos have become increasingly popular in recent years as they offer a quick and concise way to convey information and entertainment.

However, the limited duration of these videos presents a challenge for creators to communicate their message effectively. It's important to ensure that the content is engaging and informative, while also being concise and to the point. This means that creators should focus on delivering the most important information in the first few seconds of the video, as this is when the viewer's attention is most engaged.
Moreover, the quality of the content should never be compromised in the pursuit of making shorter videos. While it may be challenging to convey complex information in a short video, it is still possible to provide value to viewers. Creators should aim to create videos that offer a unique perspective, valuable insights, or actionable tips to their audience.
Ultimately, the key to success on YouTube lies in creating content that meets the needs and interests of your audience. By understanding what your viewers are looking for and tailoring your content to their preferences, you can increase engagement, grow your audience, and establish yourself as a credible and influential creator in your niche.