How to flag a youtube video upload as a short

YouTube Shorts is a relatively new feature that allows users to create and upload vertical videos that are 60 seconds or less in length. Shorts are designed to compete with short-form content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. If you want your video to appear in the YouTube Shorts section, there are a few key things you need to do to ensure it gets flagged correctly as a Short. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of how to upload and flag a video as a YouTube Short.

1. Ensure Your Video Meets the Requirements

Before uploading your video to YouTube, make sure it meets the following basic requirements for a Short:

• Video Length: The video must be 60 seconds or less.
• Aspect Ratio: The video must be in a vertical orientation with an aspect ratio of 9:16. This is similar to what you see on Instagram Stories or TikTok.
• Resolution: While YouTube doesn’t specify a particular resolution for Shorts, a vertical resolution of 1080x1920 pixels is recommended for the best quality.

2. Add #Shorts to the Title or Description

Once your video meets the above criteria, you can further ensure it is recognized as a YouTube Short by adding the hashtag #Shorts to either the video title or the description. This tag helps YouTube categorize and promote your video in the Shorts section.

Steps to Add the Hashtag:

1. When uploading the video, add #Shorts to the title or description in the text box fields.
2. Ensure that your title is still descriptive and relevant to the content, but incorporating the hashtag will help YouTube flag it as a Short.

Example:

• Title: "Fun Dog Tricks Compilation #Shorts"
• Description: "Check out these amazing dog tricks! #Shorts"

3. Upload Your Video from a Mobile Device or Desktop

You can upload a YouTube Short from both mobile and desktop. Follow these instructions based on your device:

From Mobile:

1. Open the YouTube app on your smartphone.
2. Tap the + icon (create button) at the bottom center of your screen.
3. Select Create a Short to record or upload a pre-recorded video that meets the Shorts requirements.
4. After recording or selecting your video, add #Shorts to the title or description.
5. Once you're satisfied with your video, click Upload to publish it as a YouTube Short.

From Desktop:

1. Visit YouTube.com and log in to your account.
2. Click the Create button (camera icon with a plus) in the top right corner and select Upload video.
3. Choose the file you want to upload.
4. Make sure your video meets the vertical video and length requirements (under 60 seconds) and add #Shorts to the title or description.
5. Complete any additional fields like description, tags, and thumbnail, then click Publish to upload the video.

4. Customize Your Video for Shorts

To help your video stand out in the Shorts feed, consider adding elements like catchy music, captions, or text overlays to engage viewers. YouTube Shorts also offers a range of editing tools for trimming clips, adding filters, or combining multiple video snippets. This makes it easier to create engaging and attention-grabbing content that viewers love.

5. Monitor Your Short's Performance

After uploading your Short, it’s important to track its performance. YouTube Analytics allows you to monitor views, likes, shares, and other engagement metrics. As Shorts are designed to be quickly consumed and shared, videos that perform well in this format can gain significant traction, sometimes reaching millions of views in a short period.

Conclusion

Creating and flagging a YouTube video as a Short is a simple process that requires you to ensure your video meets the time and format requirements, and to use the #Shorts hashtag in the title or description. By following these steps, your video can be featured in the Shorts section and potentially reach a wider audience.

By optimizing your content for YouTube Shorts, you can tap into a growing trend of short-form video consumption, increase your channel’s visibility, and connect with a global audience.