YouTube Introduces Six New Features for Shorts

In an effort to compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels, YouTube has unveiled a range of new features to enhance its short-form video platform, YouTube Shorts. YouTube Chief Product Officer Johanna Voolich introduced these tools in a video update, aiming to make Shorts more appealing and accessible for creators.

New Tools for Shorts Creation

YouTube is rolling out six new tools to help creators craft their Shorts videos. These features include:

1. Auto-Transform Longer Videos into Shorts: This tool will automatically convert longer videos into Shorts, making it easier for creators to repurpose existing content.
2. “Add Yours” Sticker: This interactive sticker prompts users to share their own content related to a creator’s video, fostering engagement and creativity.

Voolich emphasized the accessibility of these tools, stating, “One thing I love is that anyone can build a Short — even I can build a Short — because we have all these tools that make it a very accessible way to become a creator.”

Enhanced Audio and Speech Options

Two new features focus on audio presentation:

1. Auto-Generated Captions: Creators can now add, edit, and customize captions with different fonts and colors.
2. Voice Narration Options: Creators can choose from four different voices to narrate or speak the text in their videos.

Interactive and Thematic Features

To celebrate Minecraft’s 15th anniversary, YouTube has introduced two new effects:

1. Minecraft Spring: This effect allows creators to film videos within the Minecraft world.
2. Minecraft Rush: A new mini-game where users tap to clear blocks as quickly as possible and then share their scores.

Leveraging Existing Content

YouTube is also enhancing how creators can use its vast library of public videos:

1. Auto-Layout Tool: This tool, initially available on Android, helps creators convert regular videos into Shorts. It automatically tracks the main subject, dynamically panning, zooming, and cropping the video.
2. Remix a Remix: Creators can now create remixes from existing remixes, expanding on the current ability to remix long-form or Shorts videos.

Future Developments

Voolich mentioned that Shorts videos now receive 70 billion daily views, the same figure reported last September. She hinted that YouTube might test Shorts videos longer than 60 seconds, responding to user preferences for both shorter and longer content.

“Some people want shorter Shorts and some people want longer Shorts, so we’re trying to figure out what is the right cutoff,” Voolich said.

Availability

Some of these new features are already available and rolling out, while others will be launched “soon,” according to YouTube.

These updates aim to make YouTube Shorts a more robust and versatile platform, encouraging more creators to engage and innovate with their content.