How to Enable YouTube Shorts

Trying to find the button to enable YouTube Shorts on your channel? You can stop looking - it doesn't exist. The great news is that you already have Shorts enabled, as it's a content format, not a channel setting you need to activate. This guide will walk you through exactly how to create, upload, and optimize Shorts to start growing your channel today.

So, You Don't Actually "Enable" YouTube Shorts?

That's right. Unlike some channel features that require you to have a certain number of subscribers or meet specific criteria, the ability to create and be discovered through YouTube Shorts is available to all channels from day one. You don't need to apply, flip a switch in your settings, or reach a subscriber milestone.

The confusion often comes from thinking of it as a separate program. Instead, think of it as a specific type of video. If you upload a video that meets the Shorts criteria, YouTube's system will automatically recognize and distribute it as a Short. Your job isn't to enable the feature, it's to create content in the right format.

How to Create & Upload Your First YouTube Short

There are two primary ways to get your Short onto YouTube: creating it directly within the YouTube mobile app or uploading a pre-edited video from your phone or computer. Both methods are straightforward and effective.

Method 1: Using the YouTube App (The All-in-One Method)

Creating Shorts directly in the YouTube app is the quickest way to get started. It gives you immediate access to YouTube's audio library, basic editing tools, and filters. This is perfect for capturing spontaneous moments or creating simple, trend-focused content.

A Step-by-Step Guide for the App:

1. Open the YouTube App: Log in to your Google account and make sure you're on the channel you want to post to.
2. Tap the "+" Icon: At the bottom center of the screen, tap the create icon. A menu will pop up.
3. Select "Create a Short": This will open the Shorts camera interface.
4. Record or Add a Clip:
   • To record a new video, tap the red record button. You can tap it once to start and again to stop, allowing you to film multiple segments.
   • To use a video that's already on your phone, tap the square icon in the bottom-left corner to open your camera roll. Select one or more clips to import.
5. Set Your Recording Length: In the top-right corner, you can toggle between a 15-second and 60-second maximum length. This sets the total time limit for your Short.
6. Add All the Fun Stuff: This is where you can get creative.
   • Add Sound: Tap "Add sound" at the top to access YouTube's library of licensed music and audio clips. Using trending audio is one of the best ways to get discovered.
   • Use Effects & Tools: The right-side toolbar gives you options to flip the camera, adjust speed, set a timer, use the green screen effect, or apply simple filters.
7. Finalize Your Edits: Once your clips are ready, tap the checkmark icon to move to the editing screen. Here you can add text overlays with custom timing, trim clips, and adjust audio levels.
8. Add Your Title & Upload:
   • Write a short, catchy title (up to 100 characters). Including relevant keywords and the hashtag #Shorts is a great practice.
   • Set the video's visibility (Public, Unlisted, or Private). For a public launch, choose Public.
   • Select your audience (if the content is made for kids or not).
   • Tap "Upload Short," and you're done! Your video will be processed and published.

Method 2: Uploading a Pre-Edited Video

If you prefer to edit your videos using software like CapCut, Adobe Premiere, or Final Cut Pro, this method is for you. It gives you much more creative control over your final product. As long as your exported video meets the technical requirements, YouTube will recognize it as a Short upon upload.

The Two Golden Rules for Uploading a Short:

1. The video must be 60 seconds or less. Even at 61 seconds, YouTube will treat it as a standard video.
2. The video must have a vertical or square aspect ratio. The standard vertical format is 9:16 (1080x1920 pixels). A square format (1:1) also works. A standard horizontal video (16:9) will not be categorized as a Short.

As a best practice, adding #Shorts to your title or description helps confirm to YouTube that you intend for the video to be a Short. While the system has gotten much better at auto-detecting formatted videos, it's a simple step that removes any doubt.

How to Upload from Your Computer or Phone:

1. From a Computer: Go to YouTube Studio, click the "CREATE" button in the top-right, and select "Upload videos." Drag and drop your video file.
2. From Your Phone: Open the YouTube app, tap the "+" icon, and select "Upload a video." Select your pre-edited file from your camera roll.
3. Fill in the Details: Just like a regular upload, you'll need to create a snappy title, write a brief description (optional for Shorts, but good for keywords), select a thumbnail, set visibility, and add any relevant tags.
4. Click Publish: Once you've completed the details, publish your video. If it meets the formatting rules, YouTube will automatically add it to the Shorts player and distribute it on the Shorts shelf. Voila!

Best Practices: Creating Shorts That Actually Perform

Just uploading a Short isn't enough. The Shorts feed is competitive, so your content needs to grab attention and hold it. Here are some proven strategies to help your videos stand out.

1. Hook Them in the First Two Seconds

The viewer's thumb is always ready to swipe. Your first two seconds are your only chance to stop that scroll. Start with a bold statement, a compelling question, your video's most exciting moment, or a text hook that teases the outcome. Don't waste time on slow introductions or brand logos - get straight to the value.

Example: A cooking Short might start with a shot of the amazing final dish before showing how to make it, rather than beginning with a dull shot of chopping onions.

2. Utilize Trending Audio

Trends on YouTube Shorts, just like on TikTok and Reels, are often driven by audio. Tapping into a trending song or audio clip can give your video a massive visibility boost. When creating a Short in the app, browse the "Add Sound" tab and look for tracks with an upward arrow icon, indicating they are currently trending.

3. Tell a Micro-Story

The best Shorts have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Even in 30 seconds, you can create a satisfying narrative loop. Structure your video as a problem/solution, a before/after transformation, a mini-tutorial, or a relatable story with a punchline. This structure keeps viewers engaged until the end, which signals to the algorithm that your content is valuable.

4. Keep It Clear and Focused

Resist the temptation to cram too much into a single Short. Focus on one idea, one tip, or one joke. Simplicity wins. Use large, easy-to-read text overlays to communicate your message, as many people watch without sound. Keep your visuals clean and your edits sharp to maintain momentum.

5. Encourage Re-Watches with Seamless Loops

A high retention and replay rate is a powerful signal to the YouTube algorithm. Creating a video that loops perfectly - where the end flows directly back into the beginning - is a smart way to get people to watch it multiple times without realizing it. This technique pads your watch time and helps your Short gain traction.

6. Deliver Real Value

Every Short should answer an unspoken question for the viewer: "What's in it for me?" The value can be one of three things:

• Entertainment: Does it make them laugh, feel amazed, or surprised?
• Education: Does it teach them a new skill, share a helpful tip, or explain a concept?
• Inspiration: Does it motivate them, showcase a beautiful result, or tell an uplifting story?

Powerful Shorts often blend two of these elements, like a funny video that also teaches something new.

Final Thoughts

Succeeding with YouTube Shorts isn't about finding a hidden 'on' switch, but about consistently creating and uploading videos that fit the right format. By focusing on strong hooks, trending audio, and delivering value in under 60 seconds, you can connect with a massive new audience and breathe new life into your channel.

As your strategy grows to include Shorts alongside Reels, TikToks, and other platforms, keeping your content schedule organized can quickly become overwhelming. We built Postbase because we believe managing multiple social platforms should feel simple and streamlined. Because our tool was designed for today's video-first reality, you can visually plan and schedule all your content, including YouTube Shorts, across every platform from one clean calendar. It's what we always wanted: a modern, reliable hub that helps you strategize and publish without the chaos of juggling a dozen browser tabs.