How to Publish YouTube Shorts

Ready to tap into the massive audience watching YouTube Shorts? Publishing your first vertical video is simple, but making it successful requires a bit of strategy. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from the technical requirements to the step-by-step process on both mobile and desktop, plus actionable tips to help your Shorts get seen.

What Exactly Are YouTube Shorts (And Why Should You Care)?

YouTube Shorts are vertical, short-form videos that can be up to 60 seconds long. Think of them as YouTube's answer to TikTok and Instagram Reels. Tapping into Shorts isn't just about following a trend, it's a huge opportunity for growth. Unlike traditional long-form videos that rely on search and browse features, Shorts are primarily discovered through the "Shorts shelf" and the Shorts feed - an endless, scrollable stream of content that can put your channel in front of millions of new viewers.

Here’s why they’re a game-changer for creators and brands:

• Incredible Reach: Shorts have a dedicated audience of over 2 billion logged-in monthly users. The algorithm is designed for discovery, meaning new channels have a real shot at going viral.
• Lower Barrier to Entry: You don't need a fancy studio or perfect editing skills. A smartphone and a good idea are enough to get started. This makes content creation faster and more spontaneous.
• Content Testing Ground: Have an idea for a long-form video but aren't sure if your audience will like it? Turn it into a Short first. It's a quick, low-risk way to gauge interest before you invest hours into a 15-minute video.
• Channel Growth Engine: Shorts can attract new subscribers who might then check out your longer videos, driving growth across your entire channel.

Getting Your Short Ready: The Technical Requirements

Before you hit upload, making sure your video is formatted correctly is half the battle. If your video doesn’t meet these basic criteria, YouTube may not recognize it as a Short.

Format & Length

The rules are simple but strict. Your video must be:

• Vertical: A square or vertical aspect ratio is required. The ideal format is 9:16 (the standard smartphone screen size, 1080x1920 pixels). A 1:1 square video will also work, but vertical is always better for the feed.
• 60 Seconds or Less: The video must have a maximum duration of 60 seconds. While you have a full minute, remember that attention spans are short. The sweet spot is often between 15 and 45 seconds - long enough to deliver value, but short enough to keep viewers engaged until the end for a high watch time.

Content Checklist

Beyond the technical specs, successful Shorts share a few creative ingredients:

• A Strong Hook: The first three seconds are everything. Grab a viewer's attention immediately with a bold statement, a question, or captivating visual movement. If you don't hook them instantly, they'll just scroll past.
• Clear Audio: Whether you're using a voiceover, music, or just ambient sound, make sure it's crisp and clear. Muffled audio is a guaranteed way to lose viewers. Consider using a simple lavalier mic for voiceovers - it makes a huge difference.
• Value or Entertainment: Every Short should do one of two things: entertain or educate. Teach a quick hack, share a little-known fact, tell a funny story, or showcase a beautiful product. Whatever you do, make it worthwhile for the viewer.

How to Publish YouTube Shorts from Your Phone (The Easy Way)

The mobile app is the most intuitive and common way to publish Shorts. It's designed for creators who are filming and editing on the go.

Step 1: Open the YouTube App

Launch the YouTube app on your smartphone and make sure you’re signed into the correct Google account for your channel.

Step 2: Tap the "+" Create Button

At the bottom of the screen, in the center of the navigation bar, you’ll see a plus icon inside a circle. Tap it to open the creation menu.

Step 3: Select "Create a Short"

A menu will pop up with options like "Upload a video" or "Go live." Tap "Create a Short" to open the Shorts camera.

Step 4: Record or Upload Your Video

You have two choices here:

• Record new footage: Use the red record button to capture clips directly within the app. You can tap it to start and stop, recording multiple segments for your video.
• Upload a pre-edited video: If you've already edited a vertical video using another app (like CapCut), tap the square icon in the bottom-left corner to access your phone's gallery and select your clip.

Step 5: Edit and Enhance Your Short

Once your video is loaded, you’ll see the editing screen. Tap the checkmark icon in the bottom right to proceed. Here you can use YouTube’s built-in tools to add some personality:

• Sound: Tap "Add sound" at the top to browse YouTube’s massive library of licensed music and audio clips. Using trending audio can significantly boost your Short's visibility.
• Text: Add text overlays to emphasize points or provide context. You can change fonts, colors, and timing.
• Filters: Apply basic color grading filters to change the mood of your video.
• Timeline: If you recorded multiple clips, you can adjust the timing and order of each one.

Step 6: Add Your Details (Title, Visibility, etc.)

After editing, tap "Next" in the top-right corner. This brings you to the final details screen before publishing.

• Title: Write a short, punchy title that creates curiosity. It’s also a best practice to add the hashtag #shorts at the end of your title to help YouTube’s system properly categorize it.
• Visibility: Set this to Public to have it go live immediately. You can also choose Unlisted (only viewable with a link) or Private.
• Audience: This is a required step. You must specify whether your content is "Made for Kids" or not. Be honest here, getting this wrong can lead to platform penalties.

Step 7: Tap "Upload Short"

That’s it! Tap the blue “Upload Short” button at the bottom. Your video will process and will appear live on your channel shortly.

How to Publish YouTube Shorts from Your Desktop

For marketers and creators with more structured workflows, uploading from a desktop computer via YouTube Studio provides more control and is great for scheduling content in advance.

Step 1: Go to YouTube Studio

Navigate to studio.youtube.com and sign in to your channel's account.

Step 2: Click "Create" then "Upload videos"

In the top-right corner of your dashboard, click the red "Create" button and select "Upload videos" from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Select a Vertical Video File

A window will pop up. Drag and drop your video file into the window or click "Select Files" to find it on your computer. Remember, it must be less than 60 seconds and have a vertical or square aspect ratio to be recognized as a Short.

Step 4: Craft Your Title and Description

This is where desktop uploading offers a big advantage. You have more space to be strategic.

• Title: The title is critical. Same as on mobile, keep it catchy and concise. Most importantly, you must include #shorts in either the title or the description for YouTube to recognize it as a Short when uploading from desktop. It's safest to simply add it to the end of your title.
• Description: While Shorts descriptions aren't as prominent as on long-form videos, use this space to add relevant keywords, hashtags, and a link to a related full-length video on your channel.

Step 5: Choose a Thumbnail and Set Other Details

Unlike regular videos, you typically can't upload a custom thumbnail for a Short yet (though this feature is rolling out slowly). YouTube will select a frame from your video to use as the thumbnail. Scroll down to set your audience settings ("Made for Kids" or not) and add relevant tags if you wish.

Step 6: Finalize Visibility and Publishing Options

On the "Visibility" screen, you have a few choices:

• Save or Publish: Choose Public to make it live immediately.
• Schedule: This is a powerful feature for maintaining a consistent posting calendar. Select a future date and time for your Shorts to go live automatically.

Step 7: Hit Publish!

Click "Publish" (or "Schedule"), and your Short will be ready to go.

Beyond the "Upload" Button: Best Practices for Success

Uploading is easy, but getting views requires strategy. Here are a few tips to help your Shorts take off.

Master the First 3 Seconds

The hook isn't just important, it's everything. Viewers decide in an instant whether to keep watching. Start with a surprising visual, ask a provocative question, or make a bold claim that your video will then prove or disprove. The goal is to stop the scroll.

Leverage Trending Audio & Formats

Don’t be afraid to hop on trends, but always give them your own spin. Spend time scrolling your Shorts feed to find popular songs or formats. When you find one you like, tap the sound at the bottom right to see other videos using it and save it for later. A word of caution: make sure the trend fits your niche and brand voice. Don't force it.

Consistency is Your Best Friend

You don't need to post five Shorts a day, but you should establish a consistent rhythm. The YouTube algorithm tends to favor channels that post regularly. Whether it's three times a week or once a day, find a schedule you can stick to. This predictability helps build momentum and audience expectations.

Use Shorts to Fuel Your Main Channel

Shorts are the perfect appetizer for your long-form content. Create a Short that highlights a mind-blowing tip or a hilarious moment from one of your full-length videos. Then, tell viewers they can find the full story or a deeper dive by checking out the link in your description or comments. It's one of the most effective ways to convert Shorts viewers into loyal subscribers.

Final Thoughts

Publishing a YouTube Short is technically simple, whether you're on a phone or a computer. However, real growth comes from combining those easy steps with a thoughtful content strategy - nailing the hook, staying consistent, and providing value to your audience. Treat Shorts as a powerful tool for discovery, and you'll put your channel on the path to reaching new viewers.

As we've worked on growing our own channels, managing a consistent content calendar across Shorts, Reels, and TikTok became a serious time-sink. That’s why we designed Postbase with a video-first mindset. We built it around a visual calendar that lets you upload a video once, customize it for each platform, and schedule it everywhere without ever worrying about failed posts or complicated workflows. It keeps everything organized in one place so you can focus more on creating and less on admin.