How to Search YouTube Shorts

Frustrated trying to find a specific YouTube Short? You know it's out there, but YouTube’s search bar keeps giving you 15-minute-long videos when you're looking for something quick and to the point. This guide cuts through the noise and shows you simple, effective methods for searching YouTube Shorts more effectively. We’ll cover everything from the most basic hashtag trick to more advanced techniques for finding trending audio and analyzing your competition's short-form strategy.

Why Is It So Hard to Search for Just Shorts?

Before getting into the how-to, it’s helpful to understand the "why." Unlike regular videos, YouTube Shorts don't have their own separate, searchable database that’s easy for users to access. When you use the main search bar, YouTube's algorithm is designed to serve you what it considers the most relevant content, which often defaults to longer, traditional videos that have more historical ranking data.

Shorts are treated as a content format that exists within the main YouTube ecosystem, mixed in with everything else. They appear in their own dedicated "Shorts" shelf on the homepage, in subscription feeds, and on channel pages, but a direct "search only Shorts" function isn't yet a built-in feature. That’s why we have to use a few clever workarounds to tell the algorithm exactly what we want.

The Go-To Method: Using the "#shorts" Hashtag Filter

This is the most reliable and direct way to search for YouTube Shorts. It's a simple modifier you add to your query that acts as a powerful filter, forcing YouTube to prioritize short-form content in your search results.

Step-by-Step Guide for the Hashtag Method

• Step 1: Navigate to the YouTube Search Bar. On your mobile app or desktop browser, go to YouTube and find the search bar at the top of the screen.
• Step 2: Type in Your Main Search Topic. Think about what you’re interested in. Maybe it's "quick lunch recipes," "home decor ideas," or "Photoshop tips." Type your phrase into the search bar.
• Step 3: Add the Magic Hashtag. Here's the most important part. After your phrase, add a space and then type #shorts. Your final search query should look something like this: "quick lunch recipes #shorts".
• Step 4: See the Results. Hit enter. You'll immediately notice a difference. The results page will be heavily populated with vertical videos, each displaying the small red Shorts icon. You've successfully filtered out most of the long-form content.

This trick essentially tells YouTube's search algorithm, "I am specifically looking for content formatted as a Short about this topic." It works remarkably well because YouTube actively encourages creators to use the #shorts hashtag for discoverability, creating a ready-made index for you to tap into.

Advanced Techniques to Refine Your Search

While the #shorts hashtag method is your best starting point, a few other strategies can help you narrow your search even further, whether you're looking for inspiration or conducting market research.

1. Searching for Shorts Within a Specific Channel

Ever want to see all the Shorts from just one of your favorite creators without scrolling through their entire video library? This is surprisingly easy to do.

• Go to the YouTube channel of the creator you're interested in.
• Find and click on the search icon that appears on their channel page menu (it’s usually next to the "About" tab). This works on both desktop and mobile.
• In that channel-specific search bar, type a topic and, once again, add #shorts. For example, if you're on Marques Brownlee's channel (MKBHD) and want his short-form videos on the latest phone, you'd type "new phone #shorts".

This filters the results to only show Shorts from within that specific channel, making it a powerful way to see how a particular brand or creator approaches its short-form content strategy.

2. Exploring Industry and Niche-Specific Hashtags

While #shorts is the universal identifier, smart creators use other relevant hashtags to categorize their content. As a searcher, you can use these to your advantage.

Instead of just using a generic term, try searching for more niche topics along with the #shorts tag. Here are some examples:

• Instead of "fitness #shorts," try a more specific search like "bodyweight workout #shorts" or "#kettlebellflow #shorts."
• Instead of "home cooking #shorts," search for "meal prep ideas #shorts" or "30 minute meals #shorts."
• For social media marketers, instead of "marketing #shorts", test out "social media tips #shorts" or "#contentstrategy #shorts."

Think about the language and keywords your target audience or ideal creators are using. Combining specific, topical hashtags with the general #shorts filter will bring you highly relevant, targeted short-form content.

3. Using the Search Filters (With a Catch)

YouTube has its own set of advanced search filters, which can sometimes be helpful. It’s not as reliable as the hashtag method for Shorts, but it's worth knowing about.

1. Perform a regular search for your chosen topic.
2. Click the "Filters" button (it looks like a set of sliders or toggles).
3. Under the "Features" section, you may see an option for "Shorts" or a filter for video duration. Select the one that applies.

This method's availability can vary by region and isn't always as comprehensive as the hashtag technique. However, it's another tool to try, especially in combination with hashtags, as it can sometimes surface different results.

For Creators & Marketers: How to Find Trending Audio and Conduct Competitor Analysis

Searching for Shorts goes beyond just finding content to watch. It's a critical tool for content creators and social media marketers who need to stay on top of trends and see what their competitors are doing. Here’s how you can use YouTube Shorts search for strategic purposes.

Finding and Leveraging Trending Sounds

Unlike some other short-form video platforms, you can't directly search for a specific audio on YouTube. Instead, you find the sound "in the wild" and see what others have done with it.

• Step 1: Browse the Shorts Feed. Spend some time scrolling through the YouTube Shorts feed. The algorithm is good at serving you what's currently popular. Pay attention to songs or sound bites you hear repeatedly, as that often indicates a trend.
• Step 2: Tap on the Sound Icon. When watching a Short with audio you want to use, look for the sound information at the bottom of the screen. Tap the small square icon, which often contains the album art.
• Step 3: Explore the Audio's Unique Feed. This opens a dedicated feed showing all the Shorts that use that specific sound. This page is a treasure trove of information, allowing you to see how the sound became popular and how others are using it. Scroll through to find creative inspiration for your own content.

Conducting Competitive Research

Curious about what Shorts your competitors are putting out? This powerful technique allows you to learn from their strategy. Here's how:

• Direct Search: Use the search query "[Competitor Name] #shorts" to get a quick overview of their short-form content.
• Analyze Their Strategy: This search will reveal their posting frequency, tone, formats, and popular content themes. Note which topics and styles get the most engagement.
• Find Gaps in Content: Use industry-relevant keywords combined with #shorts to see what topics audiences are searching for. If you find a topic with high interest but few videos, you have found a golden opportunity to create content and establish your authority.

Final Thoughts

Searching YouTube Shorts effectively transforms it from a frustrating experience into a powerful tool for discovery, entertainment, and research. With the simplicity of the #shorts hashtag, you can easily filter results to focus on the content you want. Whether you're a casual viewer finding a new niche or a professional conducting market research, these techniques will help you get more value from the platform.

Once you’ve done your research and found inspiration, the next challenge is organizing your ideas into a consistent content plan. That's why we built Postbase. We designed our platform to simplify your social media workflow, allowing you to schedule short-form videos and other posts across your channels from one visual calendar. Turn your ideas from a notebook into a real publishing schedule that grows your brand.