A Stepwise Guide on How to Upload YouTube Shorts

Join the YouTube Shorts craze! Learn how to upload YouTube Shorts on mobile, PC, and with the CapCut video editor. It offers basic and advanced editing tools for free and a direct upload to YouTube Shorts option.

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CapCut
CapCut06/09/2024
0 min(s)

Are you wondering how to upload YouTube Shorts to broaden your digital footprint and engage with a vibrant community? In this guide, you will learn the procedure, ensuring your creative content reaches a wider audience with ease.

Table of content

What are YouTube Shorts (explained)

Like the name, YouTube Shorts are bite-sized videos of up to 60 seconds long, usually designed for quick, engaging content. They're perfect for showcasing creativity distinct from traditional long-form YouTube videos. Creators get access to additional features, like side-by-side collab recordings and interactive Q&A stickers, for increased exposure. You can also make Shorts to boost engagement as they are in the YouTube algorithm and advertise your channel to a new audience. But before anything else, there are a few things to consider.

Key considerations for uploading YouTube Shorts

Uploading YouTube Shorts requires you to understand some key aspects like:

  • Video duration
  • Try to keep your YouTube Shorts video duration between 15 seconds to a minute, which is ideal for viewers who prefer brief, compelling video clips.
  • Video dimensions
  • For the best YouTube Shorts, create videos in a vertical orientation, an aspect ratio of 9:16, and a resolution of 1920x1080 px, compatible with full screen on mobile devices.
  • Video title
  • Being the first thing viewers see, it is vital to make a YouTube Shorts video title that is both catchy and relevant to the content. A good title can pique interest and draw viewers in.
  • Thumbnails selection
  • Although shorts automatically generate thumbnails, custom ones make you stand out. Choose a picture that is visually appealing and represents the essence of your video.
  • Hashtags and descriptions
  • Use these to increase discoverability by adding keywords related to your content to help your YouTube Shorts appear in search results and recommended videos.
  • Sound and music
  • Choose audio wisely, as the right sound can significantly impact the viewer's experience. There is a ton of music from YouTube's library, and you can also use originals.
  • Engagement features
  • Take advantage of elements like comments, likes, and shares to increase viewers' interactivity with your content.

Once you grasp these prerequisites, uploading YouTube Shorts is seamless and quick. Here's how.

How to upload YouTube Shorts on a desktop

Uploading YouTube Shorts from a desktop is straightforward and beginner-friendly. Whether you're a seasoned content creator or a newbie to YouTube, the following breakdown takes you through how to upload YouTube Shorts from a PC:

    Step
  1. Sign up or log in
  2. Visit the YouTube official website on your web browser and click Sign in to log in with your email account. If you are new to the platform, create a new account with Google first, and sign in.
  3. 
    sign up or log in
  4. Step
  5. Select and upload your video
  6. After logging into your account, check the top-right corner of your desktop or laptop screen and click the camcorder icon with a '+' sign to create a Short and select Upload video. This will either ask you to create a new YouTube channel if you are new or take you to the YouTube studio so you can browse the file in your computer storage or drag and drop it.
  7. 
    select and upload your video
  8. Step
  9. Complete the fields
  10. A new screen will appear with different fields and the progress of the uploading video on a preview window. You can add details such as the YouTube Shorts video title, description, thumbnail, playlist, targeted audience, Shorts remixes, etc. Proceed and add the video element, and YouTube will check for any copyright issues.
  11. 
    complete the fields
  12. Step
  13. Publish
  14. After video processing and checks are complete, click Next and set the publishing preferences. You can choose whether to save or publish as private, unlisted, or public, and schedule a date to make it public, then click Save. You'll have finished publishing the YouTube Shorts video and now track its performance through YouTube's analytics tools.

publish YouTube Shorts video

How to upload YouTube Shorts on mobile

If you want to upload your YouTube Shorts video via a smartphone, then there's the convenience of the YouTube mobile app. It comes preloaded on Android devices, and it is effortless to upload videos as pre-recorded or live recordings in real time.

1. How to upload pre-recorded YouTube Shorts on mobile:

    Step
  1. Upload video
  2. Open the YouTube app on your mobile phone and tap the (+) plus sign button at the bottom center of the screen. A new popup will appear with the option to Upload a video. Tap on it and select video from your smartphone's local storage.
  3. Step
  4. Adjust video length and edit
  5. At the bottom-left, tap Edit into a Short, and edit the video length to be within YouTube Shorts' time restrictions of 60 seconds or less. After that, you can perform other edits, like adding filters, text, Q&A, and sound/music, and then click Next to proceed.
  6. Step
  7. Add details
  8. Here, add details like the YouTube Shorts caption, change visibility, set location, select audience, add a related video, Shorts remixing, insert paid promotion labels, and turn comments on.
  9. Step
  10. Publish YouTube Shorts
  11. Click Upload Short, and the video will be uploaded to your YouTube channel. You can check it under Your videos and track its performance over time.

upload pre-recorded YouTube Shorts on mobile

2. How to Upload YouTube Shorts live recording on phone:

    Step
  1. Open Shorts Camera
  2. Open the YouTube app, tap on the '+' icon, and select Create a Short. This will launch the YouTube Shorts camera.
  3. Step
  4. Adjust live YouTube Shorts settings
  5. Here, you'll choose to capture with a front or back camera, speed, timer adjust, video effects, and whether to use camera sounds or tap the Add sound button at the top of the screen to browse for music. There is also a green screen, Retouch, and Filters tabs to edit and improve your live YouTube Shorts recording session.
  6. Step
  7. Start live recording YouTube Shorts
  8. With all preferences ready, tap the red Record button at the bottom to begin live recording YouTube Shorts.
  9. Step
  10. Stop recording
  11. Tap the Stop icon and then tap the checkmark symbol at the bottom right.
  12. Step
  13. Upload live camera recordings to YouTube Shorts
  14. Tap Next, add the YouTube Short Title, Caption, and other details, then tap Upload Short.

upload YouTube Shorts live recording on phone

How to upload edited YouTube Shorts

Ever wondered how some popular YouTubers create remarkable YouTube Shorts? The secret is studio-grade editing with tools like CapCut. You may have heard of CapCut as a multimedia editor, but it also offers a versatile video editor with direct upload to YouTube Shorts. With it, you get unlimited video editing tools, including basic, advanced, and AI-powered features, free of cost.

Steps to upload YouTube Shorts with CapCut video editor

Simply download the CapCut video editor, and you'll love its short learning curve, easy-to-use controls, and the three-step process shown below.

    Step
  1. Import video and change the ratio
  2. You can import video from device storage with the (+) sign button, or the drag and drop option.
  3. 
    Import the video
  4. Click Create new video, select the 9:16 video aspect ratio for YouTube Shorts, and the editing interface will appear. If you are making long-form YouTube videos, select the 16:9 aspect ratio.
  5. 
    Change the ratio
  6. Step
  7. Edit
  8. After the video has been added to the CapCut video editor's timeline, there are multiple features to take advantage of. From preset templates to stock videos, photos, music, and sound effects. You can also add text to capture viewers' attention, auto-generate captions for subtitles, and use transcript-based editing to identify filler words. There is also a library of stickers, video and body effects, filters, and transitions.
  9. 
    Edit your video
  10. That's not all. You can reverse the YouTube Shorts video to keep your audience engaged, mirror it, and split scenes, especially when you have a long video. On the right panel, you have more editing tools for video masking, animation, keyframes, speed curves, and background color. Even better, you can stabilize shaky videos and use AI-powered tools like retouching and background remover to further polish your videos.
  11. Step
  12. Upload to YouTube Shorts
  13. Once you've finished all the necessary basic and advanced video editing, click Export, and under more options, you'll see the YouTube Shorts upload button.
  14. 
    Ready to export the video

Select YouTube Shorts and proceed with the export settings such as video title, resolution of up to 4K, quality, frame rate, and format as MP4 or MOV.



A new Share to YouTube window will pop up with various fields to add the YouTube Shorts video title, description, visibility, and tags. After everything is ready, click Share, and your YouTube Shorts video will be posted to YouTube.


Share the video to YouTube

On the next screen, you can preview the uploaded video.


Preview your video

Advantages of uploading YouTube Shorts via CapCut video editor

Using CapCut for creating, editing, and uploading YouTube Shorts presents numerous benefits, like:

  • Direct upload to YouTube Shorts
  • CapCut simplifies the process by allowing you to edit and directly upload your videos to YouTube Shorts, all within the same editor. This integration saves time and streamlines your workflow.
  • Basic and advanced editing tools
  • Whether you need to perform basic edits like cropping and trimming or advanced techniques like keyframing, animation, masking, splitting scenes, and separating audio, CapCut has got you covered. Additionally, you can download clips and utilize transcript-based editing to enhance your Shorts.
  • Cloud storage utility
  • With CapCut, your projects get saved in your cloud space storage, ensuring they are accessible from any device. This feature also facilitates easy collaboration, as multiple users can work on the same project from different locations.
  • Smart AI tools
  • CapCut's AI tools are game-changers. Features like retouching, background remover, chroma key, and voice changer allow you to add a professional touch to your videos without needing advanced technical skills.
  • Loads of preset assets
  • The editor offers a vast library of preset templates, filters, and effects to add flair and uniqueness to your YouTube Shorts. These resources are continually updated, so you have access to the latest trends and styles.
  • Accessibility and cross-platform compatibility
  • CapCut's nature eliminates the need for software installation and allows you to work on a project from any device, facilitating collaborative video editing by transferring permissions, which is especially useful for marketing agencies, collab podcasting, etc.
  • Video conversion and compression with preserved quality
  • CapCut enables you to convert the final output to MP4 or MOV video format, universally compatible with most streaming and social media sites, as well as compress videos for quick uploads while preserving their quality.

Top tips for creating outstanding YouTube Shorts

Creating captivating YouTube Shorts is both an art and a science. With the right approach and tools like CapCut, you can significantly enhance the impact of your Shorts, as shown below:

  • Be straightforward
  • Grab your viewers' attention from the very start. With CapCut, you can use engaging intros or striking visual effects to make your first few seconds count.
  • Consider a thumbnail
  • A well-chosen thumbnail keeps your channel visually organized and appealing, and you can create custom thumbnails that reflect the essence of your Shorts.
  • Choose background music wisely
  • The right music sets a mood and tone for the entire YouTube Shorts video. CapCut offers a wide range of sound effects and free music samples, enabling you to choose the perfect track or even the best part of a song to complement your video.
  • Loop your video
  • Creating a loop effect can keep your audience engaged and watching a YouTube Shorts video repeatedly. Use CapCut's video looper tool to create seamless loops for your Shorts.
  • Add links to more of your content
  • Encourage viewers to explore other videos on your channel that are related to the YouTube Shorts video you are uploading.
  • Utilize trending effects and filters
  • Stay up-to-date with the latest trends. CapCut's extensive library of effects and filters allows you to keep your content fresh and engaging.
  • Optimize for mobile viewing
  • Since most YouTube Shorts are viewed on mobile devices, it is vital to ensure your videos are in the 9:16 aspect ratio for easy full-screen mobile viewing.
  • Incorporate interactive elements
  • Engage your audience with interactive elements like Q&A stickers or polls, easily added through CapCut's many stickers.

Conclusion

When it comes to uploading YouTube Shorts, choosing the most convenient upload method is critical, and a reliable, versatile video editing tool does wonders to enhance your videos. Consider the CapCut video editor to improve and polish your YouTube Shorts before uploading. It also offers a one-click video upload process to YouTube Short, streamlining the upload process.

You don't need additional software for YouTube Shorts video editing because CapCut is an all-in-one solution. It gives you access to premium video editing features and tools free of charge, so you don't spend money on complex editing apps. Give CapCut a try for your next YouTube Shorts project and experience the difference it makes in your content creation journey.

FAQs

  1. How long can the video be when I upload YouTube Shorts?
  2. YouTube has a duration limit of 60 seconds per each YouTube Shorts video. This time limit is strictly adhered to by YouTube, as Shorts are designed to be quick, engaging videos suitable for rapid consumption. With the CapCut video editor, you can effortlessly cut and trim videos or split scenes to fit in the time limit required.
  3. How to post YouTube Shorts in the fastest way?
  4. The fastest way to post YouTube Shorts is by using the YouTube mobile app. Simply tap the '+' icon, select 'Create a Short,' and either record a video directly or upload a pre-recorded video from your gallery. But if you want to professionally edit a video before uploading, a quicker way is the CapCut video editor to edit and directly upload YouTube Shorts, all within CapCut.
  5. How to upload YouTube Shorts from a PC without consuming local storage?
  6. The easiest way to upload YouTube Shorts while saving your PC's local storage space is to rely on a video editor like CapCut for its free cloud space storage. All the videos you edit via CapCut are saved on your cloud space for quick access on the go and easy team editing collaboration, ideal for YouTube Shorts recording, and using minimal computer resources.
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