YouTube Shorts is a feature introduced by YouTube to compete with short-form video platforms like TikTok. Launched in 2020, Shorts allows users to create and share videos up to 60 seconds long using a mobile device. Here’s how it fits into the platform:
1. **Format and Creation**: Shorts are designed for quick, engaging content. Users can create Shorts using the YouTube app’s built-in tools, including a multi-segment camera, audio tracks, and various editing features.
2. **Discovery**: Shorts appear in a dedicated feed on the YouTube app and website, making them easy to discover. They also have their own section on the YouTube homepage and can be viewed alongside regular videos in search results and recommendations.
3. **Monetization**: YouTube has integrated monetization features for Shorts, allowing creators to earn revenue through the YouTube Partner Program and the Shorts Fund, which offers bonuses for popular content.
4. **Content Strategy**: Shorts complement longer videos on YouTube by providing a platform for quick updates, highlights, or engaging content that can drive traffic to a creator’s main channel.
Overall, Shorts is aimed at capturing the growing trend of short-form video consumption and expanding the ways creators can engage with audiences on YouTube.