28 YouTube Shorts hacks that feel illegal to know (how to optimise YT Shorts to get views)

Introduction

YouTube Shorts have taken the digital world by storm, and creators everywhere are searching for ways to optimize their content for maximum reach and engagement. Below are 28 effective hacks that can help you skyrocket your views on YouTube Shorts.

1. Loop Your Shorts

Create a seamless transition between the end and the beginning of your video. This encourages viewers to watch your short more than once, boosting your watch time and potentially increasing your audience retention graph over 100%.

2. Add Captions/Subtitles

Incorporate captions into your shorts since they can substantially increase your watch time. While adding captions manually can be time-consuming, using powerful editing apps with automatic subtitle features can save you time.

3. Repost High-Quality Shorts

If you have a short that has underperformed despite being good quality, consider deleting it and reposting it a few weeks or months later. This can give the video a new chance at going viral.

4. Leverage Successful Formats

Identify trending formats that work well on shorts and replicate the structure with your own unique twist. For instance, using titles in consistent patterns can capture more interest.

Trending music can elevate your shorts' visibility. Access the trending section on YouTube Music to find music that works with your content and consider remixing it for your short.

6. Utilize the SQL Strategy

Repurpose successful titles by creating new shorts that are different but accurately represented by the same title.

7. Evoke Emotion

Shorts that provoke strong emotions, especially anger or disagreement, tend to perform better. Share unpopular opinions to engage viewers who resonate with your perspective.

8. Engage with Comments

Responding to every comment on your shorts increases engagement, as each response counts as another comment. This can improve your short's visibility.

9. Stay Current with Trends

Use Google Trends to discover what's currently popular in your niche. Create shorts around trending topics to capture a more extensive audience.

10. Craft Enticing Titles

Avoid giving away too much in your titles. Tease your viewers with enticing titles that promise value without spilling the beans on the content.

11. Bright Video Intro

A bright and dynamic intro can be more engaging compared to a dark one. Consider enhancing your video's visual aesthetics to keep viewers intrigued.

12. Explore Copyright-Free Music

Use the YouTube Audio Library to find copyright-free music that can complement your shorts and avoid any copyright issues.

13. Optimize Upload Process

After uploading your short, enhance its description, tags, and category on a desktop. This provides vital insights for YouTube, aiding in the content's discovery.

14. Strategic Hashtag Placement

Add hashtags at the end of your description to minimize viewer distraction. Ensure they are relevant to attract more views without leading viewers away.

15. Limit Hashtags

Avoid including more than 60 hashtags in your shorts; excessive tagging might lead to video removal.

16. Schedule Your Shorts

You can upload shorts as unlisted and schedule them for optimal times, based on when your audience is most active.

17. Analyze Views

Study analytics to discover where views come from—be it from shorts feeds or search results—to tailor future content accordingly.

18. Custom Thumbnail

Having a custom thumbnail enhances click-through rates for shorts that gather views from browse features.

19. Identify Viewer Drop-Off Points

Understand when viewers drop off by analyzing the watch-time graph. Identify problematic areas to avoid in future shorts.

20. Use Mobile Editing Features

Access advanced features directly on your phone for convenience in editing, including adding tags and descriptions.

21. Finding Your X Factor

To stand out among the vast pool of content creators, develop a unique aspect of your content that viewers can easily identify.

22. Research Other Platforms

Explore other short-form content, such as TikTok and Instagram, to find successful styles, formats, and strategies to apply to your own shorts.

23. Add Pattern Interrupts

Include frequent visual changes in your shorts; every few seconds, introduce new elements or scenes to keep viewers engaged.

24. Create Engaging Intros

When repurposing content into shorts, record an attention-grabbing hook to place at the beginning.

25. Highlight Long-Form Content

Summarize your long-form content into engaging shorts that end with a call to action directing viewers to the full video.

26. Utilize Comments for Links

Pin a comment with a link to your long-form video in the short’s comments section to guide viewers where to find more content.

27. Experiment with Content

Don't be afraid to test various types of content to see what resonates most with your audience. Creativity can lead to unexpected success.

28. Learn and Adapt

Stay updated on YouTube's evolving trends and adapt your strategies accordingly. Continuous learning can significantly enhance your content's performance.

Keyword

YouTube Shorts, engagement, loop, trending music, captions, audience retention, reposting, hashtags, emotional content, content strategy.

FAQ

Q1: How can I increase my watch time on YouTube Shorts?
A1: To boost watch time, consider looping your shorts, adding captions, and optimizing your content's emotional impact.

Q2: What type of content performs better on YouTube Shorts?
A2: Engaging, emotionally-charged content, and trending topics usually attract more viewers. Be sure to craft enticing titles and hooks.

Q3: How important are hashtags for YouTube Shorts?
A3: Hashtags can improve discoverability, but be cautious not to overload your short with too many; keep them relevant and place them at the end.

Q4: Can I use copyright music in my YouTube Shorts?
A4: While some trending music may be used, ensure you have the rights to avoid copyright issues. Alternatively, use the YouTube Audio Library for royalty-free options.

Q5: Is it beneficial to repost underperforming shorts?
A5: Yes, deleting and reposting high-quality shorts after a few weeks can potentially lead to better performance, as YouTube may retest the content.