How to Upload YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts are vertical videos up to 3 minutes that appear in YouTube's dedicated Shorts feed. Unlike regular YouTube videos, Shorts are designed for quick, mobile-first consumption—and they're one of the fastest ways to grow a YouTube channel right now. YouTube expanded Shorts from 60 seconds to 3 minutes in October 2024, and has been aggressively pushing the format in 2026 with prominent placement on both mobile and desktop.

YouTube Shorts Requirements

For a video to qualify as a YouTube Short, it must meet specific technical requirements. Videos that don't meet these criteria will be treated as regular YouTube videos and won't appear in the Shorts shelf.

Technical specifications

• -Duration: 3 minutes (180 seconds) maximum
• -Aspect ratio: Vertical (9:16) or square (1:1)—horizontal videos don't qualify
• -Resolution: 1080x1920 recommended for best quality
• -Format: MP4 with H.264 codec works best
• -Bitrate: 8-12 Mbps to minimize compression artifacts
• -Frame rate: 30fps minimum, 60fps for fast motion

Videos meeting these requirements automatically appear in the Shorts shelf. Adding #Shorts to your title or description helps YouTube's algorithm categorize your content, though it's technically not required.

Uploading from Mobile (iOS & Android)

Mobile uploading gives you access to YouTube's built-in Shorts creation tools, including effects, filters, and the ability to add music from YouTube's licensed library.

1. Open the YouTube app and tap the + button at the bottom
2. Select Create a Short
3. Tap the upload icon in the bottom left to select an existing video from your camera roll
4. Trim your video to 3 minutes or less using the timeline (shorter videos often perform better)
5. Add text, music, or effects if desired (YouTube's music library is extensive)
6. Tap Next when finished editing
7. Write your title (keep it under 60 characters for visibility)
8. Add your description with #Shorts and relevant hashtags
9. Set visibility: Public, Unlisted, or Private
10. Tap Upload Short

Uploading from Desktop

Desktop uploading through YouTube Studio offers more control—particularly custom thumbnails, better file management, and access to scheduling. It's the preferred method for creators who batch-produce content.

1. Go to studio.youtube.com and sign in
2. Click Create in the top right corner, then Upload videos
3. Drag and drop your video file or click to browse your computer
4. YouTube automatically detects if the video qualifies as a Short (vertical or square + up to 3 minutes)
5. Add your title—include relevant keywords since YouTube is a search engine
6. Write your description with #Shorts and 2-3 relevant hashtags
7. Upload a custom thumbnail (1080x1920 for vertical)
8. Set visibility: Public, Unlisted, Private, or Scheduled
9. Click Publish or set your schedule time

Scheduling from desktop

YouTube lets you schedule Shorts up to several months in advance. Instead of selecting "Public," choose "Schedule" and set your preferred date and time. This is essential for creators who batch-create content and want consistent posting without manual daily uploads.

Optimizing for Discovery

Getting views on YouTube Shorts depends on both algorithmic discovery (the Shorts shelf) and search. Unlike TikTok where captions barely matter, YouTube's search engine makes your title and description crucial.

Titles that perform

YouTube is fundamentally a search engine. Your title should include keywords people actually search for, while still being engaging enough to click. Keep titles under 60 characters—longer titles get truncated in the Shorts shelf.

• -Good: "3 Excel Shortcuts You Need to Know" (clear, searchable, numbered)
• -Bad: "Watch this..." (vague, no keywords)
• -Good: "How I Make $500/Week Selling Stickers" (specific, curiosity-driving)
• -Bad: "OMG YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS" (clickbait, no search value)

Descriptions that work

Include #Shorts in your description to help YouTube categorize your content. Add 2-3 relevant hashtags—don't stuff with 20 hashtags like some Instagram strategies suggest. If you have longer videos on the same topic, link to them here to drive traffic to your main content.

Custom thumbnails

Even though Shorts autoplay in the feed, thumbnails still matter. They appear on your channel page, in search results, and in some placements. Create vertical thumbnails (1080x1920) with bold, high-contrast text. Consistent thumbnail style helps build brand recognition.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Video not showing as a Short

If your video isn't appearing in the Shorts shelf, check these requirements:

• -Duration must be 3 minutes (180 seconds) or less
• -Aspect ratio must be vertical (9:16) or square (1:1)—horizontal videos never qualify
• -Add #Shorts to your title or description if it's still not categorized correctly

Upload failing or stuck

Upload issues are usually file format or connection problems:

• -Use MP4 format with H.264 codec—MOV and other formats sometimes cause issues
• -Check your internet connection—large files need stable uploads
• -Try a different browser if YouTube Studio is being slow
• -Clear browser cache if uploads repeatedly fail

Quality looks bad after upload

YouTube compresses all uploads, but starting with high quality minimizes degradation:

• -Export at 1080x1920 with high bitrate (8-12 Mbps)
• -Don't upload videos downloaded from TikTok—they're already compressed
• -Upload over WiFi, not mobile data—YouTube may apply more compression on slow connections
• -Wait 30-60 minutes after upload—YouTube processes HD versions after initial upload

Cross-Platform Distribution

Most creators posting YouTube Shorts are also posting to TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Facebook Reels. The 9:16 vertical format works on all platforms, making cross-posting straightforward—but each platform has different optimal practices.

Key differences to keep in mind:

• -YouTube: Search-focused titles with keywords, custom thumbnails matter
• -TikTok: Short punchy captions, trending sounds boost discovery
• -Instagram: Engagement-focused captions, questions that prompt comments
• -Facebook: More context in captions, older audience appreciates explanation

For detailed strategies on multi-platform distribution, see our guides on cross-posting videos, bulk uploading YouTube Shorts, or uploading to all platforms.