YouTube Shorts are opening new doors for content discovery and driving viewer engagement in ways that are reshaping the YouTube game. And as these vertical videos continue to be pushed to the forefront, creators have a unique opportunity to ride the wave and grow their channels.

 but the challenging part is keeping the momentum going. And with many updates over the years, you may have to think differently about how you create Shorts. 

Shorts are appearing in search results, so you should absolutely create them.

If you focus on making unique Shorts that go viral, subscribers will find you eventually.

Every Short needs a pinned comment that recommends 

Musical Shorts may contain trends or dance challenges, so research those topics before you press record.

Now that you have some background knowledge, here are four tips to grow your channel with YouTube Shorts.

1. YouTube Shorts are More Discoverable; Don’t Hesitate to Post Them!

Getting discovered with YouTube Shorts is a sound strategy, especially as search-based Shorts are getting more views. That means you should absolutely start posting them to 

How Viewers ‘Search’ for YouTube Shorts

Viewers can find your Shorts via YouTube search just like traditional, topic-based videos. Want to learn how? Follow these steps:

Open YouTube on your desktop or mobile app.

Next to your profile icon, click the magnifying glass at the top right corner of the screen.

Type your desired keywords into the search bar and tap the appropriate result when it pops up.

Scroll down past the first few results — the regular, horizontal videos — until you see the Shorts shelf. Here you'll find Shorts related to your search term.

When we search for vidIQ, a shelf filled with 

 called "Latest Shorts from vidIQ" appears in the results. This may contain Shorts we’ve posted as well as those from other creators who talk about vidIQ. So just by posting Shorts, you've created one more way for viewers to 

If you're on the mobile app, you can also simply click the Shorts icon at the bottom and watch a stream of endless Shorts!

What About Topic-Based Searches for YouTube Shorts on Google?

If you're a long-form creator making search-based videos, you know the struggle of trying to rank for a search term, especially a popular one. It's a popular strategy, but long-form videos are almost oversaturated with it.

With the rise of search-based Shorts, you can find new ways to dominate a search term. That’s because although long-form videos show up on Google search pages, there are little to no Shorts. If you’re anything like us, you’d probably want to click on a 40-second Short explaining the search term instead of an 8-minute “how to” tutorial.

YouTube Shorts from Google Search results

For example, do a Google search on "how to make a YouTube Short." You'll notice a Short from vidIQ appears 

which creates more exposure for our channel. So always do 

 so you can make discoverable videos.

Watch Rob explain this in more detail below:

2. Accept That Views, Not Subscribers, Are the Immediate Benefit of Creating Shorts

If you’ve struggled to gain subscribers from Shorts, that might intensify in the future. YouTube made some layout changes to the Shorts player, and the subscribe button is less prominent than it used to be.

In the old layout, the subscribe button was red and higher up on the player. Now the button is gray and very close to the bottom of the screen.

It seems like YouTube wants to take the emphasis off of subscribers, at least for Shorts. We’re not sure why. What we do know is that views, not subscribers, have always been the biggest reward for posting Shorts. Some creators get millions of subscribers, but that’s usually because they’re posting unique content that’s hard to duplicate — like 

Jake Fellman’s animated Among Us Shorts

. Those videos attract millions of subscribers.

For now, create the best Shorts you can possibly make. Make them so entertaining that people deliberately search for the subscribe button, even if it’s harder to see.

18 Viral Video Hooks for YouTube Shorts [Proven Hacks]

3. Use Pinned Comments to Drive Viewers From a Short to Additional Content

Shorts are similar to TikTok videos; viewers watch them quickly, swipe to the next video, and repeat the process as they cycle through content. It’s hard to get people to slow down, but when they do, you should give them something to look at.

The comment section is a good place to do this. Because subscribers are harder to gain with Shorts, you should 

make sure each video has a pinned comment.

 You can highlight additional content — a playlist, a Short that serves as a part two, whatever you like — and encourage people to explore your channel. If people like what they see, they may hit subscribe.

The pinned comment is your best tool because Shorts don’t have info cards or end screens for suggesting content. Even the video description is hidden behind a two-tap journey.

4. Do Some Research to Make Unique, Music-Driven Shorts

 That’s what’s been happening on TikTok and even older platforms like Triller and the unforgettable sensation that was Vine.

Now YouTube wants to create the same appeal on its mobile app. On March 18, 2021, the platform unveiled a feature for 

, and it's been working great. The best part? You won’t be penalized for violating copyright rules.

Not to mention, YouTube is one of the biggest platforms for music listeners and is preferred by many. If you can add music with a high search volume or something that's trending online, your Short might get recommended when people search for the song!

Recommended shorts with song search on YouTube

With more creators using music, it's easy to find out which songs appear in certain videos. Then you can 

 after seeing what others posted, hopefully making your content stand out.

To start researching, look for the icon below. If you see it, that means the creator added a song from the Shorts camera tool.

Tap the icon to see more Shorts using that song. This is where your research will really take off as you discover how the song is being used, if there’s a challenge associated with it, and more. At the top of the page, you can also see the original YouTube video for the song.

YouTube Shorts Are Getting Longer: Is This an Opportunity or a Problem?

Starting October 15th, YouTube will classify any vertical or square videos up to 3 minutes in length as YouTube Shorts. This is a significant shift from the current format, which only allows Shorts to be a maximum of 60 seconds. Watch Rob explain this update in detail below:

There are some challenges to consider with this update. Here's a concise version of what to expect:

 Longer Shorts might not display correctly on your channel at first, and YouTube has acknowledged that traffic sources could be inconsistent for a while.

 Shorts over 60 seconds containing copyrighted material will be automatically blocked, a tougher policy compared to the previous claim system.

 While longer Shorts offer more content space, they won’t count towards the watch time needed for monetization. Creators still need 10 million views from Shorts to qualify.

While these changes might not seem as amazing for new creators, this format might open up a pool of audience that could gravitate towards it. It marks a significant shift in the platform's strategy, and while it may seem daunting, there are ways for aspiring creators to navigate these updates successfully. 

By understanding the new guidelines and preparing for potential challenges, creators can continue to grow their channels while delivering quality content that resonates with audiences. How. you ask? Well, here's a 

90-day plan to get you started on your way to 10 million YouTube Shorts views!

Yellow play button icon with vidIQ logo surrounded by cameras, film strip, and plants.

YouTube Shorts are more popular than ever, and now you can use them to grow your channel in exciting ways. Learn how below!

4 Tips to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Shorts

What does every YouTuber want? You'll hear a lot of responses to this question, but one sticks out more than the others:

Well, this week we're celebrating 10 creators who did just that! These talented individuals are in the vidIQ community, and they used a healthy dose of imagination, skill, and consistency to grow their channels fast.

As always, we define the vidIQ community as anyone using our growth tools to reach YouTube success. So if you've 

 to optimize your videos, find keywords, or even get video ideas, this roundup is for you. We're celebrating 

Top Channels Passing 100,000 Subscribers in August

Football Diaries makes creative cartoons of popular football players.

 makes exciting videos on cars and car modifications.

 makes entertaining videos over mobile gameplay.

 makes humorous reaction videos and gameplay live streams.

 makes your day a little better with relaxing and calming Shorts.

 is a Spanish creator who makes original videos based on Roblox characters.

 streams video games and humorous Shorts.

 creates engaging Shorts based on Minecraft characters.

 makes unique Shorts about tractors and off-road vehicles.

does reaction videos and hilarious challenges.

Congrats to everyone who had amazing subscriber growth last month! 🥳 If you want to see your channel grow, don't forget to 

 and get robust tools, data, and video ideas.

A graphic showing the words 100,000 subscribers 

Red badge with white text celebrating 100K subscribers and fireworks on black background

Can you imagine getting 100,000 subscribers in just 30 days? These talented YouTubers did just that, so let's celebrate their success (and gain inspiration)!

10 YouTube Channels that Hit 100K Subs FAST! [August]

Getting 10,000 subscribers is difficult, especially when 

 of videos are uploaded daily on YouTube. Nonetheless, several creators — specifically those in the vidIQ community — managed to pull it off in just 30 days! These talented YouTubers used imagination, skill, and a healthy dose of consistency to grow their channels quickly.

Because you've worked so hard and achieved so much, we're here to say it before anyone else: 

Top Channels Passing 10,000 Subscribers in August

 makes entertaining explainer videos featuring an animated cloud as the main character.

 makes video essays on popular creators over original gameplay content.

 makes edited Shorts based on popular anime shows.

 makes fun and engaging Shorts on popular video games.

 does livestreams and live Shorts on popular games.

HRK Studio makes comprehensive video essays on popular YouTube creators.

A graphic showing the words 10,000 subscribers 

10,000 subscribers milestone badge with stars on dark background celebrating growth

The creators featured in the post skyrocketed past 

 gained tens of thousands of subscribers through highly engaging 

: Each channel stuck to a well-defined niche, whether it was 

: Posting frequently and consistently helped the algorithm notice them.

: These creators used vidIQ’s suite of tools to find 

To be featured in a future post like this, you need to be part of the 

 within a month. Here's how to get on the radar:

Use vidIQ to optimize your channel: keywords, SEO, video ideas, and performance tracking.

Grow consistently and let vidIQ track your stats.

Subscribe to the vidIQ blog or follow them on 

 for updates on featured channels and success stories.

 are vertical, short-form videos (under 60 seconds) designed to be consumed quickly on mobile devices. They are incredibly effective for channel growth because:

) primarily used Shorts to gain visibility fast.

Can you imagine getting 10,000 subscribers in just 30 days? These talented YouTubers did just that, so let's celebrate their success (and gain inspiration)!

6 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 10K Subs [August]

Woohoo! 🎉 Let's give a high-five to 10 creators who skyrocketed to 

 in just a month! From gaming to movies to random street interviews, these channels are crushing it and racking up subscribers like nobody's business.

 to level up your YouTube game — this celebration is all about you. Ready to see who's leading the pack? Here are last month's YouTube all-stars! 🌟

Top Channels Passing 1,000 Subscribers in the Last 30 Days

 creates entertaining videos based on Minecraft.

3. Вселенское пробуждение (Universal Awakening)

Вселенское пробуждение

 explores the world through spiritual awakening and enlightenment.

 uploads popular clips from different events in Cricket. 

 creates memes and commentary based on the game Countryballs.

 talks about ancient wisdom and spiritual learnings.

 simplifies the science and art behind astrology and numerology.

 shares information and in-depth knowledge on the use of cannabis and related products.

9. Top Saúde e Fitness (Top Health and Fitness)

 makes videos about healthy living, from disease prevention to exercise to proper nutrition.

10. Histórias para el Alma (Stories for the Soul)

 tells fascinating stories that reflect life through tales of animals.

Celebration graphic showing 1000 subscribers with stars and fireworks background

Which small YouTube channels grew the fastest in August? Get to know 10 rising creators who make videos about movies, gaming, fitness, and more.

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 1,000 Subs FAST [August]

, but their channels don't always pass the "content test." This is where YouTube looks at everything on a channel — the titles, the thumbnails, the popular videos, and more — to decide if it's a fit for the YouTube Partner Program. If it is, the creator can monetize videos with advertisements 

So, what stops creators from doing this? Most of the time, it happens when they violate a serious rule on YouTube that can't be ignored. So, here are three channels that never make it past YouTube security!

One of the quickest ways to get demonetized (or not monetized at all) is by reusing other people's content on YouTube. Today, many creators repost viral clips without transforming them at all, such as adding original commentary, new visuals, or compelling edits. And that's what YouTube doesn't want to monetize — videos that are carbon copies of something else.

: "The spirit of this policy is to make sure we’re rewarding creators for original and authentic content that adds value to viewers.... We allow reused content if viewers can tell that there’s a meaningful difference between the original video and your video." — 

YouTube values original content. If someone takes a video and reposts it with no value added, it doesn't make sense to pay them for it. It's unfair to the originator, and stealing content leads to a flurry of 

Taking popular clips from various sources and compiling them into one video.

Reposting memes without original commentary or value

Posting clips from popular TV shows or movies

Uploading music from various artists without their permission

Repetitive content has the potential to be boring, and YouTube knows this. So, it's a good idea to avoid using the same thumbnails, titles, descriptions, and video content over and over again. It's safe to use the same intros and outros or reference clips from older videos, but keep the bulk of your content original. 

Also, try not to mass-generate your videos using only AI (artificial intelligence). Give your content a human touch and let AI assist or enhance the process.

The Truth About AI: Can YouTube Automation Ruin Your Channel?

 "Repetitious content refers to channels where the content is so similar, viewers may have trouble spotting the difference between videos on the same channel.... If you have many videos that violate our guidelines, monetization may be removed from your entire channel." — 

Advertisers are looking for engaging, original content where their ads can be placed. If a channel is just churning out the same stuff repeatedly, it won't attract advertisers or be approved for monetization.

Looping short clips for an extended period, such as rain or wind sounds

Uploading the same video multiple times, but with different titles and thumbnails

Creating automated slideshow videos using the same template, text, and images

Using text-to-speech software to read out articles, lists, or other content that belongs to someone else

3. Channels that Violate YouTube's Community Guidelines

error message that a YouTube video was removed 

YouTube has a long list of guidelines that aim to keep everyone on the platform safe. Channels that engage in dangerous acts are in direct violation of those rules, which means they can't make money. YouTube has the power to 

spam, deception, disturbing or sensitive content, violent or dangerous content, misinformation, and the glorification of regulated goods.

: "If a YouTube creator’s on- and/or off-platform behavior harms our users, community, employees, or ecosystem, we may respond based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the egregiousness of their actions and whether a pattern of harmful behavior exists. Our response will range from suspending a creator’s privileges to account termination." — 

When a channel engages in activities like hate speech, harassment, or spreading misinformation, it becomes a high-risk platform for advertisers. Brands don't want their reputation tarnished.

Examples of Community Guidelines Violations

Spreading false information or conspiracy theories, especially concerning public health, elections, or other significant events

Making videos to harass, intimidate, or bully specific individuals or groups

Promoting or glorifying the use of illegal drugs or substances

Posting content that exposes minors to dangerous activities

YouTube's New Update on Demonetized Channels

Previously, channels could be instantly demonetized

 without warning, leaving creators shocked and financially impacted. If demonetized, creators had 21 days to appeal, but YouTube could take up to 14 days to respond, leading to a potential 6-week period without revenue even if the appeal is successful. With a new policy update, YouTube has addressed the unfairness of this system and introduced new, more lenient rules. Watch Rob cover all about the update below:

Here's what the new policy update entails:

 YouTube has introduced a 7-day window for creators to appeal before losing monetization. 

 Creators must provide more information to YouTube, typically by recording a video demonstrating how they create content. 

 This pre-appeal opportunity is available only for certain types of suspensions, likely those involving issues like reused or repetitious content. More serious offenses may not be considered.

If the appeal is successful within the 7-day window, the channel remains monetized, avoiding any loss of revenue. Even after the 7-day window, 

, though demonetization will occur after the initial 7 days.

YouTube has been criticized for making quick, damaging decisions regarding channel suspensions in the past. However, this update is seen as a positive step toward giving creators more time to address issues before suffering financial loss. It represents a shift in YouTube’s approach, aiming to reduce the stress and financial impact on creators by allowing a fair chance to appeal before demonetization takes effect.

Are you ready to turn your channel into a money-making machine? The good news is that it's 

. You just need three qualities to pull it off:

Authenticity (the freedom to be yourself)

Other than that, YouTube monetizes channels that offer original, engaging, and advertiser-friendly content. Think 

educational tutorials, entertaining vlogs, insightful reviews, or even captivating storytelling

. It all works on YouTube and paves the road to monetization.

Speaking of cash, here's how to boost your advertising revenue when you do get monetized.

Broken red YouTube play button logo with text on black background, symbolizing platform issues.

Calling all creators: Avoid these 3 types of YouTube channels if you want to get monetized quickly!

3 Types of YouTube Channels that Never Get Monetized

YouTube copyright claims are discouraging but necessary. These alerts, which are extremely common, let you know when you’ve used someone else's content in your video. Before the consequences get serious, it’s good to know when you’ve overstepped your bounds as a creator.

The violations that trip up some creators are quite common. Content that includes video clips, images, or audio you haven’t produced yourself will likely spark a copyright claim. Fortunately, you can remove these alerts. All you have to do is substitute copyrighted content for original content you own.

Want to reduce the number of copyright claims on your channel? YouTube just gave creators the best gift ever. In the video above, our YouTube expert Rob covers recent YouTube updates that will change the game!

What's the Difference Between a Copyright Claim and a Copyright Strike?

Copyright claims aren’t as devastating as strikes, but they do feel like a speed bump in the YouTube journey. That’s because...

You can lose monetization for your video.

YouTube may restrict viewing to certain countries. 

How to Check a YouTube Video for Copyright Claims

Uploading a YouTube video requires several steps. Before your content goes live, you'll give it a title, thumbnail, description, keywords, and other elements to help people find and watch the video.

an extra step that happens automatically.

 YouTube will inspect your content to see if it contains copyrighted material. This happens when you reach the 

YouTube’s copyright checker tells you how long the process will take, and it reports copyright matches before you hit publish. At that point, you can choose the best course of action. That may be disputing the claim or taking steps to remove it.

On the same upload page, you can view the impact a copyright claim has on your channel. Click 

Here's what you may see after expanding the details

Restrict people from viewing the video in certain countries

Make the video ineligible for monetization

the copyright holder can monetize the video

 for their financial gain. Ads may appear on the video, but the revenue goes to the copyright holder – not us. That's the price of using someone else's content. Still, it’s better than receiving copyright strikes and nearly losing a channel that took years to grow.

Let's be real, adding a section in your video's description stating laws around copyright or banking on fair use laws around copyright are not good strategies to protect your content from copyright claims. If you decide to move forward and upload the video, you can remove or dispute its copyright claim.

To remove your claim, you can choose from the given options:

 This option allows you to brute force your way out of the situation by removing the affected portion entirely from your video.

 If popular audio is the cause of your troubles, this option will help you replace it with copyright-free music from YouTube's audio library. But using this option would remove other audio elements like dialogue and sound effects from the portion too.

 To combat the issue above, YouTube has introduced the option of simply muting the audio while keeping your speech intact. While YouTube's AI may not be producing top-notch output yet, we can only expect it to improve. Watch the video below to learn more!

Are you tired of getting YouTube copyright claims? With this simple guide, you can remove or even prevent them from appearing on your channel.

Lydia Sweatt

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

4 Tips to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Shorts

10 YouTube Channels that Hit 100K Subs FAST! [August]

6 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 10K Subs [August]

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 1,000 Subs FAST [August]

3 Types of YouTube Channels that Never Get Monetized

How to Remove YouTube Copyright Claims From Your Videos

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 1,000 Subs FAST [May]

When to Delete Those Old, Embarrassing Videos on Your YouTube Channel

How to Start a YouTube Channel: 10 Brilliant Tips for Success

Outdated YouTube Advice You Should Ignore in 2024

How to Make YouTube Reaction Videos

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