Are you a Shorts creator? If so, here’s some advice you probably haven’t heard in a while:

Thumbnails aren’t just for long-form videos.

In 2024, your Shorts need attention-grabbing thumbnails to stand out on YouTube — not just a great title and description. A captivating graphic will persuade viewers to click on your content, and that could kickstart a viral moment on your channel. You might even get enough views to achieve 

 that we conducted recently on your community page, 33,000 voters made their choice clear on the subject. However, YouTube has not introduced any tool or feature to create custom thumbnails. In fact, in a recent update video from Creator Insider, the YouTube team revealed that they have no plans for custom thumbnails for the rest of 2024 either. 

But First, Why Make Thumbnails for YouTube Shorts?

Take one look at the YouTube Shorts player, and you’ll notice thumbnails don’t appear in that part of the app. Instead, viewers see a random frame from the video, which could be anything — an awkward hand gesture, a transition moment, or a non-essential character from the video. Without a custom thumbnail, there’s no guarantee YouTube will choose the best frame for your content.

And that makes sense, considering how YouTube designed the Shorts player. It was made for endless swiping and not necessarily the browsing features we see on the YouTube homepage. Most creators look at the Shorts player and say, “I don’t need thumbnails here.” 

Thumbnails Are Important Outside the Shorts Player

But while thumbnails don’t appear on the Shorts player, they 

 show up in other areas of the app and website, including:

​​The Shorts tab on your YouTube channel

Recommended videos on YouTube’s homepage

, don’t overlook the power of thumbnails. You’ll need them to get more clicks 

 on YouTube. As of writing, the feature that makes this possible is available to Android and 

The first option is to set a specific frame as your video’s thumbnail during the upload process. It’s not the 

 solution, especially if your video doesn’t have an engaging frame to catch viewers' attention. But it’s quick, efficient, and gets the job done.

Option 2: Create a Custom Thumbnail Frame

The second option is to create a thumbnail ahead of time using a tool like Canva or Photoshop, then 

add the graphic to your video as a new frame

. You’ll have to do this in an editing program, such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. But the extra step allows you to set the new frame as your video’s thumbnail when uploading to YouTube.

Here’s how to select a thumbnail for your Short:

1. Upload the Short as you normally would. When you reach the details screen, 

Pencil icon to change YouTube Shorts thumbnail

2. Use the frame selector to choose a scene for your thumbnail, then tap 

3. Fill out any other sections, then tap 

As stated earlier, YouTube hasn't made this arduous process any easier from their end yet. The rationale provided by YouTube is that 

the majority of views and watch time for Shorts come from the Shorts feed, where thumbnails are not displayed.

In our channel's experience, this information doesn't hold true. While a mere 13% of our views come from the Shorts shelf, most are from YouTube Search, where thumbnails are prominently shown. 

YouTube has decided to partially address this issue with a recent update that was covered by our in-house expert Rob. Creators will now be able to edit text, color, and also add emojis on their Shorts thumbnails after the Short has been uploaded.

Design Tips for YouTube Shorts Thumbnails 

If you're designing a custom thumbnail, here's how to make your Shorts stand out from the rest.



that describes your video accurately. For example, the thumbnail below reads, "hack for more views," which is just enough information to pique viewers' curiosity.

 in your thumbnail. The Short below is about YouTube monetization, and the first thing you see is physical money.

, use your thumbnail to show one step in the process. This signals to viewers that your video is helpful, like Short below!

What Is the YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Size?

Shorts are vertical videos with a 9:16 aspect ratio and a size of 1920x1080 pixels. If you want to make custom thumbnails for Shorts, they should match those dimensions (1920x1080 pixels). Learn more about 

YouTube thumbnail measurements right here!

Can You Change the Thumbnail for a YouTube Short?

As of writing, you can’t change the thumbnail for a Short from your desktop once it’s posted. YouTube hasn’t explained why, but a brief notice says as much in the content editor of the YouTube Studio. 

You can instead change the said thumbnail from your mobile app seamlessly. Choose from one of the frames in your Short and use it as your thumbnail.

How to Change a Thumbnail on Youtube Shorts? 

To change the thumbnail on a given Short:

Select the video you want to edit a thumbnail on

Notice a small pencil-looking icon on the top left

Tap on it and change your thumbnail accordingly.

Now that you know everything about Shorts thumbnails, check out the 12 types of thumbnails viewers love to click on!

Do you know how to make a YouTube Shorts thumbnail? Here's why you should create them, plus two ways to attach the graphics to your videos.

YouTube Shorts Thumbnail: How to Upload Them for More Views

"Why are my YouTube Shorts not getting views?"

If you find yourself thinking this often, you're not alone. Getting views on a YouTube Short — millions of views, for that matter — is a challenging goal. It seems like everyone is making shorts now and creating more competition as they do.

But there are other reasons you might struggle to get views. Your Shorts could be lacking any of these elements:

A superb "hook" in the first three seconds

Storytelling that takes viewers on a journey

Making viewers feel something — happy, amused, surprised, etc.

In the video above, our Boost creators Travis and Jenn discuss why your Shorts might not be getting views. Two signs you might need to click on that video right now are:

 This means that viewers are not sticking until the end of your Shorts.

If too many viewers swipe away quickly, it signals that your content isn't engaging enough.

When a short is posted, the YouTube algorithm pushes it out to as many viewers as it can. Some of these viewers might not be interested in your niche, or style. But following our methods helps you cast as wide a net as possible to catch the most viewers!

Entertaining your viewers is a powerful way to make better YouTube Shorts. If you can show something interesting, funny, or action-packed right off the bat in the first three seconds, there's a chance viewers will stick around for the next 30 (give or take).

If you don't know what entertains your viewers, start by asking some basic questions. 

Which videos have the most views on your channel right now? What are they about, and what makes them so intriguing?

How can you pack those elements into a YouTube Short?

This video is incredibly entertaining for three reasons:

 There's no "intro" to endure before things take off.

. Every time the group bounces on the trampoline, the person in the middle flips higher into the sky.

An inspirational, upbeat tune accompanies a wild stunt.

 would make the video go viral with 13 million views? Our guess: He noticed what worked on his channel versus what didn't.

Here are some of Jesse's most popular videos:

, especially on a trampoline. That's what they find entertaining and choose to watch on Jesse's channel.

Revealing something shocking or unexpected is another way to get YouTube Shorts views. This works because sometimes, as humans, we're exposed to the same things every day. That could be our jobs, where we live, the restaurants in our neighborhood, etc.

I'll admit that before I watched a Short about 3D billboards, I had no idea they existed. So I was amazed to see what they look like in 

 video, "These 3D Billboards Stop Everyone on the Street." The Short has 38 million views and counting, so I know I'm not alone in my amazement.

Plus, Dylan makes the video 10 times better by explaining what's happening:

"These 3D billboards look so real when they show 3D animations, like a lion breaking through the glass and jumping onto the street, which even had this lady scared…. So many of these have gone viral for how incredible they look and immediately stop everyone on the street," he says.

You may have noticed that with emotional videos, people don't just watch them and leave. They take the time to leave comments, like the content, or share it with friends and family — because the videos make them 

. In "Dad Will Do Everything for His Daughter to Win," a father lets his daughter win at every game. It's a heartwarming experience because you get to see her dad cheat (in the best way possible) as the daughter giggles after each "win."

If you want to make emotional content (and boost your engagement rate), create a psychological profile of your viewers. You can start by answering these questions:

With this information, you can make Shorts that resonate with people and encourage them to engage. All of those engagements (likes, comments, and shares) let the YouTube algorithm know the video is worth recommending to more people.

Watch this tutorial for more ways to add emotion, entertainment, and education to your Shorts:

Extra Ways to Get Views on YouTube Shorts

Want to go the extra mile? Use these tips to get 

Want to help viewers find your YouTube Shorts? According to YouTube, 

 to your video title helps people do just that.

But that's not the only hashtag you should use. You can also add 

 related to your video, like this Short using the hashtag #Encanto (from the popular Disney movie).

When viewers tap a hashtag (like the one above), YouTube takes them to the official 

 for that topic. There, they can explore dozens of videos covering the same subject. This is where you want your video featured, just in case viewers are searching for Shorts similar to yours.

A YouTube Short that "loops" doesn't have a recognizable beginning or end. Because viewers have no idea where the story concludes or starts, they watch the video several times before realizing it's on repeat. This works because YouTube replays the same Short until you swipe to the next one.

As such, it's the perfect way to get YouTube Shorts views.

Here's an example of a looped YouTube Short from 

Want to loop your Shorts? Read this post to learn how it's done.

With YouTube Shorts, one of the first things viewers see is the title.

If you want viewers to watch (instead of swiping away), make sure the words tell an engaging story about your video.

Have relevant keywords (both for viewers and YouTube's algorithm).

For more tips, read this guide about writing better video titles.

Make Your YouTube Shorts the Right Length

You have almost 60 seconds to get your point across in a YouTube Short. But if you can tell your story in less time, you probably should. People consume short videos faster than they do longer ones, so you have to make every second count — and cut dead scenes.

So once you have the whole story packed into your Short, try not to add anything else. People will have fewer chances to get bored and swipe away.

For a long time, going viral with YouTube Shorts didn't equal more money for creators.

Now there are three reasons to create better Shorts and get as many views as possible:

Earning a bonus each month ($100-$10,000) from the YouTube Shorts Fund

Linking your Shorts to related long-form videos

Becoming eligible for the YouTube Partner Program after getting 10 million Shorts views in 90 days (plus having 1,000 subscribers)

Get a head start with this monetization guide for YouTube Shorts. 

Person opening the YouTube Shorts app on mobile

Want to get more YouTube Shorts views? This guide will help you attract viewers with the three E’s: entertainment, education, and emotion.

How to Get More YouTube Shorts Views on Your Channel

As a short-form creator, you're probably wondering if you can monetize your YouTube Shorts like long-form creators monetize their videos. 

YouTube has several paths for monetizing short content, and this guide explains all of your options.

One of the best ways to monetize your Shorts is through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Upon joining, you have access to all of YouTube's money-making tools, like the ability to place ads on videos or monetize your audience directly through fan-funding.

There are two ways to enter the YPP (you only need to choose one!).

Upload 3 public videos in the last 90 days.

Get 3,000 public watch hours in the last 365 days or 3 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days.

 from long-form videos in the last 365 days or 

If you're a Shorts creator or someone who makes long and short videos, option 2 or 3 is your best bet for joining the YPP!

 will earn advertising revenue. So, do these four things to stay in the clear:

YouTube's Advertiser-Friendly Content Guidelines

Avoid using unedited clips from movies and TV shows that you don't have rights to.

Avoid uploading another creator's content without adding a new perspective or transforming the content.

Monetizing YouTube Shorts Through Ads: A Quick Rundown

 is a bit different from monetizing a regular YouTube video. Notably, all Shorts revenue is split between different parties, including the creators who make them and the music publishers who provide songs for those videos.

The four steps of YouTube Shorts monetization 

 all of the Shorts ad revenue on its platform.

 how much money goes to the creator pool, which depends on views and music usage across all Shorts. If creators use no music in their Shorts, they retain all of the revenue at this point. If they use music, the revenue is split between the creator pool and music publishers.

 the ad revenue to monetized Shorts creators. This is based on a creator's total share of Shorts views on the platform, whether that's 5%, 10%, 15%, etc.

Can You Monetize YouTube Shorts Without 1,000 Subscribers?

If you're just starting out on YouTube, getting 500 subscribers is a quick way to join the YPP and monetize your Shorts. You won't earn ad revenue, but you can monetize most of your content — Shorts included — through fan-funding tools.

For example, with just 500 subs, you can collect 

 revenue on your YouTube Shorts. These are "video tips" ranging from $2 to $50 that your fans can send to support individual videos.

 are an option as well, especially if you love streaming on YouTube.

When you host a vertical or horizontal live stream, viewers in the live chat can reward you with monetary donations ranging from $1 to $500. These can appear as Super Chats — colorful comments pinned to the top of the live chat — or as Super Stickers, which are fun, digital animations that appear on the screen.

Channel Memberships offer exclusive perks, such as members-only videos, badges, Community posts, emojis, and livestreams, to a creators' super fans. It's a great way to make money, but did you know that you can get your YouTube Shorts monetized through channel memberships? 

After all, Shorts count as videos too! You can make these exclusive to your members just like regular, horizontal content.

How Much Money Will You Earn from Shorts?

Are YouTube Shorts monetized in a sustainable way? Can they become a side hustle or help you quit your day job?

We'd have said it's hard to make decent money from Shorts only a year ago, barring times when you get a nice chunk of revenue. For example, we got 

 for a vidIQ Short that got 468,500 views.

The content performance dashboard showing we earned $16.61 from YouTube Shorts

With recent updates on advertisements, RPM on our Shorts has seen an impressive 150% increase. Currently, we are seeing an RPM of $0.10 on our Shorts., without any external changes like location of viewers, topic of videos, etc.

This hasn't happened overnight. YouTube has steadily increased Shorts revenue on the vidIQ channel throughout the year. It seems like advertisers have finally found the sweet spot for their products in the Shorts ecosystem as other creators have also talked about experiencing similar surges on their channel! Watch Rob discuss all of that in the video below!

It's easier than ever to become a monetized Shorts creator, but you'll need 

OK, so getting into the YPP to monetize your Shorts is a real challenge. You either have to go viral a lot or face the difficult task of earning 1,000 subscribers plus thousands of hours of watch time.

. There are other ways to make money from Shorts, and one of those golden opportunities is through

When a brand sponsors you, they’re paying you to advertise a product or service in one of your videos. That could be a new line of laptops, the latest leggings from Lululemon, or even a squeegee that removes pet hair from dirty carpet.

Here’s an example of a sponsored Short. In this video, actress Eliana Ghen advertises Vita, a mobile video editing app.

If you’re looking at this video and thinking, 

You don’t need millions of views and subscribers to 

 —just the right audience and a strong YouTube resume.

 said they plan to invest in short-form content more than they did in 2021.

Brands are excited to partner with short-form creators.

As for that last detail, don’t just take our word for it. 

“At the end of the day, most brands don’t want to partner with you and feel like the only thing you’re good at is long-form video,” Moore says. “They want to feel that you may have some flexibility to create different types of content.”

Read this post to avoid the common mistakes YouTubers make while pitching brands

There are a few mountains to climb when monetizing short-form content, but don't worry! 

 Our blog has many tips and tricks to help you get 500 subscribers, 1,000 subscribers, 4,000 watch hours, and even 10 million Shorts views. Just click the hyperlinks throughout this post to get a winning plan for YouTube success!

Now that you know how to monetize YouTube Shorts, let's take things up a notch and show you how to increase your views!

A smartphone displaying "Shorts Feed Ads" on its screen

Are you ready to finally monetize your YouTube Shorts? Here's how to make money with short, vertical videos in 2024.

YouTube Shorts Monetization: How to Profit from Short Videos

Have you been feeling like your Shorts have suddenly stopped getting views? You're certainly not alone here! Most creators have seen their Shorts behave very differently from other forms of content, and it's almost baffling!

while others barely see the light of day? Keep reading, and we'll explain how the YouTube Shorts algorithm works!

Forget traditional metrics like impressions and click-through rates; in the world of Shorts, 

. Compared to the traditional route of using impressions to test your content, the YouTube Shorts algorithm is more straightforward. So, if some of your Shorts look like the graph below, and you’re convinced that YouTube is out to limit your Shorts reach, we have good news! There is a reason why.

First, the Shorts algorithm operates in two distinct phases: 

 Initially, your Short is exposed to a small, targeted, “seed audience”. If this group engages well with your content, your Short gets promoted to a broader audience. That initial audience is crucial, because if they're not engaged, your views may become stagnant.

, Todd Sherman, the product lead for YouTube Shorts, explains why this is the case. Unlike long-form videos, Shorts views mostly seem to come from the feed itself, and the element of a conscious choice on the part of the viewer is missing. So, the algorithm tests the Shorts for hundreds of thousands of views to determine its value. We can see the effect of this under the “

Swipe-away analytics are a new feature that can help you understand how viewers are interacting with your Shorts: Are they sticking around, or are they swiping away before the video ends? Here’s how to check it out:

the youtube analytics menu option and the content tab

3. On the right, you can see how many chose to view your Shorts and how many swiped away from them.

Viewed versus swiped away data for youtube Shorts

What would you learn after studying 35 billion Shorts views on YouTube? Well, 

 has the answer! And our YouTube experts got some brilliant insights in a recent interview with him. In fact, they learned enough to help you 

Nate found out that Shorts that are either 13 or 60 seconds long tend to perform best. Additionally, there are specific categories, such as original showcases and sensory experiences like ASMR videos, that consistently attract more views.

He also observed that channels that have published at least 200 Shorts tend to see a consistent increase in views over time. So, before you get disheartened with your Shorts views, be sure to upload a lot of them! Also, the first three seconds of your Short are crucial for capturing viewer interest. Make them count!

How to Get 10 Million YouTube Shorts Views: A 90-Day Plan

Equipped with this knowledge, we must take care of certain factors when it comes to YouTube Shorts.

Timing and consistency are key when it comes to Shorts. Knowing when your audience is most active and aligning your publishing schedule accordingly can significantly impact your Shorts' performance.

Fortunately, it's easy to find out the best time to post your Shorts. From the YouTube Studio, click Analytics and then the 

 Scroll down to the “When your viewers are on YouTube” tab, and you'll see the best time to post on YouTube for your specific viewers!

Would you believe it, thumbnails still matter! And for Shorts, it’s the most visible asset of your video. When your Shorts appear in regular YouTube feeds, 

a compelling thumbnail can be your secret weapon for attracting more clicks.

Viewer satisfaction remains a top priority, even in Shorts. A compelling hook within the first three seconds can make or break your content. Every Short should make a clear promise at the beginning and deliver on it by the end. Failing to do so can result in a less-than-satisfying experience for the viewer.

Consistency and experimentation go hand in hand. Don't be afraid to try different types of content to see what resonates with your audience. This might help you solidify the proper seed audience for your content!

Getting more YouTube views is always a hot topic, and we're guessing that's why so many of you want to understand the Shorts algorithm! 

 Sure, the big numbers look good, but how do you translate that into more valuable, monetizable views?

Well, rest assured: the YouTube Shorts algorithm is 

 when it comes to attracting more long-form views. A new update on YouTube has addressed this very issue, and it’s a great first step! 

A new feature allows YouTube creators to include a persistent link in their Shorts,

 directing viewers to long-form content. This feature aims to bridge the gap between Shorts and traditional YouTube videos. Watch the video below to learn more!

Unlock the secrets of the YouTube Shorts algorithm! Learn why views matter, the ideal length for Shorts, and how to keep your audience hooked in this comprehensive guide.

How Does the YouTube Shorts Algorithm Work?

 is, you've taken the longest break from YouTube in recorded history. Because seriously — this Shorts creator has been pulling in millions of views since 2022.

Jenny is in the finance niche, so she loves to film extreme budgeting challenges: making $1 meals, giving $5 gifts, and other cool stunts. Her viewers love it, and all the praise has lifted her channel to 1.69 million subscribers and 954 million views. But her most impressive feat is getting over 10 million views per YouTube Short.

gaining 10 million Shorts views in 90 days

 is one way to enter the YouTube Partner Program. And once you're in, you can monetize your Shorts with YouTube ad revenue.

If that's your main goal as a creator, keep scrolling or check out the video below. We interviewed Jenny to learn how she goes viral with short-form content dozens of times each month!

1. Find a Unique Niche (Blue Ocean Strategy)

Finding the right target audience for your content is more complicated than most creators know. You have to go deeper than deep, avoiding the crowded niches if you want a real shot at standing out. Or in Jenny's own words, you need to look for a blue ocean — not a red one.

Red ocean = Bloody waters. Creators don't survive because hundreds of "sharks" go after the same video topics and angles.

Blue ocean = Smooth sailing. You have room to explore many video topics and stand out within your niche.

So, how do you avoid a red ocean and find those crystal, blue waters? It's all about finding a 

Are you still working your way toward 10 million YouTube Shorts views? Learn how Jenny Hoyos, a viral creator, reaches this milestone with each video!

YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts Thumbnail: How to Upload Them for More Views

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