Did you know that the right video introduction can 

? It’s true. We call these "hooks" in the YouTube world, and they have the power to grab viewers' attention in the first three seconds.

The reason you'd want to grab someone's attention, especially with a Short, is to 

 to the next video. Swiping away has a negative effect on your content and stops you from going explosively viral.

There isn't much research about Shorts and their performance, but one study adds some clarity. Paddy Galloway discovered that the best-performing Shorts have 70% of people viewing them versus swiping away from them.

To keep viewers engaged, you need an intro that propels them from one scene to the next. Here are 18 viral hooks to help you out!

As an opening line, “have you heard about” creates a healthy dose of FOMO on YouTube, which stands for "fear of missing out." No one likes to be excluded, so this hook summons a viewer’s natural curiosity.

 (see what we did there? 😉) In the Short below, he immediately asks, “Have you heard about the world’s loneliest toilet?” Most people would say no, and that alone propels them to watch the video. It has over 

2. “They Don’t Want You to Know This Secret…”

This hook has enticing qualities, all of which can make a Short go viral in no time. It's got conspiracy, intrigue, and an “us versus them” dynamic happening all at once. As long as you don't use bad clickbait, this hook should get you more YouTube views.

 after claiming that “Apple doesn’t want people to know” about this password hack for iPhones:

3. “You’ve Never Seen Anything Like This…”

This hook is a straight-up challenge for your audience. You’re asking them to prove whether they know a random fact or not, which sort of feels like a game! It's as if they've been called out, and now they have to answer the call by watching your video.

 with this hook. He claims that viewers have “never seen a pair of headphones like the HHOGene GPods,” and he may be right. Millions of people stuck around to see what all the hype was about.

4. “I Never Do THIS, and Here’s Why…”

 do something, they’re about to share an unpopular opinion. This can be intriguing on YouTube, as many creators repeat the same ideas and beliefs they've heard elsewhere!

 has a popular Short using this magic phrase. In it, 

 says, “I never buy silk, and this is the strange reason why.” The intro must have worked because the video has over 

“Do’s and don’ts when it comes to [topic]..."

5. “This Is the Best Product I’ve Ever Used…”

In just a few words, this hook tells us a valuable recommendation is on the way — maybe even for a life-changing product. But viewers have to keep watching until the product is revealed, making this excellent hook for 

Here’s another example from Mrwhosetheboss. He opens the video by saying, “This is the most powerful charger I’ve ever laid hands on.” Instinctively, you want to keep watching to see which charger he’s talking about. The video has 

6. “I Was ‘Today Years Old’ When I Found This Out…”

"I was today years old" is a humorous way to reveal something you just learned. Maybe you didn’t know a drink tote from Chik-fil-a 

. Perhaps you just realized Ritz crackers have 

Starting a video with this phrase helps you establish common ground and shows that you’re learning alongside the viewer. It’s no wonder a creator like 

 explaining that “news” is an acronym (Notable Events, Weather and Sport).

Do viewers ask you the same questions repeatedly? The next time you make a Short, kick off the video by saying, “Questions I get asked a lot." This implies that you have something relevant to say, and viewers should stick around to hear it.

 answering questions about his experience as a male nurse.

This phrase should catch anyone's attention because most people use Google in 2023. Plus, the phrase “I asked Google” brings so many questions to mind. What did the person search for? What did the results say? Did they learn something funny, shocking, or interesting?

 on a long-jumping video. He asked Google “what the longest jump in history is,” and then attempted to break the long-jump record.

Sometimes, you just can’t beat practicality. If you have a how-to channel, “three things I do before” is the hook you need to provide value and solve problems for your audience.

 “Quick Travel Tips.” She starts out by saying, “Here are three things I do before every flight, coming from a lawyer who travels six months out of the year.” She speaks 

 to travelers and builds credibility by saying how often she travels.

10. “Try This to [Accomplish Goal]...”

“Try this” is a typical call to action on YouTube. It catches a viewer’s attention because the phrase empowers them to learn something new.

 by simply saying, “Try this to get more views on your next YouTube Short.” It’s quick, simple, and works wonders for grabbing attention.

This hook has an element of surprise, which works well for captivating viewers in the first three seconds. But more than that, it promises a rare piece of knowledge you can’t get if you swipe away!

This intro worked well for Nas Daily, who asked a simple question: “Did you know this book is poisonous?” The Short was so intriguing that it got over 

Don’t worry, we’re not talking about math here. “X versus Y” refers to a “this or that” scenario, where you compare two things to see which one is better. Viewers love this intro because it sparks competition.

Again, Mrwhosetheboss sets a great example here. He asks, “The thickest phone case or the thinnest phone case: Which is actually better?” 

 couldn’t resist this two-second experiment!

The value of this hook just can’t be overstated! With three little words, you convince viewers you’re about to solve a problem, teach a skill, and empower them to accomplish their goals.

If you think “how to” content is severely overdone on YouTube, think again. Creators like 

 with openers like “how to create festive outfits.” 

Another variation of this hook is “how to do [virtually anything]...”

14. “I’m Trying This So You Don’t Have To…”

Who doesn’t love a little risk and adventure on YouTube? When you try something bold (so others don't have to), that pretty much makes you a hero! It’s also entertaining to watch a creator set up a challenge, react to it, and share the results.

Once again, Sean Andrew got people’s attention with this creative hook. He tried to survive Chinese water torture and ended up getting 

“Today we’re gonna see if it’s possible to…”

You guessed it: This hook is a variation of the almighty listicle video. Use it to recommend the best vacation spot, indoor vacuum, dog breed, or whatever’s close to your heart! People love this hook because they know they’re about to get 

And here’s a vidIQ example for you: “top three YouTube mistakes.”

Typically, this hook is reserved for serious pursuits, like becoming a fisherman or a doctor. But if you want, you can be a complete goofball and turn this hook into comedic gold.

 did in the Short below. She opens it up with “how to become a mermaid in three steps,” and then 

 watched her take the most ridiculous journey to the sea.

17. “How to Have the Best [Activity/Idea] of Your Life…”

Most people want to do something better, faster, or easier in their daily lives. So opening your Short with “here’s how to have the best [insert common goal]” makes people pay attention to what you’re saying.

 telling people how to have the best sleep ever. The Short has over 

This hook is similar to the previous one, except it’s even better. While you can show someone how to do something thoroughly, providing a shortcut really gets their attention.

We used a variation of this hook recently, stating, “This could get your YouTube Shorts a lot more views.”

 Just don’t give away the juicy part too soon!

While these hooks are attention-grabbing, remember that a video should always deliver on its promise. No matter what you say or do in the first three seconds, the remaining 30-50 seconds should build upon that foundation.

But crafting a good hook is just one way to go viral. 

Here are more characteristics of viral YouTube Shorts!

A phone showing YouTube Shorts in the menu of the YouTube app

A strong intro is your secret weapon for getting more views with YouTube Shorts. Try these 18 viral video hooks for instant success!

18 Viral Video Hooks for YouTube Shorts [Proven Hacks]

While scrolling Twitter, we noticed a shocking tweet about how much (or more accurately, how little) you can make from YouTube Shorts ad revenue. 

, who has nearly 2 million subscribers, wrote:

"YouTube Shorts monetization update [for] one Short. 14 million views, 0:49 average view duration, $0.01 revenue per mille = $122.78. Good bonus money, not enough to make a living out of it."

," a viral Short on Pucky's channel. Surprisingly, a payout of $122.78 for this video translates to just 

Considering how low that is, we decided to follow up with Pucky and ask more questions. For one, why is his YouTube Shorts ad revenue so low? And second, how does this payout compare to the now-canceled 

, which awarded the top creators up to $10,000 monthly?

YouTube Shorts Monetization: How to Profit from Short Videos

“The most I made from the Shorts bonus was $3,000 in a month,” Pucky says. “That’s not the amount I’m getting right now…it’s pushing me to experiment and try different things.”

While some creators earn $900 per Short — according to Pucky — others don't make nearly as much. Sometimes where they live or even the language they speak affects the advertising revenue on their channel. In Pucky's case, he makes cosplay-style videos in mostly Spanish, and the Latin American market is smaller compared with other locations.

Are you struggling to monetize your Shorts properly? Here’s what Pucky is doing to boost his income (and what you should do too).

1. Turn Your Shorts into Compilation Videos

According to Pucky, AdSense revenue for long-form videos is much higher than AdSense revenue for YouTube Shorts — at least right now. So why not take all of the 

 on your channel, string them together, and create a compilation video? That way, you're using old content to make new money.

, but few creators use the hack to repurpose their Shorts.

“If you have a series of Shorts that are doing well, turn that series into one long-form video," Pucky says. "Put the Short with the most views at the beginning of the compilation and the one with the least views at the end. That will keep your audience retention high.”

As you build a compilation, don’t forget to create an eye-catching thumbnail for the video. Pucky says his 

 (people who saw the thumbnail versus those who clicked on it) when there’s an attention-grabbing image.

 is when a company pays a creator to advertise a product or service on social media. That could be anything from meal kits to vacuums to cleaning solutions that can be used around pets; it just depends on a creator's audience and what they're willing to buy. 

If your channel gets decent views, you can either pitch yourself to brands or have a talent agency find brand deals for you. You may have to "prove yourself" a bit more when it comes to agencies, but signing with one may be easier than you think. In fact, Pucky got signed after networking with Corey Tonge, another creator in his YouTube niche.

"I saw that he was signed with ViralCollab, and I said, ‘Hey, I want more information about your agency and what you guys offer,’ " Pucky says. "The co-founder saw my content and my channel and wanted to talk to me ASAP.”

According to Impact.com, micro-influencers on YouTube make between 

 per branded video. So brand deals are well worth the effort, especially if you have anywhere from 10,000 to 75,000 subscribers.

A man using a phone and DSLR to record at the same time

YouTube Shorts are popular right now, but it's not the only thing you should focus on when it comes to making money.

“I see a term that’s going around a lot: 

," Pucky says. "I think that's the future now with this new monetization program. The more you do, the better off you are. If you do long-form, Shorts, Instagram, and Snapchat, it's better for you money-wise.”

Multi-format creators earn more because they monetize videos on several apps. Plus, they’re attractive to brands that want to advertise to customers on various platforms outside of YouTube. From Instagram to TikTok, these creators reach 

 of a brand’s audience for a much higher payout.

4. If All Else Fails, Embrace Longs and Shorts

mobile screen options to create either a Short a regular YouTube video

If Shorts don't produce a viable income for you, it’s time to consider longs. These traditional, horizontal videos give creators the highest payout possible, so posting them alongside your Shorts can never hurt.

“If you're like me and you're not seeing a lot of revenue from Shorts, they’re still worth posting because people are discovering who you are,” Pucky says. “The views you get from Shorts might transfer into long-form views, merchandise, brand deals, or all those things.”

But if you’re new to YouTube, Pucky’s advice is clear: 

“If you think Shorts will get you monetized quicker, go hard on that until you're monetized,” he says. “Then transfer over to long-form. Or, do both because, at the end of the day, 

long-form pays better than Shorts right now.

When Shorts revenue is low, one creator uses innovative solutions to boost his earnings.

YouTube Shorts Not Paying the Bills? 4 Solutions to Boost Your Revenue

Every creator needs a few things to build a successful YouTube video: a good title, an attractive thumbnail, an addictive hook, and, most importantly, some really dope, well-edited content! And this doesn't apply to just regular YouTube videos. You need these tools to create viral YouTube Shorts, too, except you only have 60 seconds to work with.

2 billion active monthly users and 15 billion views

 generated daily, YouTube Shorts is the golden egg you simply can't ignore. So, we picked out the most-viewed Shorts to understand how and why they viral in 2023. Let's begin!

How to Get More YouTube Shorts Views on Your Channel

A classic YouTube switch and bait, the title of this video is bound to infuriate viewers. But, by the end, the video takes a wholesome turn and we have our faiths restored! The storytelling in the video, accompanied by good music and simple editing, gives it a genuine feel, and we as viewers feel more emotionally invested.

Telling a wholesome story is great, but sprinkle some artistic talent on top, and voila, you have an instantly viral Short. This creator uses his spray painting skills to paint his daughters’ favorite cartoon. The reveal, along with the uplifting music, leaves us with no other choice but to leave this man a like!

Documents a creative process, behind-the-scenes style

If you’re addicted to watching cleaning videos on YouTube, then this one shouldn’t be surprising. Just look at how all that dirt washes off in seconds: Isn’t that so satisfying? The editing is crisp too, adding to the overall positive viewing experience.

One thing that rarely fails on YouTube, or any other social media for that matter, is achieving expertise in your skill. Couple that with a unique idea and some cool editing, and you have what it takes to make a viral Short. This man’s parkour skills will leave you wanting more!

Displays an exciting talent (parkour jumps)

Uses that talent to remix a popular game (tic-tac-toe)

Employs a level of creativity beyond most videos

What do you get when you mix two of the most popular search terms on YouTube? A viral Short! Food videos are great to watch, but adding that ASMR element takes it to the next level. The editing is absolutely world-class as well, giving us some awesome sound effects.

Efficient editing leaves no dulls moments

Prepares an unexpected treat (a three-layer s'more)

Fast-moving clips and sound effects command your full attention

Challenges, especially creative ones, seem to do well in all formats on YouTube. The stakes are high in this video, which keeps the audience hooked until the very end to see who wins the game. Challenges like these are fun to watch and can be remixed by any creator looking to reach more viewers on YouTube.

Shows a unique challenge with high stakes

Ends on a high note and plot twist (the winner doesn't like milk)

Another massively popular category on YouTube is comedy. Although funny Shorts may seem like a saturated niche, you can't fail when your story is original and relatable. In this video, a problem we have all faced before becomes an entertaining comedy skit!

The problem keeps escalating, making the Short even funnier

Another challenge video, but this time it’s physical sports. Watching this video will give you a rush of adrenaline as participants move through different stages of the race by playing popular sports we all love! The commentary adds to the hype of the video and keeps you glued to your seat.

Keeps you engaged with action-packed adventure

Motivational commentary hypes up the challenge

Shows a feel-good moment (the victor celebrating)

Want to create your own viral Short? It’s simple: Just become a master at editing! Here we have the king of transitions and mind-blowing edits himself, casually stealing the Big Ben, or so it appears. This Short reinforces the idea that if you can master a single aspect of YouTube creativity, viewers will flock to your channel!

Shows a familiar yet entertaining character (the pocket thief) 

Takes editing to a new level of excitement

Shows viewers a cool trick they've never seen before

You can't talk about the most-viewed YouTube Shorts, or any kind of video on YouTube, and not mention MrBeast! This Short reminds us that the fundamental aspect of what makes a good video, regardless of format, is good storytelling! The title makes you click, and the content makes sure you stay until the end.

Shows a cool plot twist (buying someone a Disneyland ticket)

Captures the emotional satisfaction of the recipient

Fast-paced editing leaves no dull moments

Capitalizing on popular trends is another great way to make your Short viral, especially now that trends migrate to every platform. Although some trends might originate from other platforms like Instagram or Tiktok, everything eventually comes to YouTube. And if you can add your unique twist, viewers might just repost your content!

Capitalizes on the trend of short reaction videos

Uplifting music makes the video enjoyable

8 Characteristics of Viral YouTube Shorts

So, there you have it. Shorts go viral on YouTube for a few reasons, but these are the most common:

The videos show a unique skill or talent.

There's a competition of some kind, often between friends.

The storytelling is on point (music, editing, special effects, etc.).

If you’re inspired by this list, get ready to upload your own Short! 

We've got you covered with 9 viral video ideas.

What makes a YouTube Short go viral? We analyzed the most popular ones in 2023 to find out!

Analyzing Popular YouTube Shorts: What Makes Them Go Viral?

Why do some YouTube Shorts go viral while others don’t? If you break it down by what makes a good video, the best ones always have the following:

Emotional transfer (happy, funny, moving, etc.)

In this post, we’ll focus on the most critical part — creating a strong concept for your video. So if you want more views this year, here are nine YouTube Shorts ideas to go viral!

YouTube Shorts may be brief, but there’s more than enough time to squeeze in a tutorial. That could be anything you’re good at, such as DIY projects, art, tech repair, or another topic related to your niche. Just make it brief and informative!

If you need some inspiration, here’s a skin-retouching tutorial from 

. It’s pretty short, but you get a step-by-step guide on improving anyone’s skin in Adobe Photoshop. Plus, the tutorial also has more than 5 million views!

Of all the viral YouTube Shorts ideas, life hacks may be one of the best. After all, everyone loves a shortcut to achieving their goals!

There are two ways to execute this idea on YouTube. You could react to a life hack that’s already trending, or you could film yourself attempting the hack in a brand new video. Either path could lead to a viral moment if the topic flows with your niche.

Before and after videos have a strong appeal on YouTube. They're just 

 in a way that most videos will never be, especially when something goes from dirty to clean or from boring to beautiful.

With these videos, just make sure the “after” looks better than the “before.” The gap between those states is what creates the “wow” factor.

Quick tips are like tutorials, except you have more space to play around with the format. You don’t have to go step-by-step, but you can find creative ways to break complex topics into bite-sized pieces of information.

 posted a Short about answering tricky interview questions. Instead of showing a list of tips, this creator mimicked an actual job interview! There are also captions to help people memorize what they’re learning.

Have you noticed any myths within your YouTube community? What about common mistakes people always make?

If so, set the record straight in a short, punchy video. Your findings may shock viewers so much that they 

 has a video about mistakes people never catch in popular movies. It has over 7 million views!

Motivational content works best for people chasing popular goals, such as getting in shape, staying healthy, or adopting the right mindset. They're extremely hard to accomplish, so a little motivation goes a long way.

You can make a difference by sharing a goal you achieved over time. Show a time-lapse of your progress, or find creative ways to break down your journey and get people inspired!

 has a great example of this, where she documented her full-body transformation in exchange for 

 disappoints? You can’t go wrong with fun facts!

For this idea, you’ll expose hidden truths that appeal to a curious audience (which includes most viewers). Combine that with 

, and you’ll go viral while entertaining millions of people.

But that’s just one side of the coin. Some facts can simply be relatable (not rare) and still get millions of views.

 posted a Short about actors who do the same thing in every movie. It has over 29 million views!

We have good news! You don’t have to post long videos on YouTube to start getting discovered. Many people create short, viral, unboxing videos, proving anyone can transform the idea for YouTube Shorts.

, for example. This creator posted an iPhone XR unboxing with more than 6 million views. Not bad for one YouTube Short!

If you have popular long-form videos, why not turn those into YouTube Shorts? You can see the 

 of a video now, making it easier to spot popular chapters that could go viral.

The most popular segment of a YouTube video versus the least popular

Once you find that special clip, it’s just a matter of “dressing it up.” Add music, captions, and special effects, then give it a title people can’t ignore. All of this helps you go viral on YouTube!

Need more guidance? Here's a video explaining all nine of the Shorts ideas we mentioned above.

Now that you have some video ideas, it’s time for the next step: 

A smartphone screen showing the YouTube Shorts logo

Need some video ideas for your YouTube Shorts? Here are 9 ideas that will help you go viral!

9 Video Ideas to Go Viral with YouTube Shorts

Are you a small creator looking to grow your YouTube channel? If so, you'll want to know about a recent update that could help you out.

As of August 18, the YouTube algorithm will consider recent long-form videos when recommending content to YouTube Shorts viewers. So instead of Shorts having no relationship with long-form videos, you could potentially use shorter videos to get views on longer YouTube content.

For example, let's say a viewer watches one of your Shorts with a whopping 50,000 views. Instead of that viewer never exploring your channel, YouTube will notice that they watched one of your Shorts and potentially recommend a longer video for them to watch (from your channel).

Todd Beaupré, director of discovery at YouTube, announced the algorithm update on Twitter.

"At VidCon, I spoke about YouTube building a bridge to better connect Shorts to long-form discovery. Today, the first lane on that bridge opened. Recommendations now consider recent long-form videos from channels the viewer watches in Shorts."

In the past, Shorts and long-form videos were less connected. They had different watch histories, which meant viewers watching Shorts wouldn't be recommended long-form videos from the same creator.

Why Some YouTube Shorts Don't Attract Long-Form Viewers [Algorithm Update]

But now that the algorithm has changed, how will the update affect your channel?

1. You Can Use YouTube Shorts to Promote Long-Form Videos

For months, creators complained that their viral Shorts had no positive effect on long-form videos. They were no additional views, no extra subscribers, and no channel growth overall. If there was a boost, it was minuscule.

With the latest update, you could potentially use Shorts to drive views to your long-form videos — a valuable gift to small creators.

2. You Can Post YouTube Shorts and Long-Form Videos on the Same Channel

The traditional advice around Shorts was to keep them off your main channel. The general thinking was:

Most Shorts viewers aren't interested in long videos.

Views from Shorts don't seem to boost views on long-form content.

As a result, many creators made Shorts-only channels.

But the rules are changing. Shorts can send traffic to long-form videos, so putting both content types on the same channel makes sense.

Plus, you might benefit from doing so in the long run. According to Beaupré, YouTube plans to add a Shorts tab to all channels and help advertise those videos.

Thanks to an algorithm update, YouTube Shorts can help you get views on long-form videos.

YouTube Shorts

18 Viral Video Hooks for YouTube Shorts [Proven Hacks]

YouTube Shorts Not Paying the Bills? 4 Solutions to Boost Your Revenue

Analyzing Popular YouTube Shorts: What Makes Them Go Viral?

9 Video Ideas to Go Viral with YouTube Shorts

YouTube Will Recommend Long-Form Videos to Shorts Viewers [Algorithm Update]

Why Some YouTube Shorts Don't Attract Long-Form Viewers [Algorithm Update]

How to Grow a YouTube Shorts Channel

How to Make a YouTube Short In 2021: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

How to Double Your YouTube Watch Time by Looping Shorts

4 Tips to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Shorts

These 5 YouTube Shorts Upgrades Will Help You Make Better Content

Do This One Thing to Increase YouTube Shorts Views

3 Reasons to Upload YouTube Shorts Before the Competition Gets Tough

How This YouTube Creator Got 1.5 Billion Views In Just 80 Days

How to Create a YouTube Short: The Complete Beginner's Guide

How To Win at YouTube Monetization

These Are the Best Video Dimensions for YouTube Shorts

How This Creator Got 852K Views in 58 Seconds From YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts Monetization: How to Profit from Short Videos

YouTube Shorts Thumbnails: How to Upload Them for a Boost in Views

How to Get More YouTube Shorts Views on Your Channel

YouTube Shorts Analytics: Why Every Creator Needs This Data

YouTube Shorts: The Ultimate Guide

How To Get More Views as a Small YouTube Channel

How Creators Can Get More Views With YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts: What We Know About How They Work