YouTube Shorts is rolling out exciting updates starting on October 15th. One major change coming to Shorts is extended video length — creators can now upload Shorts up to three minutes long.
Longer shorts, more creativity
Todd Sherman, YouTube Shorts’ director of product management, shared, “This was a top-requested feature by creators, so we’re excited to give you more flexibility to tell your story.”
This update positions YouTube to better compete with TikTok, which already offers longer videos, even up to 60 minutes when uploaded. The extended length will allow creators to share more detailed content while maintaining the short-form style. YouTube aims to enhance users’ experience with longer videos, and it is also working on improving the recommendations for longer Shorts in the coming months.
New templates and trends page
Along with the longer video feature, YouTube is adding templates that will make it easier for creators to follow trends. This new option is similar to TikTok’s template feature, which allows users to remix popular videos. By clicking the “Remix” button, creators can use templates and match their clips to trending sounds.
A new Shorts trends page on mobile will also help creators discover what’s popular in their country, giving them the inspiration to join the latest trends.
Streamlining the viewer experience
YouTube is updating its Shorts player to enhance the viewing experience. Buttons like comment and share will now be outlined icons, allowing viewers to see more of the video. Additionally, the creator’s information will take up less space. While this change makes the interface cleaner, it may also hide the video description unless users click the “more” button.
YouTube is also allowing users to customize their feeds with the “Show fewer Shorts” option, which temporarily reduces the number of Shorts in the home feed. This gives users more control over what they see on the platform.