YouTube is rolling out a series of new features for its Shorts platform to provide creators with more robust in-app editing capabilities. These updates aim to position YouTube Shorts as a strong competitor to third-party editors like CapCut.
Key features of the updated Shorts editor
YouTube’s updated Shorts editor is getting a serious upgrade, and it’s built for creators who want more control without leaving the app.
First, the timeline view has improved. Creators can now zoom in to fine-tune your edits, making it easier to trim clips with precision. They can also drag, reorder or delete clips right on the timeline which leads to no guesswork, no clunky edits.
Text overlays are also getting smarter. Creators can add timed text so captions or effects appear exactly when you want. And if you’re working with music, YouTube now offers automatic beat syncing, which lines up clips with the rhythm of your audio. For trend-driven creators, YouTube is expanding its Shorts templates. Creators will be able to import images from their phone and drop them into templates directly.
YouTube’s also testing AI sticker generation, which turns text prompts into custom visuals. Think of it like a lightweight version of AI art tools, built for short-form content.
This rollout focuses on one thing: helping creators edit faster and publish better content without relying on external tools like CapCut.
Seamless integration that makes editing easier
With these updates, YouTube aims to keep creators within its ecosystem by offering advanced editing tools that reduce the need for external applications. This integration allows for a more seamless workflow, from recording to editing to publishing, all within the YouTube app.
These features are set to roll out in spring 2025, providing creators with tools that are both powerful and user-friendly. By enhancing its in-app editing capabilities, YouTube Shorts is positioning itself as a comprehensive platform for short-form video creation.