How Does YouTube Short Algorithm Work?

Want to know something that every single content creator has in common? The desire to figure out the YouTube Shorts algorithm. Every time you start feeling like you’ve got a hold of it, the algorithm changes yet again. And that’s one of the most frustrating feelings in the world!

Yes, we might never be able to fully understand the machine learning algorithms. But there are certain patterns that they like to follow. By taking those into consideration, creators can increase their chances of getting seen by a wider audience.

If you feel like the time has come to make the algorithm work for you, then you’ve come to the right place! We have gathered the most effective tips and tricks in this comprehensive guide that might potentially help your popularity skyrocket. 

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Does YouTube Shorts Use an Algorithm?

It certainly does. But it’s not the exact formula you might be used to…

Key Differences from the Regular Algorithm

1. Content Format

• Shorts: Focuses on vertical videos that are maximum 3 minutes long.
• Regular YouTube: Supports horizontal videos of various lengths.

2. Engagement

• Shorts: Prioritizes watch time percentage, completion rate, and rapid scrolling/swiping behavior.
• Regular YouTube: Focuses on total watch time, click-through rates, session duration, and subscriber interaction.

3. The Mechanism of Discovering Videos

• Shorts: More similar to what we see on TikTok with a full-screen vertical scroll experience.
• Regular YouTube: Relies more on recommendation panels, search results, and suggested videos than anything else.

4. Recommendation Logic

• Shorts: Tends to push content more aggressively based on immediate user interaction.
• Regular YouTube: Uses a more complex recommendation system that takes into account what you have been liking for a longer period of time.

How Does YouTube Shorts Algorithm Work?

There is a constant algorithm change, processing several key signals to determine video distribution and ranking. Here are the main factors:

1. View Duration and Retention

The formula puts a lot of weight on how long people stick around before hitting the "swipe" button. While regular videos are measured by minutes watched, Shorts’ success is determined by the percentage of the video watched and the number of replays.

2. User Engagement Signals

The algorithm keeps an eye on all kinds of engagement.

3. User Watch History

The formula is based on how viewers behave, so it:

• Analyzes previous viewing habits
• Identifies content preferences
• Creates viewer interest profiles
• Offers other content that is pretty similar

Are YouTube Shorts Based on What You Watch?

The quick answer is yes, but there's more to it. 

How to Trigger YouTube Shorts Algorithm

If we want to succeed with the algorithm change, we need to think strategically. Here are the main things to look out for:

1. Coming Up with an Awesome Posting Strategy

• Consistent upload schedule
• Peak viewing time targeting
• Regular content updates
• Series-based content

2. Optimizing Your Content to Keep Viewers Engaged

• Strong opening hooks
• Clear value proposition
• Engaging storytelling
• Quality production

3. Adhering to All of the Platform’s Technical Requirements 

• Proper vertical format (9:16)
• High-quality audio
• Clear visuals
• Appropriate length

How to Beat the YouTube Short Algorithm

• Make sure you're formatting your videos the right way. You'll need a 9:16 aspect ratio for YouTube Shorts, and you'll want to use high-resolution footage, too.
• Avoid the usual blunders like slow starts. You've got to grab attention right away in the first 1-3 seconds. Skip the rambling and the unnecessary stuff that bogs down your message. Always include a call to action, but skip the super long intros and outros that just waste time.
• Make sure to get the green light before using copyrighted music. Bad audio can kill an otherwise great short, so invest in good sound. Give your titles and descriptions some love and make sure the footage is nice and steady. If you're using content from other platforms, get rid of those TikTok and Instagram watermarks.
• Highlight your audience's contributions in future Shorts to boost engagement. For example, if someone leaves an insightful or funny comment, shout them out or even create a response video around their idea.

Text Plays an Important Role in the Success of Your Shorts

If you want your clips to become popular, you need to learn how to craft the perfect title and description (oh, and don’t forget about hashtags!).

‍

Here’s an example:

Title:

"DIY Clay Tree Ornaments: Easy & Creative Holiday Craft! 🎄✨ #Shorts"

Description:

"Get festive with this fun and easy DIY project! Learn how to make beautiful tree ornaments using clay—perfect for adding a personal touch to your holiday decor or gifting to loved ones. In just a few steps, you can create unique designs that will last for years. Don’t forget to like, comment, and share your creations! 🎁✨ #DIYOrnaments #ClayCrafts"

Hashtags:

#DIYOrnaments #ClayCrafts #HolidayDecor #ChristmasCrafts #TreeOrnaments #CreativeDIY #Shorts

Why This Works

1. Title:some text
   • Starts with "DIY" to immediately signal that it’s an instructional video.
   • Mentions "Clay Tree Ornaments" to make the topic clear for both viewers and YouTube's algorithm.
   • Adds "Easy & Creative" to highlight accessibility and creativity, which appeals to a wide audience.
   • Ends with "Holiday Craft" and 🎄✨ to connect with seasonal trends and evoke excitement.
2. Description:some text
   • Opens with a hook about the festive theme, aligning with viewers’ holiday crafting interests.
   • Clearly states the value: it’s easy, creative, and versatile (for decor or gifts).
   • Encourages engagement by asking viewers to share their creations.
3. Hashtags:some text
   • Include specific (#DIYOrnaments, #ClayCrafts) and broad (#HolidayDecor, #ChristmasCrafts) tags to reach targeted and wider audiences.
   • Use #Shorts to ensure it’s categorized correctly for maximum reach.

How Can You Measure Your Success?

If you really want to know how your shorts are performing, YouTube Studio's analytics are a great tool. 

• Engagement rate becomes critically important for the YouTube Shorts algorithm. If people watch your entire short from start to finish, it means it's awesome content. The completion rate affects the frequency at which the platform recommends your Short to new viewers.
• Views are another really important metric, but the kind of views you get from Shorts is different from traditional videos. Lots of views doesn't just show people have been watching, it shows that your content is good at holding people's attention when they're scrolling quickly.
• Metrics like likes, comments, and shares play an even bigger role in the world of Shorts. These signals show the formula that your content isn't just being watched — it's engaging people in a way that gets them talking. Comments are especially valuable because they indicate that your Short has sparked conversation or an emotional connection.
• You can also measure your channel's growth by looking at how well Shorts are doing. Check out how Shorts are helping you gain subscribers, get people to watch your videos, and drive traffic to your other content. Some creators find that Shorts are a great way to get more people to check out their main channel.

Make Sure You’re Consistently Producing Plenty of Quality Shorts!

Creating consistent, top-notch Shorts can be tough. That's where AI-powered tools, like BigMotion, can really help. 

The platform's got you covered when it comes to creating eye-catching, automatically generated content. It features:

• AI-powered script generation
• Professional voiceovers using ElevenLabs
• Automatic caption generation
• Custom music integration
• Multi-platform optimization

With BigMotion, you can make your content creation process more efficient without sacrificing the quality standards that the YouTube Shorts algorithm rewards.