YouTube has rolled out several new features aimed at improving both user and creator experiences, particularly around Shorts.
These updates introduce more flexibility for viewers while adding creative tools to help Shorts creators thrive.
Below, we break down each update and offer some insights into what this could mean for the platform and its community of creators.
Customizing Your Feed: Fewer Shorts for Non-Viewers
One of the most significant updates allows users to have more control over the content they see on their home feed, specifically regarding YouTube Shorts.
For viewers who don’t regularly engage with Shorts, YouTube is offering a way to reduce the number of Shorts videos appearing on their homepage. This gives users the flexibility to tailor their feeds based on their viewing preferences.
From a creator’s perspective, this feature likely won’t affect those whose audience is already interested in Shorts.
Elevating Creativity: Shorts Templates
YouTube is continuing to make Shorts easier to create with the introduction of Shorts Templates. This feature goes beyond simple remixes, enabling creators to replicate entire video structures, including audio, timing, and even text formatting.
For creators, this update opens up new opportunities to participate in trends or repurpose popular content. It’s a tool that can spark inspiration, especially for those looking to engage with viral videos or ongoing challenges.
The introduction of templates could streamline content creation, making it quicker for creators to jump on trends while maintaining their brand.
Studio Mobile in Landscape
A more subtle update is landscape support for YouTube Studio Mobile. This is a welcome addition for creators who prefer to manage their content or analytics on mobile devices in horizontal mode. While this may seem like a minor improvement, it reflects YouTube’s focus on enhancing usability across all devices.
For creators who spend a lot of time managing their channels on the go, this added functionality will make the process more seamless and comfortable.
Boosting Engagement: Notify Me for Music Previews
YouTube is also enhancing the way creators and musicians interact with their audience through Shorts Music Previews. The new Notify Me feature allows viewers to opt in to be notified when a full-length version of a song previewed in a Short is released.
This is a clever engagement tool, especially for creators working with musicians or using music as a critical part of their content.
It offers an additional touchpoint with the audience, ensuring that viewers are not only consuming Shorts but are also being nudged back to the platform for related content. It could be a game-changer for those building anticipation around new music releases.
Editing Thumbnails for Shorts
There’s also been some clarification regarding how to edit thumbnails for Shorts. It’s important to note that thumbnail editing for Shorts is only available within the YouTube app itself, not the Studio app.
While it might seem like a small detail, this can help prevent confusion and make the editing process more straightforward for creators working on mobile.
For creators, these updates mean more opportunities to stay relevant and inspired on the platform. The introduction of templates, in particular, could be a powerful way to tap into trends while maintaining your creative flair. Meanwhile, user feedback will continue to shape how these features evolve, so keeping your audience engaged is more important than ever.
What’s your take on these updates? Are you planning to use the new templates, or do you think the Notify Me feature could change how you engage with your audience? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
