Content creation platforms around the world can't seem to resist TikTok's shortened video style, and now YouTube is redoubling its efforts to compete with the social media giant by rolling out a new TikTok style creation tool. .
As part of its latest app update (opens in a new tab) on iOS and Android devices, YouTube has launched a feature that allows creators to instantly convert up to 60 seconds of previously uploaded long videos into short films.
The tool uses the platform's existing editing package: text, timeline editor, filters, etc. .
Of course, all shorts created from old videos will link to the original YouTube upload, and only the creators themselves can import and/or modify their existing content library.
At first glance, the feature is a creator-led innovation, providing another way for creators to attract potential subscribers to their long-form content (if, for example, a user is interested in a shorter version of longer content). ). video, they may be inclined to click on it and continue watching).
But this update also exposes YouTube's desperation to grow its digest library in a bid to better compete with TikTok and Instagram.
Clearly, very few creators are uploading content directly to Shorts, and given the backlash over automatic conversion of some vertical videos to YouTube Shorts (opens in a new tab) in recent months, the company is now banking on the effectiveness of Give users autonomy. to make this choice for themselves.
It is more organic, although encouraging. The growth of short films and YouTubers should expect more and more fast-paced, vertically-oriented video content to be introduced to them in the coming months.
To learn more about YouTube, check out our report on the YouTube scam abusing Google's advertising system, as well as our take on the platform's useful new content patching tool.