With the competition from TikTok and Reels intensifying, YouTube has unveiled a range of new features to enhance its short-form video product, YouTube Shorts. In a video message to creators, YouTube's Chief Product Officer Johanna Voolich introduced six new tools aimed at helping creators create engaging Shorts videos. These tools include automatic transformation of longer videos into Shorts, tools to inspire creativity such as an 'Add Yours' sticker that encourages others to share related content, and more.
“One thing I love is that anyone can build a Short — even I can build a Short — because we have all these tools that make it a very accessible way to become a creator,” Voolich said.
Two of the new features focus on audio and speech presentation in videos. One allows creators to create auto-generated captions that can be edited and customized with different fonts and colors, while another lets users choose from four different voices to have their text narrated or spoken out loud.
Aside from the 'Add Yours' sticker, creators now have access to two new effects celebrating the 15th anniversary of the popular game Minecraft. These effects enable users to film a video within the Minecraft world and play a new mini-game called Minecraft Rush inside Shorts. The goal of Minecraft Rush is to record yourself tapping to clear blocks as quickly as possible and challenge others to beat your time.
One of the most significant new tools is the auto layout tool, which allows creators to easily turn regular videos into Shorts. Initially available on Android, this tool automatically tracks the video's main subject and dynamically pans, zooms, and crops the video for a seamless transition into a Short. Another tool enables users to remix existing remixes, expanding creative possibilities for Shorts videos.
Despite the new features, YouTube faces stagnation in Shorts video views, with Voolich hinting at potential tests for longer Shorts videos. The rollout of some features is ongoing, while others are set to launch soon.
