Singapore – Short-form video has become a medium on its own right now that people are looking for more ways to get that rush of entertainment in a snap. In September 2020, YouTube announced its own version of the medium, YouTube Shorts, and finally, the beta version has been launched in Singapore.
Singapore adds to the 26 countries that already have it on their YouTube and will eventually be available across more than 100 countries around the world.
While short-form videos were already viewable in the platform, users around the world will be able to access for the first time Shorts’ creation tools which include a multi-segment camera to string multiple video clips together, the ability to record with music, and control speed settings, among others.
In addition, and in line with the product’s international expansion, the platform is also bringing a new set of features such as:
- Adding text to specific points in one’s video
- Automatically adding captions to one’s Short
- Recording up to 60 seconds with the Shorts camera
- Adding clips from one’s phone’s gallery to add to recordings made with the Shorts camera
- Adding basic filters to color correct one’s Shorts, with more effects to come in the future
The new features also include the ability to sample audio not only from other Shorts but also from videos all across YouTube, unlocking a new way for creators and users to channel their creativity. This means that users can give their own creative spin on the content they love to watch on YouTube and help find it a new audience — whether it’s reacting to their favorite jokes, trying their hand at a creator’s latest recipe, or re-enacting comedic skits. Creators will be in control and will be able to opt out if they don’t want their long-form video remixed.
“We want to make it easy and fun to create Shorts,” said Todd Sherman, global product manager for YouTube Shorts. “As we continue to build Shorts alongside our creators and artists, we’ll be adding more features for users to try,” he added.
YouTube has already introduced a row on the YouTube homepage especially for Shorts, where users are able to easily swipe vertically from one video to the next. The platform said a Shorts tab will soon be added on mobile to make it easier for users to watch Shorts with a single tap.
The global platform is continuously finding ways to enable the current generation of creators. Aside from the new YouTube Shorts itself, the platform has announced the YouTube Shorts Fund which boasts a total of US$100m fund to be distributed over the course of 2021-2022.
Anyone is eligible to participate in the fund simply by creating unique Shorts that delight the YouTube community. Each month, YouTube will reach out to thousands of creators whose Shorts received the most engagement and views to reward them for their contributions. At the same time, the initiative will also be used to get feedback from creators in order to better improve the product experience.
The Shorts Fund is not limited to just creators in the YouTube Partner Program, which is its dedicated community for creators. Creators will be eligible to participate if they create original content for Shorts and adhere to YouTube’s community guidelines.
“We know that it will take us time to get this right, and we’re just getting started. We can’t wait for you to try Shorts and help us build a first-class short-form video experience right on YouTube,” Sherman said.
