28 YouTube Shorts Hacks That Feel Illegal To Know (How to Optimize YT Shorts To Get Views)

Are you looking to increase views on your YouTube Shorts? Well, we have compiled a list of 28 sneaky hacks that may give your Shorts a boost. These hacks range from clever editing techniques to smart strategies for maximizing watch time and engagement. While these hacks may not actually be illegal, they can definitely give you an edge in the competitive world of YouTube Shorts.

Hack #1: Looping Your Shorts

One way to increase watch time is by looping your Shorts. This involves seamlessly transitioning from the end of your Short to the beginning, so viewers accidentally watch another half of your Short. This can result in audience retention graphs that go beyond 100%, boosting your chances of visibility and engagement.

Hack #2: Adding Captions

A common feature in successful Shorts is the use of captions or subtitles. Adding captions not only helps increase watch time but also appeals to a wider range of viewers. Consider using a mobile editing app with built-in subtitle features to save time and effort.

Hack #3: Reposting Successful Shorts

If you have a high-quality Short that deserves more views, consider deleting and reposting it after a few weeks or months. YouTube may retest the video, giving it a second chance to go viral and reach a larger audience.

Hack #4: Leverage Successful Formats

Instead of constantly coming up with new ideas, try leveraging formats that have already proven successful. Explore channels that focus on similar content to yours and analyze the titles and formats of their most popular Shorts. Replicate those successful formats, saving time and effort while increasing your chances of going viral.

Hack #5: Utilize Trending Music

Just like TikTok, incorporating trending music in your Shorts can help you attract more views. By using trending music in the background of your Short, you have the opportunity to appear in the description of the official music video, potentially exposing your content to a vast audience.

Hack #6: Reuse Titles for Success

If you have a highly successful Short, don't be afraid to reuse the title for future Shorts. Create new content that aligns with the title but offers a unique perspective or angle. However, be cautious not to overuse this strategy to avoid appearing repetitive to your audience or spammy to YouTube's algorithms.

Hack #7: Evoke Strong Emotions

While it may sound counterintuitive, creating Shorts that evoke anger or strong emotions can actually perform better. Viewers tend to engage with emotionally charged content, which can boost your video's performance. Share well-thought-out unpopular opinions or controversial topics to elicit a response from viewers.

Hack #8: Respond to Every Comment

Engagement is key on YouTube, and responding to every comment can significantly improve your engagement metrics. Not only does responding to comments increase the number of comments on your Short, but it also encourages further interactions and discussions with viewers.

Hack #9: Create Trending Content

To increase the chances of your Short being seen by a wider audience, create content around trending topics. Utilize Google Trends to identify popular topics related to your niche and incorporate them into your Shorts. By riding the wave of trending topics, you can increase your visibility and attract more viewers.

Hack #10: Avoid Spoiling your Shorts

To maintain viewer interest, avoid spoiling your Shorts in the title. Instead, create intriguing titles that entice viewers without giving away the entire plot. A good title should provide a promise or value proposition, giving viewers a reason to watch without revealing everything.

Hack #11: Optimize for Brightness

Studies have shown that Shorts with brighter video intros tend to perform better. As users can quickly swipe to the next video, a visually appealing and well-lit intro can grab and maintain their attention. Ensure your scenes are realistically bright and consider adding engaging text or elements to enhance the visual appeal.

Hack #12: Discover Copyright-Free Music

If you prefer not to use trending music, YouTube's audio library offers a vast selection of copyright-free music for your Shorts. Explore the library to find suitable tracks that align with your content. Download the chosen music and add it to your Short using editing software on your computer or a mobile editing app.

Hack #13: Optimize Your Shorts

Don't overlook the power of optimizing your Shorts for better reach. Use YouTube Studio on desktop to fine-tune your Shorts. Add descriptions, relevant tags, select the appropriate category, and include hashtags to make your Shorts more discoverable by both the algorithm and viewers searching for specific topics.

Hack #14: Schedule Your Shorts

Instead of uploading your Shorts immediately, consider scheduling them for specific dates and times. By scheduling your Shorts, you can strategically release them when your audience is most active. Analyze your audience's online behavior using YouTube Studio Analytics and schedule your Shorts accordingly for optimal reach.

Hack #15: Add Thumbnails to Maximize Click-through Rate

Custom thumbnails can significantly impact click-through rates for your Shorts. While just a feature image, a well-designed thumbnail can pique curiosity and entice viewers to click on your Short. Ensure your thumbnail aligns with the content of your Short and accurately represents its value.

Hack #16: Analyze Viewer Behavior

Use the analytics feature in YouTube Studio to gain insights into your Shorts' viewer behavior. Study the audience retention graph to identify where viewers tend to click off. Examine the specific points in your Short that lead to a decline in viewership, and adjust your future shots accordingly to maintain interest throughout.

Hack #17: Keep Viewers Stimulated

To maintain viewer engagement, aim to introduce pattern interrupts at regular intervals in your Shorts. Change up scenes, introduce new elements, or cut to different footage to keep viewers visually stimulated. Successful Shorts often incorporate pattern interrupts every two to three seconds, ensuring constant engagement.

Hack #18: Be Unique

With an abundance of Shorts flooding YouTube, it is crucial to stand out from the crowd. Find your unique X factor, something that makes your Shorts recognizable and memorable. Developing a distinct style or specific branding elements can help your Shorts gain attention and attract a dedicated audience.

Hack #19: Seek Inspiration from Other Platforms

Explore other short-form content platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels for inspiration. Analyze the successful video styles, title formats, and engaging intros on these platforms. Adapt and apply their principles to your YouTube Shorts, adding your unique touch for better performance.

Hack #20: Shorten Long-Form Content for Promotion

If your goal is to promote your long-form videos through Shorts, condense them into shorter highlights or mini-reels. Keep these Shorts under 60 seconds and create a compelling hook or summary to grab viewers' attention. Include a call-to-action for viewers to watch the full video in the description or comments.

Hack #21: Utilize YouTube Shorts' Mobile Features

To simplify your workflow, consider creating, editing, and uploading Shorts directly from your mobile device. YouTube Studio on mobile allows you to access many advanced features, such as adding descriptions, tags, and even thumbnails. Make the most of these convenient options without relying on a desktop.

Hack #22: Research Viewership and Reach

Examine your Shorts' analytics to understand where your viewers are discovering and watching your content. Determine whether your Shorts are primarily attracting viewers from the YouTube Shorts feed, browse features, or search results. This knowledge can help you tailor your content and distribution strategies to reach your target audience effectively.

Hack #23: Use Descriptive Hashtags

When adding hashtags to your Shorts, place them at the bottom of your description to minimize the likelihood of viewers clicking away. While there is no set limit for hashtags in Shorts, refrain from over-tagging to avoid potential issues. Aim for relevant, descriptive hashtags that align with your content.

Hack #24: Schedule Shorts for Optimal Times

Analyze your audience's online behavior using YouTube Studio Analytics to determine the best times to schedule your Shorts for maximum visibility and engagement. Consider posting your Shorts during peak activity periods when your target audience is most likely to be online and receptive to new content.

Hack #25: Implement Eye-Catching Thumbnails

Custom thumbnails can significantly increase the click-through rate of your Shorts. Create visually appealing and attention-grabbing thumbnails that accurately represent the content. A well-designed thumbnail can entice viewers to click on your Shorts and increase overall engagement.

Hack #26: Review Viewer Behavior

Utilize YouTube Studio Analytics to gain insights into how viewers engage with your Shorts. Analyze the audience retention graph to identify points where viewers tend to click off. Adjust your Shorts based on these insights to maintain interest and prevent audience drop-off.

Hack #27: Find Your Unique Style

Differentiate yourself from the competition by developing a unique style for your Shorts. Establish a recognizable brand or distinct visual elements that set your content apart. Consistency in style and branding helps viewers remember and identify your Shorts, leading to increased engagement and subscriptions.

Hack #28: Experiment and Adapt

Continuously experiment with different techniques, formats, and strategies to optimize your YouTube Shorts. Pay attention to viewer feedback and adjust your content based on their preferences. The key to long-term success with Shorts is to adapt and evolve your approach as you gain a deeper understanding of your audience and the platform.

Keywords: YouTube Shorts, YouTube Studio, watch time, engagement, captions, reposting content, successful formats, trending music, thumbnails, analytics, scheduling, pattern interrupts, unique style, promotion, hashtags.

FAQ

1. Are these YouTube Shorts hacks actually legal to use?

While these hacks are not illegal, they involve strategies and techniques to optimize your YouTube Shorts effectively. It's important to abide by YouTube's community guidelines and terms of service when implementing these hacks.

2. How can adding captions to Shorts increase watch time?

Adding captions or subtitles to your Shorts makes them accessible to a wider audience, leading to increased watch time. Captions can also improve the overall viewer experience and engagement.

3. Can I reuse the same title for multiple successful Shorts?

Reusing successful title formats can be effective in garnering attention and boosting views. However, be cautious not to overuse this strategy to avoid appearing repetitive or spammy to your audience and YouTube's algorithms.

4. Should I focus on creating trending content for YouTube Shorts?

Creating Shorts around trending topics can increase your chances of reaching a larger audience. By capitalizing on trends, you can generate more visibility and engagement for your Shorts.

5. How can I optimize my Shorts to attract long-form viewers?

To promote your long-form content through Shorts, create shorter highlights or summaries with compelling hooks. Include a call-to-action in your Shorts, directing viewers to the full video in the description or comments.

6. Can I add copyright-free music to my Shorts?

Yes, YouTube offers an extensive audio library with copyright-free music that you can use in your Shorts. Explore the library, select suitable tracks, and incorporate them into your Shorts using editing software or mobile apps.

Remember, optimization and experimentation are key to success on YouTube Shorts. Stay creative, engage with your audience, and adapt your strategies based on viewer feedback. With these hacks in mind, you can enhance the visibility, watch time, and overall performance of your YouTube Shorts.