If you are someone who uploads clips of other creators on YouTube Shorts, then getting views could become little difficult for you. YouTube is making changes in Shorts recommendation to give more priority to original content.
This doesn’t mean that YouTube will stop you from using clips of other creators. But if your channel mostly uploads other people’s videos without adding anything new, then YouTube could give less reach to your Shorts.
YouTube Wants More Original Content on Shorts
Nowadays, there are a lot of YouTube Shorts,channels which take viral videos, podcast clips or videos from other creators and upload them again. Sometimes there are subtitles or little editing, but most part of the video remains same.
YouTube now wants to give more priority to creators who are actually making something original. The company says channels which mainly aggregate or reupload content without significant changes will likely get less distribution in Shorts feed.
Small Changes May Not Be Enough
If you take someone else’s video and just change its size or add some subtitles, then it may not really make the content original. YouTube says simple technical changes don’t necessarily add a new perspective to a video.
Instead, you can add your own commentary, different editing or storytelling to it. So if you are using someone else’s clip, then there should be something from your side which makes the video different from original one.
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You Can Still Use Other Creators’ Clips
The good thing is that YouTube Shorts, isn’t completely stopping creators from using clips. So if you are running a channel where you explain news, react to videos or give your opinion using different clips, then this update doesn’t simply mean that you can’t do it anymore.
The main problem is with channels which mostly upload other people’s videos without adding much to them. If your own voice, explanation or editing is a major part of the Short, then it is different from simply downloading and uploading the same clip.
YouTube Is Not Banning These Shorts
Another thing to keep in mind is that this isn’t a complete ban on reposted videos. YouTube isn’t saying that all such Shorts will be removed from the platform.
Instead, it is about how much reach YouTube gives them. If a channel mostly depends on reuploaded videos without much original work, then its videos could appear less in Shorts feed. For a Shorts channel, this can make a big difference because most views usually come from recommendations.
There Is No Exact Percentage
YouTube hasn’t given any exact percentage of how much original content you need to add. So there isn’t something like adding 30% or 50% of your own content and then your Short will automatically be considered original.
This also means that just adding more effects or editing doesn’t guarantee anything. Your own contribution should be clear in the video, whether it is commentary, explanation, storytelling or some different way of presenting the clip.
Don’t Confuse It With YouTube Monetisation Rules
YouTube already has separate rules for reused content and Shorts monetisation. For example, simply uploading unedited clips from movies, TV shows or other creators can already create problems if you want to earn money from Shorts.
The new change is little different because it is mainly related to recommendations and reach. So even if your video isn’t removed from YouTube, it could still get less distribution if the platform considers your channel mostly based on reuploaded content.
What Should You Do If You Make YouTube Shorts?
If you upload Shorts by taking clips from podcasts, viral videos or other creators, then you should keep this update in mind. Just putting subtitles, changing the crop or doing some basic editing may not be enough anymore.
You can instead add your own voice and explain what is happening in the clip. If you are making news Shorts, then give your own explanation rather than only showing the original video. Similarly, reaction channels can add their own opinion and make it a bigger part of the content.
YouTube isn’t saying that you can’t use another person’s clip at all. The main thing is how much you are adding from your side. If most part of your channel is just other people’s videos with small changes, then getting reach on Shorts could become more difficult after this change.
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