Launch
YouTube Shorts launched in September 2020 as YouTube’s answer to TikTok—vertical, short-form videos under 60 seconds. The hashtag became mandatory for discovery in the Shorts algorithm.
Monetization
Initially, Shorts offered no direct monetization, frustrating creators. YouTube later introduced the Shorts Fund and ad revenue sharing, though payouts remained lower than long-form content.
Creator Strategy
Many creators use Shorts as a funnel to long-form content, posting vertical clips to drive subscribers. The format reshaped YouTube’s algorithm and homepage.