YouTube introduces YouTube Shorts to compete with TikTok
YouTube is launching YouTube Shorts, Google's response to short videos from TikTok, in its beta phase in the United States.
The short video format was available for several months in India, but today it marks its first appearance in the US, along with the addition of many new features.
The feature allows creators to record, edit and share short video content of 60 seconds or less, with optionally set to popular music.
YouTube has struck deals with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Believe, Merlin, 300 Entertainment, Kobalt, Beggars, CD Baby, Empire, Peer, Reservoir, OneRPM, and more.
Globally, YouTube has agreements with more than 250 publishers to use in the YouTube Shorts product, she says.
The YouTube Shorts itself was first introduced in September and has been beta testing in India for the past several months.
Globally, users were able to watch short films, but were unable to create them.
The YouTube Shorts shooting experience is a lot like TikTok.
YouTube says its feature allows content creators to shoot short, engaging videos using only their mobile phones.
It provides a way to link multiple clips together, add music, use a timer and countdown to record videos hands-free, all the features currently available via Tik Tok.
YouTube offered some new tools that it hopes will help it differentiate from the group, as users will be able to sample and remix other short videos, and content creators will also be able to add text to specific points in the video.
YouTube Shorts join the crowded field of short video apps, all trying to capitalize on the craze for short social media content and capitalize on the tumultuous TikTok year.
Facebook launched Instagram Reels in the United States and other countries, and the Spotlight feature on Snapchat allocates $ 1 million a day to users who create the most enjoyable videos.
Two TikTok competitors merged in the US earlier this year, while Reddit acquired another called Dubsmash late last year.
YouTube plans to take advantage of its wider ecosystem by launching the ability to use audio from videos across its platform.
This means you can add your own creativity to the content you love to watch on YouTube and help find new audiences.
YouTube is trying to reduce barriers to creativity and help the next generation of aspiring influencers find an audience.