YouTube Shorts: New Features and Rivalry with Instagram Reels and TikTok

YouTube is stepping up its game in the short vertical video trend with the introduction of new features for YouTube Shorts. Taking inspiration from rivals Instagram Reels and TikTok, the Google-owned platform is bringing some exciting additions to enhance the Shorts experience.

Collab with Existing YouTube Clips

One of the new features announced by YouTube is the “Collab” ability, which allows users to record a Short in a side-by-side layout with an existing YouTube clip. This feature has been long offered by Instagram and TikTok, and now YouTube users can enjoy the same functionality.

Q&A Sticker Functionality

YouTube is also taking cues from its rivals by introducing the Q&A sticker functionality. This feature enables creators to interact with their audience by allowing them to ask questions. Creators can respond to these questions either through comments or by creating another Short. Instagram and TikTok have already implemented similar features, and now YouTube is joining the club.

Converting Landscape Videos into Shorts

Creating Shorts from existing content is now easier on YouTube. The platform is offering new tools that allow creators to convert their landscape videos into portrait-oriented Shorts. This feature aims to make the transition smoother for creators who want to repurpose their existing content for the Shorts format.

Additional Exciting Features

YouTube has also introduced other notable features to enhance the Shorts experience. Users can now save Shorts to a playlist, making it easier to organize and revisit their favorite short videos. Additionally, live videos will now be available in the Shorts feed, providing users with real-time content. Furthermore, creators can quickly copy effects and audio from a remixed clip, saving time and effort in the editing process.

It’s evident that YouTube is taking inspiration from its rivals to bring exciting features to its Shorts platform. By incorporating popular functionalities from Instagram Reels and TikTok, YouTube aims to provide a comprehensive short video experience for its users.