YouTube Shorts challenges TikTok with new creation tools.
With the competition between YouTube Shorts and TikTok on the rise, the platform has revealed that it will launch new features to make it easier for creators to post engaging short videos.
YouTube Shorts is ramping up its competition with TikTok by announcing a series of new features aimed at helping creators publish more engaging short videos. Among the tools that will be available are an improved video editor, the option to generate AI stickers, a feature that syncs content to the beat of a song, enhanced templates, and more. This release comes just days before the April 5 deadline for a potential TikTok ban in the United States, suggesting that YouTube is looking to attract creators to its platform and benefit from a possible void left by TikTok.
The new video editor will allow users to easily adjust the timing of each clip, move or remove segments to create a rough draft, add music or text in sync, and preview their Short to ensure it tells the story the way they want. YouTube plans to implement additional updates to the editor in the future, responding to one of the most frequent requests from Shorts creators. Given that TikTok offers robust editing tools, it makes sense for YouTube to seek to provide similar functionalities for its creators. Additionally, this release is particularly relevant as Meta is preparing to launch an editing app that will compete with ByteDance's CapCut tool.
Regarding the new AI Stickers, creators will be able to generate custom stickers from simple text. An example provided by YouTube shows how a user can create a sticker of "a strong plant with muscles." Furthermore, YouTube Shorts will allow creators to add image stickers to their videos; for instance, they can share different outfit inspiration options by uploading photos from their gallery and transforming them into stickers.
Creators will also have the option to select a song and automatically align their clips with the beat of the music, eliminating the need to sync clips manually as was done previously. This feature is similar to CapCut's "Beats" tool, which also automates the synchronization of music with clips. YouTube is planning to enhance the available templates, allowing users to incorporate photos from their gallery into them and add effects. Given the popularity of effects on TikTok, it makes sense for YouTube Shorts to explore them, as they often help generate trends.
These new features are expected to roll out in the coming months.