In today’s era of short attention spans and on-the-go content, YouTube Shorts has quickly become one of the most effective tools for creators and brands to grow their reach. With over 2 billion monthly logged-in users, YouTube has put major emphasis on Shorts to compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels. That means: if you want more visibility, engagement, and followers, learning how to optimize your Shorts is essential.
But going viral isn’t just about luck. There are data-driven strategies that consistently deliver more views.
In this article, we’ll walk you through 10 proven tips to increase your YouTube Shorts views—backed by real techniques and tools like JoggAI to help you produce better content, faster.
What Are YouTube Shorts?
YouTube Shorts are vertical videos of 60 seconds or less, created to capture attention quickly on mobile devices. These videos appear in a dedicated Shorts feed, on your channel, and can even show up on YouTube’s homepage and search results. With fewer production barriers and a huge discovery potential, Shorts are an excellent gateway for creators to grow their audience organically.
1. Hook Viewers in the First 3 Seconds
If the first 3 seconds don’t grab attention, your viewers are gone. That’s how fast people scroll. To increase retention and watch time, you need to deliver a strong “hook” at the start of every Short.
Your hook should:
- Present the most intriguing part upfront
- Ask a provocative question or show a shocking result
- Create tension, curiosity, or surprise
Example: Instead of “Watch me paint this wall,” say “This paint changes color in real time—watch this!”
Use fast cuts, bold text overlays, or close-up visuals to create immediate interest. The longer someone watches, the more likely your video is to get pushed by YouTube’s algorithm.
2. Use Trending Sounds and Music
Trending audio can instantly boost your discoverability. When you use music or sounds that are currently going viral, your Short has a better chance of being featured in feeds and suggested content.
How to find trending sounds:
- Browse YouTube Shorts’ music library
- Check TikTok or Instagram Reels trends (they often overlap)
- Explore your niche for commonly used audio
Be sure your usage is contextually relevant. Instead of blindly using popular sounds, find ways to creatively adapt them to your content’s theme—this increases authenticity and engagement.
3. Keep It Short and Punchy
While Shorts can last up to 60 seconds, research shows that videos between 15–30 seconds often perform better. Viewers appreciate concise, high-impact content that gets straight to the point.
Here’s how to keep your Shorts punchy:
- Focus on one main idea or result
- Cut out filler words or unnecessary scenes
- Use fast pacing, especially in transitions
If your content drags or meanders, viewers will swipe away, which hurts your retention rate. Aim for videos that can be rewatched and shared—this increases algorithmic boosts.
4. Optimize Titles and Descriptions with Keywords
SEO isn’t just for long-form videos—Shorts also appear in search results. Optimizing your titles and descriptions helps YouTube understand and index your content properly.
Tips:
- Use keyword research tools like TubeBuddy, VidIQ, or Google Trends
- Include long-tail keywords (e.g. “easy makeup tutorial for beginners”)
- Write a compelling, clickable title (avoid clickbait, but be curiosity-driven)
Also, add relevant keywords in your video’s description and tags. This improves visibility on both YouTube search and Google search, driving organic discovery.
5. Leverage Hashtags Strategically
Hashtags help categorize your Shorts and connect them with trending topics or themes. When used correctly, they help YouTube place your content in front of the right audience.
Here’s how to use hashtags effectively:
- Always include #Shorts to get into the Shorts feed
- Add 2–3 niche-specific hashtags (e.g. #FitnessTips, #AnimeSketch)
- Use 1–2 trending or challenge hashtags if relevant
Avoid stuffing too many tags—it can look spammy and dilute relevance. Instead, focus on well-targeted hashtags that accurately reflect your content.
6. Upload Consistently
Consistency is key to growing any channel, and Shorts are no exception. YouTube’s algorithm rewards creators who post frequently and reliably.
Recommended schedule:
- 3 to 5 Shorts per week for optimal growth
- Pick specific days or times based on your audience insights
- Use scheduling tools to plan ahead
Consistency also helps train your audience. When viewers know when to expect new content, they’re more likely to subscribe, re-engage, and share.
7. Add Captions and On-Screen Text
Roughly 70% of users watch videos without sound—especially on mobile. If you’re not adding captions, you’re potentially losing out on most of your audience.
Why captions matter:
- They improve accessibility and retention
- Highlight key points or punchlines
- Allow viewers to follow along in any environment
Use tools like CapCut, VEED, or YouTube’s built-in captioning features to quickly add text. Make sure your text is clear, large enough, and contrasts well with your video background.
8. Use AI Tools Like JoggAI to Enhance Visual Quality
Shorts are visual-first. If your videos look dull or unpolished, they’re unlikely to catch attention—no matter how good the idea is. That’s where JoggAI comes in.
JoggAI is an AI-powered creative tool that transforms static images or raw clips into visually engaging animated Shorts in minutes. No editing skills needed.
What JoggAI helps with:
- Converts product photos, selfies, or artworks into dynamic video sequences
- Offers customizable styles for cinematic, playful, or aesthetic looks
- Adds motion effects, transitions, and color grading automatically
Use case: You’re promoting a skincare product. Upload a static before-and-after image, and JoggAI animates it into a smooth 20-second video with soft lighting and smooth zooms.
Perfect for creators, e-commerce sellers, and anyone short on time, JoggAI saves hours of editing and delivers scroll-stopping visuals optimized for Shorts.
9. Analyze Performance and Double Down on What Works
To grow effectively, you need to look at what’s working—and what isn’t. YouTube Studio offers powerful analytics that can guide your content decisions.
Key metrics to watch:
- Audience retention: Are viewers dropping off early?
- CTR (click-through rate): Do your thumbnails and titles work?
- Engagement (likes/comments/shares): Are viewers interacting?
Analyze your top-performing Shorts and look for patterns. Maybe it’s the pacing, the hook, or a specific topic that performs well. Create more of that and refine underperforming formats.
10. Engage Viewers with Comments and Community Features
The YouTube algorithm doesn’t just care about views—it also values engagement. The more people interact with your Shorts, the more likely they are to be recommended to others.
Simple engagement tactics:
- End your Shorts with a question (“Which one would you choose?”)
- Ask for quick feedback (“Rate this hack 1–10!”)
- Reply to comments quickly to boost conversation threads
Also, use the Community tab to promote your Shorts and tease upcoming content. This builds a deeper relationship with your audience, increasing long-term growth.
Bonus: Promote Your Shorts Across Platforms
Don’t rely only on YouTube’s algorithm. Cross-promoting your Shorts can significantly amplify your reach.
Platforms to consider:
- Instagram Reels
- TikTok
- Pinterest Video Pins
- Twitter/X
- Your blog or newsletter
Use each platform’s native format and hashtags to get discovered by new audiences. One Short can become multiple pieces of content with minimal effort.
Conclusion
Growing on YouTube Shorts isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy, consistency, and creativity.
By applying these 10 proven tips, you’ll increase your chances of creating content that gets discovered, shared, and remembered:
- Start strong with a hook
- Use trending sounds
- Keep it short and impactful
- Optimize for keywords
- Leverage hashtags
- Upload consistently
- Add captions
- Use tools like JoggAI to improve visuals
- Analyze what works
- Engage actively with your audience
With the right approach and tools at your disposal, your next Short could be the one that takes off. So start creating—and let your content speak louder in 60 seconds or less.
