YouTube Shorts rolls out new editing features to compete with TikTok
Creating videos on YouTube Shorts is about to get a bit easier
If you’ve ever tried editing a YouTube Short and found yourself wishing for just a bit more control, you’re not alone. Thankfully, YouTube has been paying attention. The platform just announced updates coming to the YouTube Shorts editor, and it feels like they’re finally giving creators the tools they’ve been asking for. Whether you’re a seasoned short-form video maker or just dabbling, this update might actually make the editing process a whole lot smoother.
To start with, you can now zoom in to video timelines to make precise clip adjustments, snap footage into place, add timed text and music, rearrange scenes, and preview everything from a sleek new timeline view. That means no more hopping between apps or winging it.
There’s also an auto-beat sync feature on the way, letting creators instantly align clips to music—something that used to take way too long. For YouTube, these tools aren’t just a usability win—they’re a strategic move. YouTube Shorts already racks up over 70 billion daily views, and in 2023, Shorts helped the platform surpass 2 billion logged-in monthly users. More robust editing tools could mean even higher engagement, especially if TikTok gets banned in the U.S.
David Adubiina
Looking ahead, YouTube is also teasing AI-generated stickers—type a prompt, get a custom sticker—and the option to turn images from your phone into stickers. Templates are getting smarter too, with built-in effects and automatic credit for creators. It’s a lot, and it shows YouTube is serious about making Shorts not just a TikTok alternative but a creative hub of its own.
Of course, TikTok and Instagram Reels still dominate the short-form space. TikTok boasts over 1.12 billion monthly active users globally, according to Backlinko, with CapCut—its sister app—arguably setting the standard for mobile editing. Instagram also has an equally sizeable audience, with around 2.1 billion users on the platform. But if TikTok stumbles in the U.S., YouTube’s timing couldn’t be better.
Bottom line? YouTube isn’t just playing catch-up anymore—it’s positioning itself to lead. And for creators, that means more tools, more reach, and maybe, just maybe, fewer reasons to open another app.
Oluwaseun Bamisile
