7 Essential Strategies for More Views on YouTube Shorts

In the world of online video, YouTube Shorts has cemented its place as a game-changer, offering creators a unique path to share short, engaging videos with a massive global audience. These bite-sized videos, typically under 60 seconds, are the key to accelerating your channel's growth and visibility.

However, simply uploading a vertical video isn't enough. With countless creators competing for views, standing out requires a sharp, modern strategy. Here are seven essential strategies to increase views on your YouTube Shorts and maximize your channel's potential in 2025.

7 Essential Strategies for More Views on YouTube Shorts

1. Hook Viewers in the Very First Second

The initial moment of your Short is the most critical. YouTube's algorithm prioritizes Watch Time and Completion Rate. If viewers swipe past your video instantly, YouTube stops promoting it.

Strategy: Start with an engaging visual hook, a rapid cut, or a surprising question that immediately arouses curiosity and promises a quick payoff. Get straight to the point — eliminate all slow fades and lengthy intros.

Pro tip: Use Zubtitle's trimming tools to ensure your video is perfectly tight and starts right on the most compelling moment. Every single second must count.

2. Optimize for YouTube Search and SEO

YouTube Shorts are highly discoverable through the standard YouTube search results and recommendations, not just the Shorts shelf. This means SEO is vital.

Strategy: Create concise and descriptive titles (under 60 characters is ideal) that clearly convey the essence of your Short. Use the description to provide additional context and links. Most importantly, include relevant keywords in your title, description, and even your spoken audio.

Pro tip: Zubtitle's AI tools can streamline this. Utilize the AI video title generator and AI hashtag generator to quickly find the best, most searchable keywords and optimized copy for your video.

3. Prioritize Watch Time with Captions

The vast majority of online videos are watched without sound, and Shorts are no exception. If your content relies solely on audio, you are losing views and watch time.

Strategy: Adding captions enhances engagement and comprehension, signaling to the algorithm that your video is high-value. Go beyond basic captions by using visual styling.

Pro tip: Zubtitle automatically transcribes your audio into timed captions. You can then use features like animated captions to give your text flare or a sense of urgency, powerfully holding the viewer's attention to boost that crucial completion rate.

4. Design a High-Click Thumbnail

Even on the Shorts shelf, a well-designed thumbnail can significantly boost your click-through rates when your Short appears in search results or on your channel page.

Strategy: Your thumbnail should be visually appealing and branded. Use bold colors, clear images, and text overlays that relate directly to the Short's content. Ensure your design is consistent with your long-form content to strengthen your channel’s branding.

Pro tip: Maintain your channel’s consistent look by incorporating your logo and using your brand colors on your Short’s thumbnail and video styling.

5. Tap into Trends & Remix Culture

Stay informed about the latest trends, sounds, and challenges relevant to your niche. However, in the coming year, you should focus in on YouTube’s native remix culture.

Strategy: Utilize the "Remix" feature to legally use audio or snippets from other videos on YouTube. This is favored by the algorithm and exposes your Short to the audiences of the original video. Add your unique twist to the content to provide fresh value.

6. Drive High-Value Engagement

Engagement on Shorts is not just about likes; it's about pushing viewers to your main channel.

Strategy: Encourage viewers to subscribe in the last few seconds of your Short. Respond to comments and show appreciation by hearting comments. Crucially, encourage actions that drive traffic — use text overlays or spoken CTAs to say, "Check out the full long-form video on my channel!"

7. Collaborate and Cross-Promote Strategically

Collaborations remain a fun and effective way to gain new views by tapping into existing audiences.

Strategy: Team up with creators in your niche to create joint Shorts. Furthermore, use your Shorts as a direct funnel. Create a teaser Short for every long-form video you publish, driving viewers from the Shorts shelf directly to the full video on your main channel page. This cross-promotion accelerates overall channel growth.

Ready to boost your views on YouTube Shorts?

We make it easy to stop the scroll and create optimized videos for YouTube Shorts (and every other platform). Sign up for a free Zubtitle account today and start creating professional, high-impact Shorts effortlessly!