YouTube has started to make moves into TikTok’s space by making it easier to create a Remix for Shorts. It also added a green screen feature, but more on that later.

Both are much-loved by TikTok’s army of creators and loyal fans, but now the internet’s largest video source is coming for that bacon.

The change comes after YouTube dipped its toes in these waters last year when it allowed creators to sample audio from video. Now they’ll be able to remix any eligible video on its platform.

The success of Shorts has been mind-boggling. It now has 30 billion views per day, a 400% increase from a year ago.

YouTube is an attractive place for creators because its monetisation pathway offers more of a chance to earn proper revenue. So, if you’re in short-form video marketing, you might not want to put all your eggs into TikTok’s or Instagram Reels’ basket just yet.

What is YouTube Remix for shorts?

Meaghan, Community Manager, YouTube

“Based on user feedback and demand, we’re beginning the phased rollout of a feature that allows you to use a 1-5 second segment from any eligible YouTube video or Short in the creation of new original Shorts content.”

Remix lets creators take a small snippet of another video and put their spin on things. They’re incredibly popular over at TikTok and have taken Reels and YouTube by storm as well.

It’s fairly easy to use the feature:

• Hit ‘Create’.
• Press ‘Cut’ from the remix options.
• Select the clip you want to remix.

“From there, you’ll be able to sample a segment of the video to use in your content. From a Short, you can click the 3-dot menu, select ‘Cut’, and choose the desired segment.”

Good for discovery

Worried about someone piggybacking off your video to earn success and recognition for themselves? Don’t be. Every time a Short is created using your channel’s content, your original piece of work will be attributed with a link in the Shorts player.

So, really, you might want to be remixed as much as you can because linking back to your video provides a brilliant opportunity for audience engagement and discovery. However, if you don’t want your content to be used in a Short, you can opt out within YouTube Studio.

A word of warning, though – marketers, make sure you’re being remixed for all the right reasons. You don’t want your brand going viral for something that could bring down the house.

But not a unique idea

If this sounds pretty similar to other short-form products on the market, that’s because it is.

Instagram (and recently Facebook) allows users the same functionality and calls its feature Remix. With Remix, you can record a Reels video alongside another video (sound familiar?)

By the way, TikTok did it first with Duets, which does the same thing. Give or take.

Improvements to Green Screen

Additionally, YouTube has announced it will be expanding its Green Screen capabilities.

Now, creators can use any eligible Short or YouTube video as the background for their Shorts clip.

YouTube

“You can create using both the audio + video or video-only if you choose to mute the audio. To use Green Screen, just select Create > Green Screen on the menu of options under the video you’re watching or press the 3-dot menu in the Shorts player and select Green Screen. The max length you can create with is 60 seconds.”

Previously, users could only Green Screen with content uploaded from their camera roll, but this update gives creators an almost infinite pool to play with from YouTube’s library. Original creators will be attributed with a link in the Shorts display.

The rise of the reaction

It’s expected that this will open up a whole raft of opportunities for creators, the most prominent of which is reaction videos. Creators react to all sorts: the latest memes, other videos, music, art and they are extremely popular.

In many ways, reaction videos are a quick and easy hit, but many audiences watch them for specialist insights the creator can give. For example, a musician may react to a music video and give their audience technical insights that they find interesting.

Since it’s Friday, why not watch dance music legend, Darude, react to a guy playing “Sandstorm” on a potato….

Reaction videos offer a cheap and quick way to make content, making it a popular option among creators, and audiences seem to eat them up, to boot. What’s not to like?

For brands or marketers, Green Screen can be used to promote new products and showcase industry-related clips. You could put your CEO or product expert in front of a Green Screen and walk users through the latest change or update.