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Want to get YouTube’s Shorts algorithm to work for you, not against you?
In this guide, we’re breaking down the exact steps to help you reach more viewers, faster. From hooks that keep viewers watching to content hacks that boost engagement, we’ll uncover every detail you need to create algorithm-friendly Shorts that actually get results.
Let’s dive in and make the algorithm work in your favour.
Skip this section if you already know the basics.
Answer: Yes, there is a YouTube Shorts algorithm. It determines which short videos are shown to viewers based on several factors.
Key components:
The algorithm helps tailor content to individual user interests and keeps the Shorts feed dynamic and appealing.
Long and Short videos have separate algos.
Just like the YouTube thumbnail algorithm — while part of YouTube’s ecosystem, it is a completely different system compared to the one running for Shorts.
Answer: The YouTube Shorts algorithm is a system designed to recommend short videos to users based on several factors.
Here’s a table to explain this easier:
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Viewer Interaction | Tracks watch history, likes, shares, comments. |
| Video Performance | Metrics: watch time, retention, likes, comments. |
| Content Freshness | Prioritizes newer videos. |
| Relevance and Trends | Boosts trending topics and popular content. |
| Engagement Patterns | Analyzes repeated views and long viewing sessions. |
| Personalization | Customizes feed based on combined factors. |
These elements work together to ensure that users are shown Shorts that are most likely to interest them.
You’ve probably noticed this on your feed as well — it’s how every social media app works.
Answer: The secret of YouTube Shorts lies in its highly optimized algorithm, which quickly learns user preferences and serves engaging content.
This is combined with the platform’s mobile-first design, allowing creators to easily produce short, captivating videos for all types of audiences.
This section answers the most common question about Shorts:
How does the YouTube Shorts algorithm work?
We’re also studying how to make it work better for your channel. Let’s figure this out together, as there are a lot of small elements and ideas to it. Put together, they form the complex algorithm.
Key Metric: Watch Retention vs. Skip Rate
Your initial few seconds are crucial — that’s why you’re going to need a great hook.
Here’s what MrBeast has to say about this:
The algorithm tracks whether viewers stay or swipe away.
Key Metric: User Preferences
YouTube’s Shorts algorithm personalizes content based on individual viewing habits.
Key Metrics: Interactions and Watch Time
Although the Shorts algorithm currently emphasizes retention and relevance, overall engagement — including likes, comments, and shares — still supports your channel’s growth.
Key Metric: Content Alignment
Maintain your focus on the niche that defines your channel.
YouTube favors content that resonates with a user’s existing interests.
For example: If your channel specializes in travel tips, stick to related themes and avoid diverging too far into unrelated topics.
Staying relevant ensures your content continues to engage your established audience while attracting new viewers who share similar interests.
With SendShort, making YouTube Shorts that perform well in the algorithm is simple, thanks to AI-driven tools that enhance engagement and retention.
Here’s how SendShort helps make algorithm-friendly Shorts:
Using SendShort, you can create Shorts designed to keep viewers watching, meeting the key factors that the YouTube algorithm favors for better reach and visibility.
The algorithm evaluates factors like viewer engagement (likes, comments, shares), watch time, and user watch history to predict and recommend content that aligns with individual preferences.
YouTube treats Shorts and long-form videos separately, so the performance of your Shorts doesn’t impact the recommendations or visibility of your long-form content.
It’s not necessary.
Many creators successfully mix Shorts and long-form content on the same channel. However, if your Shorts target a different audience or niche, a separate channel might be advantageous.
Yes, using relevant hashtags and descriptive titles helps categorize your content, making it more discoverable to interested viewers.
Consistency can help maintain audience interest, but quality is paramount. Regularly posting high-quality Shorts is more effective than frequent low-quality uploads.
Find out the best times to post Shorts.
And there you have it — this is how the Shorts algorithm works.
I really hope you learned new things about the algorithm and that you’re going to apply them to your own videos.
Thanks a lot for reading this,
David Ch
Head of the Editing Team at SendShort
David leads the editing team at SendShort. With this help, the team delivers the latest guides on using your favorite social media apps and creating short-form content.
