Viral Hacks for YouTube Shorts

This article studies the best hacks and workarounds to get more views for YouTube Shorts.

Study these and implement them into your Shorts and you’ll be guaranteed to increase your CTR, watch-time and engagement 🤙.

8 Hacks to Go Viral on YouTube Shorts

The #1 hack you should use to go viral on YouTube Shorts is the hook. The first sentence in your video is the hook, and it should be intriguing and catchy.

1. Catchy Hook

Objective: Grab attention within the first few seconds.

• Techniques: Use a bold statement, surprising fact, or visually appealing shot. The first 3-5 seconds are crucial to keep viewers from scrolling away.
• Example: Start with an unexpected question, a fast-paced action, or an eye-catching visual.

Check out our guide explaining the best hooks for Shorts.

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2. Add Captions

Objective: Engage viewers who watch without sound.

Same as the hook, colored captions are constantly popping for your viewer. This really helps keeping their attention to your video.

• Techniques: Use tools or apps to add accurate captions to your video. Make sure they are readable and well-timed.
• Example: Use SendShort’s automatic captioning tools and then manually adjust them for accuracy.

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3. Trendy Audio & Topic

Objective: Leverage current trends to increase visibility.

A useful tool for keyword research is Google Trends — a completely free and Google-official tool that helps you find trending topics in your area.

• Techniques: Monitor social media, YouTube Trends, and Google Trends to identify popular topics and challenges. Incorporate relevant hashtags to increase discoverability.
• Example: Participate in viral challenges, use trending music, or create content around current events or popular culture.

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4. High Quality

Objective: Ensure your video is visually and audibly appealing.

• Techniques: Use good lighting, clear audio, and stable shots. Even though Shorts are quick, quality still matters.
• Example: Use natural light or ring lights for better lighting, invest in a good microphone, and avoid shaky footage by using a tripod or stabilizer.

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5. Short and Engaging

Objective: Keep viewers watching until the end — below is a great example:

• Techniques: Aim for 15-30 seconds, like MrBeast’s Shorts. Pack value or entertainment into every second.
• Example: Create a concise story, deliver quick tips, or show a process in fast motion.

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6. Thumbnail

Objective: Attract viewers with an enticing visual.

A great practice is to A/B Test your Thumbnails to find out what style works better for your channel:

• Techniques: Design a thumbnail that stands out, even though it’s not as prominent in Shorts. Make it colorful and relevant to the content.
• Example: Use bold text, bright colors, and a clear image that represents the video’s content.

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7. Call-To-Action

Objective: Encourage viewer interaction using CTAs.

• Techniques: Prompt viewers to like, comment, share, or subscribe at the end of your Short. Be direct and clear with your CTA.
• Example: Say, “Like and share for more tips!” or “Subscribe for daily Shorts!”

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8. Consistent Posting

Objective: Build momentum and keep your audience engaged.

• Techniques: Develop a content calendar and stick to a regular posting schedule. Consistency helps with algorithm favorability.
• Example: Plan to post a Short at the best time every day or several times a week, maintaining a consistent theme or niche.

For instance, you can schedule Shorts using SendShort.

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Go Viral on YouTube Shorts using AI

With SendShort, creating YouTube Shorts with viral potential becomes easy, thanks to AI tools designed to make your content pop and capture attention.

Here’s how SendShort can help your Shorts go viral:

• Auto-Captions: Add captions automatically to make your content accessible and appealing to viewers, especially those watching without sound.
• Highlight Selection: SendShort’s AI identifies the most impactful moments, allowing you to focus on clips that are likely to keep viewers watching.
• Eye-Catching Effects: Use transitions, text overlays, and effects to make your Shorts visually engaging and memorable.

SendShort’s AI-powered tools give you everything you need to produce Shorts that grab attention, increasing the chance of going viral and boosting your reach on YouTube.

Frequently Asked

1. How do you get noticed on YouTube Shorts?

Use attention-grabbing hooks within the first few seconds, keep videos between 15-60 seconds for better retention, add trending music, and use relevant keywords in titles and descriptions. Engage with viewers through comments and post consistently to boost visibility.

Tips to Get Noticed on YouTube Shorts:

1. Start with a strong hook in the first 3 seconds.
2. Keep videos between 15-60 seconds.
3. Add trending music or sounds.
4. Use keywords in titles and descriptions.
5. Engage with viewers in the comments.
6. Post consistently for better visibility.

2. How do I get more views on YouTube Shorts for free?

1. Create compelling hooks in the first few seconds to capture attention.
2. Use trending topics and relevant hashtags to boost discoverability.
3. Optimize titles and descriptions with keywords that viewers might search.
4. Post at peak times when your audience is most active.
5. Engage with comments to build a community and encourage interaction.
6. Share Shorts on social media to attract viewers outside YouTube.
7. Experiment with different styles to see what resonates best with viewers.

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Thanks a lot for reading this,
David Ch
Head of the Editing Team at SendShort