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5 Best: Hooks for YouTube Shorts

Currently, these are the best hooks that get attention on YouTube Shorts: “Did you know?”, “Top 5 […]”, How to […] in [short time]”, and “Watch this before […]”.

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Hook #1: Did you know that…?

This hook grabs attention by sharing fascinating and little-known facts, making viewers eager to learn something new and interesting.

Example: This simple video with an interesting fact about GTA V and got over 6M views — just by using the “Did you know…” question.

ProsCons
Engages curiosity immediately.Requires interesting and accurate facts.
Great for sharing fun facts or lesser-known information.May not fit all content types.
Appeals to a wide audience.Can become repetitive if overused.

5 Similar Variations:

  • “Bet You Didn’t Know…”
  • “Surprising Facts About…”
  • “Here’s Something You Didn’t Know…”
  • “Unbelievable Truths About…”
  • “Little-Known Secrets of…”

Hook #2: “Top 5 [Topic]”

This hook quickly draws viewers in by promising a concise, interesting list that’s easy to follow and full of valuable insights.

Example: This little video hooks people with “TOP 5 facts you didn’t know about…”, which makes it very intriguing.

ProsCons
Clear structure that viewers understand.Needs thorough research to be credible.
Keeps viewers engaged to see the full list.Can feel clickbait-y if the content doesn’t deliver.
Easy to adapt to various subjects.May require more editing work.

5 Similar Variations:

  • “Best 5 [Topic] Ever!”
  • “5 Must-See [Topic]”
  • “Top 5 Reasons Why…”
  • “5 [Topic] You Didn’t Know About”
  • “5 Shocking [Topic]”

Hook #3: “How to [Action] in [Short Time]”

This hook promises quick and practical solutions, appealing to viewers who want to learn how to do something efficiently.

Example: This guy jumps into the subject super quickly — he just says “how to do this … let’s go”. Great hook with bonus points for going straight to the point.

ProsCons
Directly addresses viewer needs.Requires concise and clear instructions.
Sets clear expectations for content length.Might not fit all content types.
Appeals to those looking for quick solutions.High competition in tutorial space.

5 Similar Variations:

  • “Quick Guide to [Action]”
  • “Easy Way to [Action] Fast”
  • “Learn to [Action] in Minutes”
  • “Fast Tips for [Action]”
  • “Simple Steps to [Action] Quickly”

Hook #4: “Watch This Before You [Action]”

This hook creates a sense of urgency by suggesting that viewers need important information before taking an action.

Example: Doesn’t start with “Watch this”, but rather with “Before you…”, which is also a great alternative.

ProsCons
Creates a sense of urgency.Needs to deliver valuable content to avoid disappointment.
Engages viewers who are interested in the action.Might feel like clickbait if overused.
Can build trust by providing helpful advice.Requires a clear understanding of viewer interests.

5 Similar Variations:

  • “Don’t [Action] Until You See This!”
  • “Important Tips Before You [Action]”
  • “Must-Know Info Before You [Action]”
  • “Essential Advice for [Action]”
  • “Avoid These Mistakes When You [Action]”

Hook #5: “Before and After”

This hook captivates viewers by showcasing dramatic transformations, encouraging them to watch through to see the full change.

Example: Constantly shows old and new logos — very similar to the ‘before and after ‘style.

ProsCons
Visually engaging and satisfying.Requires significant effort for impactful transformations.
Appeals to curiosity and anticipation.Might not fit all content types.
Easy to replicate across different subjects.Can be time-consuming to produce.

5 Similar Variations:

  • “See the Transformation”
  • “Amazing Before and After”
  • “Watch the Change”
  • “From Start to Finish”
  • “Unbelievable Transformations”
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AI List: How to Hook on YouTube Shorts

Hooking viewers on YouTube Shorts is all about grabbing attention quickly and keeping it. The most common question we get about it is…

“How to hook on YouTube Shorts?”

Here’s this ChatGPT-made list on how to hook YT-Shorts viewers:

  1. Strong Start: Begin with an eye-catching visual or intriguing statement in the first few seconds.
  2. Keep it Short: While Shorts can be up to 60 seconds, shorter is often better. Aim for 15-30 seconds.
  3. Use Trends: Leverage current trends, challenges, or popular sounds to increase visibility.
  4. Engaging Thumbnails: Though not as crucial as for longer videos, an engaging thumbnail can still help.
  5. Captions and Text: Use on-screen text to emphasize key points and keep viewers engaged.
  6. Fast-Paced Editing: Quick cuts and dynamic editing keep the content engaging.
  7. Unique Angle: Offer a unique perspective or twist on familiar content.
  8. Call to Action: End with a call to action, like asking viewers to like, comment, or subscribe.

We really hope you found all of this helpful!


5 Benefits of Using Hooks on YouTube Shorts

1. Captures Attention Immediately

A strong hook in the first few seconds grabs viewers’ attention, crucial for standing out in a fast-scrolling Shorts feed. It encourages viewers to stop, watch, and engage with your content rather than scrolling past.

2. Increases Watch Time

An effective hook keeps viewers interested from the start, making them more likely to watch the entire Short. Higher watch times signal to YouTube’s algorithm that the content is engaging, which can boost reach.

3. Improves Engagement Rates

Hooks that prompt curiosity or pose a question encourage viewers to like, comment, and share. Engaging content creates a more interactive experience, leading to increased engagement rates.

4. Boosts Algorithm Performance

Videos with strong initial engagement and high watch times are more likely to be recommended by YouTube’s Shorts algorithm.

Hooks help achieve these metrics, enhancing your Shorts’ overall visibility and reach.

5. Attracts New Followers

A good hook shows your style and personality right away, attracting viewers who may subscribe for more. It’s an effective way to convert casual viewers into loyal followers.


Bring YouTube Shorts Hooks to Life, with AI

With SendShort, making your YouTube Shorts hooks impactful and engaging is effortless. AI-driven tools help you grab viewers’ attention from the very first second, maximizing the effectiveness of each hook.

sendshort.ai website homepage

Here’s how SendShort enhances your hooks:

  • Dynamic Captions: Automatically add captions that highlight key phrases, making hooks clear and engaging, even for viewers watching without sound.
  • Perfect Timing and Transitions: SendShort’s AI ensures your hooks have precise timing and smooth transitions, drawing viewers in and maintaining flow.
  • Visual Effects: Add eye-catching effects to emphasize each hook, increasing its appeal and helping it stand out in the Shorts feed.

With SendShort, you can easily bring your YouTube Shorts hooks to life, creating content that captivates viewers and boosts engagement.

CTA: Add visual hook to video

Conclusion

This video just studied the most relevant hooks for YouTube Shorts. Try them out yourself and see which one resonates best with your audience.

As always, make sure to A/B test on YouTube to see which hook is best perceived by your viewers.


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

About the author

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.