YouTube adds new updates for Shorts, including new creation options and an expansion of Shorts drafts.

First off, on creative options – YouTube’s rolling out a new ‘Cut’ option which will allow Shorts creators to sample a small segment (1 to 5 seconds) from eligible Shorts and VODs to be used as the intro to their Short clip.

The method will provide more ways to lead users into your Shorts by using prevalent content as a contextual starting point for your own video.

As you can see in these images, you can access the new Cut option through the ‘Create’ button on the Watch pages or by tapping the three dots menu while watching a Short from the Shorts player.

If you create a Short via Cut, an attribution link will be included in your Short, connecting back to the original source clip.

YouTube says it’s still establishing the monetization implications for this feature. However, the creator of the original clip cannot monetize any subsequent Short created via the Cut option. Creators do, however, get additional exposure potential through these referral links.

YouTube also updated its Shorts Green Screen feature, which it initially launched to selected users in May.

YouTube says that the feature is still in the process of being rolled out to iOS users before being expanded to Android as well.

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Much like the same option on TikTok, The feature allows you to sample up to 60 seconds from a Short or other eligible video across YouTube, which you can then use as the background of your Short clip.

As explained by YouTube:

“You can control if you’d like to use audio or video, or both from the original video you’re sampling, and you can control how prominent you are on the screen by pinching your picture while you’re in the camera. Similar to Cut, if someone samples your content to create a Green Screen video, there will be an attribution link that users can click to take them back to the original source video.”

The feature has been available to some users for a few months, but more creators will have the option shortly.

YouTube’s also expanding Shorts drafts, with users now able to save as many drafts as they like within the Shorts creation flow.

Until now, Shorts creators could only store one draft at a time, but the new approach will enable more drafts, providing more options in your process.

Drafts will be available via the Shorts camera, with a new ‘Drafts’ icon added to the bottom right of the screen when drafts are present. However, YouTube also notes that Drafts are device-specific, so if you change devices, you won’t be able to access your drafts from another phone.

Drafts, right now, are only available on iOS.

On another front, YouTube has provided some engaging insight into how its algorithm highlights older Shorts and the discovery potential for your clips.