YouTube Shorts are short-form vertical videos that have exploded in popularity over the past couple of years. While Shorts are designed to be quickly created and uploaded from mobile devices, you can also upload Shorts directly from your PC.
As a digital media professional with over 5 years of experience creating and optimizing video content, I often prefer editing Shorts on my PC where I have access to more powerful video editing software. The ability to upload shorts directly from my computer saves me time and gives me more creative control over the final video.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process of uploading a YouTube Short directly from your Windows or Mac computer:
Table of Contents
Step 1: Create Your Short Video File
The first step is to actually create your Short video on your computer.
YouTube currently requires Shorts to meet the following criteria:
- Vertical orientation – Shorts must be in a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio
- Length – Shorts can be between 15 seconds and 60 seconds long
- File format – Shorts must be uploaded as .MP4 or .MOV files
When editing your Short video, make sure to set your project timeline to a 9:16 vertical orientation. I recommend keeping the length between 30-60 seconds to match viewing habits on Shorts.
You can use any video editing software you like such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or free options like DaVinci Resolve. The key is exporting your final edit as a high-quality MP4 or MOV file.
Step 2: Sign In and Access YouTube Studio
Once your Short is exported, you next need access to YouTube Studio. Studio is where you can upload and manage your YouTube content.
Go to YouTube.com and make sure you are signed into the account you want to upload Shorts from. Click on your profile picture in the top right and select YouTube Studio.
This will open up the full YouTube Studio dashboard where you can access analytics, content management tools, and more.
Step 3: Click “Create” then “Upload Video”
From the YouTube Studio dashboard, click on the large CREATE button near the top of the left sidebar.
This will open up your content upload hub. From here, click the Upload video button to add new videos to your channel.
Step 4: Select Your Short Video File
You will be prompted to select a video file from your computer to upload.
Navigate to your exported Short .MP4 or .MOV file, select it, and click Open.
YouTube will begin processing and uploading the video file. The upload speed will depend on your internet connection and the file size.
Step 5: Fill Out Video Details
As the Short video uploads, you will need to fill out some important video details:
Title – Enter a compelling title no longer than 60 characters
Description – Add a description up to 150 characters to explain your Short
Tags – Include relevant tags so viewers can search for content like yours
Audience – Select if your content is made for kids or not
Visibility – Choose between making your Short public, private, or unlisted
Take time to optimize these details, especially the title and description so the YouTube algorithm understands what your content is about.
Step 6: Set Your Video As A Short
Here is the most important part. To upload your video as an official YouTube #Short, you need to check the Shorts toggle in the left sidebar of the upload flow.
Check the box next to Shorts so YouTube will process and distribute your content as a Short instead of standard YouTube video.
Step 7: Publish Your Short!
Once the Shorts toggle is enabled, enter any end screens or cards you want added to your Short video.
When ready, click the Publish button and your Short will be uploaded to YouTube!
It may take up to an hour for your Short to process and appear on your channel. You will also see it distributed on the main Shorts feed where it can gain more views and engagement.
Tips For Uploading Quality Shorts From Your PC
Here are some additional tips to help ensure your Shorts stand out:
- Optimize video file compression – Use video editing software to condense and optimize file sizes before upload to improve quality.
- Enhance audio – Many viewers watch Shorts without sound. Enhance audio with subtle sound effects.
- Add text overlays – Text and emojis help convey stories and make Shorts more engaging.
- Check processing time – Give yourself time for YouTube to process Shorts before major events or promotions.
- Analyze performance – Check analytics to see which Shorts resonate best with your audience.
Uploading vertical Shorts videos right from your desktop or laptop computer is simple by following these steps. As a Shorts creator myself, having flexibility to edit and upload Shorts from any device helps maximize quality and efficiency.
