YouTube Shorts is exploding. With over 50 billion daily views, it's become the fastest way to grow on YouTube. But here's the problem: most creators spend way too long editing Shorts. BlitzCut lets you edit YouTube Shorts in under 2 minutes with automatic captions and silence removal - the two features that matter most for short-form success.

This guide covers everything you need to know about YouTube Shorts editing: the technical requirements, proven editing techniques, and the fastest workflow for posting daily.

YouTube Shorts Technical Requirements

Before diving into editing tips, know the specs:

Requirement	Specification
Aspect ratio	9:16 (vertical)
Maximum length	60 seconds
Minimum length	15 seconds recommended
Resolution	1080x1920 recommended
File format	MP4 (most common)

Shorts MUST be under 60 seconds. Even 61 seconds disqualifies your video from the Shorts shelf.

Why Editing Speed Matters for Shorts

The YouTube Shorts algorithm rewards consistency. Creators posting 1-3 Shorts daily see dramatically better growth than those posting weekly.

Simple math:

1 Short/week = 52 Shorts/year
1 Short/day = 365 Shorts/year

More Shorts means more chances for one to hit. But if each Short takes 30 minutes to edit, daily posting becomes a full-time job.

The solution: a faster editing workflow.

The 2-Minute YouTube Shorts Editing Workflow

Here's how to edit a YouTube Short in under 2 minutes using BlitzCut:

Step 1: Import Your Video (10 seconds)

Open BlitzCut and tap + to import your raw footage from camera roll.

Step 2: Remove Silence Automatically (30 seconds)

BlitzCut detects all silent gaps, pauses, and dead air in your video and removes them automatically.

A 90-second raw take becomes a tight 55-second Short with all the filler cut.

Step 3: Add Auto Captions (30 seconds)

Tap "Subtitles" and BlitzCut generates AI-powered captions with perfect timing. Choose a viral caption style - bold, animated, or clean.

Step 4: Export (30 seconds)

Select 9:16 format, export, and upload directly to YouTube.

Total time: Under 2 minutes.

Compare this to manual editing in Premiere or Final Cut, where the same process takes 20-30 minutes minimum.

YouTube Shorts Editing Tips for Maximum Views

Tip 1: Hook Viewers in the First Second

YouTube's algorithm measures how quickly viewers skip. Your first second determines everything.

Strong hooks:

Start mid-sentence with a provocative claim
Open with the most interesting visual
Ask a question that demands an answer
Use text overlay stating the video's value

Weak hooks:

"Hey guys, welcome back..."
Logo animations
Slow fades from black
Context that could be cut

Film your content, then cut the first 3-5 seconds. Start where it gets good.

Tip 2: Maintain Fast Pacing Throughout

Shorts viewers have zero patience. The moment your content drags, they scroll.

Keep pacing tight:

Remove ALL unnecessary pauses (BlitzCut does this automatically)
Cut filler words and "ums"
Use jump cuts to eliminate dead moments
Aim for something happening every 2-3 seconds

The 3-second rule applies to Shorts too: if nothing changes for 3 seconds, viewers leave.

Tip 3: Captions Are Mandatory

85% of social video is watched without sound. YouTube Shorts is no exception.

Captions:

Keep viewers watching on mute
Increase accessibility
Boost watch time by 12%+ on average
Make content shareable (people screenshot quotes)

BlitzCut's auto captions add professional, styled subtitles in seconds. No manual typing required.

Tip 4: Use the Full 60 Seconds Strategically

Shorts can be 15-60 seconds, but length strategy matters:

15-30 seconds: Best for simple jokes, single tips, quick reactions 30-45 seconds: Ideal for most educational content 45-60 seconds: Use for stories, lists, or detailed tutorials

Longer isn't always better. A 60-second Short with padding performs worse than a tight 35-second one.

Tip 5: End with Purpose

Don't just stop. Give viewers a reason to engage:

Ask a question: "What do you think? Comment below."
Tease next video: "Part 2 tomorrow."
Call to action: "Subscribe for daily tips."
Loop back: End connects to beginning for rewatches

Strong endings boost comments, shares, and loop views - all algorithm signals.

Best Apps for Editing YouTube Shorts

BlitzCut - Best for Talking-Head Shorts

BlitzCut excels at the content type dominating Shorts: talking-head videos.

Automatic silence removal (unique feature)
AI captions with viral styles
2-minute editing workflow
Mobile-first design

If you create educational content, tutorials, vlogs, or any video where you talk to camera, BlitzCut is the fastest option.

CapCut - Best for Effects-Heavy Shorts

CapCut offers more effects, transitions, and templates. Use it when you need:

Complex transitions
Trending templates
Green screen effects
Multi-clip editing

The tradeoff: CapCut takes 10x longer for talking-head content because it lacks automatic silence removal and requires manual caption styling.

For a full comparison, read BlitzCut vs CapCut.

VN Editor - Best Free Advanced Option

VN offers professional features completely free:

Multi-track timeline
Keyframe animations
Advanced color grading

The downside: no automatic features. Everything is manual, which slows down high-volume Shorts production.

Common YouTube Shorts Editing Mistakes

Mistake 1: Horizontal Video in Vertical Frame

Shorts are 9:16 vertical. Horizontal footage with black bars looks amateur and performs poorly.

Fix: Record vertically, or use an editor that properly crops/reframes horizontal footage.

Mistake 2: No Captions

Uploading without captions kills your reach. Most viewers won't turn on sound for an unknown creator.

Fix: Always add captions. BlitzCut automates this in seconds.

Mistake 3: Slow Pacing

Leaving pauses, filler words, and dead air makes viewers scroll away.

Fix: Use automatic silence removal to tighten pacing without manual scrubbing.

Mistake 4: Generic Titles and Thumbnails

Yes, Shorts need good titles. The algorithm reads them for context.

Fix: Write descriptive titles with keywords. "3 Budgeting Tips" beats "My Thoughts on Money."

Mistake 5: Inconsistent Posting

One viral Short won't build a channel. Consistency matters more than quality.

Fix: Use a fast editing workflow (like BlitzCut) that makes daily posting sustainable.

YouTube Shorts vs TikTok: Editing Differences

Content can be cross-posted, but there are subtle differences:

Factor	YouTube Shorts	TikTok
Max length	60 seconds	10 minutes
Ideal length	30-60 seconds	15-60 seconds
Caption style	Clean, readable	Bold, animated
Algorithm focus	Watch time	Completion + engagement
Audience age	Broader	Younger skew

BlitzCut exports work perfectly for both platforms. Film once, caption once, post twice.

YouTube Shorts SEO Tips

Unlike TikTok, YouTube is a search engine. Optimize your Shorts:

Title Keywords

Include searchable terms:

"How to [topic]"
"[Number] tips for [topic]"
"[Topic] in 60 seconds"

Description

Write 2-3 sentences with relevant keywords. Include hashtags like #Shorts.

Hashtags

Always include #Shorts. Add 2-3 topic-relevant hashtags.

Consistent Posting Time

YouTube's algorithm learns your schedule. Post at the same time daily for algorithm training.

Batch Editing Shorts for Efficiency

Pro creators don't edit one Short at a time. They batch.

Batch Workflow

Film day: Record 5-10 Shorts back-to-back
Edit session: Process all in BlitzCut (2 min each = 20 min total)
Schedule: Upload to YouTube's native scheduler
Post: Content goes live automatically while you create more

This workflow produces a week of content in 1-2 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best app for editing YouTube Shorts?

For talking-head content (tutorials, vlogs, educational), BlitzCut is the fastest option with auto captions and silence removal. For effects-heavy content, CapCut offers more templates.

How long should YouTube Shorts be?

30-60 seconds works best for most content. Under 60 is required. Under 45 often performs better because completion rates increase with shorter videos.

Do YouTube Shorts need captions?

Absolutely. Captions increase watch time, accessibility, and engagement. BlitzCut adds them automatically.

Can I post TikToks to YouTube Shorts?

Yes, but remove TikTok watermarks first. YouTube's algorithm may suppress watermarked content. Record original footage or use a tool that exports clean.

How often should I post Shorts?

Daily posting drives the fastest growth. If that's not sustainable, aim for minimum 3-5 per week. Consistency matters most.

How do I get more views on Shorts?

Hook viewers in the first second, maintain fast pacing, add captions, post consistently, and optimize titles for search. BlitzCut handles the editing side so you can focus on content quality.

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Start Creating YouTube Shorts Faster

YouTube Shorts success comes from volume and consistency. You can't post daily if each Short takes 30 minutes to edit.

BlitzCut solves the editing bottleneck:

Remove silence automatically (no more scrubbing)
Add viral captions in seconds
Export in 9:16 ready for Shorts

Download BlitzCut and turn your raw footage into polished YouTube Shorts in under 2 minutes.

The algorithm rewards creators who show up. Show up faster.