How to Upload YouTube Shorts as a Normal Video: A Definitive Guide

Yes, you absolutely can upload a video originally intended as a YouTube Short as a standard long-form video. The key lies in avoiding the automatic “Shorts” designation that YouTube applies based on specific criteria. By side-stepping these triggers, you can ensure your video is treated like any other, allowing for monetization, detailed descriptions, and placement in the standard YouTube algorithm.

Understanding the YouTube Shorts Algorithm

Before we dive into the how, let’s understand the why. YouTube uses an algorithm to identify and classify Shorts. This algorithm primarily looks for the following cues:

• Aspect Ratio: Videos with a vertical aspect ratio (9:16) or a square aspect ratio (1:1) are prime suspects for being flagged as Shorts.
• Duration: Videos 60 seconds or less are almost automatically classified as Shorts.
• #Shorts Hashtag: Including #Shorts in the title or description signals to YouTube that you intend the video to be a Short.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Uploading a YouTube Short as a Long-Form Video

The core principle is to avoid triggering the Shorts algorithm. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process:

1. Shoot in Landscape (16:9) if Possible: This is the most foolproof method. If you can film your video horizontally from the outset, it will default to a standard video format upon upload. However, if your video is already in a vertical format, don’t panic, proceed to the next steps.

2. Edit the Video to be Over 60 Seconds (Recommended): A simple extension of the video length beyond one minute almost always prevents it from being categorized as a Short. Add a title card, an outro, or simply extend existing scenes.

3. Avoid the #Shorts Hashtag: Do not include #Shorts in your video title or description. This is a crucial step.

4. Upload the Video as Usual: Use the standard YouTube upload process.

5. Advanced Settings Check: In the “Advanced Settings” of your upload, ensure there are no pre-set options that would force it into a Short format.

6. Monitor the Video: After uploading, check YouTube Studio to confirm the video is not being treated as a Short. If it is, you may need to re-upload with slight modifications to the length or aspect ratio.

7. Thumbnail Optimization: Create a compelling custom thumbnail. Thumbnails are even more important for longer-form content, as they influence click-through rates from search and suggested videos.

Why Upload a “Short” as a Long-Form Video?

There are several compelling reasons to choose the long-form route even when your content is short and sweet:

• Monetization: Shorts have a different monetization structure than standard videos. Long-form videos allow you to participate in the standard YouTube Partner Program and earn revenue from ads.
• Better Analytics: Long-form videos provide richer analytics, giving you more insights into audience retention, demographics, and traffic sources.
• Enhanced Discoverability: While Shorts get a boost in the Shorts feed, long-form videos benefit from YouTube’s broader search and recommendation algorithms.
• Greater Control: You have more control over the description, tags, and other metadata associated with a long-form video.
• Audience Engagement: Longer descriptions and comment sections typically foster more in-depth engagement with your audience.
• External Linking: Long-form videos permit you to add clickable links in the video description, driving traffic to your website or other relevant resources, which is not always an option for Shorts.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding uploading YouTube Shorts as normal videos.

1. What happens if YouTube automatically identifies my video as a Short?

If this happens, you can try re-uploading the video with the modifications mentioned above (increasing the length, adjusting the aspect ratio, and ensuring no #Shorts hashtag). If that fails, consider slightly reframing your content. For example, adding a short intro and outro to contextualize the “Short” within a larger video.

2. Can I still use vertical footage in a long-form video?

Yes, you can. You might need to add black bars (pillarboxing) on the sides to fill the 16:9 aspect ratio. This is a common technique for incorporating vertical footage into standard videos.

3. Will uploading a “Short” as a long-form video hurt my channel’s performance?

Not necessarily. It depends on the content itself. If the video is engaging and provides value, it can perform well regardless of its original intention as a Short.

4. Should I still create dedicated Shorts content?

That depends on your overall content strategy. Shorts are excellent for quick, attention-grabbing content and reaching a broader audience. However, long-form videos offer more opportunities for in-depth storytelling and monetization. Consider doing both!

5. What’s the best way to add length to a Short to make it a long-form video?

Consider adding an introduction that sets the context for the video, and an outro that encourages viewers to subscribe or watch other content. You could also include behind-the-scenes footage or bloopers.

6. Are there any downsides to avoiding the Shorts format?

You might miss out on the initial boost in visibility that Shorts receive in the Shorts feed. However, if your goal is long-term monetization and detailed analytics, the benefits of a long-form video often outweigh this.

7. Can I convert an existing YouTube Short into a long-form video?

Yes, you can. Download your Short, edit it to meet the criteria for a long-form video (length, aspect ratio, etc.), and then re-upload it.

8. Does adding music affect whether a video is classified as a Short?

No, the presence of music doesn’t directly determine whether a video is classified as a Short. However, be mindful of copyright restrictions when using music in any video format.

9. Is there a minimum length for a long-form video to be monetized?

While there isn’t a strict minimum length, YouTube generally prefers videos to be at least 8 minutes long to maximize ad revenue opportunities. Shorter videos can still be monetized, but they may generate less revenue.

10. How important are tags for long-form videos compared to Shorts?

Tags are significantly more important for long-form videos. They help YouTube understand the content of your video and surface it in relevant search results.

11. Can I promote my long-form video on other social media platforms?

Absolutely! Share your video link on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms to drive traffic to your YouTube channel.

12. What if my video still gets classified as a short even after following all the steps?

This is a rare occurrence, but it can happen. In this case, your best bet is to contact YouTube support directly to inquire about the issue. They may be able to manually adjust the video’s classification.

By carefully following these steps and understanding the nuances of the YouTube algorithm, you can successfully upload videos intended as Shorts as standard long-form content, unlocking the full potential for monetization, engagement, and discoverability. Remember, the key is to avoid the algorithmic triggers that automatically classify videos as Shorts. Good luck creating!