YouTube Shorts launched in 2020, and more creators are using the platform than ever before. In fact, YouTube Shorts have more monthly active users than it’s competitor, TikTok, which has since been the leader in short-form video.

The platform is climbing the ranks to become one of the most used short-form video platforms by creators.

You Tube Shorts

With over 1.5 billion users every month, You Tube Shorts has surpassed TikTok, which had one billion monthly users in 2021. Considering YouTube Shorts amassed that many users in two years is an impressive feat.

YouTube Shorts was rolled out to all US creators in May 2021, which left everyone wondering if they could compete with TikTok. YouTube Shorts also faces tough competition with TikTok and Instagram Reels, which provide similar content formats. And everyone knows that the likes of Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook are trying to replicate TikTok’s success, as it popularized short-form content on social media.

Shorts Are Part of an Existing Platform

Unlike TikTok, Shorts are built into a larger, successful platform—YouTube. YouTube had 2.3 billion users when it launched Shorts in 2020, allowing its creators to diversify their content..

Unlike TikTok creators who start from scratch and have to build their audience from the ground up, YouTubers have existing channels, which means they start with subscribers who watch and support their short-form content.

YouTube Pays Creators

YouTube pays creators up to $10,000 to create Shorts, through its $100 million Shorts Fund to incentivize creators to produce original and engaging content. In summation, the more they are rewarded for their content, the more content they will want to produce.

Shorts Are Easier to Create Than Long Video

The YouTube Shorts Fund motivates creators to produce top-notch Shorts. But apart from the monetary incentive, creating Shorts isn't as time-consuming as creating a YouTube video. Creators can produce content in less time, which means they can put out more content than usual.

With a bigger push for creator collaboration and live stream shopping making up a portion of its 2022 goals, we’d say YouTube is making a case for Shorts greatness. YouTube is primed for shoppable live stream excellence. Why? It’s been in the video space since prominent influencers of today were tweens. With commerce integrations top of mind for all platforms, YouTube is capitalizing on the strengths that have made it one of the top social platforms across all ages.

Does TikTok have to look out for that number one spot?