How to Make a YouTube Video Not a Short
YouTube Shorts have taken over a large portion of the platform’s traffic, but not every video is meant to be a Short. If you’re a creator aiming for long-form content or want your videos to appear in the standard YouTube video feed, it’s important to understand how to avoid the Shorts format during upload. In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to make a YouTube video not a Short, what triggers the Shorts format, and best practices for regular uploads.
What Makes a Video a YouTube Short?
Before we dive into how to avoid Shorts, it’s important to understand what qualifies a video as a YouTube Short:
- Video Length: Less than 60 seconds
- Aspect Ratio: Vertical (9:16)
- Hashtag #Shorts: Including this in the title or description can also influence the classification
Any video that matches these characteristics may automatically be categorized as a Short by YouTube.
How to Avoid Making a YouTube Short
If you want your video to appear as a regular YouTube video, follow these steps:
1. Make Your Video Longer Than 60 Seconds
- Minimum recommended length: 61 seconds
- Shorts are defined by their length — so just crossing that 1-minute mark helps you stay in the standard feed.
2. Use a Horizontal (16:9) Aspect Ratio
- Standard YouTube videos are horizontal.
- Record in landscape mode using your camera or phone.
✅ Tip: If you upload a vertical video longer than 60 seconds, it might not be classified as a Short, but YouTube could still display it in a mobile-friendly vertical player.
3. Avoid Using #Shorts in Title or Description
- YouTube uses the hashtag #Shorts as a signal.
- If you accidentally include this, your video may be pushed into the Shorts shelf.
4. Upload via Desktop or the YouTube App Properly
- While uploading via the mobile app, avoid clicking “Create a Short”.
- Use the regular “Upload a video” option.
Step-by-Step Upload Guide (Desktop)
- Log into your YouTube Studio.
- Click the “Create” button > Upload videos.
- Select your video (make sure it’s longer than 60 seconds and horizontal).
- Add a title, description, and tags — do NOT use #Shorts.
- Choose a custom thumbnail (not available for Shorts).
- Set video visibility and publish.
Tips for Better Video Performance
- Use thumbnails with 16:9 dimensions.
- Add relevant tags and descriptions.
- Create chapters (timestamps) if the video is longer than 2-3 minutes.
- Promote your video on other platforms to increase watch time.
YouTube Shorts vs Regular Videos: Key Differences
| Feature | YouTube Shorts | Regular YouTube Video |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Under 60 seconds | 1 minute or more |
| Orientation | Vertical (9:16) | Horizontal (16:9) |
| Monetization | Limited (Shorts fund) | Full monetization options |
| Discoverability | Shorts shelf/mobile | Homepage, search, browse |
| Thumbnails | Auto-generated | Customizable |
Conclusion
If you’ve been wondering how to make a YouTube video not a Short, it really comes down to a few key settings — especially video length and orientation. By uploading longer, horizontal videos and avoiding the #Shorts tag, you can ensure your content appears as a regular YouTube video with full monetization and visibility benefits.
Want to Switch a Short to a Regular Video?
Unfortunately, you can’t edit an existing Short to become a regular video. You’ll need to re-upload the content with the proper format and length.
Final Tip:
Plan your content for your target audience. Shorts are great for quick engagement, but longer videos allow you to build authority and viewer loyalty.