Admissions open Take the eligibility test & see if you can join the next batch. Take the test →
Decoding the Jargon

Shorts

Also called YouTube Shorts

Social mediaTerm

YouTube's short vertical video format, made and watched in the Shorts feed. YouTube allows Shorts of up to three minutes.

Example

Meera uploads the same styling video to YouTube as a Short. It is found by people browsing the Shorts feed who have never seen her channel.

How you'll hear it

“Repurpose the Reels as Shorts; it's the same vertical edit.”

Don't confuse it with

  • Reels: Instagram's equivalent.
  • Long-form YouTube video: horizontal, longer videos in the main YouTube feed and search.

Related terms

ReelsWatch timeAverage view durationAudience retention

Want to use this at work? AI-led Social Media Excellence is aFactor's 16-week program for social media work.

Sources

  1. Get started creating YouTube Shorts, YouTube Help
  2. Understand three-minute YouTube Shorts, YouTube Help

Checked 1 October 2026. Examples use a fictional business; figures are illustrative.

Send this to someone

Share on LinkedIn Share on WhatsApp

Knowing the words is the start. Using them well is the job.

The role-fit test shows how your judgment lines up with the role you hold or the one you want next.

Take the role-fit test →