If you’re still putting all your short-form bets on TikTok right now… you’re walking on thin ice. The U.S. government literally gave TikTok an ultimatum. Sell or get banned. It’s already passed the House, and things are moving fast. So if that’s your main platform, you need a plan B. Like, yesterday.
Meanwhile, YouTube is out here making some power moves. It’s pushing Shorts like crazy, throwing all kinds of tools and experimental features at creators. Shorts are showing up in the algorithm, in recommendations, on mobile, on TV — everywhere.
But is it really a TikTok vs YouTube Shorts kind of talk? Let’s break it down.
TikTok: Massive Reach, But Major Risk
TikTok’s algorithm is still insane. You can post one chaotic video and boom — 1 million views overnight, even if you have 3 followers and a hamster in your profile pic. It’s raw, fast, and very trend-driven. That’s its magic.
Quick stats check:
- Over 1.5 billion active users.
- TikTok audience demographics: 50% of users are aged 18–34.
- The average session length is 10.85 minutes. That’s longer than Facebook, Instagram, and even YouTube.
But TikTok monetization is not perfect. The Creator Fund (even the new one) pays pennies. We’re talking $0.02–$0.04 per 1,000 views, in many cases. A million-view video might make you enough to buy… lunch. On a budget.
Even though brand deals on TikTok are still rolling and remain a lifeline for many creators, the growing uncertainty is making some sponsors think twice. No one’s jumping ship yet, but the risk is definitely on their radar.
So yeah. We love TikTok. But you can’t only love TikTok.
Want to optimize your reach?
At ScaleLab, our team worked with creators in multiple niches, and we know how to build a strategy that wins on both Shorts and TikTok. Want us to take a look at your content? Drop us a line.
YouTube Shorts: The Chaos Has Settled
Let’s talk about 3-minute YouTube Shorts. Long story short, the past several months were messy. No one knew who had access to this new format. Some folks couldn’t upload longer videos. And some could.
But it’s working now. Long Shorts are real. And they’re changing the game.
Here’s what we know:
- YouTube confirmed that Shorts are the fastest-growing format on the platform.
- There are now 70 billion Shorts views per day. Some internal data suggests that number’s actually closer to 90 billion.
- 2 billion users watch Shorts every month.
- YouTube wants people to binge-watch Shorts, and they're updating the app to push that behavior.
Also, YouTube recently changed how it counts views. Now, if your Short appears on screen and starts playing — even for a fraction of a second — it counts as a view.
Yes, even if they scroll immediately. No, it won’t boost your revenue. It’s just more flattering analytics.
Real monetization still comes from “engaged views” — the ones where people actually watch, click, comment, or interact.
YouTube Shorts vs TikTok Monetization
Is YouTube Shorts better than TikTok when it comes to revenue? Shorts monetization is not ideal, but it’s much better than what TikTok offers. A lot of our partners are earning 45% of their total YouTube ad revenue from Shorts alone.
YouTube uses a revenue share model. That means if your Shorts bring in ads, you get a cut. Simple. No secret math. Just your content doing the work.
Plus, YouTube connects your Shorts directly to your long-form videos. The ecosystem is seamless now. A viewer can watch your Short, then get recommended your main video immediately.
However, YouTube Shorts' algorithm isn't as good as TikTok's in terms of virality. There is less chance of getting viral quickly. And the solution we always strongly recommend to our partners at ScaleLab: do not choose something one, cross-post.
OK But... Can’t I Just Post the Same Video Everywhere?
Yes. And no.
Short-form content isn’t that different across platforms, but the vibe absolutely is. TikTok is more chaotic. Raw. Feels like your friend’s FaceTime call. YouTube Shorts still prefer a little more structure. Clean edits, good pacing, actual storytelling.
That said, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We’ve helped creators to create the whole repackage strategy for the same 30-second video for TikTok, Shorts, and Reels — and it worked everywhere. Reach out if you need any help with content distribution strategy.
AI Tools That’ll Save Your Time
Making Shorts is no joke — especially when you’re also juggling long-form, live streams, thumbnails, titles, captions, posting schedules…
Here are 5 AI tools that can be low-key lifesavers:
1. Opus Clip
Opus Clip turns long videos into short, viral clips using AI. Adds auto captions, cuts filler, and even suggests thumbnails. It quickly identifies the most engaging moments and automatically turns them into short-form content. Great if you’ve got podcasts, interviews, or long vlogs you want to cut for Shorts.
2. Descript
Descript lets you edit videos like you're editing a Word doc. Cut filler, remove "um", "uh", "like", add subtitles, and overdub your voice in one place. You can type what you want to hear, and it’ll generate audio in your own voice.
3. Captions.ai
Captions.ai gives you stylish, on-brand subtitles that match TikTok and Shorts vibes. Also great for auto-editing and formatting. It auto-generates punchy captions. You can choose different fonts, animations, and layouts. Helps your videos look premium even if you edited them in your hoodie at 2 AM.
4. Wisecut
Wisecut is perfect for talking-head videos. Automatically cuts silences and jump-cuts to keep things snappy. You also get features like automatic background music that lowers when you speak and comes back during pauses. Perfect for storytelling, teaching, or commentary content.
5. Pictory
Want to make faceless Shorts? Pictory turns blog posts or scripts into visual videos with stock footage and voiceovers. You don’t even need to record anything yourself. Just type in your text and let the platform stitch everything together. It’s super useful if you just don’t feel like being on camera.
So, you’ve got your cool AI tools, and now looking for some fresh and trending ideas? Great! We know what’s actually going viral right now.
3 Popular YouTube Shorts
1. Sleep, Eat, React, Repeat
Want 3.5 million views on your Short only 5 days after publishing it? Take notes from Adam Rose. The guy just knows what he is doing.
2. Cake or Fake?
You say it’s an outdated trend? We say it’s a classic one. Jenny Hoyos proves this with her recent Short that got 16 million views.
3. Weird Stuff Reviews
Reviews never get old. Especially if you show your audience some weird stuff. It hooks and makes you watch and rewatch. This video got 50 million views in 15 days:
3 Popular TikToks
1. God Forbid…
“Why are you always sharing all the valuable insights for free?”
“God forbid we support up-and-coming creators!”
2. Let Your Intrusive Thought Win
Folks love to see another person letting their intrusive thoughts win. There is something oddly satisfying about covering your face in rhinestones… right?
3. Strawberries in Chocolate?
Yep. Just strawberries. In chocolate. With music. Some dancing moves. And bam! 457 million views.
Notice the pattern? These vids are relatable, funny, or just plain real.
So... TikTok or YouTube Shorts?
The answer is both. But bet bigger on Shorts.
Why?
- YouTube’s safer.
- Better monetization.
- More cross-content potential.
- And the platform is clearly investing hard in the format.
TikTok is great for reach. But YouTube Shorts? That’s where your audience turns into actual fans (and actual revenue).
If you’re serious about building a real YouTube empire, now’s the time to use Shorts the right way. Want help? Hit us up. We’ve got tools, success cases, and full-on teams ready to plug into your channel and scale with you.