YouTube is giving more users the ability to turn comments into Shorts

YouTube is experimenting with a new use for its Shorts. It is preparing to launch an experiment that will allow some users to create public videos from individual comments.

The forthcoming test was announced through the Creator Insider channel, where YouTube regularly dispenses updates about new products. If you’re a true Creator Insider devotee, the idea of turning comments into YouTube Shorts might sound familiar. Last year, YouTube introduced a “Create a Short” button that lets creators post short-form replies to specific comments they receive. That update harkened back to the days of video responses, which were popular during YouTube’s early days but were discontinued in 2013.

There are a few key differences between that feature and the one YouTube announced on June 21. As a Creator Insider producer named Lauren explained, comment Shorts uploaded by viewers will only appear in the Shorts feed and the viewer’s channel — not in the original comment section.

That’s distinct from Shorts responses creators post on their own videos, since those replies do show up in the comment feed. “While creators are already able to reply to comments posted on their own content with a Short, we want to explore offering viewers the opportunity to create content from comments as well,” Lauren said.

The Creator Insider video also discussed a few other notable items. A new “audience overlap card” available through the YouTube Analytics hub will help creators find fans who are watching all of the formats they upload. Since YouTube wants its community to consider a multiformat approach that includes long-form videos, Shorts, and live streams, the overlap card will pull useful data for a growing number of creators.

Finally, YouTube is reminding all of its community members that they must agree to the new Partner Program terms if they wish to keep running ads on their videos. The deadline for that decision is July 10, 2023.