What counts as a Short and what format it needs
YouTube treats a vertical or square video up to 3 minutes long as a Short. Vaideo produces 9:16 videos, the native vertical format of the Shorts feed, so nothing needs cropping. If you want a long-form video for your channel, you can generate the same topic in 16:9.
Shorts are watched while swiping, often muted or with the volume low. That's why Vaideo's burned-in captions aren't a nice-to-have: they let people follow the video without hearing it. And the zoom and pan on every image avoids the static-slideshow feel.
In practice, the informational Shorts that work best tackle a single idea: one fact, one tip, one question and its answer. If a topic has more to it, it's usually better to split it into a series of Shorts, or make a long video and use the Short as a teaser.
Publishing Shorts from Vaideo: direct upload and AutoPilot
On the Unlimited plan you can connect your YouTube account and upload the generated video to your channel without downloading it. Before making it public, check the title, description and thumbnail in YouTube Studio: a clear title with the topic's keyword helps the Short show up in search too.
AutoPilot goes a step further: it creates and publishes videos automatically on a connected channel. It's handy for keeping a steady posting schedule, but review what goes out regularly, because you remain responsible for your channel's content.
If you'd rather not connect your account, or you're on the Free plan or using a pack, download the MP4 and upload it from YouTube Studio or the YouTube app like any other Short.
Shorts monetisation and AI-made content
To join the YouTube Partner Program you have to meet the thresholds YouTube publishes (for example, 1,000 subscribers plus 10 million valid public Shorts views in 90 days, or 4,000 public watch hours in 12 months) and its monetisation policies. Requirements change, so always check the official page.
YouTube doesn't ban AI-made content, but it won't monetise "inauthentic" content: mass-produced, repetitive videos that barely differ from one another. It also asks you to disclose when realistic content has been altered or synthetically generated. If you use AI-generated images that could pass as real, tick that disclosure when uploading.
The sustainable way to use Vaideo for Shorts is as a production tool, not a substitute for judgement: pick topics where you add something, review every script and vary your angles. Vaideo doesn't guarantee views, revenue or programme approval.
Ready-to-use prompts
“What would happen if the Moon disappeared? Explain it in 50 seconds, starting with the most surprising consequence”
A hypothetical question with an instant hook: a classic science Shorts format.
Use this prompt →“One spreadsheet tip that saves time every day: how to use XLOOKUP, step by step for beginners”
One useful, searchable idea that matches what people type into YouTube search.
Use this prompt →“The real story behind the name of New York, told like a mystery in under a minute”
Mystery framing keeps viewers to the end; the Vintage/Sepia style suits it.
Use this prompt →Format
9:16
Length
30-60 s for one idea (free up to 30 s); up to 5 min with a pack
Visual style
Cinematic or Documentary for explainers; Vintage/Sepia for history
Voice
AI voice in English or Spanish to match your channel
Recommended settings
Step by step
- 1
Connect your channel (optional, Unlimited)
On the Unlimited plan, connect your YouTube account to upload videos or use AutoPilot.
- 2
Type the Short's topic
Describe a single idea, the tone and the length; or paste an article URL to summarise it.
- 3
Pick 9:16, language and style
Vertical format, English or Spanish narration and one of the 10 visual styles.
- 4
Review the result
After a few minutes, check the script and replace images in any scenes that don't fit.
- 5
Upload to YouTube
Upload straight from Vaideo (Unlimited) or download the MP4, then fine-tune title and description in YouTube Studio.
Tips that make the difference
- ★Put the keyword in the Short's title; YouTube shows Shorts in search results too.
- ★Build series with the same visual style and structure so your channel has an identity.
- ★When a Short performs, turn it into a 16:9 long-form video on the same topic.
- ★Check in YouTube Studio how many viewers choose to keep watching and adjust your hooks.
- ★If you use AutoPilot, review what's been published each week and remove anything below your bar.
Manual vs Vaideo
| Manual | Vaideo | |
|---|---|---|
| Filming | Camera or phone, lighting and audio | Nothing to film: AI voice and free or generated images |
| Editing | Manual cuts, captions and vertical reframing | Automatic 9:16 edit with captions and motion |
| Publishing | Manual upload from YouTube Studio | Direct upload or AutoPilot on Unlimited; MP4 download on Free and with packs |
| Creative control | Complete: your face, your clips, your music | Limited to narration, images and captions; no music or avatars |
Frequently asked questions
How long can a YouTube Short be?+
YouTube accepts vertical or square videos up to 3 minutes as Shorts. Vaideo's Free plan goes up to 30 s; with a pack they can run up to 5 minutes.
Can I upload Shorts straight to my channel?+
Yes, on the Unlimited plan by connecting your YouTube account. On the Free plan and with packs you download the MP4 and upload it yourself.
What is AutoPilot?+
It's an Unlimited plan feature that creates and publishes videos automatically on a connected YouTube channel. You should review what it publishes periodically.
Does YouTube monetise AI-made Shorts?+
YouTube allows AI-made content, but excludes repetitive or mass-produced content from monetisation and requires disclosing realistic synthetic content. Approval depends on YouTube, not Vaideo.
Does my channel need to be monetised to use Vaideo?+
No. You can upload videos to any channel, whether or not it's in the Partner Program.
Can I use the images on a monetised channel?+
Unsplash images allow commercial use. Some Wikimedia Commons images may require attribution: if so, credit the author in the video description.
Can I make Shorts in Spanish for another audience?+
Yes. Narration is available in English and Spanish, with one AI voice per language.
Updated: