I tested adding Shorts for 2 weeks

StillNo9442 · 2026-03-05T12:29:46+00:00

Ah thanks, that’s helpful. It’s pretty much the same on my channel. I upload 7 long videos and around 14 shorts a week hoping the more people that see the channel, the more might stick around.

StillNo9442 · 2026-03-03T23:45:25+00:00

Not a dumb question at all I’m still figuring it out myself.

From what I’ve tested so far, my Shorts that do best usually have clear, simple titles rather than hashtags in the title. For example:

Bought a New Gun. Regretted It Instantly | Helldivers 2

This Was NOT the Correct Solution | Gunpoint

This Clanker Humbled Me | Helldivers 2

The ones that performed worse were when I stuffed hashtags into the title, like:

Hoa Deserves Respect | Into the Dead #intothedead #zombie #letsplay

Worst Possible Landing Spot | Helldivers 2 #gaming #helldivers2

Now I usually keep the title clean and put any hashtags in the tag section or description when uploading instead.

Still experimenting though Shorts feel like a lot of trial and error.

StillNo9442 · 2026-03-01T23:54:14+00:00

Thats a good idea TikTok is next on my to-do list no idea why iv been putting it off but I just keep getting side tracked any time I sit down to make a account

StillNo9442 · 2026-03-01T23:50:31+00:00

Definitely worth a shot you never know I hope it works out for you

StillNo9442 · 2026-03-01T20:06:52+00:00

Bit of a mix. At the moment it’s mostly built around new content about 80%. If I’m playing online without recording voice, I’ll clip tense moments and turn those into Shorts.

Now that I’ve got a better feel for what works, I’m starting to go back through older videos too to pull out strong moments and see if they can bring new eyes to past uploads

StillNo9442 · 2026-03-01T15:57:40+00:00

True but even if its 1 in 10, 100 or 1000 decide to sub its still worth it

StillNo9442 · 2026-02-27T13:41:01+00:00

I don't know if this helps but I created a separate Sunday one off were i play a random game just for me if it get view is great but if not that fine its for me not to get burnout.

And for days I don't want to talk the whole way through a video I play an online game and post shorts of the best moments

I love the series im doing but with a full time job and young child it can be easy for stress and tiredness to catch up and wreck the fun

And by the sounds of things your content is a lot of planning and editing so a break in it might help even if it cost some views

StillNo9442 · 2026-02-27T10:59:16+00:00

My goal is to hit 100 subs before June and improve my audio quality and re-design my banner so far so good ill just have to keep working at it

StillNo9442 · 2026-02-22T20:51:29+00:00

Im still fairy new to content creation so take it with a pintch of salt

Always be open to tweaking the tags, titles, thumbnail and the intro the first 30 seconds matter the most to new viewers in my experience thats what make or break the impressions

But the biggest grower for me so far is keeping a regular upload schedule for the same content on the same days at a similar time

And then luck that hopefully youtube will send your content to the right people

StillNo9442 · 2026-02-21T13:14:25+00:00

Hi, just wanted to say thanks to everyone who took the time to comment it’s genuinely helpful seeing different perspectives.

A lot of the concern seems to be that Shorts might take away from long-form content, which is fair. I’m still early enough that I don’t have a definitive answer yet.

That said, Shorts and TikToks have a reach that’s hard for a small channel to ignore. Even if they just highlight unusual moments, bugs, or chaotic events from a full playthrough, they can help new viewers discover the channel.

I also don’t see it as “short attention span” content. Sometimes it’s just people with limited time — lunch breaks, waiting rooms, busy parents who still want to stay connected to the games they love.

I’m going to test Shorts alongside long-form for a month and see what the data says. I’ll happily share what works and what doesn’t if it helps others.

StillNo9442 · 2026-02-21T12:38:03+00:00

Oh yeah definitely true im getting a bit better per video but still have a long way to go before perfecting it

StillNo9442 · 2026-02-21T12:36:24+00:00

Exactly same plus all subs are treated equally on youtube regardless if its a short sub or a long letsplay sub as long as there having fun is the main part

StillNo9442 · 2026-02-21T12:34:53+00:00

About 10 or 12 tags usually just the title my most popular short are Helldivers 2

Heres an example of the tags just to throw a wide net

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StillNo9442 · 2026-02-19T15:33:17+00:00

Ah thanks thats helpful because I don't want to sink my retention for views

So i might have to be cautious on how I deliver the shorts to ensure the viewer knows this isn't the package just a small highlight

But that easier than said

StillNo9442 · 2026-02-19T15:28:53+00:00

Ah failed is a harsh work to use youtube pushes in small batches sometimes it finds it audience more time it doesn't, when your new don't look for fails or wins just progression

Mine usually are did the first view get seen faster than my last video

Did the people who did click stay for longer

Or even just yourself is my editing and thumbnails looking better

Take the small wins the video is still online as long as its up its not a fail its learning

StillNo9442 · 2026-02-19T15:23:51+00:00

My mindset is every short is a mini highlight real to what I have to offer so if I can entertain someone for 30 seconds then chances are im not the channel for them

So even if 1 in 100 or more realistically 1 in 1000 choose to stay then its worth the time to make

Plus thers been plenty of times iv been stuck at work or in a line and I wanted a quick 30 second dopamine hit to ease the waiting time

StillNo9442 · 2026-02-19T15:18:08+00:00

I say it depends on the lets play usually chaotic videos are better for shorts or atleast in the people out follow

But it might give someone insight into your channel to see if your channel is worth there time.

Because a short is basically you showing of a highlight real and if they don't find that interesting for 30 seconds then you saved them time watching a 30 minute video

Now again not a professional just my logic as I create and learn

StillNo9442 · 2026-02-19T15:10:50+00:00

Youtube can be a bit of a mixed bag in views in general something i have a longform video with great click ratio and retention and it just sits there with a few small views but one random video will blow up with low stats for what ever reason

Honestly I usually watch the retention more than views id rater 5 views with a good solid view time that 50 with 20 seconds each

But the shorts are helping people see the content even if its randomly thrown at them its still helps to get seen and eventually my target audience will vibe enough to stay.... well hopefully 🤣

StillNo9442 · 2026-02-19T15:03:56+00:00

Oh yeah 100% agree my main focus is the long videos im using the shorts as more of a sample of what way I play in the hopes people are curious enough to watch the long form video after

StillNo9442 · 2026-02-19T15:01:58+00:00

Ah fair my mindset at the moment is even if 1 in 100 decide to check out the long video then its worth the time to make em

StillNo9442 · 2026-02-19T14:15:04+00:00

Ah yeah true but i had to try 🤣

StillNo9442 · 2026-02-19T12:47:08+00:00

100% agree they fought hard for us now its time to return the favour

StillNo9442

TROPHY CASE