YouTube expands Shorts creator tools to challenge TikTok's dominance

YouTube is stepping up its efforts to take on TikTok by introducing more tools for its short-form video feature, Shorts.

The platform is rolling out Collab, a split-screen format allowing users to record short-form videos alongside other Shorts or regular clips. The feature, which mimics TikTok's popular split-screen effect, will launch first for iOS users, with Android users getting it soon after.

In addition to Collab, YouTube is introducing a remixing tool that enables users to build off and remix existing Shorts quickly. By tapping the "Remix" button and selecting "use sound" in the Shorts player, users can automatically access the audio and effects from the clip they just watched, applying them to their own posts.

Furthermore, YouTube plans to test a recomposition tool in the coming weeks, simplifying the transformation of horizontal videos into vertical Shorts. Creators will have the flexibility to adjust the layout, zoom, and crop of the segments they want to use, along with the option to incorporate the new split-screen effect.

YouTube is also exploring a mobile-first vertical live experience for viewers. Users will be able to preview vertical live videos in the Shorts feed, and tapping to expand will reveal a scrollable feed of more live videos. This new experience will be particularly beneficial for creators who recently joined the YouTube Partner Program, offering them an opportunity to monetize their content.

The mobile-first vertical live experience will gradually become available to more viewers in the coming months.