What are the YouTube Shorts guidelines for 2024?

YouTube Shorts Guidelines Update: What Creators Need to Know in 2024

If you're creating short-form content for YouTube, there's an important change to keep in mind starting October 15, 2024. From that date forward, any video uploaded with a square or vertical aspect ratio—regardless of being exactly 9:16 or closer to 1:1—will automatically be classified as a Short, as long as it’s up to three minutes in length.

This shift simplifies how YouTube identifies Shorts. No more strict time limits under 60 seconds or rigid format requirements. As long as your video fits the vertical or square frame and stays under the three-minute mark, it will be treated as a Short and eligible for distribution in the Shorts Feed.

Here's where it gets even better: these videos can now be monetized through YouTube’s Shorts revenue sharing model. That means creators have a clearer path to earning from their short-form content, provided they're part of the YouTube Partner Program and meet the platform’s monetization policies.

It’s a move that reflects how YouTube is adapting to the fast-growing demand for quick, engaging content. With this update, YouTube is aligning more closely with viewer habits and giving creators greater flexibility in how they shoot and share content—without sacrificing earning potential.

If you're already creating vertical videos or thinking about diving into Shorts, this is good news. Just make sure your uploads after October 15 are in the right format and within the time limit. Then let YouTube handle the rest—classification, distribution, and monetization—all designed to help you reach more viewers and grow your channel.