Forum Topics Started
Shorts getting 0 views after posting – is there a shadowban or just algorithm roulette?
<img src="/uploads/youtube-shorts-zero-views-analytics-1785563595.jpg" alt="YouTube Shorts analytics showing zero views on a smartphone in a dark editing room" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone! I've been posting YouTube Shorts consistently for about two months now, and my last 5 uploads have gotten literally 0 views in the first 24 hours. Not even a single impression in the analytics. I'm not using any banned music, my content is original (gaming clips with commentary), and I haven't received any strikes. I've double-checked the 'Made for Kids' setting – it's off. Could this be a shadowban? Or is there some kind of upload bug I'm missing? I've read that Shorts usually get a quick test push to a small audience, but my videos are just sitting there with a gray bar in the analytics. I'm using the YouTube app on my phone to upload, and I've tried both vertical and square formats. My channel is not new (about 6 months old, 300 subs), and I've had a few shorts hit 10k views before, so I know the algorithm can work. Any ideas what's going on? I'm about to give up on Shorts entirely.
How to Find and Vet Collab Partners Without Wasting Time?
<img src="/uploads/collab-partners-vetting-tech-youtube-1785535103.jpg" alt="Two video creators collaborating on a tech review video in a studio with editing software on screens" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone! I've been creating content for about two years now (mostly tech reviews and setup tours), and I really want to start doing collabs to grow my channel. The problem is, I have no idea how to find the right partners or even how to approach them. I've tried a few cold DMs on Instagram, but most got ignored, and the one that did respond turned out to be a total mismatch in terms of content style and audience. I'm looking for practical advice on where to look for collab partners (especially in the tech niche), how to vet them to make sure they're a good fit, and what kind of pitch actually works. Also, if you've done successful collabs, what did your workflow look like? Did you plan everything together or just split the work? Any tips on avoiding the awkward 'we never posted' situation would be super helpful too. Thanks in advance!
How to approach big YouTubers for collabs without sounding desperate?
<img src="/uploads/youtube-collab-pitch-workspace-1785534557.jpg" alt="Video creator's workspace with YouTube analytics on laptop and collab pitch notes, illustrating how to approach big YouTubers for collaborations" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone! I've been running my tech review channel for about two years now (currently at 48k subs) and I really want to start collaborating with bigger creators in my niche. I've sent out a few cold emails and DMs to channels with 500k+ subs, but I either get no reply or a polite 'not right now.' I get that they're busy, but I feel like I'm doing something wrong. How do you actually get on their radar without sounding like just another fan asking for a shoutout? I've tried offering to edit their videos for free, suggesting collab ideas, and even sending them products I've reviewed. Nothing seems to stick. Is there a specific way to structure a collab pitch that gets a response? Or should I be targeting mid-size creators first and building up? Any advice from people who've successfully collabed with bigger channels would be amazing!
How to create a realistic glitch effect in After Effects without plugins?
<img src="/uploads/after-effects-glitch-effect-editing-suite-1785533118.jpg" alt="After Effects glitch effect on monitor in editing suite with RGB split and block displacement" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> I'm working on a music video and want to add a glitch effect to some footage. I've seen tons of tutorials using paid plugins like Data Glitch or Glitch Pro, but I'm on a tight budget and prefer to learn the technique from scratch. Can anyone explain a step-by-step method to create a realistic glitch effect using only native After Effects tools? I'm using After Effects 2025 and would love to know the best way to achieve that digital distortion look with RGB split, block displacement, and maybe some noise. Also, if there's a way to make it random or triggered by audio, that would be awesome. Thanks!
Shorts vs Long-form: Which one actually drives subscribers in 2026?
<img src="/uploads/shorts-vs-longform-youtube-analytics-2026-1785532217.jpg" alt="YouTube creator workspace comparing Shorts and long-form video analytics on laptop and phone" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I've been uploading both Shorts and long-form videos for about six months now. My Shorts get 10x more views than my long-form, but I'm barely seeing any subscriber growth from them. My long-form videos get fewer views but seem to convert better when people do watch. I'm trying to figure out where to focus my energy in 2026. Is the algorithm favoring Shorts for reach but not for retention? Or am I missing something about how Shorts feed into the long-form recommendation system? I've heard mixed things about Shorts subscribers not counting toward monetization or hurting channel health. Would love to hear what's actually working for people right now. My niche is tech reviews and quick tips, if that helps.
Best way to stream 4K60 from Sony A7IV to YouTube with OBS?
Hey everyone! I'm trying to step up my live streaming game for my cooking channel. I currently use a Sony A7IV as my main camera, but I'm having trouble getting a clean 4K60 stream to YouTube. My current setup is: camera -> Elgato Cam Link 4K -> OBS Studio -> YouTube. The Cam Link 4K only supports 4K30, so I'm stuck at 30fps, which looks choppy for fast panning shots. I've also tried using the camera's USB webcam mode, but it caps at 1080p60. What's the best way to get true 4K60 out of the A7IV for streaming? Should I use an HDMI capture card that supports 4K60 (like the Elgato 4K60 Pro or the newer 4K X)? Or is there a way to use the camera's ethernet port with NDI? I'm on a Windows PC with a Ryzen 9 5900X and RTX 3080, so my encoding should be fine. Any advice would be awesome!
Best way to automate YouTube Shorts faceless channel with AI in 2026?
<img src="/uploads/ai-automated-video-editing-workspace-2026-1785445454.jpg" alt="AI automated video editing workspace with dual monitors showing timeline and YouTube analytics" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I've been running a faceless YouTube Shorts channel for about 6 months now, mostly doing nature facts with stock footage. I'm currently using Premiere Pro to edit manually, but it's taking way too long—like 2 hours per short. I want to scale up to 3-5 shorts per day. I've seen a lot of tools like Clipchamp, Descript, and even some AI script generators, but I'm not sure what the current best workflow is for 2026. I'm on Windows, budget is around $50/month for tools. What's the most efficient pipeline that still keeps decent quality? I'm open to using ElevenLabs for voiceover if it integrates well.
My first YouTube Short is flopping – is it the editing or the algorithm?
<img src="/uploads/youtube-shorts-editing-timeline-jump-cuts-text-overlays-1784821578.jpg" alt="YouTube Shorts editing timeline with jump cuts and text overlays in DaVinci Resolve" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I just uploaded my first YouTube Short (it's a 45-second tutorial on color grading in DaVinci Resolve) and it's barely getting any views after 24 hours – only 12 impressions and 3 views. I know shorts can be hit or miss, but I'm wondering if my editing style is too slow for the short format, or if the algorithm just hasn't picked it up yet. I used a jump cut every 2 seconds, added text overlays for key points, and even put a trending song from the YouTube Audio Library. Should I wait longer, or is there something fundamentally wrong with the video itself? I also noticed that my thumbnail is just a frame from the video (a still of the color wheels interface) – should I create a custom thumbnail with a bold title? I've read that thumbnails don't matter much for shorts, but I'm not sure. Any feedback on my approach would be amazing. I can share a private link if needed.
YouTube Shorts vs Long-Form: Should I abandon long videos for 100% Shorts in 2026?
<img src="/uploads/youtube-shorts-vs-long-form-editing-workspace-2026-1784350826.jpg" alt="YouTube creator workspace with analytics showing Shorts growth and editing timeline with vertical and horizontal videos" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I've been a YouTube creator for about 3 years now, mostly doing long-form tech reviews (10-20 mins). My channel has 45k subs, but my long-form views have tanked in the last 6 months - average view duration dropped from 60% to 35%, and I'm barely getting 5k views per video. Meanwhile, I started posting Shorts as a test, and one blew up to 2.5M views in a week, gaining me 3k subs in a single day. I'm seeing a lot of creators talk about the 'Shorts-first' strategy for 2026, especially with YouTube pushing Shorts more aggressively in the algorithm (they now have a dedicated Shorts tab on desktop and mobile, and I heard they're testing 3-minute Shorts). Should I pivot entirely to Shorts? Or is long-form still worth the effort? I'm worried about burnout from daily Shorts production vs weekly long-form. What's your experience?
Replies Posted
Topic: Shorts getting 0 views after posting – is there a shadowban or just algorithm roulette?
"Thanks for the tips, everyone! I went into Studio and saw that my last Short was indeed set to 'Unlisted' – I must have accidentally toggled it while uploading from the app. I changed it back to 'Publ..."
Topic: How to Find and Vet Collab Partners Without Wasting Time?
"Thanks everyone, this is all super helpful! I especially liked the idea of a Zoom call first, and the shared project workflow. I'm going to start by researching a few creators in my niche using VidIQ,..."
Topic: How to approach big YouTubers for collabs without sounding desperate?
"[QUOTE=directormaster71]What works for me is to be a superfan first. Engage genuinely with their content for weeks – leave thoughtful comments that add value, not just 'great video!' Then, when you pi..."
Topic: How to create a realistic glitch effect in After Effects without plugins?
"Thank you all so much! I tried the methods you suggested, and the glitch effect looks amazing. The RGB split with displacement map worked perfectly, and the audio-triggered expression was a game-chang..."
Topic: Shorts vs Long-form: Which one actually drives subscribers in 2026?
"Thanks everyone, this is super helpful! I'm going to check my traffic sources and start creating more intentional Shorts that tease my long-form. The idea of a dedicated Shorts channel is interesting,..."
Topic: Best way to stream 4K60 from Sony A7IV to YouTube with OBS?
"Thanks everyone! I took your advice and grabbed the Elgato 4K X. I set my A7IV to output 4K60, configured OBS with NVENC at 50 Mbps, and it's working perfectly now. The stream looks buttery smooth at ..."
Topic: Shorts are getting 0 views from feed — algorithm shadowban or broken upload?
"I'm going to throw a wild card: check if your videos are actually being published as 'Shorts' and not as regular videos. I've seen people upload vertical videos but the app or desktop somehow marks th..."
Topic: Using copyrighted music in YouTube Shorts – what's the actual risk in 2026?
"Great question – this is a common confusion. As of 2026, YouTube's Shorts music licensing allows you to use a vast catalog of songs directly in the Shorts creation flow (the 'Add Sound' feature). Thos..."
Topic: Best Affiliate Networks for Video Creators in 2026?
"Hey, I'm a bit newer to this but I've been using Amazon Associates for a while. I know the commissions are low (like 3% on most things), but the conversion rate is insane because people trust Amazon. ..."
Topic: Best way to automate YouTube Shorts faceless channel with AI in 2026?
"Thanks both! I tried the Descript + ElevenLabs combo and it's a game changer. Cut my time to about 20 minutes per short including thumbnail tweaks. I also added [B]Clipchamp's[/B] auto-resize for vert..."
Topic: Help with realistic muzzle flash in Premiere Pro for action short?
"[QUOTE=vlogmaker90]I need something that reacts to the environment (like lighting up the actor's face briefly) and has that quick, bright, erratic look. Is there a way to achieve a decent muzzle flash..."
Topic: My first YouTube Short is flopping – is it the editing or the algorithm?
"Wow, thank you all so much for the detailed feedback! I checked my file and it was indeed 1920x1080 with black bars – rookie mistake. I re-exported as 1080x1920, trimmed the video to 32 seconds with a..."
Topic: Thumbnail CTR dropped after YouTube's new 'key moments' feature – any fixes?
"[QUOTE=shortsflow44]I've tried disabling 'allow auto-generated thumbnails' in the video settings, but it seems like for Shorts and mobile suggested videos, YouTube still overrides it.[/QUOTE] I've be..."
Topic: YouTube Studio Analytics: How to interpret 'Return Viewers' vs 'New Viewers' for a small channel?
"[QUOTE=directorwave67]If those are low, you might need to optimize your titles and descriptions for search intent.[/QUOTE] I agree with directorwave67 on search intent. One thing that helped me was u..."
Topic: Anyone else feeling the burnout from constant content creation?
"[QUOTE=pixelcraft69]I used to love the process—shooting, editing, engaging with comments—but now it feels like a chore.[/QUOTE] Man, I feel this so hard. I went through a similar burnout phase last y..."
Topic: New to ShortVi – What Should I Know About Starting a YouTube Channel in 2026?
"Welcome to ShortVi! Great first question. In 2026, audio is king—viewers will forgive a slightly blurry video but not bad audio. Get a USB microphone like the Blue Yeti or Rode NT-USB Mini (around $10..."
Topic: After Effects motion blur looks jittery on export – am I missing a setting?
"I had the exact same issue last month on a lyric video. The culprit for me was that I was using shape layers with text animators, and the motion blur wasn't being calculated correctly because of the "..."
Topic: New Creator Portfolio – Need Feedback on My Editing Style and Color Grading
"Just echoing what others said – the pacing is solid for short-form. One thing I noticed: your transitions are mostly whip pans and zooms. They work, but maybe mix in a few subtle Luma fades or shape w..."
Topic: How to handle a client who keeps asking for unlimited revisions?
"[QUOTE=pixelflow28]...they have this clause in the contract that says 'unlimited revisions until satisfaction.'[/QUOTE] Oh man, that's a classic freelancer trap. I've been there. First thing: never a..."
Topic: YouTube Shorts vs Long-Form: Should I abandon long videos for 100% Shorts in 2026?
"Wow, thank you both so much! @lenswizard95 - I didn't know about the Extended Shorts beta, I'll check my YouTube Studio for that. And @pixelspark91, the Auto Reframe tip in DaVinci Resolve is a game-c..."
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