In this post, we’ll break down YouTube Clips, one of the most confusing topics in YouTube’s ecosystem. The word 

 gets used in different ways, and depending on who you ask, it can mean three very different things:

 A built-in feature that lets you grab a 5–60 second highlight from any video and share it with a unique link.

 An editing option creators use to cut down their own videos and publish those trimmed segments as new uploads.

 Repurposing long-form content into vertical, short videos that appear in the Shorts feed and help keep your channel discoverable.

Each option works differently, and it’s easy to mix them up. In this guide, we will focus on the 

, showing you what it is, how to clip a YouTube video step-by-step, and how it compares to Video Clips inside YouTube Studio, and clipping your video into Shorts.

A YouTube Clip is a short snippet of an existing video. Anyone can make a Clip from a video as long as the feature is enabled on the channel level. YouTube Clips can be anywhere from 5 to 60 seconds long.

When someone creates a Clip, YouTube generates a 

 that plays only the selected segment while still crediting and pointing back to the original video. This ensures the creator always gets recognition and views from the Clip.

An important note is that Clips are not searchable, don’t appear in the Shorts feed, and don’t count as new uploads. They’re designed purely for highlighting and sharing moments, not for driving discovery like Shorts or new videos.

Share funny, useful, or memorable moments with friends and communities.

 YouTube Clips are a simple highlight tool for sharing, not a growth engine for discoverability.

How to Clip a YouTube Video (Step-by-Step)

Creating a Clip on YouTube is quick and easy. Here’s how:

 – make sure you’re logged into your account.

 you want to clip (it can be your own or someone else’s, if clipping is enabled).

Showing where the Clip icon is in the YouTube player

 (scissors icon) located under the video.

 by dragging the sliders or entering start and end times. Clips must be between 

 of up to 140 characters to label your Clip.

 You’ll get a unique link you can post on social media, in chats, or anywhere you want to share it.

That’s it! Your highlight is live. Anyone who clicks your link will see the selected snippet, with a clear option to continue watching the full original video.

How to Enable (or Disable) Clips on YouTube

 on your channel. This means viewers can create Clips from your 

How to enable Clips in YouTube channel settings

If you want to restrict this, you can adjust the setting at the channel level:

. Uncheck the box to disable Clips on your channel.

If you disable the feature, new Clips can’t be created, and any existing Clips of your videos will no longer be accessible.

Even though Clips don’t create new uploads or show up in search, they can still be a powerful tool for both creators and viewers. Here’s why:

 Clips let you share the most exciting part of your video without asking viewers to scrub through the full timeline. They drop people right into the action.

 Fans can create Clips of your content too. Every Clip they share becomes free promotion that links back to your original video.

 Tutorials, key tips, funny reactions, or memorable moments can continue driving views long after your upload date and Clips keep these moments circulating.

 Clips are perfect for platforms like Twitter/X, Reddit, or Discord where short, snackable content performs best. No editing software required.

 Viewers can also use Clips to build their own highlight reel of favorite YouTube moments, either to rewatch later in their 

 YouTube doesn’t provide a built-in option to download Clips directly.

If you’re a creator who wants to reuse highlights from your own videos, you’ll need to use a tool such as a 

 These let you trim your videos into segments you can edit and re-upload as new content.

Downloading other people’s content without permission, however, violates 

 and can lead to copyright issues. Always respect ownership and fair use guidelines.

Want to collaborate with another creator’s content?

 Use YouTube’s Remix tool, which allows you to legally turn parts of someone else’s video into a Short while giving them automatic credit.


How to Clip Videos into New, Separate Uploads?

If you are looking to clip your own videos into newly uploaded pieces, this is done 

Trim down your original video into smaller segments.

Publish those segments as new uploads, each with their own title, description, thumbnail, and analytics.

Monetize and optimize them just like any other piece of content.

Unlike YouTube Clips created from the video player, Studio-clipped videos are searchable, monetizable, and appear in your content library as independent uploads.

 Trimmed pieces of your content published as new, searchable uploads.

And yes, the terminology is confusing. Inside YouTube Studio, the option is still called “Clips,” and it even uses the same scissors icon viewers see when making a shareable highlight. The difference is in the outcome:

locating the Clips tab inside YouTube Studio


In Studio, you’ll find your new uploads under 

As a viewer, you’ll find the highlights you clipped under 

It's easy to see why creators can mix them up!

One of the best ways to maximize your content is by turning your long-form videos into YouTube Shorts. This strategy not only keeps your current audience engaged, but also helps you reach entirely new viewers through the Shorts feed.

When you clip highlights from your longer videos and repackage them as Shorts:

You can keep your channel active without having to film new content from scratch.

This is best done with a dedicated tool like vidIQ’s 

Want to learn more? Check out our full guide on 

Clips vs. Shorts (Clearing the Confusion)

Since “clipping” can mean very different things on YouTube, let’s recap so it’s crystal clear:

 Created directly from the video player window on any video that has clipping enabled. You (or your viewers) can grab a 5–60 second highlight, give it a title, and share it with a unique link. These Clips don’t create new uploads, aren’t searchable, and don’t appear in the Shorts feed. They’re best for sharing quick highlights.

 Studio’s editing tools let you trim your long-form video into smaller parts and publish them as new uploads. These are searchable, monetizable, and show up in your content library.

 Cutting your long-form content into vertical videos under 60 seconds. These go directly into the Shorts shelf and feed, where they’re designed for discovery and audience growth.

 to repurpose your videos into new, standalone uploads.

 to grow your channel and reach new viewers.

A pair of scissors with the title YouTube Clips

That’s totally fine, Clipping your videos into Shorts would be the best way to grow a podcast channel.  Click here to learn 

Learn how to clip YouTube videos, make shareable highlights, and understand the difference from Shorts and Studio.

How to Use YouTube Clips 

Writing great YouTube titles is one of the highest-leverage skills you can develop as a creator.

, your title is the entry point for new viewers and plays a key role in whether your content gets discovered, clicked, and watched. Titles influence click-through rate, impact YouTube’s recommendation system, and shape viewer expectations - all of which directly affect your watch time and channel growth.

But even amazing videos can go unwatched if the title doesn’t spark interest or clearly communicate value. High-performing titles aren’t optional, they’re essential.

70% of YouTube traffic coming from Browse and Suggested feeds

70% of YouTube views come from Browse and Suggested feeds

SEO-optimized videos tend to drive longer-term, evergreen traffic

Which means most video titles fall into one of two categories:

 that get clicks early, but fizzle out over time

 that help videos rank, but feel generic or dry

So it’s no surprise that we often get asked the questions, “

How do I write a title that works for both search and suggested feeds?

Here’s the truth: Your title has to do double duty.

And we’ve built a simple YouTube Title Framework to help you do exactly that.

Watch the vidIQ Title Flip framework video here:


But First: The Problem with Hybrid Titles

It’s obvious to try and balance curiosity and keywords in one title, what we call the hybrid approach, and it sometimes works. Like this title example:

“Sourdough Recipe from ANCIENT EGYPT!”

This title has intrigue and includes a keyword (“sourdough recipe”), making it a strong contender for both clicks and long-term search.

Again, this strategy can work and often performs well for bigger channels or well-known brands. But for smaller or growing creators facing stiff competition, we’ve seen better and more consistent results with a two-phase approach.

“There’s always a bit of tension between writing titles for search versus writing them to spark curiosity. Since most traffic comes from Browse and Suggested, curiosity-driven titles tend to perform better at first. But once that initial push slows down, updating your title (and thumbnail) to be more SEO-friendly can give the video a second life and help it show up in search for the long haul.”

 is built around that approach. Instead of trying to do everything in one title, you let each title do what it’s best at: 

curiosity for early clicks, SEO for lasting growth

Start with a curiosity-driven title that grabs attention in Browse and Suggested feeds. Your goal here is to earn the click and spark engagement right out of the gate.

Once the video’s initial performance levels off (typically after 48–72 hours), swap in a more keyword-focused title. This helps your content rank in Search and stay discoverable for months to come.

This simple flip is a small change that can deliver long-term results, especially for evergreen content.


Step-by-Step: How to Apply the Title Flip Framework

Here’s how to apply the Title Flip Framework to your next video:

Before publishing, draft a solid title option for each phase:

"Is This The World’s Fastest Sourdough Recipe?"

Writing these variations forces you to think from both the viewer’s perspective and the algorithm’s.

Need help brainstorming curiosity-driven or keyword-focused titles? Try our 

 to identify high-performing keywords that fit your niche.


Step 2: Lead with Curiosity and Monitor Performance

Use the curiosity-first title at launch to maximize clicks from the Browse and Suggested feeds.

graphic highlighting a 48 to 72 hour waiting period before reviewing performance

. Pay close attention to your impressions, CTR, and watch time.

If your traffic is still holding strong, great, leave it as is.

If your traffic is declining, or if your CTR is lower than expected, it’s time for Phase 2.


Update your title with the keyword-focused version to support long-term discoverability.

Wait another 48-72 hours and once again review your impressions, CTR, and watch time.

Ideally you will see an increase in all of your key metrics.

If impressions are low, your title might lack keyword strength. Try another keyword focused title.

If impressions are high but CTR is low, your title might lack clarity.

A well-timed flip can give your video a second wave of life, helping it move from a short burst of views to evergreen traffic.

Metaphor image of butter spreading on toast, labeled as title and thumbnail working together


Bonus Tip: Make Sure Your Title and Thumbnail Work Together

Your title and thumbnail should feel like a matched set, each one making the other stronger.

Think of them like butter on toast. Dry toast is boring. Butter on its own? A little weird. The magic only happens when they’re together.

, use the title to pose a question or spark curiosity 

Title: “This Mistake Ruined My Bread… Don’t Make It”

, your title needs to provide clarity or context 

Thumbnail: a surprised face + loaf of bread

Title: “The One Ingredient That Changed Everything”

Together, your title and thumbnail should build curiosity, communicate value, and set clear expectations.


Seeing what title changes other real-world creators use helps you understand what works and what doesn’t. With the free 

, you can track how other creators update their titles and thumbnails over time. Browse YouTube with vidIQ active, study the changes top creators make, and apply those insights to your own video titles to grow faster.

Your title is not just a headline, it’s your first and most important growth lever.

Drive more clicks from Suggested and Browse

Extend your video’s life with long-term search traffic

Build a repeatable, testable title strategy you can rely on


Let your next title do more than describe your video.

Let it spark curiosity, get the click, and grow your channel.

Looking for more tips on writing great titles?

11 Ways to Write Exciting YouTube Titles for Your Videos

3 Secrets for Writing Click-Worthy YouTube Titles

How to Write the Best Titles for YouTube Shorts

Line graph showing flat and then a sharp upward trend after a title flip adjustment

Your title is one of the most important tools for growing your channel. It directly impacts:

Whether people click—Titles influence your click-through rate (CTR)

Whether YouTube recommends your video—Strong titles help you show up in Browse and Suggested feeds

Whether people keep watching—Titles set expectations, and if your content doesn’t deliver, viewers bounce

Nail your title, and you’ll boost clicks, retention, and long-term discoverability.

Start with a clear goal. Use a mix of curiosity and SEO. The best YouTube titles do three things:

Include a relevant keyword so YouTube knows what your video is about.

Set clear expectations so viewers don’t bounce and kill your watch time.

Miss any one of these, and even great content might not get traction.

You can update your title anytime in YouTube Studio:

Hover over your video and click the pencil icon (Details)

Edit the title field, then click ‘Save’

We recommend waiting at least 48–72 hours after publishing before retitling, this gives YouTube time to test the original version. Use your updated title to better target SEO or boost curiosity based on how the video is performing.

Write YouTube titles that rank and get clicks with this proven curiosity + SEO framework from vidIQ.

vidIQ’s Title Flip Framework: Write Titles That Get Clicks & Rank

Two years ago we started on a journey based off of a single question:

"What if one-on-one YouTube coaching could scale to millions of creators and help them all achieve their goals?"

 as our Chief Creator Coach, answering that question became his mission. As a YouTube Coach and seasoned YouTube strategist, Tim began building a 

 dedicated to guiding creators through every stage of their journey.

Fast forward to today: thousands of creators in our one-on-one program have collectively earned 

in the last two years. During that time, Tim answered countless questions about the vidIQ coaching program. Here are some of the most helpful ones along with his answers:


Q: What surprised you most about YouTube growth for creators?

When we analyzed thousands of channels in our 

, we discovered that creators who stayed with coaching for a full year grew 

 than those who tried it for just a month. 

graph showing YouTube views and subscribers increasing slowly at first, then rising sharply after creators begin vidIQ coaching, illustrating faster growth with coaching support

Their growth wasn’t linear. It was compounding.

Mastering YouTube can feel like learning jazz piano while juggling. You can watch every tutorial out there, but it’s the real-time feedback, like having someone saying 

 while you’re mid-performance, that accelerates your growth in ways self-study can’t.

Q: What question should creators be asking to grow faster?

There’s several important questions to ask, but one big one is, "

What would my creative journey experience be like if I had someone who believed in my vision before I fully believed in it myself?

Sometimes the most courageous thing isn't climbing the mountain alone - it's admitting you'd enjoy the climb more with a guide who's seen the view from the top and knows how to get you there.

Here's what no one tells you about the creator journey:

The skills that get you to 1,000 subscribers are different from those that get you to 100,000, and different from those that get you to 1,000,000.

 You’re finding your voice and mastering the basics.

 It’s all about retention, storytelling, analytics, and learning how to monetize your YouTube channel.

 Now you’re focused on branding, collaborations, and scaling.

Many creators try to YouTube-search their way through each transition, but you can't Google "What's my specific blind spot?" or "Why does my voice feel so inauthentic on camera?"

A coach sees the patterns you’re too close to see. They catch the subtle misalignment between who you are and how you're showing up on YouTube. The right YouTube strategist can also map out the exact steps to break through plateaus and grow with purpose.

“Since starting vidIQ coaching at the end of February, Nasr has been a great thought partner. His expertise in titles, thumbnails, and hooks helped us get monetized and triple our subscribers from around 300 to over 1,100 — and still growing.”


Q: What challenges did you face scaling one-on-one YouTube coaching?

There are always new challenges popping up, but some of the on-going things we have to figure out are:

Maintaining deep, human connection at scale

Delivering wins for every niche and every goal

Keeping coaching accessible while delivering expert-level insights

It’s not easy. But with every challenge we solve, YouTube coaching becomes more effective, more personal, and more accessible for creators worldwide.


Q: What’s the real transformation you see in coaching?

 tells one story. The deeper narrative is about the creators who:

They’re making a difference in the world, and I love being part of a team that’s equipping them to do it.

stats that show 832% average subscriber growth and 2,828% average view growth

 is exciting, but watching someone grow a channel that reaches more people and impacts lives? That's why we do this work.

Many creators in our program talk about the confidence, consistency, and clarity that keep them moving forward. Creator 

“I was stuck at 1,000 subscribers and felt well out of my depth. My YouTube coach David helped me overcome challenges, build confidence, and reach over 2 million total views. I’m more consistent, he helped me monetize my channel, and talked me out of quitting at my lowest points.”

These lessons aren’t just theory. Real creators have put them into practice. Explore some 

 grew from 0 to over 3,100 subscribers and hit monetization in just six months.

 turned a niche product channel into a global audience builder.

 leveled up with stronger video packages and expanded storytelling.

 learned how to spot what was working and doubled down for growth.

If you're wrestling with your own big vision for your YouTube channel, consider this:

What if the gap between where you are and where you want to be isn't about working harder, but about seeing clearer?

We’ve walked this path with thousands of creators. When you work with a coach who’s invested in your vision, you stop guessing. You start making the right moves, in the right order, for your unique channel.

If you’re ready to see what’s possible for your own channel, 

illustration of a YouTube analytics dashboard with upward graphs. Diverse creators climb the bars while a coach guides them with a tablet.

Lessons from 2 years of YouTube coaching, 10B views, and thousands of creators growing their channels.

Darryl Rentz

Posts Written By Darryl Rentz

How to Use YouTube Clips

vidIQ’s Title Flip Framework: Write Titles That Get Clicks & Rank

After 10 Billion Views: What 2 Years of YouTube Coaching Taught Us

vidIQ’s Proven YouTube Strategy for Brands and Enterprises

YouTube for Business: What Top Brands Are Doing Right

Clip YouTube Videos: From Long Video to Short Video

Top 6 Missed YouTube Opportunities for Brands We See (and Fix)

YouTube for Brands: How to Build a Business Growth Engine

How Often to Post on YouTube? We Analyzed 5 Million Channels to Find Out

The YouTuber’s Guide to Consistency Without Creative Burnout

☀️ Welcome to the vidIQ Summer 2025 Drop!

How Many Videos Does It Take to Get 1,000 Subscribers on YouTube?