YouTube copyright claims are discouraging but necessary. These alerts, which are extremely common, let you know when you’ve used someone else's content in your video. Before the consequences get serious, it’s good to know when you’ve overstepped your bounds as a creator.

The violations that trip up some creators are quite common. Content that includes video clips, images, or audio you haven’t produced yourself will likely spark a copyright claim. Fortunately, you can remove these alerts. All you have to do is substitute copyrighted content for original content you own.

Want to reduce the number of copyright claims on your channel? YouTube just gave creators the best gift ever. In the video above, our YouTube expert Rob covers recent YouTube updates that will change the game!

What happens if you get a copyright claim on YouTube depends on whether it’s just a claim (which can limit monetization) or a strike (which can temporarily restrict your uploads).

Copyright claims aren’t as devastating as strikes, but they do feel like a speed bump in the YouTube journey. That’s because...

You can lose monetization for your video.

YouTube may restrict viewing to certain countries. 

What's the Difference Between a Copyright Claim and a Copyright Strike?

How to Check a YouTube Video for Copyright Claims

Uploading a YouTube video requires several steps. Before your content goes live, you'll give it a title, thumbnail, description, keywords, and other elements to help people find and watch the video.

an extra step that happens automatically.

 YouTube will inspect your content to see if it contains copyrighted material. This happens when you reach the 

YouTube’s copyright checker tells you how long the process will take, and it reports copyright matches before you hit publish. At that point, you can choose the best course of action. That may be disputing the claim or taking steps to remove it.

What is the Copyright Notice You See During Upload?

If you see a message during upload that says “Copyrighted content found”, don’t panic, this isn’t a copyright claim or strike. This is a Content ID match notice, meaning YouTube has detected copyrighted material in your video. You can fix it before publishing by trimming or replacing the affected section. If you publish without changes, that match will become an active copyright claim once your video goes live.

On the same upload page, you can view the impact a copyright claim has on your channel. Click 

Here's what you may see after expanding the details

Restrict people from viewing the video in certain countries

Make the video ineligible for monetization

the copyright holder can monetize the video

 for their financial gain. Ads may appear on the video, but the revenue goes to the copyright holder – not us. That's the price of using someone else's content. Still, it’s better than receiving copyright strikes and nearly losing a channel that took years to grow.

Let's be real, adding a section in your video's description stating laws around copyright or banking on fair use laws around copyright are not good strategies to protect your content from copyright claims. If you decide to move forward and upload the video, you can remove copyright issue from video clips by trimming or muting the claimed section, or dispute the copyright claim directly in YouTube Studio..

To remove your claim, you can choose from the given options:

 This option allows you to brute force your way out of the situation by removing the affected portion entirely from your video.

 If popular audio is the cause of your troubles, this option will help you replace it with copyright-free music from YouTube's audio library. But using this option would remove other audio elements like dialogue and sound effects from the portion too.

 To combat the issue above, YouTube has introduced the option of simply muting the audio while keeping your speech intact. While YouTube's AI may not be producing top-notch output yet, we can only expect it to improve. Watch the video below to learn more!

You can also dispute the claim if you think you have the necessary grounds to do so. This can be a tedious process with a lot of back and forth, stretching up to 30 days. Here you have 4 options again:

You can claim that the piece of content in question is fully original and provide the necessary evidence to prove so.

 If you have a license of some kind that enables you to use the copyrighted material, you can use this option. Simply make sure you can produce the necessary proof.

 If you believe that your copyright infringement falls under fair use, i.e. you have significantly transformed the content used, then this option is for you. Remember, laws around fair use are extremely complicated. So, make sure you're thorough.

 If the claimed content is already widely used across the internet and is no longer protected by copyright, you can choose this method.

What if your content is been stolen on YouTube and you're the victim of copyright abuse instead? Well, YouTube has a tool for tracking that already!

By clicking on the copyright tab in YouTube Studio, you can take action against videos that have infringed upon your content such as a copyright takedown, requesting a video removal, or contacting the channel.

Getting a copyright claim isn’t the end of the world, it’s a reminder to be more intentional about what you upload. Once you know how to remove copyright from a YouTube video, you can fix claims quickly, protect your channel, and keep your content online.

Stay proactive, use royalty-free or licensed content, and always check your rights before publishing. With the right tools and a little awareness, you’ll spend less time disputing claims and more time creating videos that actually get views.

In addition to avoiding copyright claims, never make these 

YouTube copyright check showing "No issues found" with monetization dollar sign icon

If you’re wondering how to remove copyright from YouTube video content, it all starts with understanding what triggers these claims in the first place. With this simple guide, you can remove or even prevent them from appearing on your channel.

How to Remove Copyright Claims on YouTube

Keeping up with YouTube search trends is how successful creators stay ahead of the curve. Which brings up an important question:

YouTube trending topics change fast, and knowing what’s trending today can help you create videos that hit while the interest is hot.

The truth is that, sometimes, you have to look outside the platform. The best trending topics on YouTube are also all over the internet, and the more places you look, the more trends you'll find!

If you’ve ever wondered how to find trending topics for YouTube, this guide breaks down exactly where to look and how to spot opportunities before they peak.

One of the best ways to spot YouTube trends, Google Trends will help you discover those moments. This tool shows the popularity of 

 topic on the internet over an extended period of time.

Here’s how to use Google Trends for YouTube purposes.

Trending now tab on Google Trends website

2. Select a country, then browse the first two tabs on the screen: daily search trends and real-time search trends.

 option shows what’s been trending in the last few days, and the 

 option shows searches that are trending right now. Both results should give you a general idea of what’s popular online.

1. On the Google Trends homepage, type something into the search bar, preferably a topic related to your channel. As an example, we’ll use “pumpkin spice latte.”

Google Trends Search for pumpkin spice latte

2. Choose a region, time period, category, and then select 

Analyze the graph to see how popular your topic is. In this example, “pumpkin spice latte” is picking up steam as fall approaches.

Google trends graph for a search term shows increasing popularity

Want to go even deeper? Scroll down and view the 

 panel. You’ll find even more topics related to your original search that could spark great video ideas.

If you're wondering how to see trending YouTube videos, look no further than the explore section. Below that, there's a trending tab showing the most popular videos on YouTube right now.

This page will show you the top trending topics for YouTube by category: music, movies, gaming, and more. It’s not as detailed as Google Trends, but it’s a great place to see what’s happening within different niches.

As a busy content creator, sometimes you just need to know what are people searching for on YouTube. vidIQ's 

 help you find what trends are falling. One tool in particular, 

shows you the top searches on YouTube, including the volume of searches, so you can take advantage of them!

Top rising keywords today, this week, or this month, by language.

Monthly search volume and competition score for keywords.

The growth percentage of a keyword's search volume.

A filter for searching keywords by YouTube niche.

An overall keyword score (higher is better).

For example, the search term "Colorado vs. Oregon" (referring to U.S. football) rose in popularity by 

 today! The keyword score is 61, which means it has high search volume and not much competition! You'd have a decent shot at getting more YouTube views.

A list of global risking keywords on YouTube. Colorado vs Oregon is circled

By far, this is the best way to see YouTube search trends on the rise. 

TikTok is where trends are born. If you want to know what’s trending right now (or will soon be trending content for YouTube), it makes sense to open TikTok.

But “watching videos” is only the first step. If you want to get up to speed much faster, explore trending videos and hashtags in the TikTok Creative Center.

 tab. From there, you can view trending hashtags, songs, videos, and creators who also end up on YouTube!

5. Get Daily Video Ideas (with Performance Predictions)

If you’re looking for video ideas that fit your channel, 

 when you sign up for a free vidIQ account.

 old ideas. We use artificial intelligence trained on the latest YouTube trending topics to suggest video ideas that match your content! 

: low, medium, high, or very high views. With that type of data, you can choose in-demand topics for your channel. You can even see top-ranked videos for a particular subject.

Here’s how to get Daily Ideas for your YouTube channel:

 to send them to the dismissed collection.

4. Click the list icon in the top right corner to see more video ideas at once. Select any idea to see top-ranked videos for the topic!

People go to X (formerly Twitter) to see what’s happening now – as in 

. That makes it the perfect place to learn how to find trending topics for your videos.

If you haven’t already, join X and follow some topics that relate to your YouTube channel.

For any topics you follow, you'll begin to see tweets related to those subjects in your feed. That makes it easier to see trends that would make great YouTube videos.

Now that you know how to find trends on YouTube, learn how to test those ideas before using them on your channel.

Close-up of YouTube app interface showing Explore and video category filters on tablet screen

YouTube trends don't just happen inside of YouTube. If you want to find viral topics that grow your channel, it's time to look outside of the platform.

6 Places to Find YouTube Trending Topics for Your Videos in 2025

YouTube Shorts are built for mobile-first viewing, which means one thing: the YouTube shorts ratio is going to be vertical.

This guide breaks down the exact YouTube Shorts dimensions, resolution, format, and thumbnail size so you never have to guess again.

YouTube Shorts Monetization: How to Profit from Short Videos

What is the Aspect Ratio for YouTube Shorts?

Here’s a quick-reference chart with everything you need to know:

Understanding the Ideal YouTube Shorts Size

The optimal size for YouTube Shorts is 1080x1920 pixels. The standard YouTube Shorts ratio is 9:16, which is the vertical format designed for mobile viewing. 

: 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels (standard length-by-width ratio for vertical content)

Getting the YouTube Shorts ratio right ensures your videos display correctly without awkward cropping.

Visual comparison of YouTube Shorts vertical 9:16 format for mobile vs horizontal 16:9 desktop video.

Q: Can I turn my horizontal long-form video into a Short?

A: Yes, you can crop horizontal videos into vertical 9:16 Shorts. YouTube has a basic editor, but 

 makes it faster and easier to repurpose your long-form content.

The 9:16 aspect ratio aligns perfectly with the portrait mode feature inside most smartphones. It offers a full-screen viewing experience without any black bars, making it ideal for mobile-first audiences.

Viewers are used to seeing the vertical aspect ratio on platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and other short-form video platforms. Creating in this format ensures a seamless and engaging experience.

YouTube itself recommends the 9:16 aspect ratio for Shorts. If your content is in the wrong aspect ratio, YouTube will crop it, leaving black bars or cutting off text

Not every YouTube Short starts as a vertical recording. Many creators repurpose their horizontal, long-form videos into “bite-sized” Shorts. The key is cropping them down to the YouTube Shorts ratio of 9:16 without losing your main subject or cutting off on-screen text.

When you clip Shorts from a long-form video, YouTube gives you a basic cropping option inside the Studio editor. But that can be clunky if you’re trying to repurpose content at scale. That’s where 

 can help: you can quickly trim, crop, and repurpose horizontal videos into vertical Shorts, ready for upload in just a few clicks.

When converting from 16:9, always double-check your YouTube Shorts dimensions (1080x1920) so the final video looks sharp and mobile-friendly.

Square vs Vertical – Which Format Wins?

There's a tiny caveat to YouTube's rule that Shorts need to be vertical videos. Apparently, 

Shorts don't have to be vertical as long as they're 

This means you may also experiment with 1:1 (square) formats, though they typically result in black bars that may affect engagement. Those videos will look like perfect squares, so, technically, not vertical at all, but YouTube will categorize them as Shorts.

Check out the square format versus the vertical format below. When a Short is square (left), you'll see black bars above and below the video frame. That extra bit of artificial "length" is what helps the video qualify (probably) as a Short. Vertical videos (right) fill the entire mobile screen.

 have consistently confirmed that these technical specifications yield the best performance. And we know square videos can become YouTube Shorts because:

Our test video (a square) made it to the Shorts shelf, which 

A large percentage of video views came from the Shorts traffic source.

Here's the test video we used to confirm the results:

Even still, there are advantages and disadvantages to making square Shorts.

 The video will have an unsightly black bar at the top and bottom of the frame.

 Square videos leave the bottom of the screen empty, and viewers can easily see your channel name, the video's title, and the subscribe button.

For our next test, we attempted to make a Short wider than a square. So, we uploaded a video that was just 10 pixels wider than it was tall, and as we expected, the video didn't appear in our featured Shorts section. That's an area YouTube auto-populates, so the results are clear: Our video was 

That means the widest Short you can make is a square video.

 If the video is wider than it is tall, it won't be considered a Short.

Here’s another rule to follow: Avoid creating videos with dimensions less than those naturally captured on a smartphone to maintain optimal display quality. We created a video with a resolution of 360x1920 pixels, and while people 

 view it on YouTube, it didn’t make it to the Shorts shelf.

For a comprehensive overview of our testing results and to learn why maintaining proper dimensions is crucial, view the detailed explainer below:

Traditional YouTube content creators are familiar with wide content.

Wide content is better for displaying landscapes or group scenes.

Not optimized for mobile viewing; can result in black bars on the top and bottom in portrait mode.

May not be as engaging for the mobile-first audience.

Considerations for Narrower Ratios (4:5, 1:1)

Suitable for mobile viewing, though not as optimized as 9:16.

Offers a middle ground for content that doesn’t fit well in extremely vertical formats.

Not fully utilizing the screen real estate on mobile devices.

May not be as immersive as 9:16 for viewers.

The most important thing to know? Shooting a vertical video with your phone (as intended) is the easiest way to make YouTube Shorts. You will automatically use the correct aspect ratio and completely avoid the "technical" stuff.

Technical Challenges When Filming Vertical Videos

Filming vertical videos introduces a unique set of technical challenges that require adjustments in both production and post-production. Traditional filming techniques and equipment are often designed for horizontal formats, so adapting your composition to a 9:16 aspect ratio can feel limiting. Proper framing is crucial, as key visual elements might be cropped or lost if not carefully positioned. 

Additionally, maintaining a stable shot can be more challenging due to the narrower field of view, often necessitating the use of specialized stabilizers or tripods. Lighting and background composition also need to be rethought for vertical framing, making it essential to plan each shot with the mobile viewer in mind. Overcoming these challenges is key to delivering high-quality content that meets YouTube Shorts’ standards and keeps your audience engaged.

Maximizing Audience Engagement with YouTube Shorts

To capture and retain viewers on YouTube Shorts, creators must focus on content that resonates quickly and effectively. Here are some strategies to boost engagement:

Start with a compelling visual or question within the first few seconds.

Deliver your message quickly to maintain viewer interest throughout the short format.

Use calls-to-action that prompt likes, comments, or shares.

 Design eye-catching thumbnails that stand out on mobile screens.

 Leverage trending sounds and topics to increase discoverability.

, but the ideal length depends on your content. Comedy or reaction clips often work better shorter, while tutorials or storytelling can stretch closer to 45–60 seconds. Keep in mind, the key factor is not length but 

. Shorts that viewers watch all the way through are far more likely to get pushed by YouTube’s algorithm.

By integrating these tactics, you can create content that not only entertains but also drives active viewer participation, helping your Shorts perform better within the platform’s algorithm.

Now that you know the correct dimensions for vertical content, here's how the Shorts algorithm works!

Young woman recording fitness video at home kitchen using smartphone on tripod.

Discover the ideal YouTube shorts dimensions and resolution for perfect vertical videos. Learn essential tips for mobile optimization and boosting engagement.

YouTube Shorts Ratio and Size: The 2025 Guide to Perfect Vertical Videos

YouTube Shorts monetization has quickly become one of the most important topics for creators in 2025. With billions of daily views, Shorts aren’t just a way to grow your audience, they’re a real income stream when you meet the requirements.

The YouTube Shorts monetization requirements for 2025 make it clear what creators need to do to qualify, from subscriber milestones to Shorts view thresholds. In this guide, we’ll break down how to monetize YouTube Shorts, what the current criteria look like, and how much YouTube Shorts can pay once you’re approved.

Meeting the YouTube monetization requirements for Shorts is the first step toward earning, and it all starts with qualifying for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Upon joining, you have access to all of YouTube's money-making tools, like the ability to place ads on videos or monetize your audience directly through fan-funding.

There are two ways to enter the YPP (you only need to choose one!).

Upload 3 public videos in the last 90 days.

Get 3,000 public watch hours in the last 365 days or 3 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days.

 from long-form videos in the last 365 days or 

If you mainly produce Shorts or a mix of long and short videos, aiming for 1,000 subscribers plus either 10 million Shorts views or 4,000 watch hours is the path to join the YPP.

That’s a high bar, but the YouTube Shorts monetization criteria are built to reward creators who consistently deliver strong engagement.

 If you create both long and short videos, 

 helps creators make multiple Shorts from long form videos, helping to increase Shorts watch time and further engage your audience.

 will earn advertising revenue. So, do these four things to stay in the clear:

YouTube's Advertiser-Friendly Content Guidelines

Avoid using unedited clips from movies and TV shows that you don't have rights to use.

Avoid uploading another creator's content without adding a new perspective or transforming the content.

Monetizing YouTube Shorts Through Ads: A Quick Rundown

 is a bit different from monetizing a regular YouTube video. Notably, all Shorts revenue is split between different parties, including the creators who make them and the music publishers who provide songs for those videos.

The four steps of YouTube Shorts monetization 

 all of the Shorts ad revenue on its platform.

 how much money goes to the creator pool, which depends on views and music usage across all Shorts. If creators use no music in their Shorts, they retain all of the revenue at this point. If they use music, the revenue is split between the creator pool and music publishers.

 the ad revenue to monetized Shorts creators. This is based on a creator's total share of Shorts views on the platform, whether that's 5%, 10%, 15%, etc.

Can You Monetize YouTube Shorts Without 1,000 Subscribers?

If you're just starting out on YouTube, getting 500 subscribers is a quick way to join the YPP and monetize your Shorts. You won't earn ad revenue, but you can monetize most of your content, Shorts included, through fan-funding tools.

For example, with just 500 subs, you can collect 

 revenue on your YouTube Shorts. These are "video tips" ranging from $2 to $50 that your fans can send to support individual videos.

 are an option as well, especially if you love streaming on YouTube.

When you host a vertical or horizontal live stream, viewers in the live chat can reward you with monetary donations ranging from $1 to $500. These can appear as Super Chats, colorful comments pinned to the top of the live chat, or as Super Stickers, which are fun, digital animations that appear on the screen.

Channel Memberships offer exclusive perks, such as members-only videos, badges, Community posts, emojis, and livestreams, to a creators' super fans. It's a great way to make money, but did you know that you can get your YouTube Shorts monetized through channel memberships? 

After all, Shorts count as videos too! You can make these exclusive to your members just like regular, horizontal content.

Are YouTube Shorts monetized in a sustainable way? Can they become a side hustle or help you quit your day job?

While YouTube shorts revenue rates vary, many creators track their YouTube Shorts per view income to understand how each viral hit contributes to overall revenue.

YouTube Shorts monetization options comparison

We'd have said it's hard to make decent money from Shorts only a year ago, barring times when you get a nice chunk of revenue. For example, we got 

 for a vidIQ Short that got 468,500 views.

The content performance dashboard showing we earned $16.61 from YouTube Shorts

With recent updates on advertisements, RPM on our Shorts has seen an impressive 150% increase. So, for every 1000 views we are getting $0.10 revenue, without any external changes like location of viewers, topic of videos, etc.

This hasn't happened overnight. YouTube has steadily increased Shorts revenue on the vidIQ channel throughout the year. It seems like advertisers have finally found the sweet spot for their products in the Shorts ecosystem as other creators have also talked about experiencing similar surges on their channel. Watch Rob discuss all of that in the video below!

It's easier than ever to become a monetized Shorts creator, but you'll need 

Getting to Know the Shorts Monetization Module

If you want to earn from YouTube Shorts, start by approving the Shorts Monetization Module in your YouTube Studio. This agreement lets you earn money from ads and YouTube Premium in the Shorts Feed. Even if you’re part of the YouTube Partner Program, you won’t see any earnings from Shorts until you agree to these terms.

Select Get Started for each available module

Read and agree to the Base Terms and the Shorts Monetization Module

Keep in mind that views accumulated before accepting won’t earn revenue. Your earnings start only after you agree. This makes it a smart move to opt in as soon as you meet the requirements.

OK, so getting into the YPP to monetize your Shorts is a real challenge. You either have to go viral a lot or face the difficult task of earning 1,000 subscribers plus thousands of hours of watch time.

But guess what? You don’t have to join that race. There are other ways to make money from Shorts, and one of those golden opportunities is through

When a brand sponsors you, they’re paying you to advertise a product or service in one of your videos. That could be a new line of laptops, the latest leggings from Lululemon, or even a squeegee that removes pet hair from dirty carpet.

Learn how to monetize YouTube Shorts through the Creator Pool, fan funding, and more. Discover the requirements and strategies to profit from your short videos.

Lydia Sweatt

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

How to Remove Copyright Claims on YouTube

6 Places to Find YouTube Trending Topics for Your Videos in 2025

YouTube Shorts Ratio and Size: The 2025 Guide to Perfect Vertical Videos

YouTube Shorts Monetization Requirements (Updated for 2025)

How to Start a Gaming YouTube Channel in 2025

How to Start a YouTube Channel in 2025: Step-by-step guide

The Beginner's Guide to the YouTube Studio

How to Find the Most Searched Keywords on YouTube for Your Niche

YouTube Watch Time: How to Reach 4,000 Hours and Monetize Your YouTube Channel

3 Secrets for Writing Click-Worthy YouTube Titles

YouTube Shorts Thumbnails: How to Customize Them for More Views

The 12 Best YouTube Thumbnails People Love to Click On