- YouTube Shorts is getting major upgrades to compete with TikTok, including a better video editor, music beat sync, and smarter templates.
- You can now add custom stickers from your phone gallery or even generate fun AI stickers using text prompts.
- All features roll out this spring, as YouTube prepares to become the main TikTok alternative if the U.S. ban happens.
With TikTok possibly getting banned in the U.S., YouTube isn’t wasting time. Just days before the April 5 TikTok deadline, YouTube announced five powerful tools that could make Shorts a strong alternative to TikTok. YouTube has always lagged behind Instagram Reels and TikTok when it comes to editing features—but that’s about to change. Here’s what’s coming this spring.
Table of Contents
1. An Upgraded Video Editor
YouTube is giving creators a much-needed editor upgrade inside the Shorts app. You’ll now get a timeline view that lets you:
- Zoom in on clips for precise trimming
- Rearrange or delete clips to build rough cuts
- Add music or timed text overlays
- Preview the full Short from the timeline itself
All of this happens inside the Shorts editor—you don’t need a separate app. This new setup brings Shorts editing closer to what TikTok and Reels already offer. And YouTube says more upgrades are coming soon.
2. Auto-Sync Clips to the Beat
Syncing your clips to music is about to get way faster. Just pick a song, and YouTube will automatically match your clips to the beat. No manual work is needed. It’s similar to CapCut’s “Beats” tool and makes rhythm-based Shorts super easy to create.
3. Enhanced Templates with Photos and Effects
Templates are getting smarter and more flexible. You can:
- Pull photos directly from your phone’s gallery
- Use those photos in templates alongside video clips
- Access new effects (like filters and overlays) directly in templates
This makes it easier to jump on trends fast. Plus, when you use a template made by another creator, YouTube will automatically credit the original.
4. Image Stickers from Your Gallery
Coming later this spring, you’ll be able to turn your images from your phone images into stickers. Want to showcase multiple outfit ideas? Share a meme? Add a quick reaction? Just upload the image and place it in your Short just like a sticker. A basic feature that was not possible before.
5. AI Stickers from a Text Prompt
Now, you can also generate your own stickers from scratch using just prompts. Type a short description—like “a strong plant with muscles”—and YouTube will generate a sticker using AI. It’s simple, fun, and helps you add something totally unique to your video.
Availability
These new features are not currently available, but YouTube says what’s coming this spring. However, a specific date was not mentioned. YouTube is clearly positioning Shorts as the go-to platform if TikTok disappears. And with Meta working on a rival editing app called “Edits,” this is YouTube’s way of staying ahead.
