✳ PLAYBOOK · ENTERTAIN · YOUTUBE SHORTS
Music clip on YouTube Shorts
Share a 15-30 second music moment - original song, cover, or short edit - for short-form discovery.
What to produce
- Vertical music clip - 9:16, 30s
- Spotify Canvas loop - 9:16, 8s
Recommended inputs
- Studio recording
- Performance clip
- Beat loop
Platform-specific guidance
- Hook
- First 3 seconds decide Shorts retention - open on the strongest beat.
- Aspect
- 9:16
- Duration
- 30s
- Captions
- Burned-in recommended
- Reframe 16:9 to 9:16
- Yes
- Safe-zone overlay
- Apply before upload
- Caption guidance
- Burned-in captions; Shorts allow heavier caption styling.
Workflow
- Pick the moment: Hook, chorus peak, or signature phrase.
- Edit tight: Trim silences; align cuts to the beat.
- Apply platform preset: Spotify Canvas has its own 9:16 3-8s requirement. (Export preset)
- Reframe for YouTube Shorts: 16:9 to 9:16 reframe; subject tracking. (Reframe)
- Apply platform safe-zone overlay: Use the YouTube Shorts safe-zone overlay so subjects stay visible. (Safe-zone)
Pitfalls to avoid
- Using a copyrighted track that triggers muting
- Wrong Canvas duration
Tools and presets
Frequently asked
How do I make a music clip for YouTube Shorts?
Pick the moment; Edit tight; Apply platform preset.
What aspect ratio should I use on YouTube Shorts?
Use 9:16 (YouTube Shorts's safe native ratio).
Do I need burned-in captions on YouTube Shorts?
Yes - YouTube Shorts feeds are predominantly muted, so burned-in captions are essential.
Which export preset should I pick?
YouTube Shorts's SAFE_DEFAULT preset is documented at /tools/export/youtube-shorts/short.
Sources
Spotify for Artists - Canvas (verified 2026-09-18)