✳ PLAYBOOK · REVIEW · YOUTUBE SHORTS
Product review short on YouTube Shorts
Review one product honestly enough that the viewer knows whether to buy it.
What to produce
- 90s product review - 9:16, 90s
- Pros / cons carousel - 1:1
Recommended inputs
- Unboxing footage
- Hands-on demo
- Comparison B-roll
Platform-specific guidance
- Hook
- First 3 seconds decide Shorts retention - open on the strongest beat.
- Aspect
- 9:16
- Duration
- 60s
- 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 product: One product per clip.
- Test it on camera: Show the real use case, not the unboxing. (Workflow)
- Verdict-first script: Conclusion first, evidence second.
- Export pack: 9:16 short + 1:1 pros/cons. (Content Pack)
- 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
- Sponsored disclosure missing
- Reviewing without showing the product in use
Tools and presets
Frequently asked
How do I make a product review short for YouTube Shorts?
Pick the product; Test it on camera; Verdict-first script; Export pack.
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
HubSpot content types overview (verified 2026-09-18) - Wistia Learn creator playbook (verified 2026-09-18)