How to Turn Old Video Into Viral Youtube Shorts

Imagine turning a forgotten video into a viral sensation—without filming anything new. YouTube Shorts provides a rapid method for drawing attention, increasing interaction, and growing your channel. Rather than expending energy on new content, why not refresh the videos you already have?

With the right AI YouTube Shorts maker, you can instantly extract the most engaging moments, format them to YouTube Shorts dimensions, and use templates to make them pop. Whether you’re repurposing long-form content or breaking down tutorials, this guide will show you how to create YouTube Shorts from existing video—and make them go viral.

Why Repurpose Old Videos for YouTube Shorts?

Short-form content dominates social media, and YouTube Shorts is no exception. But why start from scratch when your existing videos already have valuable content?

Here’s why repurposing works:

• Higher Reach: Shorts appear in a dedicated feed, attracting new viewers who might never see your long-form videos.
• Increased Engagement: Quick, punchy content keeps viewers hooked, improving watch time and interaction.
• More Content, Less Effort: Instead of constantly creating new videos, you can extract the best moments from your existing content.
• Monetization Opportunities: YouTube Shorts is rolling out more ways to earn revenue, making repurposed content even more valuable.

By using an AI YouTube Shorts maker or a YouTube Shorts editor, you can quickly trim, optimize, and enhance old videos to fit YouTube Shorts dimensions—all without starting from scratch.

Bonus: How to Turn Long podcast Episodes into YouTube Shorts?

Find the Gold: Which Videos Can Go Viral as Shorts?

Not every video deserves a second life as a YouTube Short. The key is identifying clips that have the potential to grab attention, spark engagement, and keep viewers watching. Here’s how to pick the winners:

1. Spot the High-Engagement Moments

Dig into your analytics and find the parts of your videos where viewers stayed the longest, dropped the most comments, or shared the most. If it worked in long form, it’s got a shot in short form too.

2. Choose Timeless or Trending Content

Evergreen topics (like hacks, tutorials, or motivational clips) have lasting appeal. But if you want a quick viral boost, look at what’s trending and see if your old content can be repackaged to fit.

3. Make Every Second Count with High-Impact Clips

Shorts need to grab attention instantly. Look for moments with high energy, unexpected twists, or visually striking elements. The first few seconds determine if people keep watching or scroll away.

4. Use Standalone Snippets

Not all clips work without context. Pick segments that make sense on their own and deliver value fast—whether it’s a punchline, a shocking fact, or a bite-sized tutorial.

Once you have the perfect clips, it’s time to edit and optimize them for Shorts.

Bonus: Opus Clips vs Pictory vs Simplified: Which Tool is Better For Youtube Shorts?

Understanding YouTube Shorts Dimensions and Formatting

Before repurposing old videos into YouTube Shorts, it’s crucial to understand the platform’s specific requirements. Shorts are designed for quick, engaging content that fits mobile screens perfectly. Here are the key formatting guidelines to follow:

1. Video Dimensions & Aspect Ratio

• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD)
• Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (Vertical)
• Length: Up to 60 seconds

Since Shorts are designed for vertical viewing, repurposing a horizontal video (16:9) may require cropping, zooming, or creative editing to maintain visual appeal.

2. File Format & Size

• Supported Formats: MP4, MOV
• File Size Limit: 128GB
• Frame Rate: 24-60 FPS for smooth playback

3. Captions & Visual Enhancements

Adding subtitles, text overlays, and visual effects can improve engagement, making your content more digestible and appealing to mobile viewers. Many AI-powered YouTube Shorts makers offer built-in tools for seamless formatting.

By ensuring your video fits these guidelines, you increase its chances of performing well on the Shorts feed, attracting more views and engagement.

How to Create Youtube Shorts From Existing Video

Repurposing your existing content into YouTube Shorts is a great way to maximize the value of your videos and reach a wider audience. Here’s how to easily create Shorts from videos you’ve already uploaded.

Step 1: Pick the Video You Want to Repurpose

Log into the YouTube mobile app and choose a pre-uploaded video that you want to convert into a Short. This could be a viral clip or an informative moment you’d like to highlight again.

Step 2: Start the Shorts Creation Process

Tap on your chosen video, then select the Remix option below the title. After that, press “Edit into a Short” to start editing your video.

Step 3: Choose the Footage for Your Short

You’ll be directed to the Shorts editing interface where you can trim the video. Drag the sliders to select the section you want to include. YouTube Shorts can last up to 60 seconds, with a progress bar at the top to keep track of your time.

Bonus: YouTube Shorts Vs TikTok Ads: Where Should You Advertise?

Step 4: Add New Footage if Needed

If your selected clip is under 60 seconds, you can shoot extra footage to complete your Short. Tap the back arrow to open the Shorts camera and record more content.

Step 5: Import Additional Video Clips

Instead of recording new footage, you can also import videos from your media library. Tap the media library icon at the bottom left, choose the video, and hit the tick icon to confirm.

Step 6: Customize with Text, Effects, and Filters

After preparing your footage, you’ll move to the preview page where you can add:

• Text: Add captions or subtitles to make your Short more engaging.
• Timeline: Adjust when text and effects appear during the video.
• Filters: Use these to tweak the look of your video with different color and style options.

Step 7: Write a Catchy Title

When you’re happy with your video, click Next to add a title. Make it attention-grabbing and related to the video content. You’ll also select visibility settings and whether it’s kid-friendly.

Step 8: Publish Your Short

Once everything looks good, tap Upload Short, and your video will be live. YouTube will link the Short to the original video, so viewers can easily check out the full content.

Bonus: How to Create Viral YouTube Shorts: Tips from Top Creators

How to Create YouTube Shorts from Existing Video Using Simplified

If you want to repurpose existing videos into YouTube Shorts, Simplified offers an easy way to do it. With its AI-powered tools, you can quickly convert your longer videos into Shorts that grab attention. Here’s the process:

Step 1: Sign Up or Log Into Simplified

Begin by signing up or logging into your Simplified account. Once logged in, you can access all the tools you need to edit and create Shorts from your videos.

Step 2: Upload Your Video

After logging in, go to the AI Clips section in Simplified. Upload the video you want to repurpose. You can drag and drop the video file or use the upload button to add your video.

Step 3: Use AI to Edit and Create Shorts

Simplified’s AI Shorts Repurpose tool helps you cut down your longer video into shorter clips. The AI looks through your video and suggests the best parts to keep for your YouTube Short. It automatically picks out highlights to fit the format of a Short.

For more control, you can go to Simplified AI Short Repurpose to fine-tune the content selection.

Step 4: Customize Your Short

Once Simplified’s AI has selected the best clips, you can edit the video further. Use the editing tools to:

• Adjust video length: Ensure the video fits within YouTube’s 60-second limit.
• Add text and captions: Include captions or text to make the video more engaging.
• Use filters and effects: Enhance the look of the video with basic filters and effects.

Step 5: Export and Share Your YouTube Short

When you’re happy with the Short, you can download it or upload it directly to YouTube. Simplified makes it easy to export your video in the correct format for YouTube Shorts.

Bonus: Best Time to Post on YouTube: Videos & Shorts

Best AI YouTube Shorts Makers & Editing Tools

To create YouTube Shorts from existing video, here are five top AI YouTube Shorts makers and editing tools that help you repurpose videos and create engaging, concise content.

1. Simplified

Features:

• AI-Powered Clip Editor: Automatically analyzes your video to identify the most engaging moments, helping you create impactful Shorts in minutes.
• YouTube Shorts Templates: Simplified offers a wide range of pre-made YouTube Shorts templates, making it easy to jump right into video creation without starting from scratch.
• AI Clips: The AI clips feature automatically suggests the best segments of your videos for Shorts based on popular trends and engagement.
• Text and Effects: Easily add dynamic text overlays, captions, and stylish filters to your Shorts. Personalize your content with advanced effects to increase engagement.
• Timeline and Adjustments: Fine-tune your video with an intuitive timeline editor. Adjust the placement of text, transitions, and effects to fit your vision.
• Free YouTube Shorts Maker: A generous free plan offers many tools for editing and creating Shorts without hidden costs.
• Multiple Export Options: Simplified allows you to export your Shorts in various formats and sizes suitable for YouTube and other social media platforms.
• Cloud Storage: Access your videos and projects from anywhere with cloud storage, making editing on the go simple and convenient.
• Mobile and Web Access: Available both as a web-based platform and a mobile app, allowing you to create Shorts no matter where you are.

Pros:

• AI-assisted features for quick and efficient video creation.
• Large library of templates and effects designed specifically for YouTube Shorts.
• Free plan with extensive functionality.
• User-friendly, no prior editing experience required.
• Cross-platform accessibility (web and mobile).

Cons:

• The free plan has some limitations on exports.
• May not offer as many advanced features as some paid platforms.

Bonus: How to Schedule Youtube Videos And Shorts: Steps & Tips

2. InVideo

Features:

• Pre-made Templates: InVideo provides hundreds of YouTube Shorts templates to choose from.
• AI-Based Video Editor: Automates the trimming and highlighting process for Shorts.
• Text Overlays & Voiceovers: Add custom text, transitions, and even AI-generated voiceovers for a more professional touch.
• Multi-Format Support: Easily resize and adjust content for other social media platforms.

Pros:

• Extensive template library for quick creation.
• Advanced editing features, including voiceovers and text animations.
• Multi-platform support, not just YouTube Shorts.

Cons:

• Free version includes a watermark.
• Some templates require a premium subscription.

3. Opus Clips

Features:

• AI-Powered Editing: Opus Clips automatically detects the best moments in a long video to turn into a short.
• Video Clipping: Quickly creates multiple Shorts from a single video using AI suggestions.
• Music and Text: Add background music and text annotations to your Shorts to improve engagement.
• Performance Tracking: Offers insights into how well your Shorts are performing.

Pros:

• AI-powered clips make the editing process quicker.
• Good for repurposing longer videos into multiple Shorts.
• Integrated performance tracking for content optimization.

Cons:

• Can be expensive compared to other tools.
• Some editing features are more basic than advanced editors.

Bonus: The Ultimate Guide For YouTube Shorts Monetization

4. Canva

Features:

• Template Library: Canva offers an extensive collection of templates tailored for YouTube Shorts.
• Drag-and-Drop Editor: Simple interface that lets you drag and drop elements like images, text, and videos.
• Stock Media: Access to a vast library of stock images, videos, and music to enrich your Shorts.
• Customizable Designs: Easily customize the design and layout of your Shorts with Canva’s intuitive tools.

Pros:

• Extremely user-friendly, no editing experience needed.
• Huge library of stock images, videos, and audio.
• Free plan available with many editing features.

Cons:

• More complex features are only available in the paid version.
• Limited to basic editing tools for video content.

Bonus: 25 YouTube Shorts Ideas for Your Next Viral Hit

5. Vizard.ai

Features:

• AI-Based Video Editing: Automatically detects key moments in videos and suggests segments ideal for Shorts.
• Smart Video Cutting: Automatically cuts videos based on audience retention and engagement insights.
• Text, Captions, and Filters: Add text, captions, and filters with ease, using AI recommendations.
• Analytics: Provides data-driven insights into which videos perform best as Shorts.

Pros:

• AI-driven cutting of videos based on audience behavior.
• Advanced analytics to track performance.
• Time-saving features for fast production.

Cons:

• Higher pricing for advanced features.
• May require a learning curve to understand all features.

These tools provide a range of features, from AI-assisted editing to customizable templates, making it easy for content creators to produce YouTube Shorts that grab attention and engage viewers. Choose the one that fits your editing style and production needs.

Bonus: What to Know About YouTube Shorts For Business

Final Thoughts

Repurposing your old videos to create YouTube Shorts from existing video is a strategic way to amplify reach and engagement without constantly producing new material. AI tools simplify the process of transforming long-form videos into captivating, shareable Shorts.

By extracting key moments, adjusting formats, and incorporating dynamic effects, you can craft content that stands out on YouTube. As YouTube Shorts continues its rapid growth, repurposing your content allows you to tap into this emerging trend. AI tools not only help you repurpose but also optimize your videos for enhanced performance. Whether you have a library of content or are just getting started, converting old videos into Shorts is a smart approach to broaden your audience and rejuvenate your content strategy.