YouTube Shorts for Brands: An Influencer Marketing Guide

Think TikTok has short-form video on lock? Not so fast. While everyone’s been busy scrolling, YouTube Shorts has been leveling up—and it’s coming for the crown. With billions of monthly views and major momentum, Shorts isn’t just a side hustle for YouTube anymore—it’s a serious opportunity for brands.

So why should marketers care? Because Shorts is where discoverability, creator storytelling, and performance collide. 

Let’s break down what makes YouTube Shorts a smart play—and how to make it work in your influencer strategy.

Why YouTube Shorts Are Now a Marketing Must-Have

Shorts are no longer just a TikTok alternative—they’re YouTube’s dominant growth engine. With three-minute max length, editor templates, AI tools, and monetization support via AdSense and affiliate programs, Shorts don’t just drive views—they generate creator revenue. YouTube CEO Neal Mohan recently shared Shorts now deliver 200 billion daily views—a clear signal that YouTube is now a power player in the short-form game.

YouTube Shorts, by the Numbers

• Shorts average of 200 billion daily views far exceeds TikTok’s roughly 1 billion daily views
• In the US alone, the number of Shorts viewers is expected to reach 175 million this year
• Shorts earn an average engagement rate of 5.9%, vs 4.07% on TikTok and 1.23% for Instagram Reels
• Channels that combine Shorts and long-form content grow 41% faster, which means creators are doubling down—and brands should too.
• 40% of YouTube Shorts users ages 18-44 aren’t on TikTok, meaning brands are missing a big portion of their audiences by not leveraging Shorts
• Compared to TikTok, Shorts delivers 2.4x more reach for the same cost, and 3.4x more completed views of 15-seconds ads

The Value that Shorts Add to Top-of-Funnel

The numbers make a strong case for Shorts, and so do the channel’s connections. YouTube is the second-most powerful search engine in the world, thanks to its association with Google. That makes Shorts a focal point for product discovery and brand awareness. And, Shorts counts a view at 10 seconds, whereas TikTok counts a view at 1 second or less. That means views on Shorts are a more meaningful indicator of audience interest in a video.

Brands (and creators) are also turning their focus to YouTube Shorts now, given the uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future. As a channel, Shorts is stable and scalable – and it still holds huge potential for growth.

Tips & Inspo for Successful YouTube Shorts

Hook viewers in the first few seconds. Start strong with a captivating line, visual, or question.

Keep it short. It’s in the name! Shorts can be up to 3 minutes, but the optimal length depends on the type of content.

Keep it snappy. Use fast cuts and multiple clips to maintain momentum and viewer attention.

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Use eye-catching thumbnails & text overlay. Custom thumbnails and overlays can boost click-throughs, especially outside the Shorts feed.

Include clear CTAs that spark even more engagement. Invite comments, subscriptions, or direct viewers to full videos to drive conversions and build follow-up traffic.

The bottom line: successful Shorts grab attention fast, deliver value quickly, and leave viewers wanting more.

Integrating YouTube Shorts into Your Influencer Strategy with MagicLinks

The real magic happens when creators make content that gets viewers to pause—and pay attention. Here’s how to bring your YouTube Shorts influencer strategy to life with MagicLinks: 

1. Cast Creators Built for Shorts
   MagicLinks identifies creators who already shine on YouTube Shorts—so your brand gets native, high-performing content from talent that aligns with your audience and goals.
   
   
2. Drive Discovery at the Top of the Funnel
   Shorts are a powerful way to spark product interest and brand awareness. We help you tap into this discovery engine by pairing your message with creators who stop the scroll and spark curiosity.
   
   
3. Guide Viewers through the Funnel
   We map your Shorts strategy into the broader buyer journey—using attention-grabbing teasers that direct audiences to deeper dives via long-form video, YouTube cards, and links that drive real action.
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4. Supercharge Shorts through Paid Media
   We identify top-performing Shorts content and amplify them through YouTube Ads, turning proven content into scalable performance campaigns.
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5. Get the Best Value on Creator Rates
   Through an exclusive partnership with YouTube, MagicLinks is offering lowered creator rates for Shorts content within campaigns - this is limited-time, while funding lasts!

With billions of users, strong engagement, and monetization features, Shorts are a must-have part of your channel mix. Brands that team up with creators to build and amplify Shorts content can spark discovery, loyalty, and conversions like never before.

Curious how Shorts could work for your brand? Connect with us and let’s dive in.

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