(MENAFN) Google’s YouTube is ramping up its efforts to compete with short-form video platforms like TikTok and Reels by introducing a slew of new features to its YouTube Shorts platform. Johanna Volisch, YouTube’s product manager, unveiled these enhancements, designed to empower content creators in crafting engaging short videos.

Among the five new features announced, one standout is the capability to convert longer videos into shorter formats suitable for YouTube Shorts. This addition aims to streamline the process for creators, making it easier to repurpose existing content for the Shorts format. Another innovative tool introduced is the “Add Your Videos” sticker, encouraging creators to collaborate by integrating their content into others’ videos, fostering community engagement.

Volisch emphasized that these updates democratize content creation, making it accessible to anyone with comprehensive tools that simplify the production process. Enhancements related to audio include an automatic captions generator that users can customize with different fonts and colors, along with the option to choose from four different voices to narrate text.

In addition to these features, YouTube Shorts users now have access to two sets of popular effects from Minesweeper, commemorating the game’s 15th anniversary, allowing for creative incorporation into video productions. These tools leverage YouTube’s vast library of content, enabling creators to tap into a wealth of resources for their short-form videos.

Highlighting the platform’s significant reach, Volisch noted that YouTube Shorts garners about 70 billion views daily, matching figures reported by its parent platform YouTube last September. Looking ahead, YouTube is exploring the potential to expand Shorts to include videos longer than the current 60-second limit, indicating ongoing evolution and innovation in response to user feedback and market trends.