YouTube Shorts Algorithm Decoded: How I Got 50M Views in 90 Days

YouTube Shorts isn’t just TikTok on YouTube. It’s a completely different algorithm with different rules, different opportunities, and different ways to grow your main channel.

In 90 days, I generated 50 million Shorts views, gained 200K subscribers, and—most importantly—increased my long-form video views by 400%. Here’s exactly how the Shorts algorithm works and how to make it work for you.

The YouTube Shorts Algorithm: What’s Different

Long-Form vs. Shorts: Two Different Systems

Long-Form Algorithm Priorities:

1. Session duration (keeping people on YouTube)
2. Click-through rate (getting people to start)
3. Watch time (how long they stay)
4. Engagement (likes, comments, shares)

Shorts Algorithm Priorities:

1. Completion rate (did they watch to the end?)
2. Engagement velocity (likes/comments in first hour)
3. Rewatches (did they watch it again immediately?)
4. Swipe-away speed (how fast they moved to the next video)

The Key Difference: Long-form rewards keeping people on YOUR video. Shorts rewards keeping people in the Shorts feed.

The Shorts Discovery Funnel

Stage 1: Initial Push (First 100 views)

• YouTube shows your Short to a small test audience
• Usually people who already follow you or similar creators
• Performance here determines if you get Stage 2

Stage 2: Niche Testing (100-10,000 views)

• Shown to people interested in your topic/niche
• Algorithm tests different audience segments
• High performance here unlocks Stage 3

Stage 3: Broad Discovery (10,000+ views)

• Shown to general audiences who might be interested
• Can reach millions if performance stays strong
• This is where viral Shorts live

Stage 4: Viral Amplification (100,000+ views)

• Algorithm pushes to massive audiences
• Can last hours to days depending on performance
• Often unpredictable timing

The 50 Million View Strategy: My Exact System

Phase 1: Foundation (Days 1-30)

Goal: Understand your audience and establish baseline performance.

The Content Testing Matrix:

I created 60 Shorts across 6 different content types:

• Educational (10 Shorts): Quick tips and tutorials
• Entertainment (10 Shorts): Funny moments and reactions
• Behind-the-scenes (10 Shorts): Process and personality content
• Trending (10 Shorts): Current events and viral topics
• Controversial (10 Shorts): Polarizing opinions (carefully done)
• Inspirational (10 Shorts): Motivational and uplifting content

Results Analysis:

• Educational: Average 50K views, 8% completion rate
• Entertainment: Average 200K views, 12% completion rate
• Behind-the-scenes: Average 30K views, 6% completion rate
• Trending: Average 500K views, 15% completion rate
• Controversial: Average 1M views, 18% completion rate
• Inspirational: Average 100K views, 10% completion rate

Key Insight: Controversial and trending content performed best, but educational content drove the most subscribers to my main channel.

Phase 2: Optimization (Days 31-60)

Goal: Double down on what works and optimize for maximum performance.

The 80/20 Content Split:

• 80%: Controversial and trending content (for reach)
• 20%: Educational content (for subscriber quality)

The Hook Optimization System:

I tested 5 different hook styles across 50 Shorts:

1. Question Hook: “Did you know that…?” (Average completion: 12%)
2. Shock Hook: “This will blow your mind…” (Average completion: 18%)
3. Story Hook: “So this happened to me…” (Average completion: 15%)
4. List Hook: “3 things you need to know…” (Average completion: 14%)
5. Direct Hook: “Here’s exactly how to…” (Average completion: 16%)

Winner: Shock hooks performed best for viral reach, but direct hooks converted better to long-form viewers.

The Timing Discovery:

I posted at different times and tracked performance:

• 6 AM EST: Average performance
• 12 PM EST: Above average performance
• 6 PM EST: Best performance (peak engagement time)
• 10 PM EST: Good performance
• 2 AM EST: Poor performance

Optimal posting schedule: 6 PM EST daily, with bonus posts at 12 PM on weekends.

Phase 3: Scaling (Days 61-90)

Goal: Maximize viral potential while building long-term channel growth.

The Viral Content Formula:

After analyzing my top 20 performing Shorts, I found this pattern:

Hook (0-3 seconds):

• Start with highest-energy moment
• Use text overlay to reinforce the hook
• Include a visual “pattern interrupt”

Value Delivery (3-45 seconds):

• Get to the point immediately
• Use quick cuts every 2-3 seconds
• Include surprising or counterintuitive information

Retention Hook (45-60 seconds):

• End with a cliffhanger or question
• Tease related content
• Use a strong visual or audio cue

The Content Multiplication Strategy:

For every viral Short, I created:

• 3 follow-up Shorts expanding on the topic
• 1 long-form video diving deep
• 1 community post asking for opinions
• 1 Instagram Reel and TikTok version

Results: This strategy turned single viral moments into weeks of content and sustained growth.

The Shorts Algorithm Secrets Most Creators Miss

Secret 1: The “Rewatch Loop”

What it is: Creating Shorts that people immediately watch again.

How to trigger it:

• Include details that are hard to catch the first time
• Use fast-paced information delivery
• End with something that makes the beginning more interesting
• Add text overlays with additional context

Example: A Short about “3 iPhone tricks” where the third trick is so surprising that viewers rewatch to see the first two again.

Secret 2: The “Engagement Velocity” Hack

What it is: Getting maximum engagement in the first hour after posting.

The strategy:

• Post when your audience is most active
• Share immediately to your community tab
• Send to your most engaged subscribers via email/Discord
• Cross-post to other platforms with a “check out the full version on YouTube” message

Results: Shorts with high early engagement get pushed to broader audiences faster.

Secret 3: The “Completion Rate Optimization”

What it is: Getting people to watch your entire Short.

Techniques that work:

• The Countdown: “3 things you need to know” (people wait for all 3)
• The Payoff Promise: “Wait until you see what happens at the end”
• The Visual Journey: Continuous visual progression throughout
• The Cliffhanger: “But here’s the crazy part…” at 50% mark

Advanced technique: Use YouTube Analytics to see exactly where people drop off, then add a “retention hook” 5 seconds before that point.

Secret 4: The “Cross-Pollination Effect”

What it is: Using Shorts to boost your long-form content.

The connection strategy:

• End Shorts with “Full tutorial on my channel”
• Create Shorts that are “Part 1” of longer videos
• Use Shorts to tease upcoming long-form content
• Turn long-form highlights into Shorts

Results: My long-form views increased 400% during my Shorts push.

The Complete Shorts Content Strategy

The 30-60-90 Day Plan

Days 1-30: Testing Phase

• Post 2 Shorts daily
• Test 6 different content types
• Track completion rates and engagement
• Identify your top-performing topics

Days 31-60: Optimization Phase

• Focus on your top 2 content types
• Optimize hooks and retention
• Establish consistent posting schedule
• Start connecting Shorts to long-form content

Days 61-90: Scaling Phase

• Aim for 1-2 viral Shorts per week
• Create content series and follow-ups
• Maximize cross-platform distribution
• Build systems for sustained growth

The Content Calendar System

Monday: Educational/Tutorial Shorts Tuesday: Behind-the-scenes/Personal Wednesday: Trending topic response Thursday: Controversial opinion (carefully crafted) Friday: Entertainment/Fun content Saturday: Community-driven content Sunday: Inspirational/Motivational

Bonus posts: React to viral moments in your niche within 2-4 hours.

Advanced Shorts Optimization Techniques

The “Thumbnail Psychology” for Shorts

Even though Shorts auto-play, the thumbnail affects click-through from search and suggested videos.

Effective Shorts thumbnails:

• High contrast colors
• Clear, readable text (even at small sizes)
• Expressive faces or surprising visuals
• Consistent branding elements

The “Audio Strategy”

Original audio vs. trending audio:

• Trending audio: Better for discovery and viral potential
• Original audio: Better for brand building and uniqueness

The hybrid approach: Use trending audio for viral content, original audio for educational content.

The “Series Strategy”

Create connected Shorts that encourage binge-watching:

• “Day 1 of building my setup”
• “Part 1: The biggest mistake creators make”
• “Responding to your comments: Part 3”

Results: Series perform 300% better than standalone Shorts.

Common Shorts Algorithm Mistakes

Mistake 1: Treating Shorts Like Mini Long-Form Videos

The problem: Using long-form video structure in short-form format.

The solution: Start with the payoff, then explain the context.

Mistake 2: Ignoring the First 3 Seconds

The problem: Slow or weak openings that cause immediate swipe-aways.

The solution: Put your strongest moment first, always.

Mistake 3: Not Optimizing for Rewatches

The problem: Creating Shorts that are “one and done.”

The solution: Include details worth catching on a second viewing.

Mistake 4: Inconsistent Posting

The problem: Sporadic posting that confuses the algorithm.

The solution: Post at least once daily, same time each day.

Mistake 5: Not Connecting to Long-Form

The problem: Treating Shorts as separate from your main channel strategy.

The solution: Use Shorts as a funnel to your long-form content.

The Shorts Analytics Deep Dive

Metrics That Matter Most

Primary Metrics:

• Average view duration: Aim for 40%+ of total length
• Likes per view: Target 5%+ like rate
• Comments per view: Target 1%+ comment rate
• Shares per view: Target 0.5%+ share rate

Secondary Metrics:

• Impressions click-through rate: How often people click from browse features
• Average percentage viewed: How much of your Short people watch
• Subscriber conversion rate: How many viewers subscribe after watching

The Weekly Analytics Review

Every Monday, analyze:

• Which Shorts performed best last week?
• What topics/formats are trending up?
• Which Shorts drove the most subscribers?
• How did Shorts performance affect long-form views?

Optimization actions:

• Create follow-ups to top performers
• Adjust content calendar based on trends
• Improve underperforming content types
• Plan long-form content around successful Shorts topics

Tools and Resources for Shorts Success

Content Creation Tools

• CapCut: Free editing with trending templates
• InShot: Quick mobile editing
• Canva: Text overlays and graphics
• Epidemic Sound: Copyright-free music

Analytics and Optimization

• YouTube Studio: Native analytics and insights
• VidIQ: Keyword research for Shorts
• Social Blade: Track competitor performance
• Glidee.ai: AI-powered content recommendations

Trending Content Discovery

• Google Trends: Identify rising topics
• Twitter Trending: Real-time conversation topics
• TikTok Creative Center: Cross-platform trend insights
• YouTube Trending: Platform-specific viral content

The Long-Term Shorts Strategy

Building Sustainable Growth

Don’t just chase viral moments—build systems for consistent performance:

• Develop 5-10 “evergreen” Short formats you can repeat
• Create content pillars that work in short-form
• Build a community that engages with your Shorts
• Use Shorts data to inform your long-form strategy

The Channel Integration Plan

Make Shorts work for your entire channel:

• Use Shorts to introduce new viewers to your brand
• Create Shorts versions of your best long-form content
• Build anticipation for upcoming long-form videos
• Use Shorts comments to generate long-form video ideas

Your 7-Day Shorts Quick-Start Challenge

Day 1: Create and post your first Short using the viral formula Day 2: Analyze performance and create a follow-up Short Day 3: Test a different content type and compare results Day 4: Create a Short that teases your next long-form video Day 5: Respond to a trending topic in your niche Day 6: Create a “Part 1” Short that requires a “Part 2” Day 7: Review all analytics and plan next week’s content

The Reality Check: What to Expect

Week 1: Most Shorts will get 100-1,000 views (this is normal) Week 2-4: You’ll start seeing patterns in what works Month 2: You should have at least one Short over 10K views Month 3: Consistent performance with occasional viral hits

Remember: Viral success is unpredictable, but consistent quality performance is achievable with the right strategy.

The Bottom Line

YouTube Shorts isn’t just about going viral—it’s about building a sustainable system for growth that supports your entire channel strategy.

The key principles:

1. Optimize for completion, not just views
2. Connect Shorts to long-form for maximum impact
3. Post consistently to build algorithm trust
4. Test and iterate based on data, not guesses
5. Focus on value, even in 60 seconds

Your next step: Create your first Short using the viral formula, then commit to posting daily for 30 days. Track your results and adjust based on what you learn.

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Want to know exactly what Short content your audience wants? Try Glidee.ai’s Shorts recommendations to discover trending topics in your niche before they peak.

Related: Learn how to optimize your long-form content or discover sustainable content strategies that work for both Shorts and long-form videos.