Why cross-post from TikTok to YouTube?
YouTube Shorts gets billions of daily views and shares the same vertical format as TikTok. Repurposing your TikToks as Shorts lets you reach an entirely different audience while YouTube's algorithm is still favoring short-form creators. The key difference is SEO: YouTube is a search engine.
TikTok Specs
- Caption limit
- 2,200 chars
- Max hashtags
- 10
- Aspect ratios
- 9:16, 1:1
- Media formats
- MP4, MOV
- Max video length
- 3 min
- Max file size
- 100 MB
- Best times
- 6-10 AM, 7-9 PM
- Links in posts
- No
TikTok Specs
- Caption limit
- 2,200 chars
- Max hashtags
- 10
- Aspect ratios
- 9:16, 1:1
- Media formats
- MP4, MOV
- Max video length
- 3 min
- Max file size
- 100 MB
- Best times
- 6-10 AM, 7-9 PM
- Links in posts
- No
YouTube Specs
- Caption limit
- 5,000 chars
- Max hashtags
- 5
- Aspect ratios
- 16:9, 9:16
- Media formats
- MP4, MOV
- Max video length
- 12h
- Max file size
- 2000 MB
- Best times
- 2-4 PM, 6-8 PM
- Links in posts
- Yes
How to cross-post from TikTok to YouTube
- 1
Download your TikTok watermark-free
YouTube does not penalize watermarks as aggressively as Instagram, but clean videos look more professional and get better engagement.
- 2
Write an SEO-optimized title
YouTube is a search engine. Your TikTok caption hook needs to become a keyword-rich title (max 60 chars). Think about what people search for.
- 3
Expand your description with keywords
YouTube allows up to 5,000 characters. Include a detailed description with timestamps, keywords, and links. This is drastically different from TikTok's casual captions.
- 4
Add YouTube-specific hashtags
Include #Shorts in your description plus 2-4 relevant hashtags. YouTube hashtags work differently than TikTok—they help categorization, not trending.
- 5
Upload as a Short (under 60 seconds)
YouTube Shorts must be 60 seconds or less and vertical. If your TikTok is longer than 60s, trim it or upload as a regular video instead.
Formatting tips for TikTok to YouTube
Keep it under 60 seconds for Shorts
YouTube Shorts max at 60 seconds. TikTok allows up to 3 minutes. Trim longer TikToks or upload as regular YouTube videos.
Write a searchable title
TikTok discovery is algorithm-driven. YouTube discovery is search-driven. Transform your hook into a keyword-rich title people would Google.
YouTube descriptions should be detailed
You have 5,000 characters vs TikTok's 2,200. Add timestamps, related video links, and keyword-rich paragraphs.
Use fewer, more targeted hashtags
YouTube allows 5 hashtags max vs TikTok's 10. Focus on search terms, not trending tags.
Common mistakes to avoid
Uploading a TikTok longer than 60 seconds as a Short
YouTube Shorts have a strict 60-second limit. Trim your video or upload as a standard video with 16:9 recommended.
Using TikTok-style captions as YouTube titles
TikTok hooks like "POV: you just..." don't rank on YouTube search. Write clear, keyword-rich titles instead.
Ignoring YouTube SEO
YouTube is the second-largest search engine. Add keywords to your title, description, and tags. This is the biggest difference from TikTok.
Pro Tip
If your TikTok is over 60 seconds, upload it as a regular YouTube video instead of a Short. YouTube rewards longer watch time on standard videos, and your content may perform even better in the long-form format.
Frequently asked questions
Can I upload TikTok videos to YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Both use 9:16 vertical format. Remove the TikTok watermark, keep it under 60 seconds, and add #Shorts to your description. Optimize the title for YouTube search.
What is the max length for YouTube Shorts?
YouTube Shorts must be 60 seconds or less. TikTok allows up to 3 minutes. If your TikTok is longer, either trim it for Shorts or upload as a regular YouTube video.
Do YouTube Shorts get monetized?
Yes. YouTube Shorts are monetized through the Shorts revenue sharing program. Creators earn a share of ad revenue displayed between Shorts in the feed.