Why cross-post from Twitter (X) to YouTube?
Twitter video clips have a lifespan of hours. YouTube videos can rank in search for years. If you post video content on Twitter, cross-posting to YouTube Shorts gives that content permanent, searchable visibility. YouTube Shorts also introduce your content to YouTube's recommendation engine.
Twitter Specs
- Caption limit
- 280 chars
- Max hashtags
- 2
- Aspect ratios
- 16:9, 1:1
- Media formats
- JPG, PNG, GIF, MP4
- Max video length
- 2 min
- Max file size
- 15 MB
- Best times
- 8-10 AM, 6-9 PM
- Links in posts
- Yes
Twitter Specs
- Caption limit
- 280 chars
- Max hashtags
- 2
- Aspect ratios
- 16:9, 1:1
- Media formats
- JPG, PNG, GIF, MP4
- Max video length
- 2 min
- Max file size
- 15 MB
- Best times
- 8-10 AM, 6-9 PM
- Links in posts
- Yes
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 Twitter (X) to YouTube
- 1
Download your Twitter video clips
Save your best-performing Twitter videos. Focus on clips with high engagement and rewatch value.
- 2
Ensure vertical format for Shorts
If your Twitter video is 16:9, consider cropping to 9:16 for YouTube Shorts. Or upload as a standard video.
- 3
Write a keyword-rich title
Tweets have no titles. YouTube needs SEO-optimized titles (max 60 chars) for search discovery.
- 4
Create a detailed description
YouTube gives you 5,000 characters. Write a keyword-rich description with context, timestamps, and links.
- 5
Add #Shorts and relevant hashtags
Include #Shorts for Short-form discovery plus 2-4 topic-relevant YouTube hashtags.
Formatting tips for Twitter (X) to YouTube
YouTube Shorts need vertical video
Twitter supports both 16:9 and vertical. For Shorts, ensure 9:16 format under 60 seconds.
Add SEO elements
YouTube is a search engine. Add keywords to the title, description, and tags that people would search for.
Descriptions should be detailed
From 280 characters on Twitter to 5,000 on YouTube. Add substantial keyword-rich content.
Common mistakes to avoid
No title optimization
Twitter does not have titles. YouTube requires compelling, searchable titles for every upload.
Horizontal video as a Short
Shorts must be vertical (9:16) and under 60 seconds. Upload horizontal videos as standard YouTube content.
Minimal descriptions
YouTube rewards detailed, keyword-rich descriptions. Do not leave them empty.
Pro Tip
Twitter polls and debates make great YouTube content. Screen-record the best replies to your controversial tweets and create a "reading my replies" video for YouTube.
Frequently asked questions
Can I upload Twitter videos to YouTube?
Yes. Download your Twitter videos and upload to YouTube. For clips under 60 seconds in vertical format, upload as Shorts. For longer content, upload as standard videos.
Do YouTube Shorts need to be vertical?
Yes. YouTube Shorts require 9:16 vertical format and must be 60 seconds or shorter. Twitter videos in 16:9 need reformatting.
Why should I post Twitter videos on YouTube?
Twitter content has a 24-hour lifespan. YouTube videos can get views for years through search and recommendations. It gives your content permanent visibility.