How to Convert YouTube Videos into Shorts with AI (Fast Guide)
YouTube Shorts are taking over. With over 70 billion daily views, they are the fastest way to grow a channel in 2026.
But here is the problem: creating Shorts from your existing long-form content is tedious. You have to download the video, import it into Premiere or CapCut, reframe it to 9:16 manually, add captions word-by-word, and export.
That takes hours.
Here is how to do it in 3 minutes using AI.
The Old Way vs. The AI Way
| Feature | Manual Editing (Premiere/CapCut) | AI Automation (MakeShorts) |
|---|---|---|
| Download Source | Required (Slow) | Not Required (Just Paste Link) |
| Finding Clips | Manual Scrubbing | Automatic Viral Detection |
| Reframing | Keyframing by Hand | Auto-Face Tracking |
| Captions | Manual Sync/Transcribe | Instant AI Captions |
| Time per Video | 1-2 Hours | 5-10 Minutes |
Step-by-Step Guide: Turn YouTube Videos into Shorts
Here is the exact workflow to turn one long video into 5-10 viral shorts:
Step 1: Find Your Best Content
Don't guess. Look at your YouTube Analytics. Find videos with high retention or lots of comments. If people loved the long version, they will love the short version.
Step 2: Use MakeShorts AI
Go to MakeShorts.ai. You don't need to download anything. Just copy your YouTube video URL and paste it.
Our AI analyzes the video for:
- Hooks: Interesting opening lines.
- Laughter: Funny moments.
- Key Insights: Value-packed sentences.
Step 3: Review & Refine
Within minutes, you'll see a dashboard of potential shorts. Each one comes with a "Virality Score" (how likely it is to perform well).
- Check the captions.
- Adjust the start/end times if needed.
- Choose a template style (e.g., Hormozi style, Minimalist).
Step 4: Export & Post
Download your clips in 1080p vertical format (9:16). Upload them directly to YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels.
Pro Tip: Post the Short as a "Related Video" to link back to your original long-form content. This drives massive traffic to your main channel.
Why Use MakeShorts?
- Speed: It's the fastest way to fill your content calendar.
- Cost: Much cheaper than hiring an editor ($9/mo vs $500+/mo).
- Consistency: Post daily without burning out.
Ready to grow your channel?
👉 Start Converting YouTube Videos to Shorts Free
Ready to create shorts in minutes?
Paste a YouTube link, get social-ready shorts with AI. No editing required.
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