YouTube launches tracks – the ability to make short tracks from live streams or videos – starting today with a small group of creators. These tracks can be between five and 60 seconds long and will have a new URL. Creators and viewers will be able to create tracks by clicking on the clip icon, though the feature is currently limited to desktop and Android devices.
This is a smart move from YouTube, because cutting is something of a living industry standard. You can more easily share live video content via a short video clip that can be shared on social media, rather than requiring viewers to browse through a potentially hour-long stream. Every platform from Twitch to the popular site Mixer has decided that this is something their makers need.
Today we are launching an experimental version of Clips on YouTube. Watch videos on the Creator Insider channel and try them out for yourself!
The clips are 5-60 sec, divisible, segments of the content (Live / VOD) that appear on top of the original video.
More information: https://t.co/5fJyorxjrj pic.twitter.com/DVWNQ2BoEx
– Lester (@Chen) 28 January 2021
YouTube to add the feature is just another sign that the online video titan intends to improve its live streaming operation. Just like the usual wisdom in streamer spaces, clippings help channels grow. A good track that goes viral can bring in a huge influx of new viewers – and in streaming, where visibility is a big part of creating a sustainable income, it’s half the battle.