YouTube’s New Feature: Remixing Music Videos into Shorts – A Direct Competitor to TikTok

YouTube, the popular video-sharing platform, has recently introduced a new feature that allows users to remix music videos and create unique Shorts. This feature, which is available on the mobile app, enables users to adjust various parameters from a full-length music video to create something wholly original. The similarities to TikTok are undeniable.

The remixing process is straightforward. Users can tap the “remix” option on a music video and are presented with four tools: Sound, Green Screen, Cut, and Collab. The Sound tool strips the audio from the video and allows users to use it in their Shorts. This feature is particularly popular on TikTok, with many users lip-syncing to various audio clips. The Sound tool is available for most songs that were automatically uploaded to YouTube.

The Green Screen tool takes things a step further by turning the video into a background. Users can then dance or perform in front of it. The Cut tool clips out a five-second portion of the video that can be added to any Short. Lastly, the Collab tool creates a side-by-side video that places the user’s Short next to the original content. This is an excellent option when users and their friends want to show off choreography alongside the original artist.

YouTube’s Remix tool has been rolled out, though it may not have reached every user yet. To check for the feature, users can open the app, click on a music video, and look for the “remix” option. It’s worth noting that many of these features were already available to Shorts creators but not in one convenient tab.

YouTube Shorts, which was released in 2021, already bore a striking resemblance to TikTok. However, the addition of these features makes it even more similar. With this in mind, YouTube chose an opportune moment to officially launch the toolset. Universal Music, one of the largest record labels, has recently pulled its roster from TikTok due to a financial disagreement. UMG artists include Taylor Swift, Drake, Billie Eilish, and many more.

This decision has forced TikTok creators to replace music tracks, as anything sourced from Universal is automatically muted. The record label has accused TikTok of wanting to pay a “fraction” of the rates offered by other social media sites. YouTube’s Remix tool has access to Universal’s entire roster, providing an alternative platform for creators and users.

In conclusion, YouTube’s new feature, which allows users to remix music videos and create Shorts, is a direct competitor to TikTok. The similarities between the two platforms are undeniable, and YouTube’s timing could not be better, given the recent developments with Universal Music. This feature offers users a new way to engage with music videos and create unique content, making it an exciting addition to the YouTube platform.