Already creating great TikToks? You're leaving money on the table if you're not also posting them as YouTube Shorts. Here's exactly how to do it.
YouTube Shorts now pays creators significantly more than TikTok, and the platform is hungry for content. Repurposing your TikToks to Shorts is one of the easiest ways to double your reach and revenue without creating anything new.
Why Upload TikToks to YouTube Shorts?
Before we get into the how, here's why this matters:
- Higher payouts: YouTube Shorts pays $0.03-0.05 per 1,000 views on average, while TikTok pays around $0.005-0.01. That's 3-10x more revenue.
- Different audience: YouTube and TikTok have different user bases. Your content can reach entirely new people.
- Algorithm boost: YouTube is actively promoting Shorts to compete with TikTok, so new content gets extra visibility.
- Long-term channel growth: Shorts viewers can subscribe and discover your long-form content too.
Step 1: Download Your TikTok Video
First, you need to get your video file from TikTok. You have a few options:
Option A: Save from TikTok app (with watermark)
- Open your TikTok and tap the video you want to download
- Tap the share button (arrow icon)
- Select "Save video"
The downside: this includes the TikTok watermark, which YouTube may suppress in recommendations.
Option B: Download without watermark
For better results, download the original video without the TikTok watermark. Tools like SnapTik, SSSTik, or desktop apps can grab the clean version.
If you're repurposing multiple videos, manually downloading each one gets tedious fast. That's where automation tools help (more on this below).
Step 2: Check the Video Specs
YouTube Shorts has specific requirements:
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical) - TikToks already meet this
- Length: Up to 60 seconds (TikTok allows up to 10 minutes, so trim if needed)
- Resolution: 1080x1920 is ideal
Most TikToks will work perfectly. If your video is longer than 60 seconds, you'll need to trim it or upload it as a regular YouTube video instead.
Step 3: Upload to YouTube
From your phone:
- Open the YouTube app
- Tap the + button at the bottom
- Select "Create a Short" or "Upload a video"
- Choose your downloaded TikTok from your camera roll
- Add a title (more on this below)
- Add relevant hashtags including #Shorts
- Publish or schedule
From desktop:
- Go to YouTube Studio (studio.youtube.com)
- Click "Create" then "Upload videos"
- Drag your video file or click to browse
- Fill in title, description, and tags
- The video will automatically be recognized as a Short if it's under 60 seconds and vertical
Step 4: Optimize Your Title and Description
Don't just copy your TikTok caption. YouTube is a search engine, so your title matters more here.
Good Shorts titles:
- Create curiosity or tension
- Are specific, not generic
- Work without seeing the video (people scroll fast)
Examples:
- TikTok: "POV: when your mom finds out" → YouTube: "Mom Found My Secret Account..."
- TikTok: "This hack changed my life" → YouTube: "Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This Sooner"
In your description, include relevant keywords and hashtags. Always include #Shorts to help YouTube categorize it correctly.
Step 5: Consider Timing and Scheduling
If you're uploading multiple TikToks, don't dump them all at once. Space them out:
- 1-3 Shorts per day is a good starting point
- Post when your audience is active (check YouTube Analytics)
- Use YouTube's scheduled publishing to queue videos in advance
The Faster Way: Automate the Process
If you're serious about repurposing content, doing this manually for every video is slow. The workflow looks like:
- Copy TikTok URL
- Download without watermark
- Transfer to device or desktop
- Upload to YouTube
- Write title and description
- Schedule or publish
- Repeat for each video
Tools like GoShorts automate this entire pipeline. Paste a TikTok URL, and it downloads the video, generates an optimized title using AI, and queues it for upload to your YouTube channel with scheduling. What takes 10+ minutes manually takes about 30 seconds.
Common Questions
Will I get copyright strikes for reposting my own TikToks?
No, as long as it's your original content. You own the video. Reposting your own content across platforms is completely allowed.
Should I remove the TikTok watermark?
Yes, if possible. YouTube has indicated that videos with watermarks from other platforms may get reduced visibility. Using your original file or a watermark-free download is better.
Can I monetize repurposed TikToks on YouTube?
Yes! If you're in the YouTube Partner Program and the content is original to you, repurposed content is eligible for monetization. See our full guide on monetizing reposted content.
Do I need to post at the same time on both platforms?
No. Many creators post to TikTok first, see what performs well, then repurpose their winners to YouTube Shorts. This lets you focus your YouTube efforts on proven content.
Summary
Uploading TikToks to YouTube Shorts is straightforward:
- Download your TikTok (ideally without watermark)
- Make sure it's under 60 seconds
- Upload to YouTube with an optimized title
- Include #Shorts and relevant hashtags
- Schedule or publish
If you're doing this regularly, automation saves hours. The goal is to maximize your content's reach without multiplying your workload.