YouTube is rolling out a slew of new features to its Shorts platform, aiming to make it more attractive to creators who may soon be looking for a new home. The updates, announced on April 3, 2025, include a revamped video editor with a timeline view, automatic music syncing, and other TikTok-like features.

The new video editor allows creators to adjust and stitch together clips within the same app window, making it easier to edit short-form videos. The timeline view enables users to preview their edited Shorts, cutting and rearranging clips, zooming into footage, and overlaying text and music. YouTube promises that these new capabilities are just the "first of more improvements" lined up to help streamline the Shorts editing process.

Another significant update is the ability to add music to Shorts, which can now be synchronized automatically to the rhythm of the video clips. This eliminates the need for manual alignment, making it easier for creators to add music to their content. Additionally, effects like video filters and overlays will be available in Shorts templates, allowing users to quickly jump on viral trends.

Later this spring, YouTube will also introduce the ability to add image stickers from users' galleries directly into Shorts, as well as text-to-image AI-generated sticker creation. This feature will enable creators to describe the sticker they want to add to their video, giving them more personalization options.

This is not the first time YouTube has borrowed features from TikTok. Previously, YouTube introduced robotic voiceovers and started counting views from the point a video is played. The timing of this announcement is likely not a coincidence, given the Saturday deadline for TikTok to find a US buyer or risk being banned in the country.

The updates to YouTube Shorts come at a critical time, as TikTok's future in the US remains uncertain. If TikTok is banned, many creators may be looking for a new platform to host their content. By introducing features that are familiar to TikTok users, YouTube is positioning itself as a viable alternative. The question remains, however, whether these updates will be enough to lure creators away from TikTok and onto the YouTube Shorts platform.

As the battle for short-form video supremacy continues, it will be interesting to see how YouTube's updates to Shorts impact the creator community. Will these new features be enough to attract and retain top talent, or will TikTok's loyal user base remain committed to the platform despite its uncertain future? Only time will tell.