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YouTube Shorts Content Ideas: 150+ Ideas That Actually Get Views

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YouTube Shorts Content Ideas: 150+ Ideas That Actually Get Views

Why you need a bank of YouTube Shorts content ideas

YouTube Shorts generates over 200 billion views per day. But for most creators, the hardest part isn’t the filming or the editing—it’s knowing what to create.

The blank canvas problem kills more YouTube channels than algorithm changes. When you don’t have a backlog of YouTube Shorts content ideas ready to go, you end up posting inconsistently or quitting entirely.

This guide gives you 150+ proven Shorts content ideas organized by category, plus strategies for discovering viral patterns before your competitors catch on.

Quick-start: 10 evergreen YouTube Shorts content ideas

Need ideas fast? Start with these 10 evergreen formats that work in almost any niche:

Idea Type Why It Works Example Hook
Before/After Visual proof builds trust “Watch this transformation in 30 seconds”
Common Mistake Fear of missing out drives engagement “Stop making this mistake with [topic]”
Quick Tutorial High save value = algorithm love “How to [achieve result] in under 60 seconds”
Myth-Busting Challenges assumptions “You’ve been doing [X] wrong”
Behind the Scenes Builds authenticity and connection “POV: What actually goes into [process]”
List-Based Clear value proposition “5 [resources] that changed everything”
Hook + Payoff Curiosity gap keeps viewers watching “Wait for the end…”
Quick Tips Actionable value in seconds “One trick that changed my [topic] game”
Storytelling Emotional connection drives shares “Here’s how I went from [struggle] to [success]”
Controversial Take Drives comments and debate “Unpopular opinion about [topic]”

Educational YouTube Shorts content ideas

Educational content consistently earns saves and long-term watch time—the signals YouTube’s algorithm rewards.

Tutorial-style Shorts ideas

  1. Step-by-step tutorials — Break down a process into digestible steps under 60 seconds
  2. Beginner guides — “If you’re new to [topic], start here”
  3. Quick tips — One actionable tip in under 15 seconds
  4. Tool overviews — Show how to use a specific tool or product
  5. Comparison videos — “X vs Y: Which is actually better?”
  6. Troubleshooting — Fix common problems your audience faces
  7. Cheat sheets — Quick reference guides viewers can screenshot
  8. How-to formats — “How I [achieve result] in [timeframe]”
  9. Explainer videos — Break down complex topics simply
  10. Workflow reveals — Show your complete process for something

Knowledge-sharing Shorts ideas

  1. Industry insights — Share what you know about your field
  2. Resource recommendations — Tools, books, or products you endorse
  3. Vocabulary breakdowns — Define key terms in your niche
  4. Research summaries — Share findings from studies or reports
  5. Best practices — “Do’s and don’ts of [topic]”
  6. Framework explanations — Teach a mental model or framework
  7. Case studies — Analyze real examples from your industry
  8. Statistic breakdowns — Make numbers meaningful and visual
  9. FAQ answers — Respond to common questions in your niche
  10. Lessons learned — Share wisdom from experience

Entertainment-based YouTube Shorts content ideas

YouTube Shorts was built for entertainment. These ideas prioritize watch time and shares.

Humor and relatability ideas

  1. POV videos — “POV: You’re a [type of person] when [situation]”
  2. Reaction videos — Your genuine response to something trending
  3. Skits and sketches — Short, scripted comedy bits
  4. Relatable struggles — “Tell me you’re a [role] without telling me”
  5. Behind-the-scenes bloopers — Show the messy reality of content creation
  6. Parody content — Playful takes on trends or formats
  7. Self-deprecating humor — Laugh at your own mistakes
  8. Day-in-the-life comedies — The funny side of routine
  9. Exaggerated situations — Take mundane things to comedic extremes
  10. Sound-based humor — Use trending audio for comedic timing

Storytelling and intrigue ideas

  1. Story arcs — Multi-part narratives that keep viewers coming back
  2. Mystery reveals — Build curiosity, then deliver payoff
  3. Transformation stories — Show personal growth or change
  4. Origin stories — How you or your brand got started
  5. Client/customer stories — Share real experiences (with permission)
  6. Challenge journeys — Document attempting something difficult
  7. Plot twists — Subvert expectations in your content
  8. Emotional stories — Content that makes people feel something
  9. Timeline reveals — Show progress over time in seconds
  10. Interactive stories — Let viewers influence the narrative via comments

Behind-the-scenes YouTube Shorts content ideas

Authenticity wins on social. BTS content builds trust and humanizes your brand.

  1. Workspace tours — Show where the magic happens
  2. Process reveals — How you create your product or service
  3. Team introductions — Meet the people behind the brand
  4. Setup reveals — Your equipment, software, and tools
  5. Meeting snippets — Share insights from internal discussions
  6. Content creation BTS — The making of your videos
  7. Product development — Show how products are made
  8. Failures and mistakes — What went wrong and what you learned
  9. Daily routines — How your day actually unfolds
  10. Business milestones — Celebrate wins with your audience

Engagement-driven YouTube Shorts content ideas

These formats are designed to drive comments, shares, and subscriptions.

Question and answer ideas

  1. Q&A sessions — Answer audience-submitted questions
  2. This or That — Binary choice polls that drive comments
  3. Guessing games — Let viewers predict an outcome
  4. Caption this — Post a clip and ask for captions
  5. Fill in the blank — “The secret to [topic] is _____”
  6. Would you rather — Fun choices that spark debate
  7. True or false — Quiz your audience on myths vs facts
  8. Ask me anything — Open floor for questions
  9. Controversial opinions — Hot takes that spark discussion (carefully)
  10. Community polls — Get input on decisions

Challenge and participation ideas

  1. Challenge responses — React to trending challenges in your niche
  2. Duet reactions — Add your take to others’ Shorts
  3. Remix responses — Build on existing content
  4. Stitch reactions — Respond to viral clips with your perspective
  5. Comment responses — Turn top comments into video replies
  6. Follower spotlights — Celebrate your community
  7. Collaboration announcements — Tease upcoming partnerships
  8. Call for submissions — Ask for user-generated content
  9. Live stream teasers — Promote upcoming live content
  10. Community challenges — Start a hashtag challenge

Product and service YouTube Shorts content ideas

For brands and creators selling something, these ideas showcase value without being overly promotional.

  1. Product demos — Show your product in action
  2. Problem/solution — Identify pain points, offer your solution
  3. Feature spotlights — Deep dive on specific product features
  4. Unboxing experiences — The excitement of receiving
  5. Testimonial reads — Share customer feedback
  6. Before/after results — Visual proof of effectiveness
  7. Product launches — Build anticipation for new offerings
  8. Usage tutorials — Show multiple ways to use your product
  9. Comparison content — How you stack up to alternatives
  10. Offer announcements — Special deals or promotions

Trending YouTube Shorts content ideas

Tapping into trends gives you algorithmic momentum. Here’s how to adapt trends to your niche.

Audio-based trend ideas

  1. Trending sounds — Use popular audio in your niche context
  2. Lip-sync variations — Put your spin on audio trends
  3. Song lyric interpretations — Match lyrics to your message
  4. Sound transitions — Use audio cuts for creative editing
  5. Remix trending audio — Modify popular sounds for your brand
  6. Audio commentary — Talk over trending sounds
  7. Sound-based storytelling — Let audio drive the narrative
  8. Music mashups — Combine tracks creatively
  9. Silence contrasts — Quiet moments in loud trends
  10. Original audio creation — Start your own audio trend

Format-based trend ideas

  1. Transition challenges — Master smooth cut transitions
  2. Green screen effects — Layer yourself over images/video
  3. Timer challenges — Content created within time limits
  4. Hands-free reveals — Creative camera techniques
  5. Outfit/location changes — Instant transformation edits
  6. Text-on-screen trends — Use trending text formats
  7. Stop-motion content — Frame-by-frame creativity
  8. Looping videos — Seamless endings that encourage rewatches
  9. Template adaptations — Apply viral templates to your niche
  10. Visual effect trends — Use popular effects strategically

Niche-specific YouTube Shorts content ideas

For tech and gaming creators

  1. Quick tips — “One setting that changed everything”
  2. Build guides — Time-lapse of projects
  3. Gear showcases — New equipment or setups
  4. Tutorial snippets — Bite-sized how-tos
  5. Gameplay highlights — Best moments from streams
  6. Troubleshooting — Fix common tech problems
  7. News recaps — Latest updates in tech/gaming
  8. Comparison videos — “X vs Y: Which wins?”
  9. Hidden features — Tips most people don’t know
  10. Setup tours — Desk or gaming station reveals

For fitness and wellness creators

  1. Exercise form checks — Right vs wrong technique
  2. Quick workouts — Routines under 60 seconds
  3. Meal prep ideas — Healthy eating made visual
  4. Recovery routines — Stretching and mobility
  5. Progress updates — Fitness journey documentation
  6. Myth-busting — Common fitness misconceptions
  7. Equipment reviews — Home gym gear insights
  8. Motivation moments — Short inspirational clips
  9. Challenge tracking — 30-day or other challenges
  10. Wellness tips — Mental health and self-care

For business and marketing

  1. Marketing breakdowns — Analyze campaigns or strategies
  2. Tool recommendations — Software that saves time
  3. Client wins — Case studies and results
  4. Productivity hacks — Work smarter, not harder
  5. Industry news — Quick updates and takes
  6. Business tips — Entrepreneurship insights
  7. Sales strategies — Conversion optimization ideas
  8. Leadership lessons — Management and team building
  9. Hiring insights — Recruitment and culture
  10. Financial tips — Business money management

For beauty and fashion

  1. Get ready with me — Morning or event routines
  2. Style transformations — Outfit changes and styling
  3. Product reviews — Honest beauty or fashion feedback
  4. Trend breakdowns — How to wear current trends
  5. Dupes and alternatives — Budget-friendly finds
  6. Styling tips — How to style specific pieces
  7. Hair and makeup tutorials — Quick beauty routines
  8. Haul reveals — Shopping trip showcases
  9. Wardrobe organization — Closet tours and tips
  10. Seasonal looks — Weather-appropriate styling

For food and recipe creators

  1. Quick recipes — Dishes under 15 minutes
  2. Ingredient spotlights — Focus on single ingredients
  3. Kitchen hacks — Cooking time-savers
  4. Meal prep plans — Weekly prep routines
  5. Food comparisons — Taste tests or brand comparisons
  6. Cooking techniques — Skill-building content
  7. Restaurant reviews — Honest dining feedback
  8. Recipe remixes — Twists on classic dishes
  9. Food styling tips — Make dishes camera-ready
  10. Ingredient substitutions — Swap options for recipes

Viral patterns: What makes YouTube Shorts content ideas work

Understanding why certain YouTube Shorts content ideas go viral helps you create more winners.

The hook-pattern-repeat framework

After analyzing thousands of viral Shorts, a clear pattern emerges:

Hook (0-3 seconds) — Grab attention instantly

  • Visual shock or movement
  • Controversial statement
  • Curiosity gap
  • Number promise

Pattern (3-50 seconds) — Deliver on your promise

  • Clear progression
  • Visual changes every 1-2 seconds
  • Text reinforcement
  • Building toward payoff

Repeat/CTA (50-60 seconds) — Encourage engagement

  • Loop back to beginning
  • Clear call-to-action
  • Tease next video
  • Prompt comment or share

High-performing content archetypes

Archetype Structure Best For
The Reveal Build tension → Payoff Transformations, unboxings
The List — Numbered items → Value delivery Tutorials, tips
The Contrast — Before vs After, Wrong vs Right Comparisons, education
The Story — Hook → Journey → Resolution Personal content, BTS
The Challenge — Setup → Attempt → Result Entertainment, fitness

How to find trending YouTube Shorts content ideas

Having a library of ideas is essential. But consistently creating viral content requires knowing what’s trending right now.

Manual trend discovery methods

1. Monitor the Shorts feed daily

Spend 15 minutes scrolling through YouTube Shorts. Note:

  • Recurring audio tracks
  • Common formats or transitions
  • Hashtags that appear frequently
  • Content styles in your niche

2. Track competitor activity

Identify 5-10 channels in your niche and watch for:

  • Their top-performing content patterns
  • Trends they’re early to adopt
  • Gaps in their content you can fill
  • Posting frequency and timing

3. Use YouTube Analytics

Check your analytics for:

  • Your best-performing content types
  • When your audience is most active
  • Which topics drive the most engagement
  • Traffic sources for your top Shorts

4. Cross-platform trend monitoring

Trends often start on TikTok before hitting YouTube Shorts. Monitor:

  • TikTok’s Discover page
  • Twitter trend discussions
  • Instagram Reels rising content

Automated trend discovery with ContHunt

Manual trend research is time-consuming and prone to bias. ContHunt automates the process of finding YouTube Shorts content ideas that are actually gaining traction.

Multi-platform viral analysis

See what’s working across YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels simultaneously. A format trending on TikTok today might be your viral Short tomorrow.

Velocity Metrics

Identify videos growing faster than their baseline engagement—catching trends before they saturate. Instead of chasing content that’s already peaked, you find emerging patterns early.

Pattern extraction

Find a Short that’s crushing it in your niche? ContHunt can analyze it frame-by-frame and extract:

  • Hook structures that work
  • Pacing that maintains retention
  • Visual transitions that keep attention
  • Audio choices that enhance performance

Turn one winning idea into dozens of variations.

Competitive intelligence

See what content is working for competitors in your niche without following or subscribing to their channels. Get clean data on:

  • Their top formats
  • Their posting frequency
  • Their trending topics
  • Their engagement patterns

Niche discovery

Find adjacent niches and subtopics you might be missing. Expand your content strategy into areas your competitors haven’t discovered yet.

Creating a content idea system that never runs dry

The creators who never run out of YouTube Shorts content ideas don’t have better ideas—they have better systems.

The 3-bucket content system

Organize your ideas into three buckets:

Bucket 1: Evergreen content (60%)

  • Tutorials, tips, educational content
  • Performs consistently over time
  • Can be reposted or repurposed

Bucket 2: Trending content (30%)

  • Trend adaptations, audio jumps, format experiments
  • High short-term potential
  • Time-sensitive

Bucket 3: Experimental content (10%)

  • New formats, risky ideas, tests
  • May fail or may become your new best performer
  • Keeps your content fresh

Build your idea bank

Capture ideas constantly:

  • Note app on your phone
  • Spreadsheet with categories
  • Physical notebook for brainstorming
  • Voice memos for ideas on the go

Organize by:

  • Content type (educational, entertainment, BTS)
  • Production effort (low, medium, high)
  • Niche category
  • Target keyword or hashtag

Tag with:

  • Seasonality (evergreen, timely, dated)
  • Previous performance
  • Production notes

Batch production workflow

Instead of creating one Short at a time:

  1. Idea generation session — 1 hour, generate 20+ ideas
  2. Scripting batch — Write captions and shot lists
  3. Filming day — Shoot multiple Shorts in one session
  4. Editing batch — Edit 5-10 at once
  5. Scheduling — Use YouTube Studio to schedule ahead

This workflow reduces context switching and ensures you always have content ready to post.

Measuring which YouTube Shorts content ideas work

Not all ideas will perform equally. Track and iterate to find what resonates with your specific audience.

Key metrics to watch

Metric What It Means Good Benchmark
Views Total reach Varies by subscriber count
Average view duration Retention quality 50%+ of video length
Swipe rate Hook effectiveness Lower is better
Engagement rate Content resonance 5%+ of viewers
Shares Viral potential 2%+ of viewers
Saves Value delivered 3%+ of viewers
Comments Community building 1%+ of viewers
Subscribers gained Conversion impact Track consistently

Weekly review process (20 minutes)

  1. List your top 3 and bottom 3 Shorts from the week
  2. Identify patterns — What did winners have in common?
  3. Note outliers — Any surprises in performance?
  4. Extract insights — What should you do more/less of?
  5. Update your content bank — Add variations of winning formats

Test and iterate

When you find a YouTube Shorts content idea that works:

  • Create variations — Same format, different topic
  • Test hooks — Different openings to the same content
  • Experiment with length — Does shorter or longer perform better?
  • Try different captions — Test CTAs and descriptions
  • Adjust posting times — Morning vs. evening performance

Quick-reference: YouTube Shorts content ideas by category

Category Idea Count Best For
Educational 20 Saves, long-term growth
Entertainment 20 Views, shares, watch time
Behind-the-scenes 10 Trust, authenticity
Engagement-driven 20 Community, comments
Product/Service 10 Conversions, sales
Trending Audio 10 Algorithm reach
Trending Formats 10 Discoverability
Tech/Gaming 10 Niche authority
Fitness/Wellness 10 Motivation, saves
Business/Marketing 10 Professional credibility
Beauty/Fashion 10 Visual appeal
Food/Recipes 10 Saves, inspiration

Start creating YouTube Shorts that actually perform

You now have 150+ YouTube Shorts content ideas to pull from. But ideas without execution don’t grow channels.

Your next 7 days:

  1. Choose 3-5 categories that align with your niche
  2. Select 10 ideas from this guide
  3. Batch film all 10 in one session
  4. Post 1-2 daily for the next week
  5. Review performance and double down on what works

The creators who win on YouTube Shorts aren’t necessarily the most creative—they’re the most consistent. Having a library of proven ideas removes the friction from daily posting.

Discover viral ideas automatically with ContHunt

Manual trend research works, but it’s slow and limited to what you can see.

ContHunt’s content intelligence platform automates the entire process:

  • Scan millions of Shorts to find emerging trends in your niche
  • Get velocity alerts when formats start gaining momentum
  • Extract proven frameworks from top-performing content
  • Monitor competitors without following or subscribing
  • Receive weekly trend reports tailored to your audience

Stop guessing what content will work. Get data-backed YouTube Shorts content ideas delivered to your dashboard.

Start your free trial and never run out of winning content ideas again.

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