The Video Clips tool in YouTube Studio lets creators take segments from long-form videos and turn them into new standalone videos. It is available to all creators and works on all uploaded videos.
What the Tool Does
- Extracts engaging moments from existing videos
- Creates new uploaded videos from selected segments
- Uses transcript or timeline selection to define clip boundaries
- Helps repurpose long-form content into multiple videos
How to Create a Video Clip
- Go to YouTube Studio → Content → Videos
- Open the video you want to clip
- Select Clips → Create video clip
- Choose the clip segment using one of three methods:
Option 1: Transcript Selection
- Highlight text in the transcript
- Click Confirm selection
Option 2: Word-Based Start/End
- Click a word to set Start
- Click another word to set End
Option 3: Timestamp Selection
- Enter start timestamp and click Set as Start
- Enter or drag to end timestamp and click Set as End
Creating the Clip
- Click Create Draft
- Preview the clip in the upload window
- Optionally add:
- Intro video
- Outro video
- Complete upload settings and publish
AI-Powered Clip Suggestions
YouTube may automatically suggest highlights for eligible videos.
Features
- Detects key moments from videos (especially podcasts)
- Provides AI-generated outlines for navigation
- Suggests ready-made clip segments
Availability
- English-language podcast videos
- Primarily available in US and Canada
Using AI Suggestions
- Open video in YouTube Studio
- Go to Clips → Create video clip
- Review suggested clips
- Select or adjust start/end points
- Create draft and publish
Important Notes
- Clips are standard 16:9 videos (not Shorts)
- Transcript is based on auto-generated captions
- Caption editing must be done in the Subtitles tool, not Clips
- AI suggestions may include titles (editable)
Where to Find Your Clips
- Go to YouTube Studio → Content → Videos
- Or open the original video → Details → Clips tab
FAQ
Should clips be added to podcast playlists?
No. Only full episodes should be included in podcast playlists.
Can I link a clip to the original video?
Yes. Add the original video link in the description.
Can I make Shorts using this tool?
No. Clips are created in 16:9 format only.
Will I get copyright penalties for clipping my own content?
No. Reusing your own content is allowed.
How is this different from the Clips feature?
- Video Clips tool: creates new uploaded videos
- Clips feature (viewer tool): lets viewers share short segments without uploading new videos
- Clip high-engagement moments (hooks, reactions, highlights)
- Use clear titles for each clip
- Add context in descriptions when needed
- Avoid over-clipping low-value sections
- Repurpose long content strategically to increase reach
