How to Make AI YouTube Shorts in Under 5 Minutes

Making YouTube Shorts used to mean hours of scripting, recording, editing, and adding captions. AI has compressed that entire process into minutes.

Whether you're running a faceless YouTube channel or supplementing your existing content, AI tools can generate complete Shorts — script, voiceover, visuals, and captions — from a single text prompt.

This guide shows you exactly how to do it, step by step, with the specific tools and prompts that work in 2026.

What you'll learn:

• How to make AI YouTube Shorts using free tools
• The exact 3-step process (topic → generate → publish)
• Prompt templates that produce better results
• How to optimize your Shorts for the algorithm

What You Need Before You Start

You don't need much:

• A YouTube channel (takes 2 minutes to create)
• An AI video tool (we'll use free options)
• A topic or niche to create content about

That's it. No camera, no microphone, no editing software.

The 3-Step Process

Step 1: Choose Your Topic

Your topic determines whether anyone watches your Short. Good topics share three traits:

1. Specific — "5 keyboard shortcuts most people don't know" beats "computer tips"
2. Curiosity-driven — The viewer should feel they'll miss out by scrolling past
3. Completable in 60 seconds — If the topic needs 10 minutes of explanation, it's not a Short

Quick topic formulas that work:

Formula	Example
[Number] [thing] you didn't know about [topic]	5 things you didn't know about sleep
How to [result] in [timeframe]	How to fall asleep in 2 minutes
Why [common belief] is wrong	Why 8 hours of sleep is wrong
[Topic] explained in 60 seconds	Compound interest explained in 60 seconds
Stop [common mistake]	Stop charging your phone overnight

Need more ideas? Browse our list of 50 faceless YouTube channel ideas or use the FlowShorts Niche Finder to discover trending topics.

Step 2: Generate Your Short with AI

There are two approaches: the manual multi-tool method and the automated one-click method.

Option A: Manual Method (Free, More Control)

Write the script using ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini:

Write a 150-word YouTube Shorts script about [topic]. Start with a hook that creates curiosity in the first 3 seconds. Use short, punchy sentences. End with a call to subscribe. Format: just the narration text, no stage directions.

Generate the voiceover with a free AI voice tool:

• ElevenLabs (free tier: 10 minutes/month)
• Play.ht (free tier available)
• Paste your script, select a voice, download the audio

Add visuals in a free editor:

• CapCut — import your audio, add stock footage or AI images, auto-generate captions
• Canva — use a Shorts template, add your audio track

Time required: 15–30 minutes per Short

Option B: Automated Method (Fastest)

Use an AI Shorts generator that handles everything in one step:

1. Open FlowShorts YouTube Shorts Generator
2. Enter your topic (e.g., "5 productivity tips for remote workers")
3. Select a voice style and visual theme
4. Click Generate

The tool creates the complete Short — script, AI voiceover, matched visuals, animated captions — ready to publish. You can preview and edit before posting.

Time required: Under 5 minutes per Short

Step 3: Optimize and Publish

A generated video is only half the job. Optimization determines whether your Short gets 100 views or 100,000.

Title: Include your target keyword naturally. Keep it under 70 characters. Add a curiosity element.

Example: "5 Keyboard Shortcuts That Save 2 Hours a Day" is better than "Useful Keyboard Shortcuts"

Description: Write 2–3 sentences. Include relevant keywords. Add hashtags (3–5 max): #Shorts #YouTubeShorts #[YourNiche]

Thumbnail: YouTube auto-selects a frame, but you can upload a custom thumbnail. Use bold text, high contrast, and a clean layout. This matters most when your Short appears in search results and the Shorts shelf.

Posting schedule:

• Post at least 3–5 Shorts per week for consistent growth
• Best times vary by niche, but 12pm–3pm and 7pm–9pm in your audience's timezone tend to perform well
• Use YouTube Studio's "When your viewers are on YouTube" data once you have enough analytics

First 3 seconds: The hook determines everything. If viewers scroll past in the first 3 seconds, the algorithm buries your Short. Start with a bold claim, a question, or a surprising fact — never a greeting or intro.

Prompt Templates for Better AI Shorts

The quality of your AI-generated Short depends almost entirely on your prompt. Here are templates optimized for each content type:

Educational/How-to:

Create a 60-second video script about [topic]. Open with "Most people don't know this, but..." followed by 3–5 actionable tips. Use conversational language. End with "Follow for more [niche] tips."

Listicle:

Write a fast-paced 45-second script listing [number] [items]. Start with "Here are [number] [items] you need to know." Deliver each item in 1–2 sentences. No filler words.

Myth-busting:

Write a 50-second script debunking the myth that [common belief]. Start with the myth stated as fact, then reveal why it's wrong with evidence. End with the correct information.

Story/Hook:

Write a 60-second YouTube Shorts script telling the story of [topic/event]. Start mid-action to hook viewers immediately. Use present tense for urgency. Keep sentences under 10 words.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Starting with "Hey guys" — You lose 50%+ of viewers in the first second. Start with content, not greetings.

Making Shorts too long — 30–45 seconds is the sweet spot. Shorts can be up to 3 minutes, but shorter Shorts get replayed more, which boosts algorithmic ranking.

Ignoring captions — 85% of short-form video is watched without sound. If your Short doesn't have captions, most viewers won't understand it. Every AI tool mentioned above adds captions automatically.

Inconsistent posting — The YouTube Shorts algorithm rewards consistency. Posting one Short per month won't build momentum. Aim for at least 3 per week. If that feels like a lot, automation tools like FlowShorts can handle the production so you just review and approve.

Using generic AI output without review — AI gets you 80% of the way. Always review the script for accuracy, adjust the hook, and make sure the content actually delivers on the title's promise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make YouTube Shorts with AI for free?

Yes. You can use ChatGPT (free tier) for scripts, ElevenLabs (free tier) for voiceover, and CapCut (free) for editing and captions. The entire workflow costs nothing. For a faster all-in-one option, FlowShorts offers 1 free video per month with no watermark.

How long should AI YouTube Shorts be?

30–45 seconds performs best for most niches. Shorter Shorts get more replays (loop completions), which signals quality to the algorithm. You can go up to 3 minutes, but keep it tight — every second should earn the next second of watch time.

Can I monetize AI-generated YouTube Shorts?

Yes. YouTube allows monetization of AI-assisted content through the YouTube Partner Program (500 subscribers + 3M Shorts views or 3,000 watch hours). You must disclose AI-generated content where required by YouTube's policies and ensure your content provides genuine value to viewers.

Is AI content allowed on YouTube?

Yes. YouTube's policy permits AI-generated content as long as it follows community guidelines and provides value. You must disclose realistic AI-generated content (like deepfakes) using YouTube's AI disclosure label. Educational, informational, and entertainment content made with AI tools is fully allowed.

How many AI Shorts should I post per day?

1–3 per day is the recommended range. Posting more than 3 risks being flagged as spam. Quality matters more than quantity — one well-crafted Short that hooks viewers will outperform five generic ones. Start with 1 per day and scale up as you refine your process.

Start Making AI Shorts Now

Here's the fastest path from zero to published:

1. Pick a topic from the formulas above
2. Open FlowShorts YouTube Shorts Generator
3. Enter your topic and generate
4. Review, optimize the title, and publish

Your first AI YouTube Short can be live in under 5 minutes. The creators growing fastest on YouTube Shorts aren't spending hours editing — they're using AI to produce more content, faster, and letting the algorithm find the winners.

Make your first AI Short free →