You've probably been there. You spend hours editing a vertical video, you upload it from your phone, and suddenly it’s stuck in the Shorts feed. It’s annoying. Maybe you wanted a traditional video with a custom thumbnail, a progress bar, and that specific long-form "vibe." But YouTube's algorithm is aggressive. It sees a vertical aspect ratio and under 60 seconds of runtime, and it just grabs it.
Knowing how to make a YouTube video not a short is honestly about understanding the rigid, technical "tripwires" YouTube uses to categorize content. If you trip even one, you're back in the vertical scroll.
The 60-Second Trap and the Aspect Ratio Rule
The most basic reason your video became a Short is simple math. YouTube defines a Short as any video that is vertical (9:16) or square (1:1) and under 60 seconds. That’s the threshold. If your video is 59 seconds and vertical, it’s a Short. There is no "opt-out" button in the upload flow.
Want to beat it? The easiest way is to add a few seconds of "padding" to the end. If your video hits 61 seconds, it physically cannot be a Short. It’s technically impossible under the current platform rules. I’ve seen creators use a simple end-card or a few seconds of black screen just to push the duration past that minute mark. It works every time.
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But duration isn't the only factor. Aspect ratio is the bigger headache.
YouTube looks for a 9:16 aspect ratio—think 1080x1920 pixels. If you want a vertical-looking video to stay as a "regular" video, you have to trick the system. One way is to edit your vertical footage inside a horizontal 1920x1080 project. You'll end up with "pillar boxes" (black bars on the sides), but YouTube will see it as a landscape video. Problem solved.
Why Does YouTube Force the Shorts Format?
It’s all about the "Shorts Shelf." Google is competing with TikTok and Instagram Reels. They want that high-velocity engagement.
By funneling all vertical, short-form content into one place, they can keep users scrolling for hours. If you're a creator who wants deep engagement or ad revenue from the traditional Long-form Partner Program, this is frustrating. Shorts pay differently. They use a revenue-sharing pool that often pays significantly less per view than the traditional AdSense model for long videos.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a power struggle between the platform's goals and the creator's intent.
The Metadata Myth
Some people think adding #Shorts to the title is what makes it a Short. It’s not. That’s just a recommendation for better indexing. Even if you leave the hashtag out, if the video is 15 seconds and vertical, it will still end up in the Shorts player. You can't outsmart it with tags.
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Technical Fixes That Actually Work
If you’re sitting on a piece of content and you’re desperate for it to remain a "standard" video, you have two real paths.
The "61-Second" Rule. This is the gold standard. Go back into Premiere, CapCut, or DaVinci Resolve. Stretch your clips. Slow down a transition. Add an "Outro" where you ask people to subscribe. As long as the file info says 0:01:01, you are safe.
The Horizontal Canvas Trick. This is better for "cinematic" vertical content. Create a 16:9 project. Drop your 9:16 footage in the middle. You can even get creative and put a blurred version of the video in the background to fill the black space. Because the final export is technically 1920x1080, YouTube sees it as a "standard" video. This allows you to use the standard thumbnail uploader, which is a huge advantage for Click-Through Rate (CTR).
The Square Method. This one is a bit niche. While square videos (1:1) can be Shorts if they are under a minute, they are less likely to be pushed into the "Shorts Feed" than 9:16 videos. However, I wouldn't rely on this. It’s a gamble.
The Problem with Custom Thumbnails
One of the biggest reasons creators search for how to make a YouTube video not a short is the thumbnail issue. On a desktop, you can’t easily set a custom thumbnail for a Short that appears across all platforms. On a "regular" video, the thumbnail is your primary marketing tool.
If your video is a Short, YouTube mostly chooses a random frame for you. That’s a nightmare for branding. By forcing the video to be a "regular" upload (via the duration or aspect ratio tricks), you regain total control over your "A/B testing" and visual identity.
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A Note on Desktop Uploads vs. Mobile
There used to be a rumor that uploading from a desktop computer prevented a video from becoming a Short. That is totally false. I've tested this multiple times. YouTube’s backend processing scans the file metadata during the "Processing" phase. It doesn't care if you used a $4,000 Mac or a $200 Android. It looks at the height, width, and time. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a Short.
Rethinking Your Content Strategy
Maybe the question isn't just how to stop it, but if you should.
Shorts are incredible for discovery. A "regular" video might get 100 views from your current subscribers. A Short could get 10,000 views from people who have never heard of you because it’s being served in an algorithmic "lottery."
However, if you are doing a tutorial, a product review, or something where the viewer needs to skip around using the progress bar, the Shorts player is a disaster. It doesn't let users scrub through the video easily on mobile. It loops. It’s meant for entertainment, not utility.
Actionable Steps to Keep Your Videos "Long"
If you're ready to upload and want to ensure it stays in the traditional format, follow this checklist. Don't skip these.
First, check your export settings. Look at the resolution. If it says 1080x1920, you're in the danger zone. Change your sequence settings to 1920x1080. Yes, you will have black bars, but you will have a "Long" video.
Second, check your duration. If your edit is 58 seconds, don't export it yet. Find a way to make it 62 seconds. Those 4 extra seconds are the difference between a "Short" and a "Video."
Third, avoid the mobile "Create a Short" button. This seems obvious, but people forget. If you use the YouTube app's built-in camera tool, you are locked into the Shorts ecosystem. Always use a third-party camera app or your phone's native camera, then upload the file as a "Video" (though again, YouTube may still convert it if it meets the criteria).
Lastly, test with an unlisted upload. If you're unsure, upload the video as "Unlisted" first. Wait 10 minutes for the HD processing to finish. Look at your channel on your phone. If it appears with a "Shorts" logo or opens in the vertical player, you failed the technical check. Delete it, add 5 seconds, and re-upload.
The reality of YouTube in 2026 is that the platform wants more Shorts, but creators often want more control. By manipulating the 60-second limit and the frame aspect ratio, you can force the platform to treat your content exactly how you want it treated.