YouTube is finally rolling out its own custom effects maker for use on YouTube Shorts. After a year of testing, this marks the official launch of Effects Maker which is currently available on desktop web. The launch brings it to many eligible markets worldwide; the MENA and South Asia regions make up a good selection.
The new web-based tool enables creators to build their own effects for use in Shorts clips. This allows users to create, publish, and manage effects for YouTube Shorts.
Think of YouTube Effects Maker similar to Snapchat’s Lens Studio and TikTok’s Effects House, except it runs via tour browser. The tool gives creators what they’d need to create engaging effects for use in Shorts clips. This could help to spark more engagement and interest on YouTube itself, especially with the format seeing billions of views daily.
Eligibility and Geographic Availability
The biggest positive is that you don’t need to be part of the YouTube Partner Program to create it. You just need to ensure you have access to the advanced features on YouTube (see here on guide). Once you create and publish an effect, it’s available to all users who can create shorts. All published effects will also be viewable on the owner’s YouTube channel
Via the dedicated Google Support page, Google does list out the eligible geographic regions in two-letter country code. I did the legwork to breakdown the MENA and South Asia regions.
- GCC: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain
- Wider Middle East: Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen
- North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Libya,
- South Asia: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
- Others: Turkey, Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria
If you’re brain is already brewing with ideas, you can start using Effects Maker it via your desktop. Below is a getting started video that gives an overview before you dive in.
