Finding a TikTok Replacement: A Deep Dive into YouTube Shorts
The looming specter of a TikTok ban in the US has sent ripples of concern through the internet landscape. While the platform certainly has its flaws, its widespread popularity is undeniable, and the potential loss of that short-form video haven is a significant blow for many. But fret not, fellow content consumers! The market, ever adaptable, has presented a plethora of alternatives, all vying to capture the attention of the TikTok-less masses.
Among these contenders, YouTube Shorts has emerged as a strong frontrunner, perhaps because it is conveniently integrated into a platform many already frequent. While YouTube itself isn’t without its shortcomings, the sheer talent and diverse content available on the platform is undeniable. Shorts, however, mirrors much of TikTok’s content ecosystem, both good and bad.
You’ll find the familiar landscape of ripped movie clips, uninspired reaction videos, and AI-generated content of dubious quality. Yet, amidst this digital detritus, genuine gems of entertainment, knowledge, and inspiration shine through. To help you navigate this landscape, I’ve compiled a list of 25 YouTube Shorts creators that I personally enjoy and recommend.
Culinary Delights & Foodie Adventures
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SJohnsonVoiceOvers, AKA SnackDaddy: Stefan Johnson, a professional voice actor, combines his vocal talents with a passion for food. His reviews of fast food and restaurant offerings are both insightful and genuinely funny. He also explores trending recipes, providing approachable advice for even amateur cooks.
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Turkuaz Kitchen: Betel Tunc showcases her love for traditional cooking methods, ingredients, and tools. Her short, visually stunning videos capture her intense focus as she crafts mouthwatering meals, set to calming music without narration. For more in-depth instructions, check out her main YouTube channel and cookbook.
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Jose.elcook: This creator ignites a craving for Mexican and Latin American cuisine with simple and straightforward recipes. His passion shines through, and his main channel features longer recipes and equipment reviews.
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CookShowTrevor: Prepare for culinary chaos! Trevor experiments with unconventional pizza toppings, often resulting in hilarious disasters. Despite the questionable results, his dedication to handmade pizza is admirable, earning him a solid seven out of ten.
Crafting & Creation
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JonPaulsBalls: Jon-Paul Wheatley meticulously crafts soccer balls (or footballs, depending on your location). His soothing narration and hypnotic design process, combining modern and old-fashioned techniques, make his videos captivating.
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SaraMicsPottery: Sara Luepker blends crafting instruction with personal insights and vlogging. Her willingness to showcase her pottery mishaps is relatable, and her shorts provide a glimpse into the satisfying tactile process of pottery.
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EoinReardon: This creator offers a glimpse into traditional carpentry techniques. His practical and straightforward approach makes his videos both educational and inspiring, even for those with limited woodworking experience.
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Tanner.Leathertein: Tanner dissects leather goods, like handbags and wallets, to educate viewers on leather quality and designer fashion pricing. He helps you identify genuine value versus inflated markups (or outright fakes).
Animal Antics & Care
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GirlWithTheDogs: Vanessa De Prohetis fearlessly tackles the challenging task of washing and grooming dogs and cats of all breeds. Her videos offer practical tips for DIY pet grooming and showcase her calm demeanor in handling even the most difficult animals.
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HaydenKristialandandCo: Comedian Hayden Kristal shares the ups and downs of life on a Colorado ranch, caring for horses and donkeys. Her humorous insights offer a relatable perspective on animal care.
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Cleolonglegs: These videos showcase the goofy charm of Borzoi dogs.
Comedy & Entertainment
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DustyMDouglas: This popular creator uses voiceovers in the style of America’s Funniest Home Videos, creating humorous and often cliché-filled scenarios.
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PunkeyDoodles8: This channel features audio from popular videos paired with cartoon illustrations and animation.
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MakeSomeNoiseDO: Snippets from the improvisational game show Make Some Noise on Dropout.TV are condensed into short, hilarious skits.
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ProZD: SungWon Cho, a voice actor, creates geeky skits that translate well to the short-form format.
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Jill Bearup: Jill Bearup deconstructs movie swordfights from a theatrical perspective, drawing on her expertise in stage combat. Her shorts often satirize fantasy and romance tropes.
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Jerry Wayne Live: Comedian Jerry Wayne offers comedic "Truck Astrology" videos, showcasing his genuine knowledge of pickup trucks and SUVs.
Tech & News
- UFDTech: Brett Stelmaszek and his team deliver concise consumer tech videos covering PCs, phones, video games, and more. Their no-frills style provides valuable information.
Science & History
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Miniminuteman773: Archeologist Milo Rossi debunks conspiracy theories related to archeology. His short videos offer quick and informative responses to pseudoscientific claims.
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OceanX: This channel chronicles the work of oceanographers on a research vessel, complete with submersibles and ROVs. It also features educational videos on various ocean-related topics.
Bonus: PCWorld & TheFullNerd
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PCWorld TikTok & YouTube Shorts: This is a shameless plug. I, Michael, create short summaries of PCWorld articles, and the video team creates visually engaging content with links to the full articles.
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The PCWorld YouTube Channel: The longer video content tackles the latest PC news and provides hands-on reviews of hardware and peripherals.
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TheFullNerd: A sister channel that hosts a weekly podcast and covers major PC-related events.
Personal Bias and Conclusion
These 23 creators represent a diverse range of content available on YouTube Shorts, offering something for everyone. However, I must address the elephant in the room: the current state of online video consumption. The potential TikTok ban is a reflection of a broader issue – the increasing dominance of short-form content and its impact on our attention spans. I’ve curated the above content to help users find educational and still entertaining content.
The shift towards shorter videos has both positive and negative consequences. On the one hand, it allows for quick access to information and entertainment. On the other hand, it can lead to superficial engagement and a lack of in-depth analysis. As we navigate the evolving landscape of online video, it’s important to be mindful of how we consume content and to seek out sources that offer both entertainment and substance.
There is also a desire to be on the cutting edge of video, which is always a struggle because, as someone who has been in this industry for over a decade, you are fighting against algorithms that may or may not recommend your content, depending on their priorities. And it often shifts with the wind. One thing will always remain, creating content will stay the same at its core. So I hope this guide helps you and you find some new interesting and insightful Shorts videos to watch and give you ideas for more!
