How to Repurpose YouTube Shorts as Instagram Reels
7/1/2025
|Team CapsAI
- Start with Capsai’s video import tool
Visit https://capsai.co/, select “YouTube URL,” paste your Short’s link, and let Capsai fetch the clip. This ensures you get the highest quality MP4 ready for editing. - Trim and reformat for 9:16
In Capsai’s editor or your preferred video app, change the aspect ratio from 16:9 (YouTube format) to 9:16 vertical. Crop or blur sidebars as needed so your content fills the full screen on Instagram Reels. - Adjust the hook timing
YouTube Shorts sometimes start with intros or branding. Use Capsai’s timeline controls to cut any preamble, then reposition your main hook within the first 2 seconds to match Reels best practices. - Auto-generate and embed subtitles
Use Capsai Auto Subtitle Generator (https://capsai.co/auto-subtitle-generator) to create Hinglish, Hindi, or English captions. Sync them with your trimmed clip and burn them into the video to engage mute viewers on Reels. - Add Instagram-friendly on-screen text and stickers
Overlay any extra captions, CTAs, or stickers using Capsai’s text tools or in-app Reels features. Keep lines short (2 lines of 25–30 characters) and position them away from Instagram’s UI elements. - Swap or layer audio if needed
Reels often perform better with trending in-app music. Mute the original audio track in Capsai, then export a silent video. In Instagram, add a trending song or sound effect that complements your content. - Export at optimal settings
From Capsai, export your final MP4 at 1080×1920 resolution and at least 25 fps. This ensures smooth playback and the best quality when uploaded to Instagram Reels. - Upload and optimize your Reel
In Instagram, tap the + icon, select Reels, choose your exported video, then on the editing screen add any final stickers or filters. Confirm that subtitles and on-screen text are legible. - Write a compelling caption with hashtags
Include a hook in the first line, a brief description, and 5–8 smart hashtags (mix broad, niche, and regional). - Publish and cross-promote
Share your new Reel, then post a Story with a “New Reel” sticker linking to it. Encourage engagement by asking viewers to comment, save, or share—this early activity helps Reels reach more users.
- Start with Capsai’s video import tool
Visit https://capsai.co/, select “YouTube URL,” paste your Short’s link, and let Capsai fetch the clip. This ensures you get the highest quality MP4 ready for editing. - Trim and reformat for 9:16
In Capsai’s editor or your preferred video app, change the aspect ratio from 16:9 (YouTube format) to 9:16 vertical. Crop or blur sidebars as needed so your content fills the full screen on Instagram Reels. - Adjust the hook timing
YouTube Shorts sometimes start with intros or branding. Use Capsai’s timeline controls to cut any preamble, then reposition your main hook within the first 2 seconds to match Reels best practices. - Auto-generate and embed subtitles
Use Capsai Auto Subtitle Generator (https://capsai.co/auto-subtitle-generator) to create Hinglish, Hindi, or English captions. Sync them with your trimmed clip and burn them into the video to engage mute viewers on Reels. - Add Instagram-friendly on-screen text and stickers
Overlay any extra captions, CTAs, or stickers using Capsai’s text tools or in-app Reels features. Keep lines short (2 lines of 25–30 characters) and position them away from Instagram’s UI elements. - Swap or layer audio if needed
Reels often perform better with trending in-app music. Mute the original audio track in Capsai, then export a silent video. In Instagram, add a trending song or sound effect that complements your content. - Export at optimal settings
From Capsai, export your final MP4 at 1080×1920 resolution and at least 25 fps. This ensures smooth playback and the best quality when uploaded to Instagram Reels. - Upload and optimize your Reel
In Instagram, tap the + icon, select Reels, choose your exported video, then on the editing screen add any final stickers or filters. Confirm that subtitles and on-screen text are legible. - Write a compelling caption with hashtags
Include a hook in the first line, a brief description, and 5–8 smart hashtags (mix broad, niche, and regional). - Publish and cross-promote
Share your new Reel, then post a Story with a “New Reel” sticker linking to it. Encourage engagement by asking viewers to comment, save, or share—this early activity helps Reels reach more users.