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How to Add Music to YouTube Shorts on PC and Mobile

September 2, 2025
•Danny G.
how to-add-music-to-youtube-shorts

Scroll through any batch of viral Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts, and you’ll quickly notice one thing: music matters. The right track can turn a simple clip into a scroll-stopping moment. If you’re trying to figure out how to add music to YouTube Shorts, you’re already one step closer to making your videos more engaging, entertaining, and shareable.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to add music on both PC and mobile, whether you’re using YouTube’s built-in tools or uploading pre-edited content. We’ll also cover tips on choosing trending sounds, syncing audio with visuals, and avoiding common mistakes.

And if you want to streamline your editing process, a clip creator tool can help you create polished Shorts with music, text, transitions, and more, without spending hours learning complicated software.

Importance of Music for YouTube Shorts

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Music enhances videos. Creators have long understood that soundtracks trigger feelings, from joy to sadness to excitement. This connection can help viewers relate to your content. 

How Music Boosts Engagement

Music captures attention and holds it. This is key for Shorts, where you have only a few seconds to hook viewers. Longer watch times signal to YouTube that your content is worth promoting. 

The Impact of Music on Virality

Adding music to your Shorts can help them go viral. Popular songs may get your videos recommended in the “Shorts shelf” or “Explore” sections. Even lesser-known tracks can boost discoverability. 

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How to Add Music to YouTube Shorts on PC and Mobile

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YouTube has made it simple to include music in your Shorts. But as with all things creative, it’s essential to understand the rules. The YouTube Audio Library is a fantastic resource for free music and sound effects. Anything in this library is free from copyright issues, so that you can use it in your Shorts without worry. Just be sure to double-check that whatever song you want to use is in the library before you create your video. 

Adding Music to YouTube Shorts from the YouTube Library

The YouTube Audio Library is the safest way to add music to YouTube Shorts without worrying about copyright. 

Here’s how you can do it: 

Adding Music to YouTube Shorts On PC: 

If you’re looking for ways to add music to YouTube Shorts on a laptop or desktop, follow these steps:  

  1. Go to YouTube Studio and sign in to your YouTube account. 
  2. Click on “Audio Library” on the right-hand side.  
  3. Browse and select a song from YouTube’s Audio Library.  
  4. Use a tool like Adobe Express to add the music you download from the YouTube library to your video. 
  5. Optional: Use Crayo AI to add Subtitles to your YouTube shorts. 
  6. Go to YouTube Studio. 
  7. Upload your YouTube Shorts and add all the necessary details. 

Adding Music to YouTube Shorts On the YouTube Mobile App: 

The YouTube mobile app makes it easy to add music to a YouTube Short even before you start recording. 

  1. Open the YouTube app and tap the ‘+’ button at the bottom of the screen. Choose ‘Create a Short’. 
  2. Tap the “Add Sound” button at the top of the screen. This will open the music library. 
  3. Explore the YouTube Library. You can browse through different categories like “Top sounds,” “Trending,” or search for specific songs or moods. 
  4. Tap on the desired song to preview it. 
  5. Select Song Segment. You can adjust the starting point of the music by dragging the bar below the song title. 
  6. Press the red record button to start filming your Short with the chosen music playing in the background. 
  7. After recording, you can further edit your Short with other tools and finally publish it. 
  8. You can also directly select your video clip from the Gallery in the 6th step by clicking on the bottom left of the screen. 

How Crayo Can Help You Create Shorts with Music

Crayo AI is the fastest way to create short videos. Create unlimited short videos at once. Crayo even auto-generates captions, effects, background, and music for you. Seize the opportunity of a lifetime and earn easy money with the TikTok Creator Fund program. Go from ideas to short videos in seconds: 

  1. Write an outline/prompt
  2. Customize the style (select a background video, voice narrator, and music from Crayo’s free templates)
  3. Finish and export! Go viral, make money, and make clips in seconds with Crayo. 

Try Crayo’s free clip creator tool today. Just click the ‘Try Now’ button on our homepage to get started. No account required! Transform your prompt into viral short videos in minutes with Crayo.

How to Find Trendy Music for YouTube Shorts in 5 Ways

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Tap Into the Shorts Feed for Trending Tunes

Regularly browsing the Shorts feed on YouTube is a great way to find trending music. This is where you’ll discover a variety of videos from different creators, and you can quickly know which sounds are being used frequently. 

Use YouTube’s Audio Library for Free Music

YouTube offers a free-to-use Audio Library that includes a selection of music and sound effects. This library often features trending tracks that are popular among creators. You can access it through the YouTube Studio. 

Search for Trending Sounds When Uploading

When uploading a Short, you can click on Add Sound and type trending in the search bar. This will show you a list of trending sounds that you can use. 

Follow Popular Creators to Spot Trends

Pay attention to the sounds popular creators use in their Shorts videos. These creators often set trends, and by following them, you can discover what's currently trending in music. 

Check Other Social Media Platforms for Insights

Keep an eye on trends on other social media platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Often, sounds that go viral on these platforms will also be popular on YouTube Shorts. 

8 Tips on How to Make YouTube Shorts

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1. Leverage Crayo AI for Effortless Video Creation  

Crayo AI streamlines the process of producing YouTube Shorts. With its capability to generate unlimited short videos simultaneously, it saves time and enhances creativity. You can create unique content from scratch or repurpose existing material. Crayo AI’s features include automated captioning, effect suggestions, background choices, and music integration. Try the free clip creator tool and start making Shorts quickly today.

2. Craft a Compelling Title for Your Short  

An enticing title can significantly impact the performance of your YouTube Short. Use the title to hook viewers’ attention and encourage them to watch the video until the end. Experiment with different styles and approaches to find what resonates with your audience. Aim for brevity and clarity, and consider including keywords to improve searchability.

3. Capture Attention in the First Few Seconds  

The opening moments of your Short are crucial for engaging viewers. Develop a strong hook to entice them to keep watching. Avoid clickbait tactics, as they can frustrate viewers and lead to quick exits. Instead, brainstorm various hook ideas before filming and test different approaches to see what works best.

4. Design an Engaging Loop for Your Short  

YouTube Shorts automatically play on a loop, so it’s important to create a seamless viewing experience. A well-crafted loop encourages repeat views, boosting your video’s performance. When filming and editing, consider how to transition from the end of your Short back to the beginning without disrupting the flow.

5. Maintain Viewer Interest Throughout Your Short  

Keeping your audience engaged for the entire duration of your Short is essential. To do this, plan ways to re-capture their attention at multiple points during the video. This could involve using visual or audio surprises, introducing new elements, or incorporating trending sounds. Regularly experimenting with different techniques can help you identify what resonates with your viewers.

6. Establish a Consistent Creation Routine  

To maximize your chances of going viral with YouTube Shorts, prioritize consistent content creation. Whether you aim to post one Short a day or a week, find a schedule that works for you and stick to it. Regularly publishing content will help you refine your skills, grow your audience, and increase your chances of success.

7. Utilize Relevant Hashtags for Discoverability  

Hashtags are a valuable tool for improving the visibility of your YouTube Shorts. Research popular hashtags within your niche and consider incorporating them to help your content reach a wider audience. You can also experiment with trending hashtags to capitalize on timely conversations and increase your Shorts’ exposure.

8. Timing Your Shorts for Maximum Impact  

While there’s no definitive best time to post YouTube Shorts, experimenting with different schedules can help you identify optimal windows for your audience. Research suggests that Thursdays through Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. are ideal for posting, but you should also analyze your own audience’s behavior using YouTube Analytics.

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Create Viral Shorts In Seconds With Crayo

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Crayo AI is the ultimate tool for anyone looking to create viral shorts quickly and effortlessly. With Crayo, you can generate unlimited shorts at once, streamlining your content creation process. The platform automatically generates captions, effects, backgrounds, and music, allowing you to focus on your message rather than the technical details. Simply outline your idea, customize the style, and export your video in seconds. Crayo also offers a free clip creator tool so that you can try it out without any commitment. Don’t miss your chance to go viral and monetize your content with Crayo.

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