How to edit YouTube reaction videos

Do you want to create a reaction video for YouTube? From music and sports videos to epic fails and gameplays, express your reactions to absolutely any video.

Just record your reaction using the online webcam recorder, add your webcam video on top of the video you’re reacting to, add special effects like text and transitions, then share directly to YouTube. You can even change the layout using the split screen editing technique to place your videos side by side.  

Read on to explore how to make reaction videos on YouTube with no downloads needed in Clipchamp.  

What is a YouTube reaction video?

A reaction video is a style of video content where creators record themselves reacting to another video like funny animals, before and after shots, video podcasts, and more.

When creating a reaction video, there’s two beginner-friendly editing styles you can use that are suitable for YouTube. Edit a reaction video with the split screen technique placing two videos side-by-side on the screen or using a picture-in-picture video overlay.  

YouTube reaction video specifications

We recommend following these YouTube video specifications when creating your reaction video.  

• Video length: 3-5 minutes with verified creators up to 15 minutes. 

• Video file size: 128GB 

• Video format: MP4 is recommended 

• Video dimensions: 1080 x 1920  

• Video aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen 

 If you’re creating reaction videos for YouTube Shorts, we recommend following these specifications.  

• Video length: 60 seconds 

• Video format: MP4 is recommended 

• Video dimensions: 1920 x 1080 

• Video aspect ratio: 9:16 portrait  

How to make a YouTube reaction video

Step 1. Upload your video

To start creating your YouTube reaction video, import the video you would like to react to. Click on the import media button in the your media tab on the toolbar. Browse your computer files, import videos from your phone, or connect your OneDrive. 

If you’re reacting to a YouTube video, make sure you’re not breaching any copyright rules. 

Step 2. Add your video to the timeline

Drag and drop the video you’re reacting to onto the timeline or click on the add to timeline button.

Step 3. Locate the webcam recorder

Click on the record & create tab on the toolbar, then click on the camera button.

Step 4. Record your reaction video

A popup window will appear to start recording. Click on the allow button to allow access to your camera and microphone. To start recording, click on the red record button. Record up to 30 minutes of video, then click on the same red button to stop the recording.

Now you can now retake your recording or save and edit. Select one of the options. Once you have clicked the save and edit button, your video will automatically be added to the editing timeline and into the your media tab.

Step 5. Create a picture-in-picture effect

Make sure your webcam recording is above your video you’re reacting to on the timeline. Click on the webcam video so it’s highlighted green. The floating toolbar will appear on the video preview. Click on the picture-in-picture button.  

Next, select either top right, top left, bottom right, or bottom left placement options.  

You can also freehand edit the position and size of your video overlay using the corners and dragging and dropping the video to a new position.  

Step 6. Export in 1080p directly to YouTube

Before saving your reaction video, make sure to preview by clicking on the play button. When you’re ready to save, click on the export button and select a video resolution. We recommend saving all videos in 1080p video resolution for the best quality. If your video has 4K video footage, paid subscribers can save in 4K video resolution.  

Using the YouTube sharing integration, share your reaction video to YouTube directly from the exporting page.  

How to make a reaction video for YouTube Shorts?

Easily repost videos to YouTube Shorts using the online video resizer. Make your video fit every time by using the preset aspect ratios like 16:9 for YouTube, 9:16 for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Stories, 2:3 for Facebook and 1:1 for Instagram.

All you must do is click on the 16:9 aspect ratio button, then select 9:16 for YouTube Shorts. 

Adjust your video’s position in the video preview if needed, then save your video in 1080p video resolution. 

Add special effects to your YouTube reaction video

Generate subtitles

Make your YouTube reaction video more accessible and easier to follow on mute with auto-captions. Using the auto-captions feature, you can generate captions in just a few seconds, personalize the captions style, and even download a transcript of your video.  

Overlay animated text and titles

Drag and drop a motion title onto your reaction video to inform your viewers of a video's title, username, social media handles, expressions, and more. Choose from a wide range of colors, fonts, sizes, and positions for the text overlay to suit your reaction video.  

Connect videos with transitions

Make your reaction video look more polished and professional by adding quality transitions between video clips. Choose scene transitions like fade-out, spin, jump cut, swipe, glitch, and more. Just drag and drop a transition onto the timeline between two clips to apply. 

Customize with intro and outros for YouTube

Keep your YouTube reaction videos consistent and attention grabbing with an intro and outro video. Use a ready-made intro or outro video template, customize with your YouTube aesthetic and text, then save in HD 1080p. You can even add royalty-free background jingles to your intro and outro clips to make your videos stand out from your competitors. 

Whether you’re reacting to a gameplay or fitness video, create engaging and high-quality videos for free with Clipchamp.  

Find out more ways to level up your YouTube channel with branded YouTube channel trailers. You can even check out competitor analytics to stand out on YouTube.