Problem
Identify text placed where Shorts interface controls or account metadata can obscure it.
Solution
Root Cause / Diagnostic:
Platform UI elements—such as the channel avatar, title, sound metadata on the bottom and like/comment buttons on the right—cover up to 30% of the screen. Placing critical text inside these UI zones renders it unreadable.
Actionable Step-by-Step Fix:
1. Apply Platform Safe Zone Overlays: Use a standardized Shorts UI guide template in your video editor to mark restricted top, bottom, and right margin boundaries.
2. Maintain Vertical Padding: Keep all essential text within the vertical safe zone: at least 200 pixels down from the top and 350 pixels up from the bottom edge.
3. Restrict Horizontal Bounds: Inset on-screen text at least 100 pixels from the right edge to avoid collision with the engagement button column.
Pro Creator Tip:
Never let YouTube's buttons steal your headline. Always edit with a feed UI overlay active so you never place a punchline behind a like button.
Platform UI elements—such as the channel avatar, title, sound metadata on the bottom and like/comment buttons on the right—cover up to 30% of the screen. Placing critical text inside these UI zones renders it unreadable.
Actionable Step-by-Step Fix:
1. Apply Platform Safe Zone Overlays: Use a standardized Shorts UI guide template in your video editor to mark restricted top, bottom, and right margin boundaries.
2. Maintain Vertical Padding: Keep all essential text within the vertical safe zone: at least 200 pixels down from the top and 350 pixels up from the bottom edge.
3. Restrict Horizontal Bounds: Inset on-screen text at least 100 pixels from the right edge to avoid collision with the engagement button column.
Pro Creator Tip:
Never let YouTube's buttons steal your headline. Always edit with a feed UI overlay active so you never place a punchline behind a like button.