How to Turn Kick VODs into YouTube Shorts
Updated October 19, 2026
Kick streams can make great short-form content. Here's how to go from a Kick VOD to a ready-to-post Short.
1. Find your VOD
Your past broadcasts are on your Kick channel page under Videos. Kick also has a built-in clip tool for short moments, but those clips are horizontal and short. To make a proper Short you'll usually want the source footage.
2. Get the footage
Download your own VOD from your channel or creator dashboard if that option is available to you. The simplest option is to record locally in OBS while you stream, or use OBS Replay Buffer to save moments as they happen. Local recordings are higher quality than any downloaded VOD.
3. Cut, reframe, caption
Trim to the moment (15–60 seconds), reframe to 9:16 with a stacked facecam-over-gameplay layout or a center crop, and add burned-in captions. CapCut and DaVinci Resolve are both free and can do all three.
4. Export for Shorts
Export as 1080×1920 MP4. YouTube treats vertical or square videos up to 3 minutes long as Shorts, but shorter clips with a fast hook usually do better.
5. Check the rules on clipping programs
If you're posting clips through a clipping campaign or rewards program, read its rules first. Some ban AI-made clips, watermarks or particular captions.
Rather not do it yourself? Clip Studio turns one stream VOD into 5 captioned vertical clips within 24 hours, and a human approves every clip. Monthly plans start at $79, or try one stream for $25. See plans