Almost every ranking video is built from clips the creator didn't film. That's the format's whole premise - but it also means every ranking-video creator is operating in a real legal gray area that's worth understanding rather than ignoring.

Where the risk actually comes from

Using someone else's video footage without permission can implicate their copyright in that footage. Platforms enforce this primarily through automated content-matching systems and creator takedown requests - not through predicting your intent, so even a well-meaning compilation can get flagged if the underlying content is matched and reported.

Does "fair use" cover ranking videos?

Fair use (in the US) and similar exceptions in other countries can sometimes apply to commentary, criticism, or transformation of existing footage - but it's a case-by-case legal test, not a blanket exemption, and simply re-ranking clips with a number overlay is a weaker transformation argument than, say, detailed critical commentary over the footage. Don't assume a ranking format is automatically "fair use."

Practical ways to lower your risk

  • Credit the original creator - a caption credit or corner watermark ("via @username") is standard practice across ranking-video channels and shows good faith, even though it doesn't eliminate legal risk on its own.
  • Favor clips with visible permissive licensing - some creators explicitly allow reuse; prioritize those when you can.
  • Respond promptly to takedown requests rather than disputing reflexively - a fast, cooperative response is generally better for your channel's standing than a fight.
  • Avoid monetizing a specific clip a creator has clearly objected to, even if it hasn't been formally claimed yet.

What about using your own footage instead?

Filming or sourcing your own clips sidesteps the issue entirely, at the cost of losing the "borrowed virality" advantage of using footage that's already proven itself elsewhere. Some channels mix both - a base of licensed or original clips, occasionally supplemented by credited third-party footage.

However you source clips

Shortszilla handles the editing the same way either way - paste links or upload your own footage, and it builds the ranking video.

Try it free →

Frequently Asked Questions

Does crediting the creator make it legal?

Not automatically - crediting is good practice and can reduce friction with the original creator, but it doesn't substitute for permission or a valid fair-use argument.

What happens if a clip gets claimed after I post?

Typically the platform will apply a copyright claim (which may restrict monetization on that specific video) or, in more serious cases, a takedown - see the specific platform's copyright policy for its process.