- YouTube will start rolling out Veo 3 on Shorts in select MENA countries, free for creators.
- 61% of Shorts users in Saudi and 54% in the UAE say they don’t use Instagram Reels.
- Auto Dubbing expands across MENA; already used by 51,000 Egyptian creators from Egyptian Arabic to English.
- Creator Partnerships Hub and Open Call land for brands in 2026.
- Surveys show YouTube tops brand research locally; Gen Z prefers video reviews and returns fewer items after researching on YouTube.
YouTube announced at Brandcast in Dubai that Veo 3, Google’s AI video model, is coming to YouTube Shorts in the Middle East and North Africa. It will be free for selected creators and starts rolling out in the coming weeks, English first. New regional data suggests a large Shorts audience that isn’t on Reels, especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
What was announced
YouTube is bringing Veo 3 to Shorts, with an English-first rollout and plans to widen access and languages over time. The move targets creators in select MENA countries and is free on Shorts.
- Veo 3 arrives on Shorts for select creators in MENA
- English first, more creators and languages to follow
- Part of YouTube’s AI push in the region
- Announced at Brandcast in Dubai
YouTube says Veo 3 generates high-definition video from prompts and will start reaching creators in the coming weeks. For a quick primer on what Veo 3 does, see our guide to what Veo 3 is.
The audience gap YouTube is eyeing
Fresh GWI data suggests many Shorts viewers aren’t reachable on Instagram Reels in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
- 61% of Shorts users in Saudi say they don’t use Reels
- 54% of Shorts users in the UAE also don’t use Reels
- Suggests unique reach for brands on YouTube
- Useful for campaigns that need incremental audiences
This gap matters for planning media. If you’re optimising spend across platforms, Shorts could deliver incremental reach you won’t find elsewhere.
New AI tools and features coming to MENA
Beyond Veo 3, YouTube flagged tools for creators and brands.
- Auto Dubbing expands across MENA
- Already live for 51,000 Egyptian creators from Egyptian Arabic to English
- Creator Partnerships Hub and Open Call slated for 2026
Aim: make brand-creator deals easier to find and manage
Auto Dubbing helps channels translate to reach cross-border audiences. The brand tools planned for 2026 suggest a more structured marketplace for creator partnerships across the region. For more on Google’s AI video push here, check our coverage of other AI video tools in MENA.
Why this matters for shopping research
Surveys highlighted at the event claim YouTube leads for brand research in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with Gen Z leaning heavily towards video reviews.
- Kantar: YouTube ranked #1 for researching brands, products, and services
- 60% of Gen Z would rather watch a video review
- SmithGeiger: 61% of Gen Z say they’re less likely to return purchases after using YouTube in research
- Indicates a stronger “research and decide” role for YouTube
For marketers, the message is simple: video reviews and Shorts can move people from interest to purchase with fewer returns. If you’re a student creator, note that some regional plans include Veo 3 access; here’s our note on Gemini Pro perks for students.
What UAE creators and brands should do next
With Shorts growing and Veo 3 entering the mix, now is a good time to test short, clear prompts and product-led clips.
- Draft prompts that map to a product benefit or scene
- Subtitle early; prepare for Auto Dubbing outputs
- Plan A/B tests for hooks, length, and CTAs
- Use brand safety settings and measure hold rate and CTR
Creators can also look at local opportunities. If you’re experimenting with AI-assisted filmmaking, there are UAE-based programmes and competitions built around these tools, like this Dubai-centric AI short-film award using Gemini and Veo. For broader AI skills, see the UAE’s training push with Google in AI for All.
FAQs
When will Veo 3 be available on Shorts in MENA?
YouTube says “in the coming weeks” for select creators in the region. It starts English first, with more creators and languages planned later.
Is Veo 3 on Shorts free?
Yes. YouTube states Veo 3 will be available on Shorts for free in select countries.
Which countries in MENA are included?
YouTube mentions “select countries.” It has not listed them. Expect a phased rollout.
What languages are supported at launch?
The rollout is English first, with plans to expand to more languages later.
What else did YouTube announce for the region?
Auto Dubbing expansion, a Creator Partnerships Hub and an Open Call for brands coming in 2026.
