🎥 How to Upload a Video to YouTube: The Best Settings for Optimizing Reach
Are you looking to upload a video to YouTube but not sure where to start? Look no further! In this article, we'll walk you through the process step-by-step and provide you with the best settings to optimize your video's reach for the YouTube algorithm.
📹 Uploading Your Video
To begin, simply go to youtube.com and sign in. Once you're signed in, you'll see a camera with a plus sign on it in the upper right-hand corner. Click on it and select "Upload Video." This will take you to the YouTube Studio, where you can either select the video you want to upload or drag and drop it onto the browser.
If your screen looks different than mine, it's because I have a plugin called vidIQ installed. This plugin helps with the YouTube journey and we highly recommend it. You can find a link to it in the description.
📝 Details
Once you've selected your video, it's time to fill out the details. Start with the title. You can either delete the default title and write your own or use vidIQ to generate a title for you.
Next, add a description. You can use the upload default in the settings to make the same description appear every time you upload a video. We recommend adding a keyword SEO-driven sentence to help your video rank in search. You can also add a call to action to a playlist, affiliate, or sponsor with a link at the top.
Underneath the description, you'll find the thumbnail option. Click on the button and select the picture you want to use as your thumbnail.
🎞️ Video Elements
Once your video is fully uploaded and processed, you can select the best screen grab to use as your thumbnail. Hover over the bottom left-hand corner to see if the checks are complete and the video is done processing.
Underneath the thumbnail, you can add your video to a playlist or create a new one. You can also select whether your video is made for kids or not and whether there's a paid promotion.
Tags are an important part of optimizing your video's reach. Think of keywords that people are searching for and add them to your video's tags. We also suggest adding your name and channel name to help your videos get recommended on your other videos.
🎵 Music and Subtitles
Underneath video elements, you can add different music licensing or subtitles, tag products, or add an end screen. We recommend adding an end screen to promote your other videos or channel.
👀 Visibility
Finally, it's time to make your video public or schedule it for later. You can also make it private or unlisted if you don't want to post it at all or only want to share it with certain people.
And that's it! You've successfully uploaded your video to YouTube with the best settings for optimizing its reach.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy to use interface
- Customizable details for each video
- Ability to schedule videos for later
Cons:
- Limited options for music and subtitles
- Paid promotion regulations can be confusing
🌟 Highlights
- Uploading a video to YouTube is easy with the right settings
- Use vidIQ to help with your YouTube journey
- Add SEO-driven keywords to your video's description and tags
- Use an end screen to promote your other videos or channel
🤔 FAQ
Q: Can I change the details of my video after it's been uploaded?
A: Yes, you can edit the details of your video at any time.
Q: How do I make my video private?
A: Select "Private" under visibility and only you or those with your login information will be able to view it.
Q: Can I add music to my video from sources other than YouTube's Creator audio library?
A: Yes, you can add music from sources like epidemic sound.
Resources:
- vidIQ: https://vidiq.com/
- Think Masterclass: https://thinkmasterclass.com/
