Getting started on YouTube
We’re here to help you share your videos with the world by connecting you to expert advice, insider tips, and general good vibes, all designed for Creators like you.
Create what you want, how you want
YouTube gives Creators flexibility so that you can get started filming, sharing, and finding your fandoms depending on the way you like to create.
What can you create in 60 seconds or less? YouTube Shorts are the fun, easy way to create content for YouTube’s billions of users. All you need is a mobile phone, your ideas, and a little help from our tools.
Start a new channel and start experimenting! Play around with different formats, create a hub for your fans, and start building a long-term home for all your content.
Watch a video about how to create a channel
Before your first post
Before you post a single video, you’ll want to set up your channel basics. We’ll cover how to set up and dial in your settings quickly, so you can start creating right away.
Before you post, think about what voice will define your channel. A good place to start is asking yourself what you’re interested in, what unique story you’re able to tell, and the viewers who will come along for the ride.
What you choose for your channel name, icon banner, and trailer are all what we’d call branding your channel. These decisions affect how your viewers recognize you and get to know your channel, and they’re all easy to customize using our easy tools.
Watch a video about channel customization
Watch a video about choosing a channel name
Get Creator Tips for your channel banner and profile picture
Before you press record, you’ll want to have a few boxes checked, from choosing the right equipment, to getting the lighting right and more. Choosing the right camera, microphone, and even wardrobe can all make sure filming is a success.
Our copyright and community guidelines exist to keep YouTube a fair and protected place for all Creators. Get familiar with these policies to make sure that what you’re posting follows our rules and reaches your audience.
Getting your channel off the ground
Okay, so you’ve created amazing content. Now what? Here are some next steps for posting your videos, getting your first viewers, and planning ahead for how to grow your audience.
"Don't force perfection. You'll be happier with the video-creating process when you give yourself a chance to make mistakes and learn from them."
Creator Studio is home base for Creators. This is where you’ll post, add metadata, pull analytics, get messages from YouTube, and more. It’s also where you can track your progress toward eligibility in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).
Use the Studio mobile app to manage your channel on the go. It’s useful for things like checking your stats, responding to comments, and publishing and managing your videos from your phone.
Once you upload, you can create playlists to guide your viewers through your videos and get to know your channel. Sort by format, date posted, and more. Hint: playlists can help with analytics down the road, too.
YouTube Analytics (YTA) shows you the data behind your channel. Analytics can help you make sense of trends, see what’s working (and what’s not), and understand who’s watching your content so you can plan how you post in the future.
Get Creator Tips for YouTube analytics
Get Creator Tips to analyze performance with the content tab
Your YouTube Dashboard is your one stop shop for information about new features and the latest Creator news. Best of all, you can get info about the opportunities to grow and earn, specifically tailored to your channel.
