16 YouTube Settings EVERYONE Should CHANGE NOW

Summary

This video script offers a comprehensive guide to optimizing YouTube settings for increased visibility and engagement. It advises on upload defaults, such as setting videos to private initially for quality processing and copyright checks, and the importance of accurately answering the 'altered content' question to avoid penalties. The script also covers the implications of marking videos as 'made for kids,' strategies for scheduling video releases, and the use of end screens to boost viewership. Additionally, it touches on the role of video tags, the benefits of AB thumbnail testing, and the potential of the 'shorts remixing' feature, providing actionable tips for content creators to enhance their YouTube presence.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Set your video visibility to 'unlisted' for at least 2 hours after uploading to allow YouTube to process and check for copyright issues.
• 🎥 If your video is time-sensitive or uses AI-generated content, consider the 'altered content' setting to avoid misleading viewers.
• 🚫 Be cautious with the 'made for kids' setting, as it has significant implications for features like comments and can attract legal penalties if mishandled.
• 🔔 It's generally beneficial to notify subscribers when a video is published, but there may be exceptions like channel trailers or niche content.
• ⏰ Schedule video releases during peak audience times on YouTube to maximize views and engagement.
• 📅 Avoid publishing videos at the top of the hour to prevent notification congestion and increase visibility.
• 💰 Disclose paid promotions to maintain integrity and comply with legal requirements, which can be indicated with a small label on the video.
• 📚 Manually create video chapters for better accuracy and control over the video structure.
• 📊 Categories may not significantly impact video discovery, but setting them appropriately can't hurt and might help in some cases.
• 🔗 Consider the 'Creative Commons' license and 'Shorts remixing' settings to potentially increase your content's reach and visibility.

Q & A

What is the recommended setting for video visibility upon upload to YouTube?

The recommended setting is to set the video to 'unlisted' upon upload to give YouTube time to process the video to its highest quality and perform copyright checks. It's suggested to have at least a 2-hour window from upload to publishing.

How does the 'altered content' setting affect a video on YouTube?

The 'altered content' setting should be marked 'yes' if the AI-generated content could mislead viewers into thinking a famous person or location is real when it's not. Failing to answer this correctly could lead to penalties such as demonetization or content removal.

What are the implications of marking a video as 'made for kids' on YouTube?

Marking a video as 'made for kids' can limit features like comments, end screens, and super chats. It's important to be truthful about this setting to avoid penalties, as the FTC could get involved for non-compliance, leading to significant fines.

Why might a YouTube creator want to notify subscribers when a video first goes public?

Notifying subscribers when a video goes public helps ensure the video has the widest distribution possible, as it directly reaches the creator's core audience who are most likely to engage with the content.

How can scheduling a video's public release time improve its performance on YouTube?

Scheduling a video's release for a time when the audience is most active on YouTube can lead to better initial viewing signals and engagement, which can positively influence the YouTube algorithm's assessment of the video's performance.

What is the purpose of the 'pay promotion' setting on YouTube?

The 'pay promotion' setting is used to disclose when a video includes content for which the creator has been paid, maintaining transparency and integrity. It adds a small label to the video, which is important for legal compliance in some jurisdictions.

Why are automatic chapters not recommended for all videos on YouTube?

Automatic chapters can sometimes be inaccurate and spoil the video experience. Manually creating chapters allows for better control over the video's structure and ensures accuracy, enhancing the viewer's experience.

What is the role of video categories on YouTube, and how should they be approached?

Video categories may not have a significant impact on discovery as they are not prominently featured in search filters. It's advised to select a category that closely matches the video's content without overemphasizing its importance.

How can the 'shorts remixing' feature on YouTube benefit a creator?

The 'shorts remixing' feature allows YouTube Shorts creators to use snippets from a creator's videos, potentially increasing the original content's visibility. It's contained within the platform, and analytics are available to track how often videos are remixed.

What is the advice for using video tags on YouTube, and how can they be efficiently managed?

Video tags are not as crucial for discovery as once thought. They can be efficiently managed by using tools like the vid IQ browser extension to generate relevant tags quickly or copying tags from similar successful videos.

How does the 'end screens' feature on YouTube help in retaining viewers?

End screens can encourage viewers to watch another video by the same creator when they reach the end of a video. It's effective when there's a logical connection between the videos and a clear call to action, potentially increasing watch time and engagement.