{"id":10430,"date":"2026-07-13T13:44:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T13:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/licensing.routenote.com\/blog\/?p=10430"},"modified":"2026-07-13T13:44:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T13:44:19","slug":"how-to-post-a-video-on-youtube","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/licensing.routenote.com\/blog\/how-to-post-a-video-on-youtube\/","title":{"rendered":"How to post a video on YouTube"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

So, you’ve created your YouTube channel…now it’s time to upload your first video. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the process is fairly straightforward, there are still a few important things to keep in mind before you hit publish. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step of uploading your first piece of content to the world’s largest video-sharing platform, helping you get your video online quickly and correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note* <\/strong>Before you can upload a video to YouTube, you’ll need a Google account<\/strong> and your own YouTube channel<\/strong>. If you haven’t set these up yet, take a look at our guide, How do I set up a YouTube channel?<\/a><\/strong>, which walks you through the entire process.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ensure your video is upload-ready<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Before uploading your video, it’s important to make sure it meets YouTube’s technical requirements and Community Guidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aspect ratios<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

First, decide whether your content will be published as a YouTube Short<\/strong> or a standard long-form video. Shorts are designed for vertical viewing, use a 9:16 aspect ratio<\/strong>, and must be 3 minutes or less<\/strong>. Long-form videos are typically created in a 16:9 landscape format<\/strong>. While this isn’t a strict requirement, sticking to this aspect ratio will ensure your video displays correctly across all devices and players. Long-form videos can also be significantly longer than Shorts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Export settings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For the best quality, export your video as an MP4<\/strong> using the H.264 video codec<\/strong> and AAC audio codec<\/strong>. Aim for at least 1080p (Full HD)<\/strong> resolution and ensure your audio is clear and balanced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Community guidelines<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Before you upload, check that your content follows YouTube’s Community Guidelines. Avoid using copyrighted material without permission and do not post content that promotes harmful, dangerous, or illegal activities. Taking a few minutes to prepare your video properly can help ensure a smooth upload and reduce the risk of restrictions or removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prepare your thumbnail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your thumbnail is one of the most important parts of your video. While YouTube lets you choose a still frame from your upload, creating a custom thumbnail is almost always the better option. It’s the first thing potential viewers see, so it plays a major role in whether they choose to click on your video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create a clear, eye-catching image that accurately represents your content. YouTube recommends a 16:9 thumbnail<\/strong> with a resolution of 1280 \u00d7 720 pixels<\/strong>. Free design tools such as Canva<\/strong> make it easy to create professional-looking thumbnails, or you can use an AI image generator to create something unique. Use high-quality imagery, readable text, and avoid misleading designs that don’t accurately reflect your video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready for the upload!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, your video is ready and you’ve created the perfect thumbnail. Now it’s time to upload it to YouTube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this walkthrough, we’ll be uploading a standard long-form video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, make sure you’re signed in to your Google account, then open YouTube. You should see your channel profile picture in the top-right corner of the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two ways to upload a video. You can either click the + Create<\/strong> button next to your profile picture or upload it through YouTube Studio<\/strong>. To access YouTube Studio, click your profile picture and select YouTube Studio<\/strong> from the drop-down menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Click the + Create<\/strong> button and you’ll be presented with two options: Upload videos<\/strong> or Go live<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Select Upload videos<\/strong> to open the upload window. From here, either drag and drop your video into the upload area or click Select files<\/strong> to browse for it on your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Once your video begins uploading, the arrow animation will launch like a rocket, confirming that the upload has started. You’ll then be taken to the next screen, where you’ll begin adding your video’s details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The details page<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, YouTube lets you start editing your video’s details while it continues uploading. Let’s take a look at each of the settings you’ll need to complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first, and arguably most important, is your video title<\/strong>. By default, YouTube will use the name of your video file as the title, but you can easily change this by clicking in the text box and entering your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Your title plays a huge role in helping viewers discover your content, so it’s worth taking the time to get it right. You have up to 100 characters<\/strong>, but that doesn’t mean you should use them all. In many cases, the ideal length is around 45 to 70 characters<\/strong>, as this allows most viewers to read the full title before it gets cut off, particularly on mobile devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t worry if you change your mind later. You can edit your video’s title at any time after publishing, and updating it can sometimes help improve a video’s performance if it isn’t attracting as many viewers as you’d hoped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next field to complete is the description<\/strong>. A well-written YouTube description helps the platform understand what your video is about, making it easier to recommend to the right audience. It also provides viewers with useful information about your content. Simply enter your description into the text box provided. With up to 5,000 characters<\/strong> available, you have plenty of space to include keywords, useful links and additional information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Next comes another important part of your upload, the thumbnail<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned earlier in this guide, you can either select a still image from your video or upload a custom thumbnail. We would always recommend creating a custom thumbnail, as this is often the deciding factor in whether someone clicks on your video. Think of it as your video’s shop window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To upload a custom thumbnail, click Upload file<\/strong>. If this is your first upload, YouTube may ask you to verify your account before custom thumbnails become available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Once your account has been verified, click Upload thumbnail<\/strong>, choose your image and press Open<\/strong>. For the best results, make sure your thumbnail is 1280 \u00d7 720 pixels<\/strong>, which is YouTube’s recommended size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The next section allows you to add your video to a playlist<\/strong>. Since this is your first upload, it’s unlikely that you’ll have created any playlists yet, so you can safely skip this section for now. You can always come back later and organise your videos into playlists as your channel grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Next, you’ll need to tell YouTube whether your video is made for kids<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re unsure, it’s worth reading YouTube’s guidance before making your selection. As a general rule, YouTube states:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“General audience content is content that could appeal to everyone, but isn’t intended specifically for children, or content that is intended for a teen or older audience. General audience content should be set as ‘Not made for kids.'”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

For most creators, Not made for kids<\/strong> will be the correct option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Below this is the option to age restrict<\/strong> your video. Only enable this if your content contains material that is only suitable for viewers aged 18 or over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Next, YouTube asks whether your video contains any paid promotions<\/strong>. If your video includes sponsored products, endorsements or paid partnerships, you should declare them here. For your first upload, this is unlikely to apply, so you can leave this unchecked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One of the newer sections relates to AI-generated content<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

YouTube requires creators to disclose if AI has been used to create realistic content that could mislead viewers. This includes content that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n