Featured channels on YouTube play a significant role in enhancing the platform’s user experience. They offer a curated selection of popular and relevant content, making it easier for viewers to discover new creators and videos. As a content creator, adding your channel to the featured list can provide increased visibility, boost viewership, and help you establish your presence on the platform. Whether you’re an established content creator with a large following or an emerging artist looking to build your audience, knowing how to add featured channels on YouTube is essential for optimizing your growth and success.
The process of adding a featured channel on YouTube is relatively straightforward. However, it’s important to understand that not all channels are eligible for this feature. YouTube has specific criteria that channels must meet to be considered for inclusion. These criteria include having a high level of engagement, consistent content uploads, and a strong overall presence on the platform. If your channel meets these requirements, you can follow the steps outlined in the next paragraph to add it to the featured channels list.
To add your channel as a featured channel on YouTube, you’ll first need to create a YouTube account and create a channel. Once your channel is created, you can start uploading videos and building your audience. The key to getting featured on YouTube is to create high-quality, engaging content that people will enjoy. You should also promote your channel on social media and other platforms to reach a wider audience. If your channel starts to gain popularity, you may be invited by YouTube to become a featured channel. If you’re not invited, you can apply to become a featured channel by submitting your channel to the YouTube Creator Studio. YouTube will then review your channel and decide whether or not to feature it.
Identifying Eligible Channels
Official Channels of Public Figures and Institutions
Public figures such as celebrities, politicians, and major organizations like universities and governmental agencies are often eligible for featured channel status. These channels are typically verified with a red checkmark next to their names, indicating their authenticity and prominence.
Popular and Growing Channels
YouTube actively seeks out channels that are gaining rapid popularity and consistently producing high-quality content. Factors such as subscriber count, viewership, and engagement metrics are considered when determining eligibility. Channels that demonstrate sustained growth and a loyal following are more likely to be featured.
Niche-Specific Channels
YouTube also recognizes channels that specialize in particular niches or topics. These channels may not have a large overall following, but they have established themselves as authoritative figures within their respective communities. By featuring these channels, YouTube can cater to the needs of specific viewer demographics.
Other Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Content Quality | Channels must adhere to YouTube’s community guidelines and produce content that is engaging, informative, and well-produced. |
| Community Engagement | Channels should actively engage with their audience through comments, Q&A sessions, and social media interactions. |
Navigating the Customization Menu
To begin customizing your channel layout, access the “Customization” menu. Follow these steps to do so:
- Sign in to your YouTube account.
- Click on your channel icon, located at the top right corner of the page.
- Select “Your Channel” from the dropdown menu.
- Click on the “Customize” tab located in the left sidebar.
Once you have entered the Customization menu, you will be presented with various options to modify your channel’s appearance. To add featured channels, navigate to the “Featured Channels” section within the “Layout” tab. This section allows you to display other YouTube channels prominently on your homepage.
Selecting the Featured Channels Option
To add featured channels to your YouTube channel, you’ll need to navigate to the “Customization” tab in your YouTube Studio dashboard. This section allows you to manage the appearance and settings of your channel.
Once you’re in the “Customization” tab, scroll down to the “Layout” section. You’ll see a series of options for customizing the layout of your channel, including the featured channels section.
To add featured channels, simply click on the “Edit” button next to the featured channels section. This will open a dialog box where you can select the channels you want to feature.
Steps to Select Featured Channels:
- See how your Featured Channels will appear on your channel page.
- Make additional adjustments as needed.
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Customization.
- Click the Layout tab.
- In the “Featured channels” section, click Manage channels.
- You can then add or remove channels from the list of featured channels.
- Click Save.
- Your changes will be saved immediately.
- In the “Featured channels” section of the Customization page, click Add channel.
- Enter the name or URL of the channel you want to add.
- Click Save.
- In the “Featured channels” section of the Customization page, click the X next to the channel you want to remove.
- Click Save.
- Create a new playlist.
- Add the channels you want to feature to the playlist.
- Copy the playlist ID.
- In the “Featured channels” section of the Customization page, click Add playlist.
- Paste the playlist ID into the field and click Save.
- Showcase Featured Channels on Your Channel Homepage: Highlight featured channels prominently on your channel’s homepage, making it easy for viewers to discover and revisit them.
- Create Collaborative Content: Partner with featured channels to create joint videos, livestreams, or other content that cross-promotes both channels and engages audiences.
- Feature Featured Channels in Playlists: Include featured channels’ videos in curated playlists on your channel, offering viewers a convenient way to access and explore their content.
- Run Contests and Giveaways: Host contests or giveaways that encourage viewers to engage with featured channels, incentivizing them to subscribe, view content, and interact.
- Cross-Promote Featured Channels on Social Media: Utilize social media platforms to share updates, behind-the-scenes footage, and sneak peeks from featured channels, building anticipation and driving traffic.
- Collaborate with Featured Channels on Merchandise: Offer co-branded merchandise or exclusive items featuring both channels’ logos or branding, creating a tangible connection between your channel and featured channels.
- Create a Dedicated Channel Trailer: Produce a high-quality channel trailer that showcases the featured channels and their content, offering a quick and engaging introduction to each one.
- Host Channel Takeovers: Allow featured channels to temporarily take over your channel for a period of time, giving them an opportunity to connect with your audience and promote their content in a controlled environment.
- Monitor Engagement and Adjust: Regularly track the performance of your featured channels, analyzing metrics such as views, subscribers, and watch time. Make adjustments to your promotion strategies as needed to optimize visibility and engagement.
- Sign in to your YouTube account.
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen.
- Select “Creator Studio” from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the “Customization” tab in the left-hand menu.
- Scroll down to the “Featured Channels” section.
- Click on the “Add a channel” button.
- Search for the channel you want to add.
- Click on the “Add” button next to the channel’s name.
- Sign in to your YouTube account.
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen.
- Select “Creator Studio” from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the “Customization” tab in the left-hand menu.
- Scroll down to the “Featured Channels” section.
- Click on the “X” next to the channel you want to remove.
- The channel may not be public.
- The channel may have been terminated.
- The channel may have blocked you.
1. Click the “Browse Channels” button.
This will open a list of all the channels you’re subscribed to. You can also search for specific channels by entering their name or URL in the search bar.
2. Select the channels you want to feature.
To select a channel, simply click on its name or thumbnail. You can select multiple channels at once by holding down the Shift or Ctrl key while clicking.
3. Click the “Add” button.
This will add the selected channels to the featured channels section on your channel. You can rearrange the order of the featured channels by dragging and dropping them.
Once you’re satisfied with your selections, click the “Save” button to save your changes.
Customizing the Display Layout
Customizing the display layout of your featured channels is a way to enhance the visual appeal and user experience of your YouTube channel. By rearranging and styling the layout, you can highlight specific channels, create a cohesive look, and make it easier for viewers to find and engage with your recommended channels. Here are some tips for customizing your display layout:
Customize the Channel Grid:
The channel grid is the main layout where your featured channels are displayed. You can customize the grid by changing the number of rows and columns, as well as the spacing between channels. This allows you to create a grid that fits the number of channels you want to feature and the desired visual aesthetic.
Change the Channel Order:
The order of your featured channels can impact the visibility and engagement of each channel. You can change the order by dragging and dropping the channels in the Channel Grid section. Consider placing the most important or relevant channels at the beginning or end of the grid to draw attention to them.
Add Custom Thumbnails:
Custom thumbnails are a great way to personalize your featured channels and make them visually appealing. You can create custom thumbnails for each channel or use the channel’s default thumbnail. Custom thumbnails should be visually striking and reflect the content or theme of the channel.
| Thumbnail Size | Aspect Ratio |
|---|---|
| 640 x 360 pixels | 16:9 |
| 1280 x 720 pixels | 16:9 |
| 1920 x 1080 pixels | 16:9 |
Enable or Disable Channel Trailers:
Channel trailers are short videos that play before your featured channels. They’re a great way to give your viewers a quick glimpse of what the channel is about and encourage them to subscribe. You can enable or disable channel trailers on a per-channel basis or for all featured channels.
Determining the Channel Order
The order of your featured channels on YouTube is important, as it influences the visibility and discoverability of those channels. Here are some factors to consider when determining the channel order:
Channel Popularity
Place the most popular channels, those with a large number of subscribers and views, at the beginning of the list. This ensures that these channels are seen by a wider audience.
Channel Relevancy
Group similar channels together in the order of their relevance to your target audience. For example, if your channel focuses on gaming, you might list gaming channels with similar content first.
Channel Engagement
Consider the engagement rates of the channels you want to feature. Channels with high engagement, such as those with a lot of likes, comments, and shares, should be placed higher in the list.
Channel Aesthetics
The visuals of your featured channels matter. Make sure the channel icons and banners are visually appealing and consistent with the overall aesthetic of your channel.
Channel Growth Potential
Consider the growth potential of the channels you want to feature. This includes factors such as the number of new subscribers they are gaining and the frequency of their content uploads.
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Channel Popularity | Place the most popular channels at the beginning of the list. |
| Channel Relevancy | Group similar channels together by relevance to your target audience. |
| Channel Engagement | Consider the engagement rates of the channels. |
| Channel Aesthetics | Make sure the channel icons and banners are visually appealing and consistent with the overall aesthetic of your channel. |
| Channel Growth Potential | Consider the growth potential of the channels, such as new subscribers and content upload frequency. |
Previewing and Saving Changes
Before committing your changes, you can preview the updated Featured Channels section. Click the “Preview” button to open a preview window.
In the preview window, you can:
When you’re satisfied with the preview, click the “Save” button to save your changes. Your Featured Channels will now be visible on your channel page.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips for using Featured Channels:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a variety of channels. | Feature channels from different niches or categories to appeal to a broader audience. |
| Include relevant channels. | Choose channels that are relevant to your own content and audience. |
| Keep the section updated. | Regularly review and update your Featured Channels to ensure they remain relevant and engaging. |
Managing Featured Channels
To manage your featured channels:
Adding a Featured Channel
To add a featured channel:
Removing a Featured Channel
To remove a featured channel:
Customizing the Featured Channels Section
You can customize the featured channels section by changing the order of the channels, the number of channels displayed, and the size of the channel thumbnails.
To customize the featured channels section, click the Edit button in the “Featured channels” section of the Customization page.
You can then drag and drop the channels to change their order, and click the arrow buttons to change the number of channels displayed.
You can also choose the size of the channel thumbnails by clicking on the thumbnail size drop-down menu.
Once you have made your changes, click the Save button.
Using a Featured Channel Playlist
Instead of featuring individual channels, you can also feature a playlist of channels.
To create a featured channel playlist:
Featured Channel |
Description |
|---|---|
| My Channel | My personal YouTube channel, where I share my thoughts and experiences on a variety of topics |
| TED-Ed | A channel dedicated to educational videos on a wide range of topics, from science and history to culture and the arts |
| National Geographic | A channel that showcases the wonders of the natural world, from stunning wildlife footage to in-depth documentaries |
Optimizing Featured Channels
Here are some tips to help you optimize your featured channels:
1. Choose channels that are relevant to your audience. Your featured channels should be related to the topics that you cover on your own channel. This will help to keep your viewers engaged and interested in your content.
2. Keep your featured channels list updated. As your channel grows and changes, so should your featured channels list. Be sure to add new channels that are relevant to your audience and remove any channels that are no longer relevant.
3. Promote your featured channels. Let your viewers know about your featured channels by promoting them in your videos, on your website, and in your social media profiles.
4. Use a custom thumbnail for your featured channels. A custom thumbnail can help to make your featured channels stand out and attract viewers.
5. Add a description to your featured channels. The description is a great place to tell viewers what to expect when they click on a featured channel.
6. Use a call to action. Tell viewers what you want them to do when they click on a featured channel, such as watch a video, subscribe to the channel, or visit the channel’s website.
7. Get creative. There are many ways to feature channels on your YouTube channel. Be creative and find the approach that works best for you and your viewers.
8. Consider using a channel shelf to promote your featured channels. A channel shelf is a row of channels that appears on your channel’s homepage. You can use a channel shelf to highlight your favorite channels, featured channels, or channels that are relevant to your audience.
| Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|
| Feature channels that are similar to your own. | This will help to keep your viewers engaged and interested in your content. |
| Feature channels that are popular with your audience. | This will help to attract new viewers to your channel. |
| Feature channels that are related to your niche. | This will help to establish you as an expert in your field. |
| Feature channels that are high-quality. | This will help to ensure that your viewers have a positive experience watching your featured channels. |
| Feature channels that are active. | This will help to ensure that your featured channels are up-to-date with the latest content. |
By following these tips, you can optimize your featured channels and make them a valuable part of your YouTube channel.
Promoting Featured Channels
To further promote featured channels, consider implementing the following strategies:
| Promotion Strategy | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|
| Showcase Featured Channels on Your Channel Homepage | Increase visibility and discoverability of featured channels |
| Create Collaborative Content | Engage audiences and cross-promote both channels |
| Feature Featured Channels in Playlists | Provide viewers with an easy way to access and explore content |
| Run Contests and Giveaways | Incentivize viewers to engage with featured channels |
| Cross-Promote Featured Channels on Social Media | Drive traffic to featured channels and build anticipation |
| Collaborate with Featured Channels on Merchandise | Create a tangible connection and promote both channels |
| Create a Dedicated Channel Trailer | Offer an engaging overview of featured channels and their content |
| Host Channel Takeovers | Allow featured channels to connect with your audience and showcase their content |
| Monitor Engagement and Adjust | Optimize visibility and engagement based on performance metrics |
1. Channel not visible after adding
Ensure the channel you’re trying to feature has been verified and is not a private channel. Additionally, verify that the channel’s owner has enabled “Featured” status for your channel.
2. Featured channel appears with incorrect name or image
The displayed name and image for a featured channel may not update immediately after making changes on the original channel. It usually takes some time for YouTube to propagate the updated information.
3. Featured channel not showing in search results
Make sure the featured channel meets YouTube’s search ranking criteria, such as having relevant content, high-quality production, and a strong keyword presence. Also, check that the channel has not been penalized or removed from YouTube’s search results.
4. Featured channel removed without explanation
If a featured channel has been removed without any apparent reason, contact YouTube support directly to inquire about the removal. They can provide specific information about the issue.
5. Too many featured channels
YouTube allows a limited number of featured channels per account. If you exceed this limit, the oldest featured channel will be automatically removed to make room for the new one.
6. Featured channel not loading or playing
Check your internet connection as well as the featured channel’s upload status. If the channel is not available or experiences technical difficulties, it may not load or play properly.
7. Featured channel appears stretched or distorted
Ensure that the featured channel’s video settings match the aspect ratio and resolution of your own channel. Different aspect ratios and resolutions can cause the featured channel’s video to appear stretched or distorted.
8. Featured channel showing duplicate content
If the featured channel’s content is already being featured on your channel or another channel you manage, it may appear as a duplicate. Remove duplicate content to avoid any confusion for viewers.
9. Featured channel violating YouTube’s policies
If the featured channel violates any of YouTube’s policies, such as its community guidelines or copyright regulations, it may be removed from your featured list. Make sure you review the featured channel’s content before adding it.
10. Difficulty finding specific featured channel
If you’re having trouble locating a specific featured channel, use the search bar provided in the “Featured” section. This search feature can help you quickly find the desired channel.
How To Add Featured Channels On Youtube
Adding featured channels on YouTube is a great way to connect with your audience and promote other creators that you admire. Here are the steps on how to add featured channels on YouTube:
Your featured channels will now appear in the “Featured Channels” section on your YouTube homepage.
