In the vast world of YouTube, mastering the settings of your channel can be the key to unlocking success.

With millions of channels vying for attention, it’s crucial to optimize your settings to ensure your content reaches the right audience.

20 Essential YouTube Settings You Need to Know

Publish Strategically to Subscriptions Feed
Accurate Video Categorization
Designate Videos for the Right Audience
Manual Control of Video Chapters
Featured Places and Automatic Concepts
Licensing and Distribution Options
Optimize Channel Homepage
Utilize YouTube Shorts Strategically
Enhance Feature Eligibility
Optimize Channel Link for Subscribers
Timing is Everything
Leverage End Screen Features
Connect YouTube Shorts to Long-Form Videos
Keyword Optimization
Craft a Compelling Video Description
Optimize Visibility with Upload Defaults
Filter Comments for Quality
Leverage Shorts Remixing
Strategic Use of Community Contributions
Continuous Learning and Optimization

In this article, we’ll explore 20 settings that can significantly impact the performance of your YouTube channel.

1. Publish Strategically to Subscriptions Feed

The first setting we’ll delve into is located in your YouTube Studio under “Content.”

When you upload a new video, ensure that you uncheck the “Publish to subscriptions feed and notify subscribers” option, especially if your channel features diverse content.

This prevents irrelevant videos from being promoted to your existing subscribers, avoiding negative signals to the algorithm.

2. Accurate Video Categorization

Navigate to the “Details” section of your video page, specifically below the playlist section, and focus on the “Category” setting.

Manually select the most relevant category for your video to help the algorithm understand your content better. This step aids in targeted promotion to the right audience.

3. Designate Videos for the Right Audience

In the same video details page, pay attention to the “Made for kids” setting. Clearly define whether your video is suitable for audiences under the age of 13.

Misclassifying your content can lead to consequences, including limited features and potential fines.

4. Manual Control of Video Chapters

Proceed to the “Allow automatic chapters and key moments” setting, located slightly below the video playlist section.

While YouTube offers automatic chapter creation, be cautious as its AI may not be perfect. Consider creating manual chapters to ensure clarity and coherence in your video structure.

5. Featured Places and Automatic Concepts

Review the “Featured places” setting, preventing YouTube from disclosing your location to viewers.

Additionally, consider turning off “Automatic concepts” to avoid relying on YouTube’s AI for content understanding. Instead, clarify any confusing aspects directly in your video.

6. Licensing and Distribution Options

Explore the “Licensing and distribution” setting, where you can choose the license for your video.

Opting for Creative Commons attribution allows other creators to reuse your content, providing free marketing opportunities and potential learning experiences for you.

7. Optimize Channel Homepage

Customizing your channel homepage is crucial for viewer engagement. Utilize the “Featured sections” setting to showcase various content categories, making your channel look vibrant and enticing for viewers.

8. Utilize YouTube Shorts Strategically

If you’re not primarily a YouTube Shorts channel, consider adjusting the placement of the Shorts section on your channel homepage. Highlight your long-form videos to maximize watch time and foster a deeper connection with your audience.

9. Enhance Feature Eligibility

In your YouTube Studio settings, navigate to “Channel” and complete the feature eligibility steps. This ensures you can make longer videos and add custom thumbnails to enhance the visual appeal of your content.

10. Optimize Channel Link for Subscribers

Implement a clever trick by creating a channel link with the suffix “?sub_confirmation=1.” e.g https://www.youtube.com/@whoiswriter/?sub_confirmation=1 This link encourages viewers to subscribe when clicked, potentially boosting your subscriber count.

Strategically place this link across your social media and video descriptions.

11. Timing is Everything

Analyze your audience activity in YouTube Studio’s analytics under “Audience.”

Identify peak days and hours when your viewers are most active, then schedule your video releases during those times to maximize visibility.

12. Leverage End Screen Features

Utilize the “End screen” setting to add clickable links to other videos or playlists in the last 20 seconds of your video.

This encourages viewers to continue watching your content, improving session time and overall engagement.

13. Connect YouTube Shorts to Long-Form Videos

When uploading YouTube Shorts, take advantage of the new “Related video” setting.

Connect your Shorts to relevant long-form videos, driving more traffic and data to your content.

14. Keyword Optimization

In the “Channel” settings, insert relevant keywords related to your channel and content.

While not a guaranteed game-changer, it can make it easier for viewers actively searching for your channel to find it.

15. Craft a Compelling Video Description

In the “Basic info” section of your video settings, pay attention to the video description.

The first line is crucial as it appears on your channel homepage. Use this space wisely to promote your subscribe link or create a positive first impression.

16. Optimize Visibility with Upload Defaults

Adjust the default visibility setting under “Upload defaults” to “Unlisted” to prevent accidental premature releases. This ensures you have the chance to review your video before it goes public.

17. Filter Comments for Quality

Enhance the quality of your comment section by utilizing the “Blocked words” setting under “Community.”

Block sensitive or offensive terms to prevent spammers and scammers from negatively impacting viewer experience.

18. Leverage Shorts Remixing

Enable “Shorts remixing” to allow others to create Shorts using your content.

Embrace this as free marketing for your channel, potentially reaching new audiences through creative collaborations.

19. Strategic Use of Community Contributions

Encourage viewer engagement by allowing community contributions in the “Details” section of your video settings.

This enables viewers to add subtitles, translations, and more, fostering a sense of community around your content.

20. Continuous Learning and Optimization

Stay informed about YouTube’s ever-evolving features and algorithms. Regularly revisit and adjust your settings to align with best practices and maximize your channel’s potential for growth.

In conclusion

mastering these 20 settings can significantly impact the success of your YouTube channel.

By optimizing your content and engagement strategies, you’ll create a more appealing and discoverable channel, fostering growth and attracting a loyal audience.