One of the first things you want to do after you create a YouTube channel is verify your YouTube account.
This unlocks some key additional features, and I’m going to show you what a simple process this is.
Ready?
Let’s jump right into it.
Verify Your YouTube Account
Go to YouTube.com/verify.
Select your country from the drop-down menu.
Choose your preferred option to receive a call or text message with your verification code by clicking the radio button next to your choice.
Type your phone number.
Click Submit.
Once you receive the code via your preferred method, type it into the next screen.
That’s it. Your YouTube account is now verified.
Easy peasy. Now, what does that get you?
Benefits of Verifying Your YouTube Account
You’re going to get some additional features that can really help you grow your YouTube channel, such as:
- Upload videos longer than 15 minutes
- Add custom thumbnails to your videos
- Live stream
- Appeal Content ID claims
Let’s go into a little more detail.
Upload Videos Longer Than 15 Minutes
If you want to make long-form content, then you’ll definitely need this feature. The only way to get the ability to make longer videos is to verify your YouTube account.
Even if your focus is mainly shorter videos, this capability will come in handy from time to time.
Custom Thumbnails
I highly recommend that everyone take advantage of this feature and don’t just rely on YouTube to pull a still frame from your video.
Find out about Canva in this post, and how you can use it to create custom thumbnails.
Having custom thumbnails will get you a lot more engagement on your videos. Viewers will are more inclined to click on and interact with your videos.
Live Stream
Now you can go live!
Everyone who’s anyone is live streaming these days and there’s a reason that’s the case. Live streams get more attention.
They have a higher probability of getting featured by the YouTube algorithm. You can also interact with viewers in real time during a live stream, so there are many applications for this feature.
Figure out how it fits with your brand. If it doesn’t really fit what you’re trying to accomplish on YouTube, that’s fine too, but you have the ability once you’re verified.
Appeal Content ID Claims
If someone submits a claim against your content, you can’t appeal that claim unless your YouTube account is verified.
Regardless of the type of claim, you want to have the ability to defend yourself and your content.
That’s All There Is To It
This is a short one, but important nonetheless.
These four features are definitely worth the verification process and it’s super easy.
If you’re serious about success on YouTube, get your account verified right out of the gate.