When it comes to growing a YouTube channel, many creators focus on eye-catching thumbnails, snappy titles, and engaging content—but often overlook one critical piece of the puzzle: YouTube tags. These underrated labels can act as a beacon, helping the right audience discover your videos at the right time.

With over 500 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute, standing out is more important than ever. Whether you're a seasoned creator or just starting out, you'll learn actionable tips to enhance your channel’s SEO and visibility. This blog dives deep into YouTube tags, their importance, and the best ways to use them to optimize your content.

What Are YouTube Tags?

YouTube tags are descriptive keywords or phrases you can assign to your videos. They help YouTube’s algorithm understand the context and content of your video. Think of them like signposts that guide YouTube's search engine on where to categorize your content, what it’s about, and who it would appeal to.

For example, if your video is about “beginner yoga poses”, relevant tags might include “yoga for beginners”, “beginner yoga tutorial”, and “easy yoga exercises”. These tags give YouTube additional context, especially when your title and description don’t capture every keyword variation your audience might search for.

While tags have diminished in importance compared to titles, descriptions, and thumbnails, they still play a supporting role in video discoverability.

Why Are YouTube Tags Important?

A study of 1.3 million YouTube videos revealed a slight correlation between video rankings and the inclusion of the keyword in their tags.

Image Source: Ahrefs

Understanding the importance of YouTube tags and how they work can give you a competitive edge. Here's why they're worth your time:

• ‍Improving Search Visibility: Tags play a role in helping your video appear in search results by providing clearer context to YouTube’s algorithm. Say your video title is “5 Best DSLR Cameras for Beginners”. Without tags, YouTube might not realize your video should also rank for searches like “best cameras for vlogging” or “top entry-level DSLRs”. Proper tags fill this gap by encompassing related search terms.
• ‍Reinforcing Video Context: Sometimes, the title and description might not fully capture the nuances of your content. Tags act as a backup signal, telling YouTube more about what your video entails. For multilingual audiences, tags in multiple languages can expand your reach.
• ‍Enhancing Related Videos: YouTube recommends videos using an algorithm that factors in tags. If your tags align with those of high-performing related videos, chances are your content will appear in the “Suggested Videos” sidebar, increasing exposure and watch time.
• ‍Tackling Misspellings: Ever noticed how people often misspell brand names or popular terms? For example, viewers might search for “TikTok” but accidentally type “TickTock”. Adding common misspellings as tags ensures your video still appears in search results.
• ‍Supporting Long-Tail SEO Strategies: Tags help creators capture long-tail keywords. These are longer and more specific phrases that tend to have less competition but higher relevance for niche searches. By tagging videos with long-tail phrases like “how to edit YouTube videos for free,” you increase the odds of reaching engaged viewers.

Pro Tip: Don’t only focus on broad tags; sprinkle in niche ones to expand your reach!

What Are the Types of YouTube Tags?

1. Channel Tags

Channel tags, on the other hand, define what your entire YouTube channel is focused on. They provide YouTube with a broader understanding of your niche and help position your channel in relevant search results for viewers interested in your area of expertise.

For instance, a channel dedicated to fitness might use tags like “workouts”, “healthy eating”, and “fitness tips”. These tags act as an overarching blueprint for your content, complementing individual video tags to strengthen your channel’s identity.

2. Video Tags

Video tags are specific to the content of an individual video. They help YouTube understand what your video is about so it can rank and recommend it appropriately. These tags should include keywords relevant to the topic of the video, covering both broad terms and long-tail keywords.

For example, if your video is a tutorial on “basic yoga poses”, tags like “yoga”, “yoga for beginners”, and “yoga at home” could boost discoverability. Remember, including accurate and descriptive video tags ensures your content reaches the right audience.

Importance of Video Tags for YouTube SEO

Video tags play a crucial role in enhancing your video's performance on YouTube by improving its search visibility. They serve as metadata that helps YouTube's algorithm understand the specific content of your video, ensuring it appears in relevant search results and recommendations.

Accurate and well-researched tags can complement your title and description, allowing your video to rank higher for targeted keywords. This not only increases the likelihood of your content being discovered but also improves its chances of reaching the intended audience.

By strategically using relevant tags, you maximize the potential for organic traffic and strengthen your YouTube SEO efforts, ultimately contributing to the growth of your channel.

How to Add Tags to Your YouTube Videos?

Adding tags to your YouTube videos is simple, but doing it effectively requires strategy and a little know-how. Tags help YouTube’s algorithm understand your video content, making it easier for viewers to discover. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to ensure your tags work effectively for you:

Step 1. Access the YouTube Studio Dashboard

Log in to your YouTube account and head over to YouTube Studio, which is the control center for managing your channel. On the left-hand menu, click on Content to view all your uploaded videos. This is where you’ll be able to edit and optimize individual videos.

Step 2. Open the Edit Page

Select the video you want to optimize and click the Details option (represented by a small pencil icon). This will take you to the editing page where you can update your video title, description, thumbnail, and other details.

Step 3. Add Relevant Tags

Scroll down on the editing page until you reach the "Tags" section, located under the video details. Here, you can start adding individual words or phrases that describe your video’s content. Separate each tag with a comma, and keep in mind that tags are not visible to viewers but play a key role in helping YouTube understand your video topic.

Use tags that reflect the video’s main theme, specific topics covered, and related search terms that your audience might use. For example, if your video is about cooking, think of terms viewers might type into the search bar, such as "easy recipes" or "quick meals".

Be specific, stay relevant, and avoid stuffing your tags with unrelated keywords, as this can hurt your video’s credibility with YouTube’s algorithm. Focus on quality over quantity.

Step 4. Hit Save

Once you've carefully selected and added your tags, don’t forget to click Save to apply the changes. Your tags are now active and will help your video reach a more targeted audience.

Bonus Tips for Effective Tagging

• Use a mix of broad and specific tags. For example, include tags like “Vegan recipes” (broad) and “How to make vegan burgers” (specific).
• Research popular videos in your niche and check the tags they use. Tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ can help you identify trending tags.
• Include long-tail keywords as tags. These are multi-word phrases that are more specific, such as “Plant-based meals for beginners”.

Example Tagging:

For a video titled "How to Cook Vegan Burgers", here are some effective tag suggestions:

• Vegan recipes
• Plant-based meals
• Easy vegan burgers
• Cooking tutorials for vegans
• Vegan burger hacks
• Beginner-friendly vegan recipes
• Grilling plant-based burgers

Remember, relevance is key. Irrelevant tags not only confuse the algorithm but can also reduce your video’s search visibility. A well-tagged video has a much better chance of reaching the right audience, boosting engagement, and driving views.

Best Practices for Using YouTube Tags

To make the most out of YouTube tags, follow these best practices.

1. Start With Research

Before you even upload your video, spend time researching the right tags to use. Tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ can help you uncover trending tags and popular keywords related to your content. These platforms not only suggest relevant tags but also provide insights into search volume and competition levels, helping you choose tags that strike the perfect balance between reach and relevance. This step lays the foundation for your video to be discovered by the right audience.

2. First Tag = Target Keyword

When selecting your first tag, always use your primary target keyword. This keyword should be the central theme of your video and closely align with the title, description, and overall content.

Including it as your first tag reinforces its importance to the algorithm and increases the chances of your video appearing in search results for that term. Consistency across metadata elements ensures that your video is optimized for discoverability and ranks higher for your intended audience.

3. Prioritize Relevance

The YouTube algorithm is designed to reward content that aligns closely with viewer expectations. This means relevance is key when choosing tags. Studies show 70% of watch time on YouTube is driven by recommendations, meaning the algorithm heavily favors videos with high engagement metrics. Always use accurate tags to improve viewer satisfaction and boost your video’s chances of being recommended.

Avoid the temptation to stuff your tags with unrelated keywords just to attract more clicks—it can lead to viewers leaving quickly, damaging engagement metrics like watch time and click-through rate (CTR). For instance, tagging “weight loss tips” on a video about baking chocolate cake might drive clicks initially, but the mismatch will hurt your video’s performance.

4. Use a Mix of Short and Long-Tail Keywords

When it comes to tags, variety is essential. Short keywords like “travel” can be useful but are often too broad and highly competitive. Pair these with long-tail keywords, which are more specific and less competitive, such as “budget travel tips for Europe.” This combination allows you to target a wide range of search queries, from broad topics to niche interests.

Long-tail keywords also tend to attract a more targeted audience, increasing the likelihood of engagement and retention. Using this hybrid approach improves your chances of ranking in YouTube search results and reaching the right viewers.

Image Source: Backlinko

5. Include Branded Tags

If you're building a personal brand or looking to strengthen your channel's identity, branded tags are a must. These tags help viewers discover more of your content and associate specific topics with your name or brand.

For example, a fitness influencer named Sarah Fit might use tags like “Sarah Fit workouts” or “Sarah Fit yoga tips” alongside general tags like “home workouts” or “yoga for beginners”. Branded tags not only enhance discoverability but also help create a cohesive and recognizable identity for your channel over time.

6. Focus on High-Value Keywords

Not all keywords are created equal. High-value keywords are those that your target audience is actively searching for, making them more likely to drive traffic to your video. For instance, if your video is about marketing, use tags like “social media marketing tips” or “digital marketing strategy” instead of overly unique or niche phrases like “next-level marketing hacks”, which may have little to no search volume.

By focusing on popular yet relevant terms, you ensure your video has a higher chance of appearing in search results and reaching the viewers who are most likely to engage with your content.

7. Limit the Tag Count

While YouTube allows up to 500 characters for tags, quantity doesn’t equal quality. Adding too many tags can dilute their impact and make your video appear unfocused. Instead, aim for 10-15 well-researched, high-impact tags that are directly relevant to your video.

This focused approach ensures your tags work effectively to boost discoverability without confusing the algorithm or your audience. Think of your tags as a way to summarize your video in a few concise, targeted search terms.

Here is an example - 

Image Source: Backlinko

Tags are intended to help YouTube accurately interpret the content of your video. However, overloading your video with 20 or more tags can confuse both YouTube and your target audience, making it harder to determine the exact focus of your video.

8. Use Competitors to Your Advantage

Analyzing your competitors can be a powerful strategy to improve your own content and enhance discoverability. Start by identifying creators in your niche who consistently perform well, and examine their use of tags, titles, and descriptions.

Pay close attention to the keywords they use, as these likely align with what your shared target audience is searching for. Tools like keyword research platforms or YouTube’s search bar suggestions can help you uncover similar trending terms.

By incorporating these insights into your strategy, you can align along the same audience interests while still maintaining your unique voice and perspective. Remember, the goal isn’t to copy but to learn and adapt successful strategies to your own content.

9. Monitor Performance

After your video goes live, your work isn’t done. Use YouTube Studio analytics to monitor how your tags are performing. Check which tags are driving traffic and contributing to your video’s success.

If you notice certain tags aren’t working as expected, take note and adjust your strategy for future uploads. This ongoing analysis helps you refine your approach over time, ensuring your tags continue to support your growth and visibility on the platform.

Further Reading: YouTube Analytics: How to Use Data to Grow Your Channel Faster

10. Update Tags Over Time

Trends change, and so do viewer interests. A video that performed well when it was first published might need a little refresh to stay relevant. Periodically revisit your older videos and update their tags to reflect current search trends and audience behavior.

For example, a video on “remote work tips” might benefit from adding newer tags like “hybrid work strategies” if that term has gained popularity. Keeping your tags up-to-date ensures your content remains discoverable and relevant, even as the landscape evolves.

By following these strategies, you can optimize your tags to not only boost your video’s visibility but also attract the right audience, ultimately driving better engagement and long-term success for your channel.

11. Don’t Mislead People

When creating tags for your video, avoid the temptation to use misleading or irrelevant keywords to attract views. While this might initially boost clicks, it can harm your channel in the long run. Misleading tags frustrate viewers, lead to lower retention rates, and can result in penalties from YouTube’s algorithm. Stay true to your content and use tags that accurately represent your video to build trust and foster a loyal audience.

12. Don’t Add Tags to Video Descriptions

Including tags in your video’s description might seem like a clever way to boost discoverability, but it’s counterproductive. YouTube’s guidelines explicitly advise against this practice, and doing so can make your content appear spammy or unprofessional.

Instead, focus on crafting a compelling, natural description that reflects the video’s content while incorporating relevant keywords seamlessly. A well-written description helps viewers better understand your video and increases its chances of being recommended—without risking issues with the algorithm.

Image Source: Ahrefs

To further enhance your YouTube SEO strategy, DashClicks offers comprehensive white label SEO services tailored to your needs. With expertise in optimizing content for search engines, DashClicks can help you identify the best keywords, craft effective video descriptions, and implement data-driven strategies to improve your channel’s visibility.

Their solutions are designed to drive organic traffic to your videos, boost engagement, and help your content rank higher in search results. Leveraging SEO services offered by DashClicks, can help maximize your channel's growth and ensure your videos reach the right audience.

Take Your Video SEO to the Next Level

YouTube tags may not hold the same weight they once did, but they remain a smart tool for boosting your channel’s visibility. Combined with optimized titles, descriptions, thumbnails, and engaging content, they help YouTube connect your videos to the right audience.

Want to rise even higher in search rankings? Take the next step by relying on powerful tools like VidIQ or TubeBuddy, and start building a well-tagged library of excellent video content today.

By keeping your tags relevant, strategic, and user-focused, you can steadily grow your channel and reach new heights.

Do you find yourself looking for ways to get more views on YouTube? If so, then understanding the YouTube Shorts algorithm is key. With its launch in June of 2020 and continuing to expand amongst video creators, the YouTube Shorts algorithm is rapidly evolving as an exciting new way for video content producers to have a greater reach and engagement with their viewers.

In this article, we'll delve into how the algorithm works today, providing essential insights about creating short-form videos with maximum impact and visibility for your audience.

Regardless of which editing approach you decide upon following our guide below, optimizing your workflow process could mean gaining further traction among scrollers searching through a sea of content coming your way soon!

Overview of the YouTube Shorts Algorithm in 2023

As YouTube continues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of digital content, the Shorts feature stands out as a significant player in the platform's future.

With the shorts algorithm set to see significant updates and revisions in 2023, creators and audiences alike can expect an even more streamlined and dynamic experience.

These changes will focus on enhancing the overall short-form video browsing and discovery experience, providing greater exposure to new creators and communities, and improving the latter's ability to engage with and monetize their content.

With all these exciting developments on the horizon, it's clear that YouTube has no intention of slowing down in its quest to revolutionize online video.

The Factors Determining Content Quality for YouTube Shorts

1. Video Length

‍The optimal duration for a YouTube Short is under 60 seconds. This brief format encourages creators to deliver their message or story effectively and concisely.

Image Source: Tubular

2. Frame Orientation

‍Shorts should be created in a vertical or square frame (9:16 or 1:1) to cater to mobile users for a better viewing experience.

3. Content Relevance

‍The content should be engaging and relevant to the target audience. It's essential that your shorts answer a question, solve a problem, or entertain the viewer in some way.

4. Video Quality

‍While YouTube Shorts can be less polished than traditional YouTube videos, maintaining a decent level of video and audio quality is essential for a positive viewer experience.

5. Thumbnails and Titles

‍Eye-catching thumbnails and titles can significantly boost the click-through rate. They should accurately represent the content of the short and entice viewers to click.

6. Use of Hashtags

‍Using relevant hashtags can increase the discoverability of your shorts. YouTube suggests using the hashtag #Shorts in the title or description.

7. Engagement Factors

‍The algorithm favors videos that drive engagement. Encourage viewers to like, comment, share, and subscribe at the end of your shorts.

8. Consistent Posting

‍Regularly posting shorts can increase your chance of being discovered by new audiences and help you maintain viewer engagement.

Remember, the YouTube Shorts algorithm is designed to promote content that viewers find entertaining, valuable, and engaging. Therefore, focusing on content quality and viewer experience is the key to success.

Targeting the YouTube Shorts Algorithm

Understanding and targeting the YouTube Shorts algorithm requires a strategic approach. Here's what you need to know:

1. Understand Your Audience

‍The algorithm takes into account user preferences and viewing history. Therefore, understanding your audience and creating content that matches their interests increases your chances of being featured in their shorts feed.

2. Optimize Your Metadata

‍While YouTube has stated that titles, descriptions, and hashtags don't influence the shorts algorithm as much as the main YouTube algorithm, they're still crucial for discoverability. Use accurate and compelling metadata to attract viewers.

3. Engage with Your Audience

‍YouTube Shorts favors videos that receive high engagement. Respond to comments on your shorts, encourage viewers to like and share, and don't forget to ask for subscriptions.

4. Be Consistent

‍Regular posting can increase your visibility on Shorts. YouTube's algorithm favors channels that consistently produce content that viewers enjoy.

Image Source: Display Purposes

5. Experiment and Adapt

‍The YouTube Shorts algorithm is constantly changing. Stay updated with the latest trends, and be prepared to adapt your content strategy accordingly.

Remember, the ultimate goal of the algorithm is to deliver the best viewing experience to the audience. Thus, aligning your content strategy with this goal is the key to successfully targeting the YouTube Shorts algorithm.

How to Optimize Your Content for the YouTube Shorts Algorithm?

Successfully optimizing your content for the YouTube Shorts algorithm involves several key steps:

1. Create Engaging Content

‍Content is king, even in short-form videos. Strive for concise, focused, and entertaining content that provides value to your audience and encourages them to engage.

2. Master the Art of Storytelling

‍Despite the time constraint, a well-crafted narrative can make your shorts more compelling. A good storyline will keep your viewers hooked until the end.

3. Ensure High-Quality Production

‍While the content doesn't need to be as polished as a full-length YouTube video, maintaining a high-quality audio and visual production will ensure a positive viewer experience.

4. Leverage Visual Effects

‍Incorporating effects can help add life to your shorts. A few well-placed visual effects will make your video stand out and grab attention.

5. Use Music, SFX & Voiceovers

‍Using music, sound effects, or voiceover in your shorts can help enhance the overall production quality and create a more immersive experience for the viewer.

6. Optimize for Mobile

‍As most viewers access YouTube Shorts from their mobile phones, it's essential to optimize your content for a better viewing experience on a small screen.

7. Leverage Cross-Platform Content

‍Promote your shorts on other social networks such as Twitter and Instagram to further increase visibility and engagement.

Image Source: Sharelov

By optimizing your content and targeting the YouTube Shorts algorithm, you can reach a vast new audience and gain more traction for your videos. With these tips, you can take advantage of all that YouTube Shorts has to offer in 2023!

Tools and Resources to Help You Get Started With YouTube Shorts

• ‍YouTube Shorts Camera: The YouTube Shorts camera is a built-in tool that lets you create short videos on the YouTube app. It offers a variety of creative features like speed control, timer, and countdown to make your shorts more engaging.‍
• YouTube Audio Library: YouTube provides an extensive library of copyright-free music and sound effects that you can use in your shorts without worrying about copyright infringement.‍
• Video Editing Software: There are plenty of video editing applications available such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve for advanced editing. For simpler edits, apps like InShot and Kinemaster are great choices.‍
• Canva: This online is very useful in creating compelling thumbnails and banners for your shorts. It offers numerous templates that can be customized to match your brand.‍
• TubeBuddy: This is a browser extension that helps with YouTube SEO, provides keyword suggestions, and gives insights about your channel performance.‍
• VidIQ: VidIQ is another useful tool that provides you with analytics about your audience, SEO, as well as your competitors. It can help you craft a winning content strategy.‍
• Social Media Platforms: Utilize social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to cross-promote your shorts and reach a wider audience.

Remember, while these tools can make creating and optimizing your shorts easier, the key to success lies in understanding your audience and consistently creating high-quality, engaging content.

Best Practices for Creating Engaging Content on YouTube Shorts

Creating engaging content on YouTube Shorts is a process that involves creativity, understanding your audience, and utilizing the platform's unique features. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

1. Start Strong

‍The first few seconds of your short should immediately capture the viewer's attention. Use compelling visuals, strong statements, or intriguing questions to draw viewers in right from the start.

2. Keep It Concise

‍YouTube Shorts are designed for quick, bite-sized content. Ensure your message is clear and concise, delivering maximum value in a short format.

3. Tell a Story

‍Even in a condensed format, storytelling remains crucial. Try to structure your short in a way that tells an engaging narrative, building to an exciting climax or conclusion.‍

4. Use High-Quality Visuals and Audio

‍While YouTube Shorts content doesn't need to be as polished as traditional YouTube videos, maintaining a decent level of video and audio quality is essential. It improves the overall viewer experience and reflects positively on your brand.

5. Utilize the Platform's Features

‍Make sure to leverage the creative features available on the YouTube Shorts platform, like speed controls, filters, music overlays, and more. These elements can add an extra level of interest to your videos.

6. Include a Call-To-Action

‍Encourage viewers to interact with your content by liking, sharing, commenting, or subscribing. A clear Call-To-Action can significantly increase engagement and channel growth.

Image Source: TheDemLabs

7. Experiment and Analyze

‍Always be open to experimenting with different content types, styles, and formats. Regularly review your short performance analytics to gain insight into what works best for your audience.

The DashClicks’ white label analytics software is a powerful tool for YouTube Shorts creators. It offers in-depth analytics on video views, audience demographics, and viewer retention. You can also track user engagement metrics like likes, comments, shares, and subscriptions.

The marketing analytics software analyzes trending content in your niche and provides insights into competitor performance. Additionally, it offers optimization suggestions to improve visibility and engagement. Utilizing this robust tool can greatly enhance your success on YouTube Shorts.

Remember, creating engaging content for YouTube Shorts is about understanding your audience's preferences and delivering value uniquely and compellingly. Keep these best practices in mind to effectively leverage the platform and boost your content's reach and engagement.

Further Reading: How to Create YouTube Shorts: Everything You Need to Know

In Conclusion

The YouTube Shorts algorithm is a powerful tool for content creators to connect with their viewers in ways they never thought possible. As a content creator, you need to understand how it works and reach audiences through target marketing.

This strategy helps maximize content quality and engagement on YouTube Shorts while driving leads and relevance for your business. With the right strategies, you can optimize your content for success using targeting tools and resources available to help give your content the edge it needs to succeed on YouTube Shorts. 

Ultimately, be sure to deliver valuable content and apply best practices in creating engaging videos for viewers so that your efforts won’t go unnoticed. With all of this information, we hope you are now ready to tackle the YouTube Shorts algorithm with confidence!

YouTube is the number one video streaming website on the planet.

The USA alone provides roughly 240 million users, while the platform contains over 2 billion total users from around the globe.

It's not only a premier platform for entertainment, education, and news but also serves as a vital resource in any digital marketer's arsenal. However, just like static or dynamic image ads, YouTube ad video sizes must meet specific parameters to get results.

This article will entail not only the recommended YouTube video sizes, but also provide concrete guidelines for resolution, dimensions, frame rate, and aspect ratio. With these rules, you'll be able to create engaging YouTube ads that help your campaign get results.

What is the Best YouTube Ad Video Size?

The best video size to provide to YouTube users is the highest resolution your current equipment can record.

The maximum resolution that YouTube and most displays will support is 4K or 2160p. That comes out to a 3840 x 2160 pixel image. This will provide the greatest possible image quality to users with the proper screen and a speedy internet connection.

If users do not have a 4K-ready device or find themselves experiencing poor load times, YouTube can auto-detect these issues and downscale your video automatically for a better viewing experience. This setting will also help users save on mobile data if they have a limited budget.

With this in mind, advertisers should be looking for the video size minimum rather than the ceiling.

The minimum YouTube video resolution you want to aim for is 1080p. This equates to 1920 x 1080 pixels, the modern-day standard for most affordable displays. It will also prompt YouTube to automatically render your ad in the best video quality without negatively impacting users that can't readily play the content.

Image Source

Users also can manually change the video quality at any time. You do this by:

• Hovering over the YouTube video
• Clicking the gear icon in the bottom-right corner
• Click Quality
• Select the desired resolution

Note - If the video you uploaded supports it, users can also use this function to switch between 60 FPS or the standard frame rate, which we will discuss later in this article.

1080p is the standard for high-definition video and will provide the best visuals while still loading quickly on most devices.

Image Source

The floor is much lower, however. YouTube technically supports video files with resolutions as low as 240p. While there's a chance that lower-quality videos can work on smaller screens like a mobile device, most high-tech screens will end up blurring the image regardless of the display size.

For this reason, if you're unable to shoot in at least 720p, standard HD, you're better off avoiding video content until you can upgrade your equipment.

Regarding the size of the YouTube ad video file, the platform will readily accept uploads as large as 128 GB. However, the video must also not exceed 12 hours in length. As long as your video ad does not exceed this limit, you're free to add content to your YouTube account.

As a final note, you will not be able to upload videos this large by default with a new account. You must go through the process of verifying your YouTube account to gain access to new limit maximums. In the meantime, your video must be shorter than 15 minutes.

You can learn how to verify your YouTube account here.

What Video File Types Does YouTube Support?

YouTube currently accepts the following video file formats for ads and general content:

• .MOV
• .MPEG-1
• .MPEG-2
• .MPEG4
• .MP4
• .MPG
• .AVI
• .WMV
• .MPEGPS
• .FLV
• 3GPP
• WebM
• DNxHR
• ProRes
• CineForm
• HEVC (h265)

Source

However, YouTube/Google recommends utilizing the MP4 format whenever possible. This stands for MPE-4 Part 14 and is the international standard for video files. MP4 offers strong file compression, allowing for better storage and quicker file uploads without losing video quality.

MP4 is also usable across a wide variety of devices. If your team is working with a variety of operating systems, this will be ideal as opposed to using a strictly Mac format like MOV. For Mac users managing cross-platform video projects, understanding the progression of Mac operating systems in order can help ensure compatibility across different systems. If you would like to convert your MOV files to a format more suitable for social posts or email previews, you can check out Adobe's MOV to GIF converter.

What is the Best Frame Rate for YouTube Video Ads?

All video playback is essentially a rapid series of images. Compare this to old picture flipbooks that would appear to play out in motion when the pages flip by fast enough.

With this in mind, the frame rate describes how many of those individual images/frames appear every second. If you have too few frames, the video ends up looking like a slideshow. A high FPS does have its uses in certain cases, but this will rarely if ever be a factor for advertisement content.

Examples of when you want to use higher frame rates (60 FPS or higher) would be for things like sports, video game gameplay, or racing. Essentially, anything that is visually busy and contains a lot of important detail can benefit from the higher frame rate.

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Furthermore, the average display seldom supports anything above 60 FPS as a 60Hz refresh rate is the most common. Those that look to use something higher such as 120 FPS are typically enthusiasts and have a specific reason for wanting that high of a frame rate.

The question remains - what is the best frame rate for YouTube?

YouTube recommends using at least 24 FPS for uploaded video content.

This is the industry standard for film and television that the human eye is accustomed to seeing. Anything slower appears stilted and choppy, making for an unpleasant viewing experience.

As discussed above, going beyond 24 FPS is supported and can be useful depending on what you are using to record as well as the content of the video. In such cases, you would want to encode the video in a frame rate that's as close to the source as possible.

However, higher frame rates do not come free. Each additional frame means more data, a larger file size, and more data required to playback the video. Exercise caution when choosing to use video with higher resolutions and higher frame rates and make the call that's right for the video you're sharing.

Is Aspect Ratio Important for YouTube Ad Video Size?

The standard aspect ratio for video is 16:9. This is the widescreen format and the one most commonly supported by modern devices. While some popular devices like the MacBook utilize a 16:10 display, the difference in video quality is negligible.

Aspect ratio describes the ratio of width to height for a displayed image. A 16:9 aspect ratio means that the image is 16 units wide and 9 units high. You should always utilize this when uploading content to YouTube.

Image Source

If you utilize other social media apps like Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, you may also be familiar with the 9:16 format. This flips the standard format to prioritize display on devices with taller screens like a mobile phones. It creates the black bar effect on either side of the video.

There is a trend for using this format on platforms like YouTube, as well. For now, however, we would recommend using the standard 16:9 for YouTube and using the 9:16 for other platforms if you happen to use them for brand promotion.

Summary of Recommended YouTube Video Sizes & Specs

To quickly summarize everything we’ve discussed regarding your YouTube video ads, use the following specifications:

• 1080p is the standard, though YouTube supports up to 2160p
• 16:9 aspect ratio (though 9:16 is becoming a popular trend)
• 24 FPS (unless your content calls for more frames)
• The file cannot exceed 128 GB
• Video length cannot exceed 12 hours
• Supported file types:
• MOV
• .MPEG-1
• .MPEG-2
• .MPEG4
• .MP4
• .MPG
• .AVI
• .WMV
• .MPEGPS
• .FLV
• 3GPP
• WebM
• DNxHR
• ProRes
• CineForm
• HEVC (h265)

YouTube continues to be the premier video playback platform on the internet. As long as your team has the resources available to create video advertisements, you should make the effort to promote your brand on the website to reach more audiences. Lastly, to optimize your digital marketing efforts, don't overlook the potential of platforms like TikTok. Get likes from reliable sites and build brand credibility.

Simply stick to the guidelines above to ensure that your creatives never go to waste. Thankfully, most technology readily shoots video according to these parameters and YouTube readily accepts a majority of common video file types. If necessary, you can utilize a video file type converter to quickly change an existing video into a format that the platform supports.