In this topic, we take a look at the web version of YouTube, which provides comprehensive access to your channel and YouTube Studio. Unlike the mobile version, which is limited to uploading, the web version offers an all-in-one experience. For the mobile app, it requires an additional download to access the Creator Studio. We’ll delve into the functionalities to help you make the most of your YouTube experience.

Explore the Home Page

Basic Functions of YouTube

Activate Channel as a Creator

Content Creation

Engage with other Creators

Once signed in, you’ll be directed to the YouTube homepage, which is your Home feed. The Home feed displays video recommendations based on your viewing history, subscriptions, and interactions.

• Search for Content: You can use the search bar at the top to search for specific users, hashtags, or content.
• Browse Channels: Click on a user’s profile picture or username to view their channel and the videos they’ve uploaded or saved to a library.
• Like and Dislike: Click the thumbs-up icon to like a video, and click the thumbs-down icon to dislike a video.
• Save for Later: Click the clock icon to add a video to your “Watch Later” playlist.
• Comment: Click on the video to open the watching tab. Scroll down to find the “Comments” section located beneath the video player. To leave a comment, click on “Add a comment”.
• Share: Click the share icon to share videos on other social media platforms or with friends.
• Add to Playlist: Click the “Save” button to add videos to your playlists.
• Subscribe: If you come across a channel or video you like, you can click the channel name or the video title to visit the channel’s page. From there, you can click the “Subscribe” button to subscribe to the channel and receive updates from it in your Home feed.
• Read Description Box: After opening a video within the watching tab, scroll down below the video player. You will see the “Description” box, which contains information about the video, including details provided by the video’s uploader

• Customize your profile by adding a profile picture, YouTube banner, channel name and write a bio that tells viewers about you and your content.
• Invest in quality recording equipment, cameras, microphones, and video editing software to ensure your videos are of high quality
• Plan your content. Think about the type of videos you want to create. Identify your niche or theme.
• Manage and optimize your content by using the YouTube Studio

1. On the home page click on your profile picture in the top right corner, and then click on “YouTube Studio” from the dropdown menu.
2. In the YouTube Studio, tap the video icon button at the top right of the screen to start creating. You are able to “Upload Video”, “Go Live”, “Create Post”, “New Podcast” and “New Playlist”.
   i) For video upload, click the “Select files” button to browse your computer for the video you want to upload.
   ii) For Live streaming, you will be brought to streaming dashboard that allows you to go live directly on your device, schedule a new stream or manage or edit existing streams.
   iii) For Posts, you will be brought to the “Community” tab of your channel and there you can click ‘Publish Post”.
   iv) For Podcast, you can either click “New Podcast” to start a new podcast channel or set an existing playlist as a podcast.
3. Select your content to be published and utilize the managing or editing tools provided by YouTube.
   i) For Video Content: identify video title and description, add tags and keywords, make use of elements such as thumbnails, end screens, info cards, and subtitles. The preferences for video content can be managed within the dashboard.
4. Make your content public.

1. In your home feed, scroll to the selected content or search using the search bar.
2. Click the user’s profile icon to visit their channel
3. You can explore each public tab of the user’s profile. They are namely:
   i) Home – where all popular or recent uploads are highlighted
   ii) Videos – where all public videos are displayed
   iii) Shorts – where all public short videos are displayed
   iv) Playlist – public library of organized channel content or liked videos from other channels.
   v) Community – a blog space where the user is able to publish a post, image or re-share a video.
   vi) Channels – where the user feature other channels
   vii) About – a brief background on the user’s channel.
4. You can engage with another user by liking, sharing and commenting on their content and or posts.
5. Select a mix of these methods to reach a wider audience.