How to upload a video to YouTube

How to upload your videos to YouTube’s vast video-sharing platform on desktop and mobile

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Quick steps

Quick steps

How to upload a video to YouTube

How to upload a video to YouTube

It’s relatively simple to upload a video toYouTube, whether you’re a creator looking to make a name for yourself, a small business or if you just want to upload videos to share with family and friends.

YouTube is the largest video-sharing platform around, and one of the most visited websites on the internet; it’s a massive opportunity for creators, but a daunting one nonetheless.

In this guide, we’ll be walking you through all of the necessary steps to upload your video onto YouTube on both mobile and desktop, as well as highlighting some easy wins to get your video seen. We’ve also included a small guide on monetizing your YouTube videos.

Not shot your video yet? Grab one of thebest YouTube camerasto get you set up for success.

Tools and Requirements

Steps for uploading on YouTube desktop

Steps for uploading on iPhone and Android

How to monetize your YouTube videos

While it’s not the Golden Goose it once was, there are still huge revenue opportunities on YouTube - but you need to go through a few steps before you can monetize your content.

Crucially, you’ll need to apply and be accepted into the YouTube Partner Programme (YPP) before you can access any of the YouTube-based revenue options. You’ll also need to check you’ve completedall of the due diligencethat YouTube requires to allow monetization for your account.

There are five routes through which you can earn money on YouTube:

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Final thoughts

While uploading your video to YouTube is relatively easy, for creators there is a certain knack to filling out the details and increasing the reach of your video.

Focusing on keywords, making an eye-catching thumbnail, using tags, and otherwise giving YouTube as much context as possible to your content are great foundations. Still, mostly you’ll learn by doing and seeing what trends emerge with content similar to yours.

Josephine Watson (@JosieWatson) is TechRadar’s Managing Editor - Lifestyle. Josephine is an award-winning journalist (PPA 30 under 30 2024), having previously written on a variety of topics, from pop culture to gaming and even the energy industry, joining TechRadar to support general site management. She is a smart home nerd, champion of TechRadar’s sustainability efforts as well and an advocate for internet safety and education. She has used her position to fight for progressive approaches towards diversity and inclusion, mental health, and neurodiversity in corporate settings. Generally, you’ll find her fiddling with her smart home setup, watching Disney movies, playing on her Switch, or rewatching the extended edition of Lord of the Rings… again.

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