Manage your YouTube channel’s basic info

Linking changes on YouTube: To reduce spam and scam attempts, links in YouTube Shorts comments and Shorts descriptions will be non-clickable starting August 31, 2023–this change will roll out gradually. We're also retiring banner links on August 10, 2023, and introducing a new way to showcase important links on your channel page. You can start preparing channel profile links on August 10, and your audience will see them starting August 23. Learn more about this change.

You can manage basic info about your YouTube channel such as channel name and description, translations, and links.

Name

You can change your YouTube channel name, just make sure it follows our Community Guidelines. After changing your name, it may take a few days for the new name to update and display across YouTube. If you change your YouTube channel name and picture, it will only be visible on YouTube. You can change your Google Account name and picture here (with no changes made to your YouTube channel name).

Note: You can change your channel name twice within a 14-day period. Changing your name will remove your verification badge. Learn more.

Sign in to YouTube Studio.
From the left menu, select Customization Basic info.
Enter your new channel name.
Click PUBLISH.

Choosing Your YouTube Channel Name

Handle

A handle is a unique identifier that makes it easier for you to establish and maintain your distinct presence on YouTube.

Note: You can change your handle twice within a 14-day period.

Sign in to YouTube Studio.
From the left Menu, select Customization Basic info.
Under Handle, you can view or change your handle.
If you change your handle, click PUBLISH to confirm it.

Description

You can change your YouTube description, just make sure it follows our Community Guidelines. Your description is displayed under the ‘About tab’ and a snippet is also shown in the channel header.

Sign in to YouTube Studio.
From the left menu, select Customization Basic info.
Enter your new channel description.
Click PUBLISH.

Get video description tips for creators.

Translation for channel name & description

You can add translations for your channel name and description to help your videos reach a global audience.

Sign in to YouTube Studio.
From the left menu, select Customization Basic info ADD LANGUAGE.
Select the Original language, then select the Translation language.
Enter the translations for your channel name and description.
Click DONE.

Channel URL

Your channel URL is the standard URL that YouTube channels use. It uses your unique channel ID, which is the numbers and letters at the end of the URL.

Channel profile links

You can showcase up to 14 links on your channel page, just make sure they follow our external links policy. Your first link will be prominently displayed in the profile section near the subscribe button, and your remaining links will show when your audience clicks to see more links.

Sign in to YouTube Studio.
From the left menu, select Customization Basic info.
Under Links, click Add link and enter the title and URL of your site.
Click PUBLISH.

Contact info

You can add contact info to your channel to let others know how to get in touch with you for business questions.

Sign in to YouTube Studio.
From the left menu, select Customization Basic info.
At the bottom, enter your email.
Click PUBLISH.

Watch how to manage your channel’s basic info

Watch the following video from the YouTube Creators channel on how to change your channel name and description, translations, and links.

Customize Your Channel Branding & Layout: Add a Profile Picture, Banner, Trailer, Sections, & more!

Subscribe to the YouTube Creators channel for the latest news, updates, and tips.

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