A few months ago, we launched our YouTube channels redesign in beta (first via a secret opt-in URL that many of you discovered, then as a visible opt-in link). Hundreds of thousands of you are now using the new version, have contributed a lot of useful feedback, and have helped make the new channels beta stronger and faster. Here are a few cool examples of great new channel designs: IceflowStudios, Vlogbrothers, nalts, LisaNova, sxephil, ThadewGrum, The White House, and University of Phoenix.
We're now ready to start rolling out the new channels design to more users. Starting today, all new accounts will automatically have the new version of channels. Here's a video introducing the new channels, the benefits, and how you can get started:
Finally, we'd like to give you advance warning that all existing channels will change over to the new design on July 15. (Partners, watch for separate communications about your changeover date.)
Want to try it out or start getting ready before July 15? Just click on the "Upgrade my channel!" link on your Channel Design page (and note that you can switch back anytime until July 15). Keep in mind that new channels are still in beta for now, so there may be a few elements missing here and there. If you have questions, please scroll down the page for more info on how to use the new Channel design. Also, we've been sharing our progress and gathering feedback from users on a dedicated channels beta blog. Join in if you're interested in learning more and want more frequent updates on our beta progress -- and let us know if there's anything that you'd like to see added to the new version of channels, too.
Read on to learn about the new version of channels and how to customize your channel with the updated channel layout.
What is changing?
The updated channel design includes:
- A fresh new design with in-channel editing. This allows you to edit your channel without leaving the channel page, and see the results of your design change on your channel as you edit.
- An interactive watch experience: channel visitors can browse through and watch multiple videos without leaving the channel.
- Increased visibility for your videos: you'll have the ability to customize and re-arrange how your videos (uploads, playlists, and favorites) are displayed on your channel.
Will I lose anything when I switch to the new channel?
No, you won't lose any content from your old channel when you switch over to the new channel design.
To learn how to edit and update your channel background / theme, please continue reading. The instructions are listed below.
I have the new version of channels - How do I edit my channel?
Below the search bar, you'll see a grey "Edit Channel" section where you can make edits to your channel. Click the "Settings", "Themes and Colors" or "Modules" button to edit those aspects of your channel. Once you click on one of the buttons, the window will expand and you'll be able to made the edits to your channel from there.
Settings
By clicking the "Settings" button you'll be able to view and edit the information associated with your channel:
- Your channel's title
- Tags (to help other users find your channel in search)
In order to update this information, enter your edits, then click the "Save Changes" button (in the lower right hand corner of the window).
In order to edit your channel background and color theme, click the "Themes and Colors" button. The window will expand and you'll see certain color theme options. You can select one of these themes for your channel, or create your own theme.
Updating your channel background:
- By clicking on one of the color themes, the background of your channel will change to show you a preview of how your channel will look if you select that them.
- If you like that theme, and want to have it displayed on your channel, click the "Save Changes" button to update your channel.
- If you don't like the theme you're seeing in preview, simply click "cancel", or click on another theme to change the channel background.
- Click show advanced options (located below the standard color themes).
- The window will expand and show you a variety of ways to create your own background theme. Customize it by selecting different colors for the various aspects of your channel.
- Click show advanced options (located below the standard color themes).
- Click the "browse" button, and find an image from your computer that you'd like to use as your channel's background. Select the image.
- The image will appear centered on your channel page. You'll be able to see a preview of this.
- If you'd like to repeat the image across your channel's background, click and select the "Repeat Background" box.
- Click the "Save Changes" button to update your channel with these changes.
Customizing your channel background and theme:
In order to update your channel background with an image:
In order to edit the modules which are displayed on your channel, click the "Modules" button. The window will then expand to display various options.
Select the modules that you'd like to display on your channel. The modules include:
- Comments
- Friends
- Subscribers
- Subscriptions
- Recent Activity
If you do not want to show one of these modules on your channel page, click and unselect the box next to that module option (so that the box is blank). Then click the "Save Changes" button to update your channel and hide that module.
Move your channel modules:
In order to change the order in which your modules appear on your channel
- Locate the module on your channel page.
- In the right hand corner of the module you'll see several white circular buttons with arrows on them.
- Click on the buttons to move the module in question up, down, or across the channel page.
You can choose which videos are shown by default when users visit your channel.
On the right hand side, you can choose to display:
- All (playlists, uploads, and favorites).
- Just Uploads
- Just Playlists
- Just Favorites
- A particular Playlist
On the left hand side you show your default video. Here you can choose from any of your uploads, favorites - or any video whatsoever (providing you have that video's URL).
To customize all of the above, click on the "edit" link in the upper-right corner of the video navigator box. You can then choose the featured video via the "Featured Video" dropdown menu, and you can customize the default right hand side browser using the "Featured Content Set" dropdown menu.
TIMELINE FOR THE NEW CHANNELS:
On September 30th, all user channels still using the older version will get the new channel design.
Partner accounts still using the older version will begin their transition on October 14.
In both cases, it may be a week or two after the migration starts for the conversion to be complete.
