Did you know that you can verify your YouTube account and that it only takes a few minutes? YouTube allows this for a number of reasons, and there are benefits to doing so. In this article, you’ll learn what it means to verify your YouTube account plus how to do so.
Benefits of Verifying Your YouTube Account
The following are the key reasons you should verify your YouTube account:
1. Create and Upload Longer Videos
Verified accounts can upload videos that are up to 12 hours long or 256 GB in size, whichever comes first. Unverified accounts can only upload 15-minute long videos. If you intend to create long-form videos that cover your topics in greater detail, this is definitely the way to go.
2. Add More YouTube Ads
Video ads are less likely to be served on very short videos, and back-to-back video ads only display on videos that are at least five minutes long. With up to a 12-hour-long video, you can incorporate and display more YouTube ads to further increase your ability to monetize your videos.
3. Create Customized Thumbnails
Unverified accounts can only use default thumbnails. Considering that thumbnails influence clicks and view count, this is a serious limitation. On the other hand, if you verify your YouTube account, you’ll be able to customize your thumbnails to attract more clicks and views.
4. Qualify for Live Streaming
Once you verify your YouTube account, you’ll qualify for live streaming. With YouTube Live, you can go live and interact with your audience to improve audience participation and engagement.
5. Appeal Content ID Claims
A Content ID claim is automatically generated when YouTube deems that a video you uploaded infringes on someone’s copyright because it matches a video or a part of a video in its Content ID system.
YouTube allows you to appeal a Content ID claim, as long as you have a verified account. However, you should only dispute claims when you have a valid reason to avoid a takedown notice from a valid claim, which can result in a copyright strike.
How to Verify Your YouTube Account on Desktop
To verify your YouTube account, you’ll need an active YouTube account, YouTube channel, and an active mobile phone number. The process is simple and can be done via a desktop or mobile browser but not the app.
Open your desktop browser and go to YouTube.com. You’ll be prompted to sign in if you aren’t already logged in. Enter your login details and click “Next.”
Scroll all the way down and click “Settings” in the menu on the left.
Click “Channel status and features.”
You’ll be redirected to the YouTube Studio page. Click “Continue.”
Under the “Feature eligibility” tab, click the drop-down beside “Eligible” under “Intermediate features” and click “Verify phone number.” Alternatively, go to YouTube verify and sign in to your account if prompted.
You’ll be asked how you would like to receive your verification code. Select between “Text me the verification code” and “Call me with an automated voice message.”
Select your country if it isn’t already preloaded, then enter your phone number in the space provided. Click “Get code.”
Once you receive your verification code, enter it in the space provided, then click “Submit.”
How to Verify Your YouTube Account on Mobile (Android, iOS)
To verify your YouTube account using your Android or iOS device, open your browser of choice, go to YouTube verify and sign in to your account if prompted.
Select how you’d like to receive your verification code, via text or phone call, then enter your mobile phone number and tap “Get code.”
After receiving the verification code, enter it in the space provided and tap “Submit.”
Once verified, it will reflect on your YouTube account across all your synced devices.
Other Ways to Prompt the Verification Process
There are other ways to prompt the verification process for your YouTube account, whether on a desktop or mobile device.
1. Upload a Lengthy Video
To do this on desktop, sign in to your YouTube account and click on your profile picture in the top-right corner, then click “Your channel.”
Click “Upload video -> Continue” to go to YouTube Studio, click “Select files -> Upload,” drag and drop the video, then click “Show all files.”
Select a lengthy video and let it finish uploading and processing. You’ll see a notification informing you that processing has been abandoned because the video is too long.
Click “Learn more.”
You’ll be redirected to the Google Support page where you’ll be referred to the “YouTube verify” page to verify your account.
2. Try to Go Live
Once inside your YouTube account, click on your profile picture in the top-right corner, then go to “YouTube Studio -> Go live.”
Because your account is yet to be verified, you’ll be directed to a page requiring you to enable the live feature. Click the red “Enable” button. On the next page, click “Verify.”
This will take you to the YouTube verification page.
Follow the prompts to verify your account.
3. Try to Upload Your Thumbnail
This is yet another way to kickstart the account verification process. To do this, while still inside your YouTube account, upload a video, click “Upload thumbnail” when done, then click “VERIFY.”
This will take you straight to the “YouTube verify” page. Follow through to verify your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between verifying my YouTube account and receiving a verification badge?
When you verify your YouTube account, you’re confirming to YouTube that you own the account and that you’re not a bot. It differs from getting a verification badge. Whereas anyone can verify a YouTube account, only YouTube channels with over 100k subscribers can apply for a YouTube verification badge.
2. How do I know that my account has been verified?
You’ll get a success notification informing you that you’ve successfully verified your account immediately after you click the “SUBMIT” button. You can also sign in to your YouTube account and go to “Settings -> Channel status and features.” In the “Feature eligibility” tab under “Intermediate features,” you’ll see “Enabled” beside the drop-down.
3. Why didn’t I receive a verification code?
There are a few possible explanations for this.
A. Your country, region, or carrier doesn’t yet support text messages from Google. If this is the case, you can try a different phone number or use the automated voice call option.
B. You get an error message stating that your phone number has already created the maximum number of accounts. If so, you’ll have to use another number.
C. SMS verification can be because of other factors as well. If you’re experiencing a delay, try another phone number or use the voice call option.
4. How many YouTube accounts can I verify using one phone number?
You can only verify four YouTube accounts per phone number per year: two via SMS and two via voice call for the purpose of reducing spam and scams. Also note that you can create up to 50 channels under one YouTube account.
Wrapping Up
Verifying your YouTube account is fast, simple, and easy, and it will allow you to start enjoying longer video uploads, custom thumbnails, more ad placements, live streaming, and the ability to appeal Content ID claims. Read on to learn how to get a custom URL for your YouTube channel and how to add a watermark to your YouTube videos.
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