Unlocking the potential for collaboration and community engagement on YouTube channels has never been more crucial. Yet, the frustrating roadblock of ‘This Channel doesn’t Feature any Other Channels’ leaves many creators stranded in isolation. Picture this: the inability to showcase your favorite collaborators or complementary content, hindering growth and limiting your channel’s reach. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the depths of this perplexing issue on YouTube, dissecting its causes, providing actionable solutions, and empowering creators to break free from this feature conundrum.
What do ‘Featured Channels’ entail on YouTube?
These are channels spotlighted alongside a main channel, allowing creators to expand their audience reach and draw attention to recommended channels. Back in March 2013, YouTube introduced a revamped channel design called ‘Channel One.’ It aimed to offer businesses a better branding platform, optimized for both computers and mobile devices. Among its features was the ‘Featured channels’ element, a strategic addition to the package.
But that’s not the only way to leverage featured channels on YouTube. It’s essential to differentiate between a ‘featured channel’ and a ‘recommended channel.’ While YouTube recommends channels based on your viewing history and browsing habits, a featured channel is handpicked by the site’s algorithm, suggesting its videos as worth watching.
Unlike recommended channels, this selection isn’t solely influenced by your preferences or browsing patterns. YouTube’s algorithms constantly sift through channels to feature those likely to attract a broader audience.
So, how do you catch YouTube’s automated attention for your channel? The key lies in creating high-quality videos that align with YouTube’s community standards, guidelines, and recommendations. This involves crafting top-notch video titles, tags, and descriptions. If your channel lands a spot in YouTube’s featured channels section, consider it a significant win.
Featured Channels VS Recommended Channel
Featured Channels, handpicked by the YouTube algorithm, hold a distinguished position due to their inherent merit and quality. These channels are spotlighted based on their content’s perceived value and appeal, offering viewers a curated selection of channels that YouTube deems noteworthy.
On the flip side, Recommended Channels operate on a different premise. These suggestions are akin to channels you already engage with, tailored to match your viewing history and preferences. The algorithm analyzes your past interactions and browsing behavior to suggest channels that align with your interests. Moreover, keyword research contributes to this process, aiming to present channels that share thematic or content-related similarities with your past engagements.
How to Add a Featured Channel on YouTube
Adding a featured channel on YouTube is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:
STEP 1: Sign in to your YouTube Account
- Access your YouTube account by signing in.
STEP 2: Access Channel Customization Settings
- Click on the “Your Channel” link positioned at the top of the page.
- Tap the blue “Customize Channel” button to open the “Channel customization” settings. Here, you can modify various elements of your channel’s layout and branding.
STEP 3: Add a Featured Section
- Within the “Channel customization” settings, locate “Featured sections.”
- Click on “Add section” and scroll down to find the “Featured channels” option. Select it.
STEP 4: Search and Set Title
- In the “Featured channels” section, use the search bar to enter the name of the channel you want to feature.
- Customize the title for this section to suit your preference. It doesn’t have to be named “Featured channels”; you can change it as desired.
STEP 5: Finalize and Save Changes
- Once you’ve added the desired channel(s), click “Done” to save your selections.
Alternatively:
Direct Access via YouTube Studio
- Access your channel’s YouTube Studio directly.
- Navigate to the “Customization” tab located on the left side of the page.
Customize Featured Channels Section
- Scroll down within the YouTube Studio to locate the “Featured channels” section.
- Customize the layout of your channel’s homepage within this section.
And that’s it! By following these steps, you’ve successfully added a featured channel on YouTube.
Why Content Creators Should Feature Channels
By featuring channels, content creators not only extend support to peers but also affirm their channel authenticity while actively contributing to community growth and mutual exposure. This strategic utilization of the featured channels feature on YouTube can significantly enhance a creator’s visibility and engagement within the platform’s community.
Promoting Alternative Channels
Content creators can leverage the feature channels option not only to support fellow YouTubers but also to showcase their alternative channels. For example, if a creator streams on Twitch and uploads full streams to a separate YouTube channel, featuring the Twitch VODs channel on the main YouTube account can cross-promote content. Similarly, having a dedicated Shorts channel allows creators to feature short clips on their main channel.
Verification of Legitimate Channels
By featuring alternative accounts in the list of featured channels, creators can authenticate their ownership. YouTube often faces issues with copycat clip channels that unlawfully repost content from creators’ streams or videos. This misleads audiences and diverts views away from the original creators. Including these channels in the featured list helps viewers identify the legitimate channels associated with the creator, reducing confusion caused by copycat channels.
Community Building
Utilizing the featured channels option contributes to community building on YouTube. For creators, fostering a close-knit community is crucial, especially during the initial stages of channel growth. Collaboration and support within the creator community benefit everyone involved. Featuring other creators from the same community exposes one’s audience to fellow creators’ content. Reciprocal support from these creators further amplifies exposure, introducing new audiences potentially interested in the featured content.
Benefits of Featuring other Channels
Below are the benefits of featuring other channels on your personal or professional YouTube channel:
Diverse Content Appeal
Viewers crave variety. Offering innovative ideas keeps them engaged and prevents boredom. Engaging content retains your audience longer, enticing them to return for more.
Additional Revenue Stream
Integrating featured channels introduces an extra income source to your blog or business. Monetize through video courses or YouTube ads, supplementing your earnings.
Catalyzes Creativity
Utilize a featured channel as a creative avenue alongside your popular content. Introducing diverse content attracts a broader audience beyond your usual target market
Limitation on Featuring Channels on YouTube
To feature channels, having content is essential—verification isn’t a requirement. However, there’s flexibility. Video uploads aren’t mandatory.
Simply curate a playlist. Handpick your preferred videos, compile them into a playlist with an engaging title, and you’re set! Now, featuring other channels becomes feasible within your videos. Ensure the selected content aligns visually and thematically with your channel for a cohesive presentation.
How to Remove a Featured YouTube Channel
YouTube occasionally updates its platform, altering access to certain features. Currently, removing featured channels from your homepage is not as straightforward as before. Yet, the process remains simple. Follow these steps to understand how to remove featured channels on YouTube:
- Open your YouTube channel’s homepage.
- Opt for the customization option.
- Locate the section displaying featured channels.
- Click on the three-dot icon.
- Choose either ‘Remove Section’ or ‘Edit Section Contents.’
- Eliminate the unwanted channel(s).
- Confirm the changes.
- For removing channels via the YouTube app, follow the same steps to effectively block channels.”
Conclusion
In navigating the multifaceted landscape of YouTube’s featured channels, content creators uncover a treasure trove of advantages. From diversifying content appeal and fostering community growth to expanding revenue streams, the utilization of featured channels opens doors to creative expression and audience engagement.
Despite occasional limitations in customization, the platform continues to offer avenues for creators to curate and present their content in innovative ways. As the YouTube landscape evolves, leveraging these features strategically can amplify a creator’s reach, authenticity, and impact within the vibrant YouTube community.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! How has featuring channels impacted your YouTube experience? Share your insights or reviews on utilizing featured channels to enhance your content strategy. Your feedback helps us understand and cater to the diverse needs of creators in this dynamic YouTube ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I feature other channels on my channel?
- Sign in to your YouTube account.
- Click your profile in the upper right corner.
- Access YouTube Studio.
- Choose Customization from the left menu.
- Under Featured sections, click Add section.
- Scroll down and select Featured channels.
Why does YouTube say a channel doesn’t exist?
This message occurs when a channel is unavailable, possibly because the owner closed the specific YouTube account.
Why isn’t my new channel searchable?
New channels might not appear at the top of search results due to common names or being recently created.
What’s the purpose of featuring other channels on YouTube?
Featured channels help create a unique channel, promoting content that might interest your audience or supporting fellow creators.
How can I make my YouTube channel visible in search?
Upload multiple videos, make them public, add relevant tags, and allow some time for them to appear in YouTube’s search index.
Why can’t I feature my other YouTube channel?
YouTube requires content before allowing channel features. Create playlists with relevant videos that align with your branding.
What is YouTube feature eligibility?
After confirming default features, additional features may require phone verification, including longer videos, custom thumbnails, and live streaming.
How do I get a blue tick on YouTube?
Verification requires reaching 100,000 subscribers, with channels representing authentic creators, brands, or entities.
How can I make my subscribed channels visible?
Go to YouTube Settings > Privacy > Turn on or off “Keep all my subscriptions private” to make channel subscriptions public or private.
