When a new viewer lands on your channel home page, your YouTube channel trailer is often the first thing they see. It plays automatically for people who have not subscribed yet, which makes it a powerful way to introduce your content, your personality, and the value of your channel.

Think of your trailer as a 30 to 90 second elevator pitch. You are not trying to summarize your entire life or every playlist on your channel. You are answering one focused question:

Why should this viewer subscribe right now and what should they watch next?


In this guide, you will learn exactly what a channel trailer is, how to structure it, how to make a trailer step by step, and how to set it up correctly inside YouTube Studio.

A YouTube channel trailer is a short video on your channel home page that is shown to viewers who have not subscribed yet. It is part of the Layout section in YouTube Studio under the Video spotlight area.

There are two important slots on your channel home page:

Channel trailer for people who have not subscribed

You can choose any video you have already uploaded for either slot. That means your channel trailer can be a custom made introduction, or a regular video that just happens to perform well at turning viewers into subscribers.

YouTube Channel Trailer Best Practices For 2026

Before you hit record, use this checklist. These are the core principles that make channel trailers work.

 seconds is the ideal duration. In that period, you can explain the value of your content and nudge viewers toward hitting the subscribe button. 

You can go up to 90 seconds if you have more proof or examples to show, but shorter is usually better. Your goal is not to explain every series or playlist. It is to give a clear first impression and a specific next step.

Viewers care about what they will get, not your full backstory. Start with a clear promise in one simple sentence.

I help [viewer type] get [specific result] with [topic or format].

“I help small YouTubers grow from zero to their first 10 thousand subscribers.”

“I review budget camera gear so you can build a pro setup without wasting money.”

“I teach busy parents how to cook fast, healthy dinners with simple ingredients.”

Once you have your channel promise, say it near the beginning of your trailer. This anchors everything that comes after.

People believe what they see. After your promise, cut to short clips that prove you can deliver.

Behind the scenes clips that show your process

Keep each clip short. The pace should feel tight and energetic, not like a slow montage.

4. Add A Short Personal Story For Connection

A male filming a YouTube video in front of the camera under bright lights

Want people to connect with your mission? Before you ask them to subscribe, explain why you have a channel in the first place. What drives you to create content, and what personal experiences led you to this decision?

You don’t have to answer these questions directly, but you can share a personal story that reveals a deeper purpose. What makes you different from other creators? How does your story set you apart?

5. Ask Viewers to Hit the Subscribe Button

Now that you’ve shared your channel’s value, it’s time to ask people to subscribe. This will likely be your biggest call to action on YouTube, where you invite people to join your community.

A recommendation for the next video or playlist to watch

Making a trailer from scratch can be challenging, so it helps to have a few examples in mind. Use the ones below to get inspired!

1. Rachel How: ‘How I became a UI/UX designer in 3 months’

Rachel clearly states her expertise on YouTube (UI/UX design).

A personal story (and triumph) establishes Rachel as an expert.

It’s a bit long, but so is the journey to a better career. Rachel uses extra minutes to connect with viewers about a deeply emotional topic.

2. Ben Johnson: 'A channel for creatives'

You understand what the channel is about in seconds.

Ben proves his expertise with a highlight reel of his craft.

Ben shares his purpose on YouTube: becoming a knowledge resource for other creators.

3. Hey Nadine: 'Subscribe for travel advice and adventures'

Within seconds, you know it’s a travel channel.

Nadine proves her expertise with a highlight reel of her travels.

She shares what’s in it for you: learning how to travel smarter and save money.

How To Add Or Change Your Channel Trailer In YouTube Studio

Customization is right below Monetization in the left navigation menu

 to select a video for your trailer. Click 

The add button is on the right side of the screen, next to the words "channel trailer for people who haven't subscribed."

Can I Use My Most Popular Video as a Channel Trailer?

Yes, but it’s better to use a video that attracts the most subscribers overall. You can find this information in the YouTube Studio.

The Analytics option is below Playlists in the left navigation menu.

See More option is below the graph in the analytics dashboard

The subscribers gained filter option is right below the content tab

4. The video gaining the most subscribers is at the top of the list. To get better results, adjust the time period (top right) for 90 days or more.

On the vidIQ channel a YouTube video about subscribers is driving the most subscriptions in the last 90 days

A polished channel trailer is one of the simplest ways to convert new visitors into long term viewers. Build your first version, set it live, and refine it based on real data. The more focused and intentional your trailer becomes, the more subscribers it will bring in over time.

A woman speaks in front of the camera while sitting down

Young woman recording video blog sitting with camera and laptop indoors with plants.

Yes, it is ideal to include a call to action in your trailer. Keep it simple and specific:

Point them to one video or playlist to watch next

Learn what a YouTube channel trailer is, how to make a trailer that fits your content and audience, and the channel trailer best practices that turn first time viewers into subscribers in 2026.

How to Make a YouTube Channel Trailer That Converts in 2026

YouTube end screens are interactive outros that appear in the last 5-20 seconds of a video. From the viewer’s perspective, they’re a fancy goodbye signaling the end of your content, complete with animations and beautiful backgrounds.

Except YouTube end screens are much more than that.

Looks aside, end screens are a tool for getting more views. And you can use them in every single video to recommend content and grow your channel.

Outdated YouTube Advice You Should Ignore in 2026

Imagine this. When your video ends, viewers are whisked away to 

 video because they clicked a call-to-action on your end screen. Now hundreds of people have watched 

 videos on your channel instead of one. That’s how powerful these outros are for increasing views.

Below is an old end screen we have used that includes all the possible elements.

You can use end screens to direct viewers to:

Another YouTube channel you want to promote

An external website (but only if you’re in the 

So, how do you create the right end screen for YouTube? What are the best practices to make sure your outro is engaging and click-worthy?

1. First, Make Sure Your YouTube Video is Long Enough

Your video needs to be at least 25 seconds to have an end screen. That’s easy to do if you’re like most creators. Naturally, people record for a long time and post videos spanning several minutes. Unless you’re 

3 Ways to Find the Best YouTube Video Length

Above all, don’t forget to leave space at the end of your video for an outro.

2. Use the Correct Dimensions for Your YouTube End Screen

The end screen dimensions for an HD video are 

 That’s how big the entire frame should be. If you’re shooting in 4K, bump that up to 3840px by 1260px.

Also, make sure any custom graphics in your end screen are sharp. YouTube says your images – pictures used for the subscribe button and website links – should be at least 

Check out the example below. Photography creator 

 uses a crisp self-portrait for the "subscribe" feature.

You can make a video outro in 30 minutes using a graphic design website. Some even have YouTube end screen templates,

Here are five remarkable end screen makers:

Canva is one of the better options on this list. It has plenty of design templates to choose from, like this one:

To create the best end screen using Canva:

 You can move the elements around, choose new colors, and add animations to your end screen.

 Use images that represent your channel or brand.

 Leave enough negative space so you can fit two to three videos or playlists on your end screen.

4. Add the End Screen to Your Video Project

Once you’ve created an end screen, you can:

the end screen into your video project (Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Davinci Resolve, etc.)

your end screen clip to the last few seconds of your video.

 to add clickable elements, such as videos and playlists.

Finished editing your video? Now it’s time to upload the footage and 

In the short above, Dan walks you through the steps to add an end screen to your videos. Here's what you need to do:

Click your profile icon in the top right of YouTube.

Choose the video you want to edit by clicking on its title or thumbnail.

 (edit button) next to the selected video.

"Details" option under your content uploads

Scroll down the editing page until you find the 

Keep a few things in mind as you experiment with end screens:

YouTube cards and video watermarks won't show up on an end screen.

You can sort the video element to be your most recent upload, allow YouTube to select a video automatically, or choose a specific video.

End screens are unavailable if you have a made-for-kids channel.

3 End Screen Strategies That Boost YouTube Views

Creating an awesome end card for your videos is the first step to getting more views. The next step is knowing 

interactive elements to place on the screen and 

 to make viewers watch until the end. Here are some tips to help you succeed.

 to get the most out of your end screen. Viewers are overwhelmed when they see a subscribe button, three videos, and a product link at the end of your video. Simplify the options so they'll be encouraged to click. 

 The less screen time you demand from viewers, the better chance you have of them making it to the end screen to click on something else.

That prompts the viewer to leave, and you don't want that. You want them to stick around, check out the end screen, and choose another video to watch.

Want to create the best end screen possible? Here are some examples that effectively use all the advice in this post. Take a look, and draw some inspiration for your own channel.

Knowing how to make a YouTube outro is a valuable skill. Next up, learn how to add YouTube cards to your videos and promote extra content on your channel.

Youtube end screen template with subscribe prompt, recommended video box, and usernames.

Want to create a YouTube end screen that promotes the rest of your videos? Keep reading to discover the best end screen makers and how to craft interactive outros.

YouTube End Screens: How to Make Cool Video Outros

In the fast-paced world of YouTube, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends and tactics for growing your channel. However, it's important to remember that what worked in the past may not necessarily work in the future. With that in mind, here are 10 pieces of YouTube advice to ignore.

From the outside, this looks like good advice for creators of all sizes. After all, more videos mean more opportunities to get those numbers up. 

While frequent uploads can boost visibility, the 2026 algorithm prioritizes viewer satisfaction and personalized engagement over sheer volume. It's more effective to focus on quality content that resonates with your target audience than to adhere to a daily posting schedule.

Woman looking frustrated at the work desk

If you're primarily a Shorts creator and do not require long hours for each video, putting out content daily might be doable. Just don’t forget that, even when producing more content more often, it’s important to 

 and provide something relevant for your viewers.

Alright, this might sound controversial right off the bat, given that we've encouraged new creators to follow this advice in the past. And it does make sense to do so. But not everyone has the same creative style or is inspired by the same kind of content.

Instead, develop your own style and focus on creating content that reflects your passion and connects with your viewers. While this may sound like a tall order, especially for creators new to YouTube, just remember this: 

, one that you can master with the right process.

3. Starting a Separate Channel for Your YouTube Shorts

Some creators may worry that mixing long videos with shorter ones will hurt their channel.

That begs the question: If viewers support your Shorts, why would they suddenly want longs? And if they currently like your longs, why would they want Shorts?

Fortunately, that’s a problem you no longer have to worry about. In 2025, 

 effectively integrates both Shorts and long-form content. In other words, there is no need to start a separate channel for YouTube Shorts.

Maintaining a single channel allows for cohesive branding and can enhance audience retention across different content formats.



YouTube Will Recommend Long-Form Videos to Shorts Viewers [Algorithm Update]

There’s nothing wrong with saying “hello” at the start of a video, but try not to introduce yourself, your channel, and your niche every time. Once a viewer knows this information, repeating it is pointless.

Instead, lead with the value you promised viewers before they clicked on the video. That could be the main idea or storyline they saw in your title, thumbnail, or video description. After all, that’s what they came to see!

YouTube Intros - 8 Ways to Hook Viewers In the First 8 Seconds

Many people think they get more views by adding tags to a video, but that’s not how they work. Tags help people find your content, especially if the topic is frequently misspelled.

“Tomatoes” is a good example. Many people leave the E out by typing “tomatos,” so if you’re video is about growing that vegetable, you can add the common misspelling (tomatos) as a tag.

Overall, tags play a minimal role in boosting your views. The video title, description, and thumbnail are most important for video discovery, according to YouTube.

An image from YouTube's support page, which explains that tags don't lead to more views

A magnifying glass enlarges the YouTube logo on a smartphone

People discover videos in many parts of the YouTube app or website. Search pages are just one of those places, so you don’t need to prioritize them over everywhere else.

So if you’re only making search-based videos that rely on keywords, you’re missing out on tons of views. We know this because 70% of views on YouTube come from 

That means it’s better to make videos that complement the popular, viral content within your niche (so YouTube recommends your video next).

Two women filming a YouTube video on one phone

Going viral on YouTube comes with many benefits, like attracting new viewers and boosting your confidence as a creator.

But no one talks about how these benefits turn into setbacks for creators who aren’t used to going viral. They could spend months trying to chase that high again, all while targeting the wrong audience and burning out creatively.

That’s why going viral on YouTube is overrated

Going viral is addictive — a pressure you don’t need this early.

The views don't always come from your “real” audience.

Sometimes, going viral comes with criticism.

Going viral skews your perception of quantity vs. quality.

You think less about your audience and more about yourself.

Focus on building a loyal viewer base through consistent, high-quality content tailored to your niche.

8. Doing ‘Sub4Sub’ to Get More Subscribers

A person tapping the YouTube subscribe button on their phone

Sub4Sub is when two creators subscribe to one another’s channel to boost their overall subscriber count. It sounds harmless enough, but this is the worst thing you can do for two reasons:

According to YouTube, you’re not allowed to “cause or encourage any inaccurate measurements of genuine user engagement with the service, including by paying people or providing them with incentives to increase a video’s views, likes, or dislikes, or to increase a channel’s subscribers…”

 can result in penalties. Instead, engage with your audience authentically to grow your subscriber base organically.

9. Making Videos for the YouTube Algorithm and Not Your Audience

Close up of a man concentrating while analyzing data

Some creators are obsessed with beating the YouTube algorithm. They want to know all of the tips and tricks to 

Of course, there’s no “beating” the YouTube algorithm because the algorithm isn’t working against anyone or anything. Its only job is matching viewers to the right videos.

If you know your audience well, just make videos they want to see! That allows the YouTube algorithm, or more accurately, the recommendation system, to serve that content to your viewers.

5 Secrets You Didn’t Know About the YouTube Algorithm

10. Not Seeking Brand Deals as a Small Creator

There’s a misconception that small creators can’t 

, let alone get brand deals. But guess what? You don’t need millions of subscribers to show a brand you’re worth the money. Your proof is an audience that takes action when you ask them to, like when they download an ebook or smash the like button.

If you can show that type of engagement, the next step is reaching out to brands aligned with your channel’s focus. You’ll want to 

 first, then pitch some ideas around how you would advertise their latest product or service.

By aligning your content strategy with these updated insights, you can navigate YouTube's evolving landscape more effectively in 2026. But remember: YouTube is a growing, evolving platform. What may be good advice today may be dangerous tomorrow. Make sure you’re staying on top of what tactics work to grow your following!

Want more details? This video explains more about the worst YouTube advice to ignore.

YouTuber with a camera staring at the sea from a cliff

Man with camera and backpack perched on rocky cliff overlooking the ocean on cloudy day

There’s a lot of advice on how to grow a YouTube channel, but which information should you trust?

The YouTube algorithm exists to match viewers with the perfect video for their search, their interests, and their moment. Master how it works, and you control who sees your content.

Every minute, creators upload 500+ hours of video to YouTube. The algorithm's single job is to predict which videos will keep each viewer watching, clicking, and coming back for more.

Master this system, and you control your growth. Ignore it, and you're hoping for luck.

Here's exactly how the YouTube Algorithm decides what to recommend in 2026, and the specific changes you can make today to get more views.

(Note: The Shorts algorithm follows its own model. 

You can find our dedicated guide to the Shorts algorithm here

YouTube Algorithm Explained: What It Actually Does

The YouTube algorithm is a prediction engine powered by machine learning. It analyzes billions of data points every second to answer one question:

"Will this specific viewer enjoy this specific video right now?"

The algorithm isn't a gatekeeper, it's a matchmaker trying to connect your content with people who'll love it.

Watch this overview video to see how the algorithm chooses and ranks content.

 what each viewer will enjoy based on their history and behavior

 candidate videos that might match their interests

 those videos by predicted satisfaction and engagement

 Every viewer sees a personalized YouTube feed. Two people searching the same term will see different results based on what YouTube predicts they'll actually watch.

Why the YouTube Algorithm Matters for Creators

You don't need many subscribers to get recommended. You need to show the algorithm that your video satisfies a specific type of viewer. This helps small channels get discovered if they understand what the algorithm is looking for.

YouTube Ranking Formula showing engagement elements, satisfaction elements, and relevance elements pointing to a YouTube play button

How Does the YouTube Algorithm Work? The 3 Ranking Signals

Understanding how the YouTube algorithm works means focusing on these three signal types..

1. Engagement Signals (Does Your Video Hold Attention?)

These metrics show whether viewers find your video valuable:

 Percentage of people who click after seeing your thumbnail

 If your CTR is below 4%, your thumbnail or title isn't clear enough. 

Test a thumbnail with one bold visual idea and high contrast.

 Retention above 50% tells YouTube your video delivers on its promise

 Cut your intro to under 10 seconds, deliver value immediately

Learn how the YouTube algorithm works in 2026: Including CTR, watch time & satisfaction signals and how to get more views.

YouTube Tips for Creators

How to Make a YouTube Channel Trailer That Converts in 2026

YouTube End Screens: How to Make Cool Video Outros

Outdated YouTube Advice You Should Ignore in 2026

How the YouTube Algorithm Works in 2026: Updates & Tips

Recovering from YouTube Issues: Strikes, Hacks, and Slumps

YouTube Live Stream Tips: Essential Strategies for Streaming Success in 2025

How to Choose a Good YouTube Channel Name (That Stands Out in 2025)

11 Ways to Write Exciting YouTube Titles for Your Videos

40 Faceless YouTube Channel Ideas That Actually Work in 2025

30 YouTube Keyboard Shortcuts Every Creator Should Know

Should You Start a Second YouTube Channel?

How to Change Your YouTube Channel Name (2025 Step-by-Step Guide)