New feature on YouTube channel homepage

Starting today (November 20, 2023), YouTube channels have a new section called "To you" (or “For You”, depending on the language you use). What is it and why should you take a quick look at your channel customization settings?

Until now, it was possible to highlight the following sections on the front page of a YouTube channel: 

1. Trailer for those who haven't subscribed to the channel.
2. Video for those who have already subscribed to the channel. 
3. Featured Sections. By default, it has four: short videos, uploads, playlists you've created, and subscriptions (that you've made public).  

From today, a new section was added to them "To you", which is automatic by YouTube, i.e. it offers each channel viewer a selection of your videos according to their preferences and previous viewings.

YouTube channel front page layout

One of the main mistakes of the YouTube channel of Estonian companies and organizations is that the front page of the channel is not customized. The layout of the channel homepage can be easily done by logging into YouTube by selecting “YouTube Studio” from the top right and then “Customization” from the bottom left menu. The "Layout" option opens first.

Recommended layout of the home page

Although the channel trailer and the video for those who have subscribed to the channel can be the same video, companies may want to consider creating a separate channel trailer. 

Starting today, a new section "For you" will appear right below it. I recommend using it anyway. You can read more about it from here. Since the channels and the content on them are different, it is not possible to make a one-size-fits-all recommendation. In my opinion, however, the following choice could be made.

With such a choice, YouTube channel newcomers will be among the first to show an automatic selection of your longest videos of the last year. And it seems to do so with larger thumbnails than the featured sections below.

Channels that produce a lot of shorts can also leave this option, but this means it comes at the expense of longer videos. If the purpose of Shorts is to lead the viewer to watch a longer video, then it is better to deselect Shorts. 

Live broadcasts are "pushed" by YouTube anyway, in this case I would not recommend this option, because it means that YouTube offers your old live broadcasts there. 

In addition, you can choose whether all your content will be included in the selection or only those videos that you have uploaded in the last 12 months. In most cases, the last option is better, for example Mr. Beast doesn't want any of his videos from 10 years ago to be recommended to the viewer there. If few clips have been downloaded in the last 12 months, the entire content can be used. 

Featured Sections

Finally, you can select up to 12 rows of featured sections. In most cases it is suitable for this "One presentation list". It is definitely worth observing that the presentation lists, perhaps playlists would be added in order of importance.  

In some cases, the “Popular Videos” option can also be used, but this row should not be among the first. 

In some cases, for example The Ministry of Agriculture uses its YouTube channel As one line of the "Featured channels" solution, YouTube links of other ministries are also displayed. It is worth doing among the last. 

Other channels should only be mentioned for a reason, and if they are, it is always worth asking the owners of the featured channels for a favor. Unfortunately, other ministries have room for improvement.

If something remained difficult, then write and ask for advice.