Pro tip
Don’t wait for “perfect.” Just start. Start with content you already love watching. Chances are, you’ll enjoy creating it too. Finding your niche
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Bigger stories,
Bigger stories,
deeper
connections
Longform content creates meaningful connections that spark cultural moments and fuel sustainable growth as billions watch on desktop, mobile, and TV.
Why create longform
videos on YouTube?
Full-length videos help you go beyond trends and fads to win the hearts of viewers, build a community, and create a sustainable income.
-
Tell more of your story
Longer videos give you the space to share your passion in full.
-
Go deep
Build a lasting community by making real connections with fans who get you.
-
Earn more
With multiple ways to earn, a committed audience means sustainable income as you grow.
How to get started with
longform content
Find your focus
- 1 Choose a topic or theme you’re genuinely excited about (gaming, vlogs, tutorials, commentary, storytelling).
- 2 Decide what value you want to bring: Are you here to entertain, teach, or inspire? What audience are you speaking to?
- 3 Brainstorm 5–10 video ideas to get started
Outline your video
A little planning keeps your video on point
- 1 Jot down a loose script or just bullet points.
- 2 Hook viewers in the first 5–10 seconds to keep them watching.
- 3 Map out a beginning → middle → end structure.
Pro tip
Be real, and talk like you’re explaining something to a friend.
Film your video
If you’re just getting started, use your phone or webcam.
- Find a quiet, well-lit spot (a sunny window = nature’s softbox) and face the light, not away from it.
- Stabilize your camera with a tripod, stand, or a trusty stack of books.
Pro tip
Take a deep breath before you start—no one crushes it the first time. And have fun!
Edit your video
Pro tip
For more editing options, get the YouTube Create app to take your videos to the next level. Learn more
Find your focus
Outline your video
Film your video
Edit your video
Find your focus
- 1 Choose a topic or theme you’re genuinely excited about (gaming, vlogs, tutorials, commentary, storytelling).
- 2 Decide what value you want to bring: Are you here to entertain, teach, or inspire? What audience are you speaking to?
- 3 Brainstorm 5–10 video ideas to get started
Pro tip
Don’t wait for “perfect.” Just start. Start with content you already love watching. Chances are, you’ll enjoy creating it too. Finding your niche
Outline your video
A little planning keeps your video on point
- 1 Jot down a loose script or just bullet points.
- 2 Hook viewers in the first 5–10 seconds to keep them watching.
- 3 Map out a beginning → middle → end structure.
Pro tip
Be real, and talk like you’re explaining something to a friend.
Film your video
If you’re just getting started, use your phone or webcam.
- Find a quiet, well-lit spot (a sunny window = nature’s softbox) and face the light, not away from it.
- Stabilize your camera with a tripod, stand, or a trusty stack of books.
Pro tip
Take a deep breath before you start—no one crushes it the first time. And have fun!
Edit your video
Pro tip
For more editing options, get the YouTube Create app to take your videos to the next level. Learn more
FEATURED
How to earn money from your videos
Once you're a part of the YouTube Partner Program, there are lots of ways to turn your passion into income—from ads to YouTube Shopping, fan funding, memberships, and more.
FEATURED
Check out the free YouTube Create app
Transform your content using simple, powerful editing tools in the YouTube Create app. Easily add filters, effects, transitions, and royalty-free music to Shorts or longform videos. All free of charge.
*available in select markets
Creator success on YouTube
L.Dre explains how longform content helped him connect more meaningfully with fans and build a lasting career on YouTube.
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Frequently asked questions
By default, you can upload videos that are up to 15 minutes long. Verified accounts can upload videos longer than 15 minutes.
To verify your Google Account:
- On a computer, go to yt.polarismedia.de/verify.
- Follow the steps to verify your Google Account. You can choose to get a verification code through a text message on a mobile device or an automated voice call.
Make sure you're using an up-to-date version of your browser to upload files greater than 20 GB.
Maximum upload size
The maximum file size you can upload is 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less. We've changed the limits on uploads in the past, so you may see older videos that are longer than 12 hours.
YouTube does not have a webcam feature to record videos. You can use software on your computer to record and save a video. Then, you can upload the video to YouTube.
Popular software includes Photo Booth for Mac OS X and Camera for Windows 8+. If you have another operating system, you may need to look up how to record videos using your webcam. You can usually find info in your device manual or online.
If you have a mobile device, you can record videos with your phone's camera and upload them with the YouTube app.
The best time to start thinking about editing is during the writing phase. By planning your edits early on, you can anticipate how your video will look and how you want your viewers to react.
Consider your camera positions, angles, and movements. Think about how your video will open and close, and what are the key moments in between. For larger projects, you can make a simple “shot list”—writing down all the shots you’ll need so you don’t forget anything.
You can optimize your videos in YouTube Studio by adding end screens and trimming sections of your video before or after publishing. You can also add music and sound effects to your video with the Audio library in YouTube Studio.
Your creator guide to YouTube
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