How to Add an Admin to a YouTube Channel: A Complete Guide

So, you’re ready to delegate some YouTube responsibilities and bring in some help? Smart move! Managing a successful channel can quickly become overwhelming, and adding an admin is a critical step in scaling your efforts. Let’s get right to it.

How to Add an Admin to a YouTube Channel

Adding an admin to your YouTube channel is done through YouTube Studio, and involves granting them specific permission levels via the permissions settings. Here’s the definitive step-by-step process:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio: Head over to studio.youtube.com and log in with the Google account that owns the channel. This is crucial. You must be the primary owner to grant administrator permissions.
2. Access Settings: Look for the “Settings” option in the left-hand navigation menu of YouTube Studio. Click it.
3. Navigate to Permissions: In the Settings window, you’ll see a few tabs. Select the “Permissions” tab.
4. Invite a New User: Click the “Invite” button, usually located on the right side of the screen.
5. Enter Email Address: A box will appear prompting you to enter the Google account email address of the person you want to add as an admin (or any other role). Make sure it’s the email address they actually use for their Google account, not just a contact email.
6. Select a Role: This is where things get interesting. From the dropdown menu, choose the appropriate permission level for your new team member. Your options are:
   • Owner: Be extremely cautious with this. An owner has full control over the channel, including the ability to delete it. Only grant this to someone you implicitly trust.
   • Manager: Managers can do almost everything an Owner can, except manage permissions or delete the channel. They can upload videos, manage comments, create playlists, analyze data, and more.
   • Editor: Editors can do everything a Manager can, except manage live streams.
   • Editor (Limited): This role has the same permissions as an Editor but can’t see revenue data.
   • Viewer: Viewers can see channel analytics but can’t make any changes. This is good for consultants or team members who only need access to data.
   • Viewer (Limited): This role has the same permissions as a Viewer, but cannot see revenue data.
   • Subtitles Editor: Subtitles Editors can add/edit subtitles to any videos in the channel.
7. Send the Invitation: After selecting the role, click “Save.” This sends an invitation to the email address you entered.
8. Awaiting Acceptance: The invited user will receive an email with a link to accept the invitation. The invitation status will be displayed in the Permissions settings.
9. User Accepts the Invitation: Once the invited user clicks the link in the email and accepts the invitation, they will have the designated permissions on your YouTube channel.

That’s it! You’ve successfully added someone to your YouTube channel. Remember to choose the permission level carefully based on the individual’s role and responsibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s dive into some common questions surrounding YouTube channel administration.

How Many Admins Can I Add to My YouTube Channel?

There’s no hard limit on the number of people you can add to your channel with varying permission levels. However, Google recommends keeping the number manageable to avoid confusion and security risks. Think carefully about who truly needs access.

What’s the Difference Between an Owner, a Manager, and an Editor?

This is crucial for selecting the right role:

• Owner: Total control, including deleting the channel and managing permissions. Use this sparingly.
• Manager: Almost full control. Can upload, edit, manage comments, analyze data, but cannot delete the channel or manage permissions.
• Editor: Can upload, edit, manage comments, and analyze data, but cannot manage live streams.

Can an Admin Delete My YouTube Channel?

Only the Owner of the channel can delete it. A Manager or Editor cannot delete the channel. This is why it’s imperative to protect your Owner role and only assign it to trustworthy individuals.

Can I Change Someone’s Permission Level After I’ve Added Them?

Absolutely! You can change a user’s permission level at any time. Simply go back to the “Permissions” tab in YouTube Studio, find the user in the list, and change their role from the dropdown menu. Don’t forget to save your changes.

What Happens if I Remove an Admin From My YouTube Channel?

If you remove someone, they immediately lose all access to the channel and its data. They won’t be able to upload videos, manage comments, or view analytics. The removal is instant.

I Invited Someone, But They Haven’t Received the Invitation. What Should I Do?

First, double-check that you entered the correct email address. Have them check their spam folder. If neither of those works, you can revoke the invitation in YouTube Studio and send a new one. Ensure they are using a valid Google account email address.

Can I Grant Temporary Access to My YouTube Channel?

YouTube doesn’t have a built-in feature for temporary access. However, you can manually change a user’s permission level to a more limited role (like “Viewer”) for a specific period, and then revert it back later. Remember to set a reminder for yourself!

Can an Admin See My Personal Google Account Information?

No. Permissions granted for a YouTube channel are specific to that channel and do not give the admin access to your personal Google account information, such as your emails, documents, or other services.

Can I Add Someone as an Admin if They Don’t Have a Google Account?

No. To be added as an admin (or any role) to a YouTube channel, the individual must have a Google account. This is because YouTube utilizes Google’s account system for access and permissions management. It’s a Google product through and through.

What is the Best Way to Determine Which Role I Should Assign?

Carefully consider the individual’s responsibilities and level of trust. Start with a more limited role (like “Editor”) and increase permissions as needed. It’s easier to grant more access later than to revoke access after a security incident. Prioritize security.

Can an Admin Change the Channel Name or URL?

A Manager or Owner can change the channel name and URL (if the URL is a custom URL). An Editor cannot.

I’m Using a Brand Account for My YouTube Channel. Does That Change the Process?

The process is essentially the same. A Brand Account provides some additional branding features but doesn’t fundamentally change how you manage permissions. You still access the permissions through YouTube Studio, and the same roles apply. However, ensure that you have the primary ownership of the Brand Account connected to the channel.