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How to add a watermark to your YouTube videos

First published on 2nd September 2016

Great branding not only makes your videos appear far more professional to your audience, but it can also help to increase the awareness of your business too. In many cases, a single logo can associate your online content with your entire brand.

When it comes to YouTube, you can add some simple brand association by using a watermark on your videos. This is a feature that a lot of people don’t know is freely available as it's hidden a little way down in your YouTube Studio settings.

To add a watermark to your YouTube channel and all subsequent videos, navigate to "YouTube Studio" via the top right drop down list. Once your YouTube Studio page has loaded, scroll down through the options on the far left of your screen until you find "Customization".

Screenshot from Youtube

At the top of the customisation page you will see a tab labelled "Branding". Scroll to the bottom of the branding settings and you will find an option to add a watermark to your YouTube videos. Simply click "Upload" and search for your logo or chosen image file.

Screenshot from Youtube
Top Tip: We recommend cropping your image into a square format prior to uploading with a little bit of white space around the edges. This will give you some manoeuvrability to adjust the watermark positioning once uploaded if required.

If required once your image has uploaded, use the cropping tool to remove any empty space and centralise the image and then click "done".

Screenshot from Youtube

You are also able to choose when your watermark is displayed on your videos. Simply choose whether you want it to display at the end, from a certain time point of your choosing, or all the way through your videos by selecting one of the options.

Screenshot from Youtube

Once you are happy with everything, make sure to click "Publish" and that is it! Your watermark will now appear when viewers are watching your videos on YouTube. Not only does it instantly associate your brand with your videos for viewers, but it also acts as a shortcut for viewers to subscribe to your YouTube channel. A great Call to Action button to drive traffic to your other video content.

Screenshot from Youtube