[techtalk] SOCIAL MEDIA – Is Your YouTube Handle Up-to-Date?

Wed Aug 9 13:19:36 PDT 2023

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Find out how you can find and change your handle

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[butterfly]<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001PPxOXk3uw5Sc15U0RX8opb793kTqL27RAdOSoOElgywG9AhWpxqvS6DpsGeBrWOwhDPu_gt5YX8CXC7O1dQ4LCNTKKQVAn17pswQiWj5D2SRUOxl3kq5yH86ndDUCaX25zXV4Cf08_ZigxfUkgT5j9KTFbkEwQmQFpJkwkHt4dwj4jxQHVNJgqDN7poX9z-cJwhLWd1ZjCE=&c=7gIaFmTpSZHQwrJvrHygI-J6tS3oaq8C8deyRoj4x0EI2Dk4OriQ8g==&ch=GMOv0ONBwF7IlhpLVRnqLFsqjH3xHdOy-BU14-6UwxWvzq5YEuM_nA==>

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SOCIAL MEDIA – Is Your YouTube Handle Up-to-Date?

Intermediate

Did you know that many different channels on YouTube have the same name? Hard to imagine, right? That can make it difficult for people to find yours! So, in October 2022 YouTube introduced "Handles" using the @ sign. Just as with the other social media platforms, this feature makes it much easier to share your channel and be found.

By the way, if you have ever posted a video on YouTube (or made a comment on someone else's), you have a channel. It may not be fancy or include an attractive banner (such as this example below), but setting up this type of structure is the only way you can upload videos.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/38eb65e0-5a55-4efc-a2dc-f49a6a2f1438.png]

What is a Channel?

A channel is your "account" in YouTube. It is also a gathering place! Now (2023), there is a "tab" or "link title" for seven different types of collections. (Up from the five before.) The most recent addition area is Shorts.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/e0323719-3cc5-4275-93d2-c46c79ed2b66.png]

1. Home. As the page a visitor sees first when going to your channel, the top area is for pinned videos (items you want to show every time), followed by a Playlist area. This is where you can designate which of the playlists (see #4) you want to feature on the Home page.

2. Videos. This is where all your videos go. It's your entire collection. Anytime you upload one, it automatically gets housed here.

3. Shorts. YouTube is giving high preference now to very short videos (no longer than 60 seconds). If you have any, they'll go under this tab.

4. Playlists. These are collections of multiple videos, that are "strung" together and which auto play one after another ... resulting in longer watch times.

5. Community. This area is for communicating and gathering feedback with any members you have (if you set up a special group). It's also a place where any of your followers can enter into conversations, polls, and other interactive activities.

6. Channels. Yes, there is a Channels section in your Channel! This area is for videos that you are bringing to the attention of your followers that are in other channels. For instance, if you have a "healthy living" YouTube account, and you want people to see a particular recipe you found on a cooking channel, it would go here.

7. About. Here you give a description of your channel, contact info and other details you want to share such as hours, shop info ... your choice.

What To Know About Your Handle

So, if you have ever tried to share your YouTube channel link, you may have been frustrated that the URL looks like a random string of numbers and letters!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmIypJ5-1MMdLzZOn2aRDDg

It's a long complicated link, right? In the past (and now if you haven't moved to a Handle) just the letters and numbers after the word "channel" are what is referred to as your Channel URL. That makes it hard to remember and communicate.

If you share this link, it does the job… it brings people to your YouTube home page so that they can view your whole library of videos (as opposed to a specific one).

Now there's a better, more "brand-friendly" way to display a link to your YouTube page! You can create a YouTube "Handle." It contains the "@" symbol followed by your unique name.

Example Handles:
·    https://www.youtube.com/@TEDx
·    https://www.youtube.com/@Shutterfly
·    https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorSwift

[handle example]

Below, we will look at where you find your Handle and how to change it if you want so that is easier to read and share. But first, to avoid any confusion, let's clearly define the four ways you can link to your YouTube home page.

Your YouTube URL's and Handle

As YouTube has evolved, they've made changes to make it easier to brand your page with your personal or organization’s name.

Currently, there are four different links that can be used to take your audience to your home page (although two are being phased out).

1. Channel URL – This is your unique channel ID URL that has numbers and letters at the end. It can still be used, but not changed.

Example: Youtube.com/channel/UCmIypJ5-1MMdLzZOn2aRDDg

[YouTube URL]

2. Custom URL – You used to be able to create a custom link with your organization's name in it so that it is more relatable for people to view and share. Don't worry – now you can create your own "Handle" instead. If you previously used a custom URL for your YouTube channel, it is still active and now redirects to the new URL that is based on your Handle (see below). Example: Youtube.com/c/yourcompanyname

3. Legacy Username URL – If you started your YouTube account many years ago, the URL would have contained your username. These still work, but cannot be changed. Example: Youtube.com/user/username

4. Handle URL – This is the new way to create your YouTube home page URL. It's the "@" sign followed by a unique name.

Example: Youtube.com/@TechTalkForYou<mailto:Youtube.com/@TechTalkForYou>

With the new simplified Handle, you can tell others what it is verbally.

For example, @TechTalkForYou or give them the full URL: https://www.youtube.com/@techtalkforyou (yes, the @ sign IS part of the link).

[YouTube handle example]

View or Change Your YouTube Handle

Handles are the new way to find and connect with viewers. You'll see yours...

·    On your channel home page
·    In a search result
·    In comments and community posts
·    And more!

You may have received an email to change your Handle as this process has been rolling out over the last year. TIP: If you previously created a Custom URL, YouTube has reserved that name for your Handle.

In creating a Handle, follow these guidelines:

·    It can be between 3-30 characters.
·    Your Handle is made up of alphanumeric characters (A–Z, 0–9) and can also include underscores (_), hyphens (-), or periods (.)
·    It is unique so if someone already has the one you want, try adding a word, or a dash or underscore between words.
·    YouTube has probably assigned you a Handle, but you can change it. For instance, we were given @Tech-Talk3120 so we changed it to @TechTalkForYou so that it matches our other social media Handles.

NOTE: Your Handle is your new URL for your YouTube channel!

To view your YouTube Handle or make changes to it:

·    Make sure that you are logged into the Google account where your YouTube channel is located and go to https://www.youtube.com/handle<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001PPxOXk3uw5Sc15U0RX8opb793kTqL27RAdOSoOElgywG9AhWpxqvS6DpsGeBrWOwu7AK_i18l8V1dR1Bgld3H4fVpi1HL1-Tb33CMTLc-wcGn_TJ7W0BpIAqex9UrppANllZu2zoRg7_5rILk84aKQ==&c=7gIaFmTpSZHQwrJvrHygI-J6tS3oaq8C8deyRoj4x0EI2Dk4OriQ8g==&ch=GMOv0ONBwF7IlhpLVRnqLFsqjH3xHdOy-BU14-6UwxWvzq5YEuM_nA==>
·    This page will tell you about your Handle and provide a link to change it.

Or you can...
1.  Log into your YouTube channel studio by going to: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001PPxOXk3uw5Sc15U0RX8opb793kTqL27RAdOSoOElgywG9AhWpxqvS6DpsGeBrWOwzaevv36b312YANpe5uC6WtQ3CMnCyGmDUu3sOQFDBwWRv4ub9KUzm6fD-xp_kLR6yqdJCQyAfU1L4TvV3YHnVGXx9KvjZy31&c=7gIaFmTpSZHQwrJvrHygI-J6tS3oaq8C8deyRoj4x0EI2Dk4OriQ8g==&ch=GMOv0ONBwF7IlhpLVRnqLFsqjH3xHdOy-BU14-6UwxWvzq5YEuM_nA==>
2.  In the left menu select Customization.
3.  Then go to Basic info in the top menu.
4.  In the Handle section, make your change.
5.  Then click Publish in the upper right.

[change channel]

Your Handle is now part of the URL for your YouTube channel. Be sure to change it in places you have it posted such as on a website page, marketing pieces, and email footers.

More Info About YouTube and Social Media ... HERE!<https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001PPxOXk3uw5Sc15U0RX8opb793kTqL27RAdOSoOElgywG9AhWpxqvS6DpsGeBrWOwCxoY7l7zO634Q_FkSFGdeWbsMb8vqB8lU8ZWYOy6Jau7_6uxyOCFXCwQ9OUBj7RHf_g5c3vbqkCA-V1hf1Ru1e8OsiVnp3NViRVoHtAJYqx4y2oevQpZzoUzNYTlFGl0&c=7gIaFmTpSZHQwrJvrHygI-J6tS3oaq8C8deyRoj4x0EI2Dk4OriQ8g==&ch=GMOv0ONBwF7IlhpLVRnqLFsqjH3xHdOy-BU14-6UwxWvzq5YEuM_nA==>

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/f8f1ecc8-4884-4c21-8ed0-cf647e6db944.png]

Communications: Power Phrase

"If you DID know?"

Getting to the root of someone's problem is not always simple. If you're helping a friend or colleague think through what's really going on with them there is one question that works wonders.

It's "If you DID know, what would it be?" It breaks through reluctance and frees up inner knowledge.

How do you use this question?

Whenever someone tells you, "I don’t know", you can say (firmly, but kindly), "If you did know, what would it be?"

Yes, they may look at you like you’re crazy. Or they may say again, "I don't know". You just repeat, "OK, but if you DID know, what would it be?"

Here's a scenario that will give you ideas for the situations you could find yourself in.

You see someone is upset. There's obviously an issue going on. You're concerned and want to help. Once you get into the conversation ask…

·    "What's the problem?" or "Tell me what's going on." or "Why do you think so-and-so is giving you trouble?" or "Why isn't this working?"

·    "I don’t know."

·    "Well, if you DID know, what would it be?"

·    "I just told you I don’t know."

·    "Yes, I heard you, but if you DID know what might it be?"

This doesn't always work, but it's golden when it does. The question tends to get to the root of the problem quickly. Try it, you may get great results!

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/2ac4f1fc-fb1e-4aa0-a15a-9d0874b5bff6.png]

COMING: FREE RESOURCES

YES, we're still searching for great web tools and digital products to include in the upcoming FREE RESOURCES area of Tech-Talk.

If you have a wish or an idea, let us know!

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Cheers,
Darci Hanning, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Public Library Consultant / CE Coordinator
Continuing Education Resources: https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/conted

State Library of Oregon | Library Support and Development Services
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