Bridging Mac & Monetization: IMovie Editing to YouTube Success

How to Upload a Video from iMovie to YouTube?

Liza Brown

Aug 18, 2022• Proven solutions

“Is iMovie good for YouTube?”

The iMovie is not only good for YouTube but various other social media platforms. The thing is, you have to compromise with the quality offered by Apple’s video editor iMovie. Well, iMovie is perfect for getting started for beginners. But, the professionals and ones who want a bit high features than basic ones should look elsewhere. Thus, we always recommend alternatives to a particular software for our audience. In this article, there is a mention of Wondershare Filmora to overcome the drawbacks of iMovie.

Without further ado, let’s begin with how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube. We want to lead with the best iMovie export settings, specific troubleshooting issues, and our alternative intro section to overcome iMovie’s limitations.

Part 1: How to Upload a Video from iMovie to YouTube?

iMovie is ideal for making YouTube videos if you are too basic and are not looking for advanced features. Remember that professionalism pays in these platforms and helps you stand better among others. If you’re still interested in making introductory videos, here is a step-by-step guide on uploading a video to YouTube from iMovie on Mac first and leading with iPhone.

Step-by-Step Tutorial on how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube on Mac

Step 1: Create a Project

On the first step, go to iMovie on Mac and click the Create New tab below.

Step 2: Import Media

Click the Import Media button and browse the files on your computer, as shown below.

Step 3: Edit Clips

It’s time to edit video footage. Drag your video to the timeline, as shown below.

Then, you can trim and drag the edges of video clips to allow editing.

Step 4: Add Titles

You can add titles by clicking the Title tab and further drag the Title’s template into the timeline.

Step 5: Export the Video

Click the Export button as follows after editing is over.

Select YouTube to upload your video over the platform directly.

Step 6: Save

After selecting the desired platform, click the Next tab to proceed with saving the file.

At last, save your video as shown below.

Step-by-Step Tutorial on how to upload iMovie to YouTube from iPhone

Step 1: Share the iMovie Project

Go to iMovie on your iPhone. Open the iMovie project on your iPhone and tap the Share button to select YouTube. Enter the information of Title, Description, Size, Tags, Privacy, and Location (optional).

Step 2: Upload iMovie Files

For ease of use, you can upload saved videos in Photo Library on your iPhone. Then, you can upload iMovie videos via the YouTube iOS app. Sign In to YouTube and click the Camera icon at the top of the Home page. Select your iPhone Photo Library file and set the video Title, Description, Size, Tags, and Privacy. Then, hit the Upload button to confirm.

Part 2: The Best iMovie Export Settings for YouTube Videos

As we all know that iMovie consists of a bit long procedure to export projects. Here are some tips on the best iMovie export settings to avoid an unnecessary headache.

1. Set small resolution: Small resolution plays a more significant role, especially while uploading. Thus, you can set the smallest resolution in the Email tab of the Export button.

2. Change Export settings in the File tab: There is a File tab under the Export button. Click it and find various settings that you need to change to get the best export settings for YouTube 2021. Make the Title of the video as small as possible. Set the resolution at 1080P than 4K.

However, it isn’t going to upgrade the resolution if your video is already in the 1080P definition. Now, the last setting that will crazily offer you the best quality and lots of space-saving. You have to select Best (ProRes) in quality settings for this purpose. These settings also take less time to upload to YouTube.

3. Compress is not for speed: Various options you see in the Compresstab are not for speed. They are for how you save the video on a desktop. Thus, always choose the Better Quality tab than Faster.

4. Do not export directly to YouTube: iMovie is pretty basic and doesn’t offer great settings to upload your video instantly. You may have to make changes to the uploaded video even if you do this as per our step-by-step guide mentioned above.

Part 3: How to fix the “Failed to Upload to YouTube” Error on iMovie?

The “iMovie to YouTube failed” problem occurs when you directly upload a YouTube video from iMovie. The issue will result if you upload from any third-party uploader. That is why the direct upload doesn’t work, especially in iMovie. You can opt to share your video to the desktop first and then drag it to upload to the YouTube platform.

Part 4: Upload Videos to YouTube with the Best Alternative to iMovie - Wondershare Filmora

“What can I use instead of iMovie to overcome its limitations?”

When you see that iMovie is not uploading to YouTube or iMovie upload to YouTube got stuck, go for a better alternative. In this section, we’d like to recommend Wondershare Filmora that offers the best export settings compared to iMovie. It is the go-to solution if you can’t upload video from iMovie to YouTube directly. Filmora further provides intuitive editing tools that professionally make your YouTube video projects.

Export Key Aspects of Wondershare Filmora in comparison to iMovie:

• It offers a long list of export resolutions to choose from.
• You get separate video and audio settings such as Encoder, Channel, Frame Rate, Bit Rate, Resolution, etc.
• It is further compatible with export to various devices including the iPhone, Samsung, iPod, Apple TV, iPad, Google Pixel, PSP, Smart TV, etc.

Step-by-Step Guide on how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube via Wondershare Filmora

Step 1: Click the Export button and select resolution

After your project in Wondershare Filmora is over, click the Export tab and select video resolution from the Local tab, as shown below.

It has a list of formats. You can also edit the Name and saving location here.

Step 2: Select Quality

Select the Settings button and choose from three quality levels of Best, Better, and Good. You can also adjust video and audio parameters, including the Encoder, Frame Rate, Resolution, Bit Rate, etc.

Step 3: Select platform

Select the YouTube tab, Sign In to your YouTube account, and hit the Export button after modifying the Title and Quality if needed. Also, make sure to check the Enable GPU accelerated video encoding tab.

Select Wondershare Filmora as the ultimate solution even if iMovie upload to YouTube not showing up.

Conclusion

Hopefully, we’ve informed you of the relevant facts on how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube. We have also examined the number of troubleshooting issues involved in the iMovie video editor. Well, you will get to face similar kinds of export difficulties in the iMovie editor. Also, the entire procedure to end the exporting task is a bit long in iMovie compared to any other video editing software. Thus, it’s crucial to check out what other alternatives the technological world has today. We can’t state to you a better beginner-friendly yet advanced editing option than Wondershare Filmora that rightly outtakes the iMovie video editor in all aspects.

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Liza Brown

Aug 18, 2022• Proven solutions

“Is iMovie good for YouTube?”

The iMovie is not only good for YouTube but various other social media platforms. The thing is, you have to compromise with the quality offered by Apple’s video editor iMovie. Well, iMovie is perfect for getting started for beginners. But, the professionals and ones who want a bit high features than basic ones should look elsewhere. Thus, we always recommend alternatives to a particular software for our audience. In this article, there is a mention of Wondershare Filmora to overcome the drawbacks of iMovie.

Without further ado, let’s begin with how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube. We want to lead with the best iMovie export settings, specific troubleshooting issues, and our alternative intro section to overcome iMovie’s limitations.

Part 1: How to Upload a Video from iMovie to YouTube?

iMovie is ideal for making YouTube videos if you are too basic and are not looking for advanced features. Remember that professionalism pays in these platforms and helps you stand better among others. If you’re still interested in making introductory videos, here is a step-by-step guide on uploading a video to YouTube from iMovie on Mac first and leading with iPhone.

Step-by-Step Tutorial on how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube on Mac

Step 1: Create a Project

On the first step, go to iMovie on Mac and click the Create New tab below.

Step 2: Import Media

Click the Import Media button and browse the files on your computer, as shown below.

Step 3: Edit Clips

It’s time to edit video footage. Drag your video to the timeline, as shown below.

Then, you can trim and drag the edges of video clips to allow editing.

Step 4: Add Titles

You can add titles by clicking the Title tab and further drag the Title’s template into the timeline.

Step 5: Export the Video

Click the Export button as follows after editing is over.

Select YouTube to upload your video over the platform directly.

Step 6: Save

After selecting the desired platform, click the Next tab to proceed with saving the file.

At last, save your video as shown below.

Step-by-Step Tutorial on how to upload iMovie to YouTube from iPhone

Step 1: Share the iMovie Project

Go to iMovie on your iPhone. Open the iMovie project on your iPhone and tap the Share button to select YouTube. Enter the information of Title, Description, Size, Tags, Privacy, and Location (optional).

Step 2: Upload iMovie Files

For ease of use, you can upload saved videos in Photo Library on your iPhone. Then, you can upload iMovie videos via the YouTube iOS app. Sign In to YouTube and click the Camera icon at the top of the Home page. Select your iPhone Photo Library file and set the video Title, Description, Size, Tags, and Privacy. Then, hit the Upload button to confirm.

Part 2: The Best iMovie Export Settings for YouTube Videos

As we all know that iMovie consists of a bit long procedure to export projects. Here are some tips on the best iMovie export settings to avoid an unnecessary headache.

1. Set small resolution: Small resolution plays a more significant role, especially while uploading. Thus, you can set the smallest resolution in the Email tab of the Export button.

2. Change Export settings in the File tab: There is a File tab under the Export button. Click it and find various settings that you need to change to get the best export settings for YouTube 2021. Make the Title of the video as small as possible. Set the resolution at 1080P than 4K.

However, it isn’t going to upgrade the resolution if your video is already in the 1080P definition. Now, the last setting that will crazily offer you the best quality and lots of space-saving. You have to select Best (ProRes) in quality settings for this purpose. These settings also take less time to upload to YouTube.

3. Compress is not for speed: Various options you see in the Compresstab are not for speed. They are for how you save the video on a desktop. Thus, always choose the Better Quality tab than Faster.

4. Do not export directly to YouTube: iMovie is pretty basic and doesn’t offer great settings to upload your video instantly. You may have to make changes to the uploaded video even if you do this as per our step-by-step guide mentioned above.

Part 3: How to fix the “Failed to Upload to YouTube” Error on iMovie?

The “iMovie to YouTube failed” problem occurs when you directly upload a YouTube video from iMovie. The issue will result if you upload from any third-party uploader. That is why the direct upload doesn’t work, especially in iMovie. You can opt to share your video to the desktop first and then drag it to upload to the YouTube platform.

Part 4: Upload Videos to YouTube with the Best Alternative to iMovie - Wondershare Filmora

“What can I use instead of iMovie to overcome its limitations?”

When you see that iMovie is not uploading to YouTube or iMovie upload to YouTube got stuck, go for a better alternative. In this section, we’d like to recommend Wondershare Filmora that offers the best export settings compared to iMovie. It is the go-to solution if you can’t upload video from iMovie to YouTube directly. Filmora further provides intuitive editing tools that professionally make your YouTube video projects.

Export Key Aspects of Wondershare Filmora in comparison to iMovie:

• It offers a long list of export resolutions to choose from.
• You get separate video and audio settings such as Encoder, Channel, Frame Rate, Bit Rate, Resolution, etc.
• It is further compatible with export to various devices including the iPhone, Samsung, iPod, Apple TV, iPad, Google Pixel, PSP, Smart TV, etc.

Step-by-Step Guide on how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube via Wondershare Filmora

Step 1: Click the Export button and select resolution

After your project in Wondershare Filmora is over, click the Export tab and select video resolution from the Local tab, as shown below.

It has a list of formats. You can also edit the Name and saving location here.

Step 2: Select Quality

Select the Settings button and choose from three quality levels of Best, Better, and Good. You can also adjust video and audio parameters, including the Encoder, Frame Rate, Resolution, Bit Rate, etc.

Step 3: Select platform

Select the YouTube tab, Sign In to your YouTube account, and hit the Export button after modifying the Title and Quality if needed. Also, make sure to check the Enable GPU accelerated video encoding tab.

Select Wondershare Filmora as the ultimate solution even if iMovie upload to YouTube not showing up.

Conclusion

Hopefully, we’ve informed you of the relevant facts on how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube. We have also examined the number of troubleshooting issues involved in the iMovie video editor. Well, you will get to face similar kinds of export difficulties in the iMovie editor. Also, the entire procedure to end the exporting task is a bit long in iMovie compared to any other video editing software. Thus, it’s crucial to check out what other alternatives the technological world has today. We can’t state to you a better beginner-friendly yet advanced editing option than Wondershare Filmora that rightly outtakes the iMovie video editor in all aspects.

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Liza Brown

Aug 18, 2022• Proven solutions

“Is iMovie good for YouTube?”

The iMovie is not only good for YouTube but various other social media platforms. The thing is, you have to compromise with the quality offered by Apple’s video editor iMovie. Well, iMovie is perfect for getting started for beginners. But, the professionals and ones who want a bit high features than basic ones should look elsewhere. Thus, we always recommend alternatives to a particular software for our audience. In this article, there is a mention of Wondershare Filmora to overcome the drawbacks of iMovie.

Without further ado, let’s begin with how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube. We want to lead with the best iMovie export settings, specific troubleshooting issues, and our alternative intro section to overcome iMovie’s limitations.

Part 1: How to Upload a Video from iMovie to YouTube?

iMovie is ideal for making YouTube videos if you are too basic and are not looking for advanced features. Remember that professionalism pays in these platforms and helps you stand better among others. If you’re still interested in making introductory videos, here is a step-by-step guide on uploading a video to YouTube from iMovie on Mac first and leading with iPhone.

Step-by-Step Tutorial on how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube on Mac

Step 1: Create a Project

On the first step, go to iMovie on Mac and click the Create New tab below.

Step 2: Import Media

Click the Import Media button and browse the files on your computer, as shown below.

Step 3: Edit Clips

It’s time to edit video footage. Drag your video to the timeline, as shown below.

Then, you can trim and drag the edges of video clips to allow editing.

Step 4: Add Titles

You can add titles by clicking the Title tab and further drag the Title’s template into the timeline.

Step 5: Export the Video

Click the Export button as follows after editing is over.

Select YouTube to upload your video over the platform directly.

Step 6: Save

After selecting the desired platform, click the Next tab to proceed with saving the file.

At last, save your video as shown below.

Step-by-Step Tutorial on how to upload iMovie to YouTube from iPhone

Step 1: Share the iMovie Project

Go to iMovie on your iPhone. Open the iMovie project on your iPhone and tap the Share button to select YouTube. Enter the information of Title, Description, Size, Tags, Privacy, and Location (optional).

Step 2: Upload iMovie Files

For ease of use, you can upload saved videos in Photo Library on your iPhone. Then, you can upload iMovie videos via the YouTube iOS app. Sign In to YouTube and click the Camera icon at the top of the Home page. Select your iPhone Photo Library file and set the video Title, Description, Size, Tags, and Privacy. Then, hit the Upload button to confirm.

Part 2: The Best iMovie Export Settings for YouTube Videos

As we all know that iMovie consists of a bit long procedure to export projects. Here are some tips on the best iMovie export settings to avoid an unnecessary headache.

1. Set small resolution: Small resolution plays a more significant role, especially while uploading. Thus, you can set the smallest resolution in the Email tab of the Export button.

2. Change Export settings in the File tab: There is a File tab under the Export button. Click it and find various settings that you need to change to get the best export settings for YouTube 2021. Make the Title of the video as small as possible. Set the resolution at 1080P than 4K.

However, it isn’t going to upgrade the resolution if your video is already in the 1080P definition. Now, the last setting that will crazily offer you the best quality and lots of space-saving. You have to select Best (ProRes) in quality settings for this purpose. These settings also take less time to upload to YouTube.

3. Compress is not for speed: Various options you see in the Compresstab are not for speed. They are for how you save the video on a desktop. Thus, always choose the Better Quality tab than Faster.

4. Do not export directly to YouTube: iMovie is pretty basic and doesn’t offer great settings to upload your video instantly. You may have to make changes to the uploaded video even if you do this as per our step-by-step guide mentioned above.

Part 3: How to fix the “Failed to Upload to YouTube” Error on iMovie?

The “iMovie to YouTube failed” problem occurs when you directly upload a YouTube video from iMovie. The issue will result if you upload from any third-party uploader. That is why the direct upload doesn’t work, especially in iMovie. You can opt to share your video to the desktop first and then drag it to upload to the YouTube platform.

Part 4: Upload Videos to YouTube with the Best Alternative to iMovie - Wondershare Filmora

“What can I use instead of iMovie to overcome its limitations?”

When you see that iMovie is not uploading to YouTube or iMovie upload to YouTube got stuck, go for a better alternative. In this section, we’d like to recommend Wondershare Filmora that offers the best export settings compared to iMovie. It is the go-to solution if you can’t upload video from iMovie to YouTube directly. Filmora further provides intuitive editing tools that professionally make your YouTube video projects.

Export Key Aspects of Wondershare Filmora in comparison to iMovie:

• It offers a long list of export resolutions to choose from.
• You get separate video and audio settings such as Encoder, Channel, Frame Rate, Bit Rate, Resolution, etc.
• It is further compatible with export to various devices including the iPhone, Samsung, iPod, Apple TV, iPad, Google Pixel, PSP, Smart TV, etc.

Step-by-Step Guide on how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube via Wondershare Filmora

Step 1: Click the Export button and select resolution

After your project in Wondershare Filmora is over, click the Export tab and select video resolution from the Local tab, as shown below.

It has a list of formats. You can also edit the Name and saving location here.

Step 2: Select Quality

Select the Settings button and choose from three quality levels of Best, Better, and Good. You can also adjust video and audio parameters, including the Encoder, Frame Rate, Resolution, Bit Rate, etc.

Step 3: Select platform

Select the YouTube tab, Sign In to your YouTube account, and hit the Export button after modifying the Title and Quality if needed. Also, make sure to check the Enable GPU accelerated video encoding tab.

Select Wondershare Filmora as the ultimate solution even if iMovie upload to YouTube not showing up.

Conclusion

Hopefully, we’ve informed you of the relevant facts on how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube. We have also examined the number of troubleshooting issues involved in the iMovie video editor. Well, you will get to face similar kinds of export difficulties in the iMovie editor. Also, the entire procedure to end the exporting task is a bit long in iMovie compared to any other video editing software. Thus, it’s crucial to check out what other alternatives the technological world has today. We can’t state to you a better beginner-friendly yet advanced editing option than Wondershare Filmora that rightly outtakes the iMovie video editor in all aspects.

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Liza Brown

Aug 18, 2022• Proven solutions

“Is iMovie good for YouTube?”

The iMovie is not only good for YouTube but various other social media platforms. The thing is, you have to compromise with the quality offered by Apple’s video editor iMovie. Well, iMovie is perfect for getting started for beginners. But, the professionals and ones who want a bit high features than basic ones should look elsewhere. Thus, we always recommend alternatives to a particular software for our audience. In this article, there is a mention of Wondershare Filmora to overcome the drawbacks of iMovie.

Without further ado, let’s begin with how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube. We want to lead with the best iMovie export settings, specific troubleshooting issues, and our alternative intro section to overcome iMovie’s limitations.

Part 1: How to Upload a Video from iMovie to YouTube?

iMovie is ideal for making YouTube videos if you are too basic and are not looking for advanced features. Remember that professionalism pays in these platforms and helps you stand better among others. If you’re still interested in making introductory videos, here is a step-by-step guide on uploading a video to YouTube from iMovie on Mac first and leading with iPhone.

Step-by-Step Tutorial on how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube on Mac

Step 1: Create a Project

On the first step, go to iMovie on Mac and click the Create New tab below.

Step 2: Import Media

Click the Import Media button and browse the files on your computer, as shown below.

Step 3: Edit Clips

It’s time to edit video footage. Drag your video to the timeline, as shown below.

Then, you can trim and drag the edges of video clips to allow editing.

Step 4: Add Titles

You can add titles by clicking the Title tab and further drag the Title’s template into the timeline.

Step 5: Export the Video

Click the Export button as follows after editing is over.

Select YouTube to upload your video over the platform directly.

Step 6: Save

After selecting the desired platform, click the Next tab to proceed with saving the file.

At last, save your video as shown below.

Step-by-Step Tutorial on how to upload iMovie to YouTube from iPhone

Step 1: Share the iMovie Project

Go to iMovie on your iPhone. Open the iMovie project on your iPhone and tap the Share button to select YouTube. Enter the information of Title, Description, Size, Tags, Privacy, and Location (optional).

Step 2: Upload iMovie Files

For ease of use, you can upload saved videos in Photo Library on your iPhone. Then, you can upload iMovie videos via the YouTube iOS app. Sign In to YouTube and click the Camera icon at the top of the Home page. Select your iPhone Photo Library file and set the video Title, Description, Size, Tags, and Privacy. Then, hit the Upload button to confirm.

Part 2: The Best iMovie Export Settings for YouTube Videos

As we all know that iMovie consists of a bit long procedure to export projects. Here are some tips on the best iMovie export settings to avoid an unnecessary headache.

1. Set small resolution: Small resolution plays a more significant role, especially while uploading. Thus, you can set the smallest resolution in the Email tab of the Export button.

2. Change Export settings in the File tab: There is a File tab under the Export button. Click it and find various settings that you need to change to get the best export settings for YouTube 2021. Make the Title of the video as small as possible. Set the resolution at 1080P than 4K.

However, it isn’t going to upgrade the resolution if your video is already in the 1080P definition. Now, the last setting that will crazily offer you the best quality and lots of space-saving. You have to select Best (ProRes) in quality settings for this purpose. These settings also take less time to upload to YouTube.

3. Compress is not for speed: Various options you see in the Compresstab are not for speed. They are for how you save the video on a desktop. Thus, always choose the Better Quality tab than Faster.

4. Do not export directly to YouTube: iMovie is pretty basic and doesn’t offer great settings to upload your video instantly. You may have to make changes to the uploaded video even if you do this as per our step-by-step guide mentioned above.

Part 3: How to fix the “Failed to Upload to YouTube” Error on iMovie?

The “iMovie to YouTube failed” problem occurs when you directly upload a YouTube video from iMovie. The issue will result if you upload from any third-party uploader. That is why the direct upload doesn’t work, especially in iMovie. You can opt to share your video to the desktop first and then drag it to upload to the YouTube platform.

Part 4: Upload Videos to YouTube with the Best Alternative to iMovie - Wondershare Filmora

“What can I use instead of iMovie to overcome its limitations?”

When you see that iMovie is not uploading to YouTube or iMovie upload to YouTube got stuck, go for a better alternative. In this section, we’d like to recommend Wondershare Filmora that offers the best export settings compared to iMovie. It is the go-to solution if you can’t upload video from iMovie to YouTube directly. Filmora further provides intuitive editing tools that professionally make your YouTube video projects.

Export Key Aspects of Wondershare Filmora in comparison to iMovie:

• It offers a long list of export resolutions to choose from.
• You get separate video and audio settings such as Encoder, Channel, Frame Rate, Bit Rate, Resolution, etc.
• It is further compatible with export to various devices including the iPhone, Samsung, iPod, Apple TV, iPad, Google Pixel, PSP, Smart TV, etc.

Step-by-Step Guide on how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube via Wondershare Filmora

Step 1: Click the Export button and select resolution

After your project in Wondershare Filmora is over, click the Export tab and select video resolution from the Local tab, as shown below.

It has a list of formats. You can also edit the Name and saving location here.

Step 2: Select Quality

Select the Settings button and choose from three quality levels of Best, Better, and Good. You can also adjust video and audio parameters, including the Encoder, Frame Rate, Resolution, Bit Rate, etc.

Step 3: Select platform

Select the YouTube tab, Sign In to your YouTube account, and hit the Export button after modifying the Title and Quality if needed. Also, make sure to check the Enable GPU accelerated video encoding tab.

Select Wondershare Filmora as the ultimate solution even if iMovie upload to YouTube not showing up.

Conclusion

Hopefully, we’ve informed you of the relevant facts on how to upload a video from iMovie to YouTube. We have also examined the number of troubleshooting issues involved in the iMovie video editor. Well, you will get to face similar kinds of export difficulties in the iMovie editor. Also, the entire procedure to end the exporting task is a bit long in iMovie compared to any other video editing software. Thus, it’s crucial to check out what other alternatives the technological world has today. We can’t state to you a better beginner-friendly yet advanced editing option than Wondershare Filmora that rightly outtakes the iMovie video editor in all aspects.

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

A Practical Guide To Applying Creative Commons Rights

How to Use Creative Commons Copyright Licenses [Complete Guide]

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

You might have noticed that, when you post a video, you get to choose how you want to copyright it: standard license, or creative commons. You’ve also probably noticed that when you looking for royalty-free music or stock footage a lot of it is licensed through creative commons.

So, what exactly are creative commons ?

To hold the copyright to a creative work means that you own it, and anybody who wants to use your work for anything (i.e. uses a song you composed in their YouTube video) has to do so on your terms. When you license your work through creative commons you do not give up your rights to your creative work (a common misconception).

When you use a creative commons license you are outlining the terms under which other creators are allowed to use your creations in their projects for free if they credit you for your work.

If you do not want anyone using your work for free in any context, you stick to traditional copyrighting.

But if you’ve created a piece of music, a photograph, or a clip that you wouldn’t mind other people using, potentially as a way to get your name out there, you might want to consider creative commons.

There are 6 different creative commons licenses. Which is right for you will depend on your answers to these two questions:

Are you okay with a creator making money off of something they create using your work?

Are you okay with a creator producing a derivative of your work?

To say ‘no derivatives’ is to say ‘I’m okay with people using it, so long as they don’t change it’. One example of a derivative is a techno remix of a song. If you are alright with other creators making derivatives of your work, you may also want to require them to ‘ShareAlike’. ShareAlike means that the creator of that techno remix of your song has to use the same creative commons license you used for your original to distribute the remix.

An example of a derivative someone might make of a YouTube video would be auto-tuning it to make a song or cutting up your video to make one that’s just ‘the funny parts’.

Here are the 6 creative commons licenses, and a chart you can use as a quick reference tool.

Attribution – CC BY

If you’re using music or other media with this license, all you need to do is credit the artist.

If you license your video this way, people can do whatever they like with any element of it (video or sound) so long as they credit you. I.e. if someone wanted to mute your clips and use you as stock footage in a bigger project, they could.

Attribution-ShareAlike – CC BY-SA

If you use music, photos, or any other media licensed this way, then you must both credit the artist and license your video this same way. Meaning, you can’t use YouTube’s standard license and must instead allow for others to use your work the way you are using the licensed media.

If you apply this license to your video, you’re saying you don’t mind people using all or portions of your video for their project so long as they allow others to use their work in the same way.

Attribution-NoDerivs – CC BY-ND

This one can get tricky.

Essentially, you can use media licensed this way so long as you don’t alter it or create a different version. For example, you can’t take a song licensed this way and use it in a mashup with another song. That part is clear. Where it gets tricky is when you want to use a song in your video.

Under normal copyright rules, using a royalty-free song in the background of your video would not count as creating a derivative. The definition of derivative according to creative commons is a bit broader and includes ‘syncing’. This means you can’t take an ‘Attribution-NoDerivs’ song and create any kind of music video for it.

For example, you can’t edit clips of yourself snowboarding so that they’re in sync with a song that has this license.

Whether or not you can play the song in the background of your vlog while you are speaking can be a bit of a grey area. In theory, it shouldn’t be a problem, but if you’re accessing the music through a social site like SoundCloud then it might be best to ask the artist first.

There’s no reason to license your YouTube videos this way. If people cannot alter your video, all that’s left is for them to repost it. Even though they’d also be crediting you, they’d still essentially be stealing views and ad revenue from your original video.

Attribution-NonCommercial – CC BY-NC

If you’re using stock footage, music, or stock photos licensed this way then you should still be able to monetize your video. YouTube monetization and commercial use are different things. However, there is a lot of confusion about this issue, and chances are the rights holder intends for this license to mean ‘no monetization’.

What you definitely could not do with a NonCommercial license is to use the song/other media in an actual commercial for a product, including product placement that a brand is paying you for.

If you license your video this way, people can use it in whatever way they like so long as they credit you and don’t try to make money off of it. Once again, that doesn’t mean they can’t use it in a YouTube video which they monetize because, technically, they’d be making money off of the ad that ran ahead of the video and not the video itself.

The thing to be careful of with this license is that it’s not ‘ShareAlike’. So, if you license your video this way somebody could use your clips as stock footage and then provide them - as part of their project – for free to a third person to use in a project they were making money off of.

Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike – CC BY-NC-SA

Music and other media with an ‘Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike’ license can be used in and altered for your videos, so long as you aren’t making money off those videos. You must also use this same license for the video you create using elements licensed this way.

If you license your video this way, people can use it or a portion of it in their project if they credit you. They must also use this same license for their video if they do. This protects you from the situation where a third person who never licensed your original content is making money off of it.

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs – CC BY-NC-ND

There aren’t many situations where you would be using media licensed this way in your YouTube videos. You can’t alter it, sync videos to it, or make money from any video that uses it.

You also probably shouldn’t use this license for your videos. ‘NoDerivs’ means there are not many ways people could use your content, except to repost full videos and steal your views.

Edit Video with the Most Excellent Video Editor

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

You might have noticed that, when you post a video, you get to choose how you want to copyright it: standard license, or creative commons. You’ve also probably noticed that when you looking for royalty-free music or stock footage a lot of it is licensed through creative commons.

So, what exactly are creative commons ?

To hold the copyright to a creative work means that you own it, and anybody who wants to use your work for anything (i.e. uses a song you composed in their YouTube video) has to do so on your terms. When you license your work through creative commons you do not give up your rights to your creative work (a common misconception).

When you use a creative commons license you are outlining the terms under which other creators are allowed to use your creations in their projects for free if they credit you for your work.

If you do not want anyone using your work for free in any context, you stick to traditional copyrighting.

But if you’ve created a piece of music, a photograph, or a clip that you wouldn’t mind other people using, potentially as a way to get your name out there, you might want to consider creative commons.

There are 6 different creative commons licenses. Which is right for you will depend on your answers to these two questions:

Are you okay with a creator making money off of something they create using your work?

Are you okay with a creator producing a derivative of your work?

To say ‘no derivatives’ is to say ‘I’m okay with people using it, so long as they don’t change it’. One example of a derivative is a techno remix of a song. If you are alright with other creators making derivatives of your work, you may also want to require them to ‘ShareAlike’. ShareAlike means that the creator of that techno remix of your song has to use the same creative commons license you used for your original to distribute the remix.

An example of a derivative someone might make of a YouTube video would be auto-tuning it to make a song or cutting up your video to make one that’s just ‘the funny parts’.

Here are the 6 creative commons licenses, and a chart you can use as a quick reference tool.

Attribution – CC BY

If you’re using music or other media with this license, all you need to do is credit the artist.

If you license your video this way, people can do whatever they like with any element of it (video or sound) so long as they credit you. I.e. if someone wanted to mute your clips and use you as stock footage in a bigger project, they could.

Attribution-ShareAlike – CC BY-SA

If you use music, photos, or any other media licensed this way, then you must both credit the artist and license your video this same way. Meaning, you can’t use YouTube’s standard license and must instead allow for others to use your work the way you are using the licensed media.

If you apply this license to your video, you’re saying you don’t mind people using all or portions of your video for their project so long as they allow others to use their work in the same way.

Attribution-NoDerivs – CC BY-ND

This one can get tricky.

Essentially, you can use media licensed this way so long as you don’t alter it or create a different version. For example, you can’t take a song licensed this way and use it in a mashup with another song. That part is clear. Where it gets tricky is when you want to use a song in your video.

Under normal copyright rules, using a royalty-free song in the background of your video would not count as creating a derivative. The definition of derivative according to creative commons is a bit broader and includes ‘syncing’. This means you can’t take an ‘Attribution-NoDerivs’ song and create any kind of music video for it.

For example, you can’t edit clips of yourself snowboarding so that they’re in sync with a song that has this license.

Whether or not you can play the song in the background of your vlog while you are speaking can be a bit of a grey area. In theory, it shouldn’t be a problem, but if you’re accessing the music through a social site like SoundCloud then it might be best to ask the artist first.

There’s no reason to license your YouTube videos this way. If people cannot alter your video, all that’s left is for them to repost it. Even though they’d also be crediting you, they’d still essentially be stealing views and ad revenue from your original video.

Attribution-NonCommercial – CC BY-NC

If you’re using stock footage, music, or stock photos licensed this way then you should still be able to monetize your video. YouTube monetization and commercial use are different things. However, there is a lot of confusion about this issue, and chances are the rights holder intends for this license to mean ‘no monetization’.

What you definitely could not do with a NonCommercial license is to use the song/other media in an actual commercial for a product, including product placement that a brand is paying you for.

If you license your video this way, people can use it in whatever way they like so long as they credit you and don’t try to make money off of it. Once again, that doesn’t mean they can’t use it in a YouTube video which they monetize because, technically, they’d be making money off of the ad that ran ahead of the video and not the video itself.

The thing to be careful of with this license is that it’s not ‘ShareAlike’. So, if you license your video this way somebody could use your clips as stock footage and then provide them - as part of their project – for free to a third person to use in a project they were making money off of.

Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike – CC BY-NC-SA

Music and other media with an ‘Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike’ license can be used in and altered for your videos, so long as you aren’t making money off those videos. You must also use this same license for the video you create using elements licensed this way.

If you license your video this way, people can use it or a portion of it in their project if they credit you. They must also use this same license for their video if they do. This protects you from the situation where a third person who never licensed your original content is making money off of it.

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs – CC BY-NC-ND

There aren’t many situations where you would be using media licensed this way in your YouTube videos. You can’t alter it, sync videos to it, or make money from any video that uses it.

You also probably shouldn’t use this license for your videos. ‘NoDerivs’ means there are not many ways people could use your content, except to repost full videos and steal your views.

Edit Video with the Most Excellent Video Editor

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

You might have noticed that, when you post a video, you get to choose how you want to copyright it: standard license, or creative commons. You’ve also probably noticed that when you looking for royalty-free music or stock footage a lot of it is licensed through creative commons.

So, what exactly are creative commons ?

To hold the copyright to a creative work means that you own it, and anybody who wants to use your work for anything (i.e. uses a song you composed in their YouTube video) has to do so on your terms. When you license your work through creative commons you do not give up your rights to your creative work (a common misconception).

When you use a creative commons license you are outlining the terms under which other creators are allowed to use your creations in their projects for free if they credit you for your work.

If you do not want anyone using your work for free in any context, you stick to traditional copyrighting.

But if you’ve created a piece of music, a photograph, or a clip that you wouldn’t mind other people using, potentially as a way to get your name out there, you might want to consider creative commons.

There are 6 different creative commons licenses. Which is right for you will depend on your answers to these two questions:

Are you okay with a creator making money off of something they create using your work?

Are you okay with a creator producing a derivative of your work?

To say ‘no derivatives’ is to say ‘I’m okay with people using it, so long as they don’t change it’. One example of a derivative is a techno remix of a song. If you are alright with other creators making derivatives of your work, you may also want to require them to ‘ShareAlike’. ShareAlike means that the creator of that techno remix of your song has to use the same creative commons license you used for your original to distribute the remix.

An example of a derivative someone might make of a YouTube video would be auto-tuning it to make a song or cutting up your video to make one that’s just ‘the funny parts’.

Here are the 6 creative commons licenses, and a chart you can use as a quick reference tool.

Attribution – CC BY

If you’re using music or other media with this license, all you need to do is credit the artist.

If you license your video this way, people can do whatever they like with any element of it (video or sound) so long as they credit you. I.e. if someone wanted to mute your clips and use you as stock footage in a bigger project, they could.

Attribution-ShareAlike – CC BY-SA

If you use music, photos, or any other media licensed this way, then you must both credit the artist and license your video this same way. Meaning, you can’t use YouTube’s standard license and must instead allow for others to use your work the way you are using the licensed media.

If you apply this license to your video, you’re saying you don’t mind people using all or portions of your video for their project so long as they allow others to use their work in the same way.

Attribution-NoDerivs – CC BY-ND

This one can get tricky.

Essentially, you can use media licensed this way so long as you don’t alter it or create a different version. For example, you can’t take a song licensed this way and use it in a mashup with another song. That part is clear. Where it gets tricky is when you want to use a song in your video.

Under normal copyright rules, using a royalty-free song in the background of your video would not count as creating a derivative. The definition of derivative according to creative commons is a bit broader and includes ‘syncing’. This means you can’t take an ‘Attribution-NoDerivs’ song and create any kind of music video for it.

For example, you can’t edit clips of yourself snowboarding so that they’re in sync with a song that has this license.

Whether or not you can play the song in the background of your vlog while you are speaking can be a bit of a grey area. In theory, it shouldn’t be a problem, but if you’re accessing the music through a social site like SoundCloud then it might be best to ask the artist first.

There’s no reason to license your YouTube videos this way. If people cannot alter your video, all that’s left is for them to repost it. Even though they’d also be crediting you, they’d still essentially be stealing views and ad revenue from your original video.

Attribution-NonCommercial – CC BY-NC

If you’re using stock footage, music, or stock photos licensed this way then you should still be able to monetize your video. YouTube monetization and commercial use are different things. However, there is a lot of confusion about this issue, and chances are the rights holder intends for this license to mean ‘no monetization’.

What you definitely could not do with a NonCommercial license is to use the song/other media in an actual commercial for a product, including product placement that a brand is paying you for.

If you license your video this way, people can use it in whatever way they like so long as they credit you and don’t try to make money off of it. Once again, that doesn’t mean they can’t use it in a YouTube video which they monetize because, technically, they’d be making money off of the ad that ran ahead of the video and not the video itself.

The thing to be careful of with this license is that it’s not ‘ShareAlike’. So, if you license your video this way somebody could use your clips as stock footage and then provide them - as part of their project – for free to a third person to use in a project they were making money off of.

Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike – CC BY-NC-SA

Music and other media with an ‘Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike’ license can be used in and altered for your videos, so long as you aren’t making money off those videos. You must also use this same license for the video you create using elements licensed this way.

If you license your video this way, people can use it or a portion of it in their project if they credit you. They must also use this same license for their video if they do. This protects you from the situation where a third person who never licensed your original content is making money off of it.

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs – CC BY-NC-ND

There aren’t many situations where you would be using media licensed this way in your YouTube videos. You can’t alter it, sync videos to it, or make money from any video that uses it.

You also probably shouldn’t use this license for your videos. ‘NoDerivs’ means there are not many ways people could use your content, except to repost full videos and steal your views.

Edit Video with the Most Excellent Video Editor

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

You might have noticed that, when you post a video, you get to choose how you want to copyright it: standard license, or creative commons. You’ve also probably noticed that when you looking for royalty-free music or stock footage a lot of it is licensed through creative commons.

So, what exactly are creative commons ?

To hold the copyright to a creative work means that you own it, and anybody who wants to use your work for anything (i.e. uses a song you composed in their YouTube video) has to do so on your terms. When you license your work through creative commons you do not give up your rights to your creative work (a common misconception).

When you use a creative commons license you are outlining the terms under which other creators are allowed to use your creations in their projects for free if they credit you for your work.

If you do not want anyone using your work for free in any context, you stick to traditional copyrighting.

But if you’ve created a piece of music, a photograph, or a clip that you wouldn’t mind other people using, potentially as a way to get your name out there, you might want to consider creative commons.

There are 6 different creative commons licenses. Which is right for you will depend on your answers to these two questions:

Are you okay with a creator making money off of something they create using your work?

Are you okay with a creator producing a derivative of your work?

To say ‘no derivatives’ is to say ‘I’m okay with people using it, so long as they don’t change it’. One example of a derivative is a techno remix of a song. If you are alright with other creators making derivatives of your work, you may also want to require them to ‘ShareAlike’. ShareAlike means that the creator of that techno remix of your song has to use the same creative commons license you used for your original to distribute the remix.

An example of a derivative someone might make of a YouTube video would be auto-tuning it to make a song or cutting up your video to make one that’s just ‘the funny parts’.

Here are the 6 creative commons licenses, and a chart you can use as a quick reference tool.

Attribution – CC BY

If you’re using music or other media with this license, all you need to do is credit the artist.

If you license your video this way, people can do whatever they like with any element of it (video or sound) so long as they credit you. I.e. if someone wanted to mute your clips and use you as stock footage in a bigger project, they could.

Attribution-ShareAlike – CC BY-SA

If you use music, photos, or any other media licensed this way, then you must both credit the artist and license your video this same way. Meaning, you can’t use YouTube’s standard license and must instead allow for others to use your work the way you are using the licensed media.

If you apply this license to your video, you’re saying you don’t mind people using all or portions of your video for their project so long as they allow others to use their work in the same way.

Attribution-NoDerivs – CC BY-ND

This one can get tricky.

Essentially, you can use media licensed this way so long as you don’t alter it or create a different version. For example, you can’t take a song licensed this way and use it in a mashup with another song. That part is clear. Where it gets tricky is when you want to use a song in your video.

Under normal copyright rules, using a royalty-free song in the background of your video would not count as creating a derivative. The definition of derivative according to creative commons is a bit broader and includes ‘syncing’. This means you can’t take an ‘Attribution-NoDerivs’ song and create any kind of music video for it.

For example, you can’t edit clips of yourself snowboarding so that they’re in sync with a song that has this license.

Whether or not you can play the song in the background of your vlog while you are speaking can be a bit of a grey area. In theory, it shouldn’t be a problem, but if you’re accessing the music through a social site like SoundCloud then it might be best to ask the artist first.

There’s no reason to license your YouTube videos this way. If people cannot alter your video, all that’s left is for them to repost it. Even though they’d also be crediting you, they’d still essentially be stealing views and ad revenue from your original video.

Attribution-NonCommercial – CC BY-NC

If you’re using stock footage, music, or stock photos licensed this way then you should still be able to monetize your video. YouTube monetization and commercial use are different things. However, there is a lot of confusion about this issue, and chances are the rights holder intends for this license to mean ‘no monetization’.

What you definitely could not do with a NonCommercial license is to use the song/other media in an actual commercial for a product, including product placement that a brand is paying you for.

If you license your video this way, people can use it in whatever way they like so long as they credit you and don’t try to make money off of it. Once again, that doesn’t mean they can’t use it in a YouTube video which they monetize because, technically, they’d be making money off of the ad that ran ahead of the video and not the video itself.

The thing to be careful of with this license is that it’s not ‘ShareAlike’. So, if you license your video this way somebody could use your clips as stock footage and then provide them - as part of their project – for free to a third person to use in a project they were making money off of.

Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike – CC BY-NC-SA

Music and other media with an ‘Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike’ license can be used in and altered for your videos, so long as you aren’t making money off those videos. You must also use this same license for the video you create using elements licensed this way.

If you license your video this way, people can use it or a portion of it in their project if they credit you. They must also use this same license for their video if they do. This protects you from the situation where a third person who never licensed your original content is making money off of it.

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs – CC BY-NC-ND

There aren’t many situations where you would be using media licensed this way in your YouTube videos. You can’t alter it, sync videos to it, or make money from any video that uses it.

You also probably shouldn’t use this license for your videos. ‘NoDerivs’ means there are not many ways people could use your content, except to repost full videos and steal your views.

Edit Video with the Most Excellent Video Editor

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

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