Note: This article does not cover channel verification badges. For more info on verification badges, visit this Help Centre article.
YouTube offers many tools and features to help you make the most of your channel. The majority of creators have access to these features but some features require additional verification to unlock them. This additional access criteria makes it harder for scammers, spammers and other bad actors to cause harm. Only primary channel owners can verify their identity to get access to additional features.
Access intermediate features
Complete phone verification to get access
If you complete phone verification, you'll get access to intermediate features. From here, you can learn how to access advanced features.
- On a computer, sign in to YouTube Studio.
- Click Settings.
- Click Channel.
- Click Feature eligibility
Intermediate features
Intermediate features You'll be asked to enter a phone number. We'll send a verification code by text or voice call to that phone number.
Access advanced features
Advanced features are a set of YouTube features that includes, for example, the ability to pin comments and higher daily upload limits.
You can access advanced features by first completing phone verification. Then, you can choose to build up sufficient channel history or complete verification using ID or video below.
Use phone and ID/video verification to get access
Complete phone verification
- On a computer, sign in to YouTube Studio.
- Click Settings.
- Click Channel.
- Click Feature eligibility
-
You'll be asked to enter a phone number. We'll send a verification code by text or voice call to that phone number.
Note: Your ID/video verification is usually deleted in a few months after you've built sufficient channel history or after two years if you haven't used advanced features.
Complete ID verification
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- Click Settings.
- Click Channel.
- Click Feature eligibility
- Select Use your ID, then click Get email. Google will send an email. You can also scan a QR code instead.
- On your phone, open the email and tap Start verification.
- Read the explanation of how Google will use your ID and how your ID will be stored. To continue with verification, click I agree.
- Follow the prompts to take a picture of your ID. Note: Make sure that the date of birth on your ID matches the date of birth stated on your Google Account.
- Click Submit. Once submitted, we'll review your ID. This usually takes 24 hours.
Learn more about how your ID verification data is used.
Or
Complete video verification
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- Click Settings
.
- Click Channel.
- Click Feature eligibility
- Select Use video verification, then click Next and Get email.
- Google will send you an email. You can also scan a QR code instead.
- On your phone, open the email and tap Start verification.
- Follow the prompts to perform an action, like following a dot or turning your head.
- When your verification video has finished uploading, we'll review your video.
- Review usually takes 24 hours. You'll get an email when it's approved.
.Learn more about how your video verification data is used.
Use channel history to get access
To get advanced feature access using your channel history, you'll also need to complete phone verification.
Complete phone verification
- On a computer, sign in to YouTube Studio.
- Click Settings.
- Click Channel.
- Click Feature eligibility
- You'll be asked to enter a phone number. We'll send a verification code by text or voice call to that phone number.
Your channel history data is used to determine whether your content and activity have consistently followed YouTube's Community Guidelines.
Your channel history is a record of your:
- Channel activity (like video uploads, live streams and audience engagement).
- Personal data related to your Google Account.
- When and how the account was created.
- How often it's used.
- Your method of connecting to Google services.
Most active channels already have sufficient channel history to unlock advanced features without any further action required. But we understand that we sometimes make mistakes, which is why we also offer other verification options for quicker access.
Build and maintain your channel history
Advanced features are a set of YouTube features that includes, for example, the ability to pin comments and higher daily upload limits. Creators may unlock access to advanced features by consistently following YouTube's Community Guidelines and building sufficient channel history. Not complying with our policies will delay eligibility. For channels that already have access to advanced features, it can result in losing eligibility.
Find examples below of actions that can lead to delays or a more restricted level of feature access for a channel. Bear in mind that this isn't a complete list:
- Receiving a Community Guidelines strike
- Posting the same content repeatedly across one or more channels, or repeatedly uploading content that you don't own and that isn't EDSA
- Repeatedly posting abusive, hateful, dangerous, sexual, violent and/or harassing videos or comments
- Spamming, scamming, the use of misleading metadata, inaccurate reporting or other deceptive practices
- Cyberbullying
- Impersonating others
- Violating our child safety policy
- Maintaining channels that are related to another policy-violating channel (e.g. a repeat spammer or scammer who owns multiple channels)
- Receiving copyright strikes
Regain access to features
If your access to any advanced features is restricted, you'll receive an email. Channels can regain access by improving their channel history or by providing verification. Regularly active channels that have consistently followed YouTube's Community Guidelines can typically rebuild sufficient channel history within two months.
Note: ID and video verification isn't available to all creators. At any time, your current feature eligibility status in YouTube Studio will show you the steps that you must take to access advanced features.
Troubleshoot problems
- If you get a message saying 'Advanced YouTube features aren't available for this account':
this means that you're signed in to an account of which you're not the primary owner. This can happen if you're signed in to an account supervised by a parent or you're signed in to a Brand Account. - If you get a message saying 'Check your browser':
your browser isn't compatible. Make sure that you update your device to the latest operating system and browser version. - If you get a message saying 'ID verification doesn't work with this phone's camera':
your camera isn't compatible. Sign in with a phone that has a Full HD rear-facing camera to submit your ID. - If you get a message saying 'Another application might be using your camera. Close open apps and try again':
this means that another app is using your camera. Close your open apps and try again.
Frequently asked questions
YouTube terminates millions of channels per year for violative content and behaviour. Many of these channels are created by the same groups and individuals, using or over-using the same kinds of features in an effort to defraud, scam or abuse viewers, creators and advertisers. Verifying your identity is one way that we tackle abuse and determine whether you have previously violated our policy and restrict repeat applications.
Phone number
If you choose to submit a phone number, we'll use it to:
- Send you a verification code.
ID verification
Once you've submit a valid ID (such as a passport or driving licence), we'll use it to confirm:
- Your date of birth
- That your ID is current and valid
- That you haven't previously been suspended for violating YouTube's policies
It will also help us protect against fraud and abuse, and may improve our verification systems.
Your ID or video verification will be automatically deleted from your Google Account within two years. It's usually deleted within a few months after you've built sufficient channel history or after one year if you haven't used advanced features. Learn more about how to delete your verification data.
Video verification
A video verification is a short video of a person's face. We'll use this video to help us verify:
- That you're a real person
- That you're old enough to use Google services
- That you haven't been suspended for violating YouTube's policies
It will also help us protect against fraud and abuse, and may improve our verification systems.
Your ID or video verification will be automatically deleted from your Google Account within two years. It's usually deleted within a few months after you've built sufficient channel history or after one year if you haven't used advanced features. Learn more about how to delete your verification data.
Data retention and deletion
You can delete your ID or video verification at any time in your Google Account. Note that if you delete either before you establish your YouTube channel history, you can't use advanced YouTube features unless you:
- Establish your YouTube channel history
Or
- Complete ID or video verification again
To ensure that individuals or groups don't evade our restrictions by creating new accounts, we assess whether you may have previously violated YouTube policies and restrict repeat applications. Google may save your ID or your video and facial recognition data for a period of time to protect against abuse.
This data will be retained for a maximum of three years from your last interaction with YouTube.
If you don't want to provide an ID or video verification to unlock advanced features, you don't need to. You can always build sufficient channel history instead. By the time you're ready to unlock advanced features, you'll likely have built up sufficient history anyway.
When you use our services, you're trusting us with your information. We understand that this is a big responsibility, and we work hard to protect your information and put you in control. Google's privacy policy applies here, just as it does for all of our products and features.
Note: We never sell your personal information to anyone.
I've already provided verification, why am I being asked to verify again?
To ensure that we're following responsible data practices, your ID or video verification is automatically deleted once you've reached the sufficient channel history or it may be deleted if you don't use advanced features for one year. You can also choose to delete your ID or video verification at any time in your Google Account.
If your verification is deleted, you will need to have sufficient channel history or resubmit ID or video verification to continue using advanced features.
How can I delete my verification data?
- Sign in to your Google Account.
- On the left, click Personal info.
- Click Identity document or Video verification.
- Click Delete
.
.A smartphone is required because it provides additional security to make it harder for scammers and spammers to cause harm.
You should get the code immediately. If you haven't, you can request a new code. Make sure that you're not running into one of these common problems:
- Text message delivery can be delayed. Delays can happen in densely populated areas or if you don't have a strong signal. If you've waited more than a few minutes and still haven't received our text message, try the voice call option.
- If you've already verified two channels with one phone number, you must verify a different phone number. To help prevent abuse, we limit the number of channels that can be associated with each phone number.
- Some countries/regions and operators don't support text messages from Google. Most mobile operators support text messages from Google. If your operator doesn't support text messages from Google, you can try the voice call option or use a different phone number.
If your first try was rejected, you'll be notified by email. We recommend that you review the tips in your email and make sure that your ID:
- Is a driving licence, passport or other valid ID.
- Is current.
- Clearly shows your date of birth.
- Doesn't show any private info that must be covered.
If the second try is unsuccessful, you must wait 30 days before trying either one of the verification methods again.
You can also wait and build channel history instead.
My video verification was rejected. What can I do?
If your first try was rejected, you'll be notified by email. We recommend that you review the tips in your email and make sure that you:.
- Hold your phone at eye level in front of your face.
- Record in a well-lit spot that isn't too bright or too dim.
- Follow the prompts to perform an action, like following a dot or turning your head.
- Are the only person in the video.
- Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
If the second try is unsuccessful, you must wait 30 days before trying either one of the verification methods again. If you think that your second video verification should have been approved, you can appeal it and let us know why.
You can also wait and build channel history instead.
Why don't I see the option to complete ID or video verification?
If you have a Brand Account:
Only the primary owner of the channel will be eligible to perform identity verification. Depending on their verification status, all users of the channel will have access to the same features as the primary owner.
If you don't have a Brand Account:
Only the owner of the channel will be eligible to perform identity verification. Depending on their verification status, all users of the channel will have access to the same features as the owner.