How do you use community options on YouTube?

The YouTube Community tab provides creators with powerful tools to foster direct interaction and engagement with their audience through various interactive posts.

Unlocking YouTube Community Features: Phone Verification

To fully utilize all community options on YouTube, especially features that involve external links in your posts, the ability to upload videos longer than 15 minutes, or live streaming, your YouTube channel needs to have "intermediate features" enabled. This crucial step typically involves a quick phone verification process.

Here’s how to enable intermediate features by verifying your phone number:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. Click Settings on the left-hand menu.
3. Select Channel.
4. Navigate to Feature eligibility.
5. Under the "Intermediate features" section, you will see its status. Select the option to Enable it if it's not already.
6. You will then be prompted to Verify phone number.
7. Enter your phone number to receive a verification code via a voice call or text message.
8. Enter your verification code as prompted to complete the process.

Note on Community Tab Availability: The Community tab typically becomes available to channels once they reach 500 subscribers, though some channels in beta programs or with legacy access may have it earlier.

Accessing Your Community Tab

Once available and features are enabled, you can access your Community tab in a few ways:

• From your channel page: Navigate to your YouTube channel and click on the Community tab.
• From YouTube Studio:
  1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
  2. Click Create from the top-right corner.
  3. Select Create post.

Types of Community Posts and How to Use Them

The Community tab allows for diverse forms of content to keep your audience engaged:

• Text Posts:
  • Purpose: Share quick updates, ask open-ended questions, or share thoughts and announcements.
  • Example: "What content would you like to see next on the channel?"
• Image Posts:
  • Purpose: Share photos, GIFs, memes, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or promotional graphics. You can include up to 5 images per post.
  • Example: "Sneak peek of our next video shoot! 📸"
• Polls:
  • Purpose: Ask questions with multiple-choice answers to gather audience opinions, preferences, or ideas for future content.
  • Example: "Which game should I play for our next live stream? A) Minecraft B) Valorant C) Among Us"
• Quiz Posts:
  • Purpose: Test your audience's knowledge, challenge them with trivia, or reinforce information from your videos. You set a correct answer.
  • Example: "Which year was our channel founded? A) 2018 B) 2020 C) 2019 (Correct Answer: B)"
• Video Posts:
  • Purpose: Share your own existing or new YouTube videos, or promote videos from other creators you enjoy. This is a great way to resurface older content or give a shout-out.
  • Example: "Re-watch one of my favorite older videos here: [Link to Video]"

How to Create a Community Post

Follow these steps to publish content on your Community tab:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio or go to your channel page and click the Community tab.
2. Click Create post or, if in YouTube Studio, click CREATE (top-right) and then select Create post.
3. Select the type of post you want to create from the available options: Text, Image, Poll, Video, or Quiz.
4. Compose your message, upload images, set poll options, define quiz answers, or select videos as needed.
5. Review your post, then click Post to publish it immediately, or click the down arrow next to "Post" to Schedule it for a later date and time.

Maximizing Engagement with Community Options

To make the most of your Community tab, consider these practical insights:

• Consistency is Key: Post regularly to keep your audience engaged and coming back to your tab.
• Ask Engaging Questions: Encourage comments and discussions. People love to share their opinions.
• Go Behind the Scenes: Share exclusive content, work-in-progress, or personal updates to build a stronger connection.
• Gather Feedback: Use polls and questions to understand what your audience wants to see, helping you brainstorm new video ideas.
• Promote Other Content: Share links to your older videos, playlists, or even relevant videos from other creators.
• Use Visuals: Images and GIFs often grab attention more effectively than plain text posts.
• Reply to Comments: Engage with your audience in the comments section to build a loyal community.
• Cross-Promote: Mention your Community tab in your videos to encourage viewers to check it out.

The YouTube Community tab is an invaluable tool for direct, meaningful interaction, helping creators build stronger relationships with their viewers and enhance their content strategy.