Your YouTube profile icon appears beside every video you upload, every comment you leave, and in every search result. When it's sharp and recognizable, it builds brand consistency. When it's blurry or cluttered, viewers scroll right past.

This guide shows you exactly how to update your YouTube Icon on desktop and mobile, plus the design rules that keep it crisp and recognizable at thumbnail size, where it actually matters.

Makes your channel look legitimate in search results and suggestions

Builds recognition so viewers spot you without reading your name

Creates visual consistency with your banner and thumbnails

A weak icon does the opposite. It makes your channel look unfinished, even if your videos are great.


Before You Upload: Requirements and Checklist

Before you upload your image, run through this checklist:

Start with a square (1:1) image. YouTube displays it as a circle

Keep your subject centered (corners get cropped)

Use high contrast so it works in dark and light mode

Keep it simple: one face, one logo, or one subject

Use a PNG (for logos/illustrations) or JPG (for photos)

How to Change Your YouTube Profile Icon (Desktop)

1. Log in to your YouTube account. On your channel's homepage, click your current profile icon.

This will take you to the YouTube Studio, and more specifically, the branding section of the customization page.

Use your computer's file browser to choose a new photo for your channel (you might have to crop it to get the right fit).

the change button to select a new youtube icon

 in the top right corner to save the changes.

How to Change Your YouTube Icon (Mobile App)

2. Go to your YouTube channel's homepage. Click the 

a youtube channel homepage on the mobile app with pencil icon highlighted

3. Under channel settings, click the camera symbol inside of your profile icon.

4. Choose a photo from your camera or gallery. Again, you might have to crop the image to get the right fit.

Options for uploading a channel icon: camera roll or gallery

 JPG, PNG, GIF, or BMP (no animated GIFs)

 Often rendered at 98 × 98 pixels across YouTube

Your profile icon displays very small in most places, so clarity beats detail every time. Design for thumbnail size, not full resolution.

How to Make a YouTube Profile Picture: Best Practices

The best channel icons are simple enough to identify yet bold enough to 

 best for creators who are on camera often.

 best for brands, faceless channels, and agencies.

 best for gaming, entertainment, and stylized channels.

 best if your channel name is long, or your logo is mostly text.

 has the right idea for a gaming channel. The main element of the photo, a cute teddy bear, is in the middle of the frame. The icon also has bright pinks and blues that are hard to miss.

 If you are unsure, start with a face. It is easier to recognize at small sizes, and you can always swap to a logo later.

Even though you upload a square, YouTube often displays your profile as a circle. So build your layout like this:

Avoid putting text near the perimeter (it will get clipped or shrink to mush).

Crop to shoulders or closer, full-body shots disappear at thumbnail size

Use bright, even lighting with a clean background

 uses a photo of himself with blue and orange colors to make his icon stand out.

Youtube channel icon for feasible creative

Ideally your profile picture will compliment your banner and branding

Choose 1 background color that creates contrast

Avoid thin lines, they vanish when scaled down

If you use letters, make strokes thick with high contrast

uses a simple and recognizable logo to make his channel easily stand out.

Shrink your design until it is about the size of your fingernail.

If you cannot instantly tell what it is, simplify.

Cut details first. Then increase contrast. Then increase padding.

Export as PNG for logos and illustrations, JPG for photos. Then check it on:

How to Update Your Profile Picture Without Confusing Your Audience

If you're doing more than a minor refresh:

Update your profile icon and banner together so your channel looks cohesive

Post a Community tab update or Short: "New look, same content"

Keep the new icon for at least 30 days so viewers remember it

Make sure you cover the basics of a cohesive channel layout

A popular youtube channel and its YouTube profile picture

SET India YouTube channel page on phone with subscriber and video count visible.

Your profile picture should be simple and readable in a tiny circle on every device.

How to Change Your YouTube Profile Picture on Desktop and Mobile

A banner for YouTube is a vital part of any creator’s channel. It’s bigger than thumbnails and much larger than your profile picture, so it does a lot of first-impression work.

That means people will often notice your YouTube channel banner before anything else on your channel homepage. If you want viewers to scroll down and click on your videos, you need a YouTube banner that earns their attention fast.

The best ones are balanced, eye-catching, and they complement the profile picture next to them.

Here are five tips for creating a YouTube channel banner that intrigues anyone who lands on your channel.

1. Start with the Correct YouTube Banner Size

Good YouTube banners look sharp no matter where you view them: mobile devices, laptops, tablets, and even giant computer monitors.

To make a sharp banner image for your channel:

 get cropped differently across devices, so keep your logo and text inside the centered “safe area” (aim for 

 (PNG if you have crisp text, JPG for photo-heavy designs).

2. Create a Banner That Matches Your YouTube Niche

Whether you’re into Minecraft gaming or finding lost puppies (yes, it’s a thing), your YouTube channel banner should reflect your niche. Viewers should look at your banner and think, 

It looks like this channel is about [insert topic here]. I’m in the right place.

If someone wants to learn Microsoft Excel, for example, the imagery in your banner should match that desire. You might add a tiny spreadsheet to the design or make the banner forest green to match the Excel colors.

Some viewers will understand your YouTube banner without text, but others won’t.

That’s why it’s best to add a few words to the design. If someone doesn’t realize you’re a 

 after seeing your YouTube channel banner, they won’t spend more than a second guessing. They’ll see the answer on your YouTube header: 

add your channel’s value proposition to the banner too

. It’s an easy way to show people what your channel is about and what they’ll gain from being there. Our value proposition at vidIQ is “YouTube inspiration, education, community,” and you know that instantly by reading our banner.

 design is: keep it simple. Just like thumbnails, you want your 

Use just enough design elements to make your point, like short text, one or two strong visuals that represent your niche, and a clean background. Avoid clutter, tiny text, and chaotic color combos that are hard to process quickly.

 is more than a stylish billboard. It can also help you drive clicks to your website and social platforms.

In YouTube Studio, you can add multiple channel links and feature your most important one prominently, so choose that first link carefully. Then use the rest for your highest-value destinations, like a newsletter, a product page, or your top social account.

Also consider adding a visual nudge on your 

, like “Start Here” or “Free Guide,” so viewers know the link is worth clicking. Test small changes and keep what drives real clicks.

It’s easy to come up with YouTube banner ideas once you’ve seen a few examples. Here are five good ones to inspire your YouTube banner design.

Now that you’ve seen some quality banners, you’re probably wondering 

. After all, a good graphic is nothing without attractive imagery. If you’re going to design something that truly stands out, you’ll need quality banner images for YouTube.

Don’t worry: You don’t need to pay for a Shutterstock account or anything like that.

Plenty of websites will supply both the channel art and the editing tools you need to build a banner:

Do you have an old banner you’re dying to switch out? Here’s a step-by-step guide to upload your fresh header:

Scroll down to the banner section and click 

Select a new banner image, crop it, and click 

Are you ready to take your channel art to the next level? 

Learn how to make YouTube end screens and increase your video views

Channel promise: what you make + who it’s for (1 short line).

Visual cue for your niche: one strong image or simple graphic style.

Avoid: tiny paragraphs, too many photos, and anything that only reads well on a TV.

A YouTube banner is your channel’s first impression, so use a clean design with a clear promise and keep all key text and logos inside the safe area so it looks right on every device. Design at 2560×1440, keep the file under 6MB, and use simple text plus niche visuals to create a YouTube channel banner that helps viewers understand your channel instantly.

How to Make a YouTube Banner That Attracts New Subscribers

 after months of researching how to become a content creator. You followed all the practical advice, like using the right keywords, designing great thumbnails, and focusing on storytelling. But two weeks into the journey, you have a troubling realization: No one is watching your videos.

The solution? Don't wait for YouTube to notice your content. Share your videos on apps like Instagram and Snapchat to gain initial views and get the algorithm's attention! Then you can start 

, all from sharing high-quality video content.

Ready to get your channel promoted? These apps are fantastic for boosting video views on YouTube.

dozens of square chips with the instagram logo

 place to share dynamic photos and videos, but of course, we'll focus on videos for now. You can use the app to show snippets of your YouTube content, tease your latest video, or even share behind-the-scenes footage.

: Photos and videos shared to a user's story that disappear after 24 hours.

Clickable bio links in Instagram profiles.

 Create a series of Instagram Stories that build anticipation for your upcoming YouTube video. Start with a teaser Story, revealing just enough to pique your followers' interest. After that, follow up with a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of your video. When the video is live on YouTube, post one last teaser as an IG Story, offering a link to the watch page.

Snapchat is a messaging app with short-lived content, including photos and videos. It's the perfect place to offer a glimpse into your daily life and build a relationship with viewers.

: Snaps that play in chronological order and can be viewed for 24 hours.

 Scannable images that prompt different functions, like adding new friends, unlocking filters, linking to websites (YouTube!), etc.

Clickable links in individual Snaps and user profiles.

 Use Snapchat's Story feature to create a narrative around your YouTube video. Post the most engaging clips throughout the day, building excitement for the story. In one last Snap, direct viewers to your YouTube video (with a link) so they can enjoy the full production.

TikTok is for creating, sharing, and discovering short videos that are sound-driven (music, soundbites, natural noises, etc.). The algorithm favors engaging content, so this is the place to make quirky videos related to your YouTube channel.

 Collaborate with other TikTokers by posting two videos in one that play side-by-side simultaneously.

 Combine your video with another TikTok to share a response or a new perspective.

 Find a popular TikTok trend that's related to your niche. For example, imagine that "'90s video games" is a trending hashtag. If you're a gamer, you could make a TikTok about the best game from that era 

 a YouTube video exploring the game in detail. Mention the YouTube video in the caption of your TikTok, letting viewers know that the link to watch is in your bio.

Twitch is a livestreaming app with a large gaming presence, but it attracts other niches too. It's a great place to host live Q&A sessions, gaming streams, or real-time discussions about your YouTube content.

 A collection of custom panels below your stream, where you can add links and other assets. This makes it easy for viewers to find and subscribe to your YouTube channel.

 Twitch lets you save past broadcasts as VODs, which you can use to guide viewers to your YouTube content.

Create Twitch streams that complement your YouTube videos. For instance, if you post gaming compilations on YouTube, you could stream the full gameplay sessions on Twitch. This creates a seamless experience for viewers who follow you on both platforms. Don't forget to direct Twitch viewers to your YouTube channel for exclusive yet relevant content!

Traditionally, X is a microblogging app for text conversations, although videos and images are popular too. The app is filled with breaking news, discussion threads, memes, and more. Ultimately, you can use X to tease new content, share clips, and link back to your YouTube videos.

: A series of connected posts that tell one story.

Pinned posts: Important posts or threads highlighted at the top of a user's profile.

 Start a thread that covers a topic related to your video. Each post should offer valuable information and build up to a final post that carries the link to your YouTube video. Engage with users who reply to your thread, and pin the thread to your profile to maximize visibility. Use relevant hashtags to reach a broader audience.

Pinterest is a visual discovery engine for new ideas. People use it to explore recipes, fashion, DIY projects, cities, and more. Pinterest users are hungry for knowledge, so it's a great option for expanding your YouTube reach.

: Pins that contain video content (uploaded to the app natively).

: An area for displaying saved Pins by category.

 Create Pinterest boards dedicated to the topics on your YouTube channel. Inside these boards, add Video Pins that tease your YouTube content while providing a link to the full video. Write compelling pin descriptions and use keywords for better discoverability.

As you can see, these are the best apps to get your videos noticed outside of YouTube. But did you know that YouTube has a social network of its own, and you can use it to promote your channel millions of times over?

Here's how to use the YouTube Community Tab!

A group of blocks with social media icons on them

Cubes with popular social media logos like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok on blue background

Which social media platforms are best for promoting a YouTube channel? Here are six apps that always get the job done!

6 Popular Apps to Promote Your YouTube Channel

Your viewers just finished one of your videos. What happens next? If you're like most creators, you're hoping they'll stick around, but without a clear path forward, they're gone. That's where YouTube playlists come in.

Playlists do more than organize your content. They create binge-worthy viewing experiences that keep audiences watching video after video, while simultaneously telling YouTube's algorithm exactly what your channel is about. The result is more watch time, better search rankings, and viewers who engage with more of your content.

Whether you're a creator looking to boost your channel's performance or simply want to organize your content library, playlists are one of the most underutilized tools on the platform. Here's how to use them strategically.

If you are wondering how to create a playlist on YouTube, the process is simple once you know where to find the Create option in YouTube Studio

YouTube Studio create button for making a new playlist

Selecting New Playlist option from YouTube Studio dropdown menu

3. Follow the directions on the upcoming screens. Enter a title, set your playlist’s visibility, and click 

YouTube playlist creation interface with title and visibility settings

4. Here you can add videos from your channel's video library to the playlist.

Adding videos to your YouTube playlist from your channel library

Viewer enjoying content through a YouTube playlist on their device

The best YouTube playlists have a few things in common, such as a good title, theme, and thumbnail. In this section, we’ll share eight tips for building a collection of videos.

When creating playlists, make sure each video is in chronological order. You want to tell a story that keeps building as people go down the list, which means you can’t use random videos in random spots. Your playlist needs a 

. This lengthy playlist, “How to Mix Live Music,” goes from a brief introduction to discussing audio equipment to explaining how to do soundchecks. Each video builds upon the last to teach viewers a new skill.

Treat your playlist like the first season of a new TV show. How much content do you need to tell one story? Which episodes come first, second, third, and so on? With this train of thought, you’ll create the right number of videos.

Like regular videos, your playlist needs a captivating thumbnail to make viewers click. The 

 have bold text, colorful images, and a simple design that’s easy to understand.

, and the image reinforces that idea. You see a man running on a track and the words “proper sprinting form” in big white letters.

Eye-catching YouTube playlist thumbnail with clear text and relevant imagery

Keep in mind that one of the video thumbnails in your list will become the entire playlist’s thumbnail. So always use high-quality images. Later on, you can choose one thumbnail to represent your playlist.

Setting a video thumbnail as your official YouTube playlist thumbnail

YouTube SEO is the practice of optimizing your content for search engines. Fortunately, optimizing a playlist isn’t too different from optimizing a regular video. All you need is a good playlist title, a video description, and relevant hashtags.

But keep in mind that all of this requires 

 — the process of finding what people are searching for on YouTube.

Once you know those searches, you can use the most popular phrases in your title, description, and other areas. That helps the 

 show your playlist in search results! It works even better when you optimize each playlist video.

4. Create One Playlist for Each Topic You Cover

You’ll need more than one playlist to grow your channel with extra views. To start boosting that number, look at your channel’s focus. Is it dog training? Car reviews? City guides? Whatever your niche is, break it down into sub-topics and create a playlist for each one.

On the vidIQ channel, we have a playlist for almost every topic we cover, including YouTube Shorts, thumbnails, titles, and monetization.

Organized YouTube playlists on the vidIQ channel covering different topics

5. Create Playlists About Evergreen Topics

Want people to watch your playlists year-round? Choose evergreen topics that people are always interested in.

The more valuable the topic, the more views your playlist will get from January to December. So think about long-term clicks before you make a YouTube playlist!

There are three privacy settings on YouTube: private, public, and unlisted:

Private videos: Only those who've been invited can watch.
Unlisted videos: Only those with the link can watch.
Public videos: Anyone can watch.

Accessing Content section in YouTube Studio to manage playlists

Selecting the Playlists tab in YouTube Studio to manage your collections

3. Click the pencil icon beside the playlist you want to edit.

Editing a YouTube playlist by clicking the pencil icon

4. Below the playlist title, click set the visibility as 

Setting YouTube playlist visibility to public for maximum exposure

While you’re there, use this same screen to allow playlist embedding. Click the three dots and choose 

Accessing playlist settings through the three dots menu in YouTube Studio

 to let people share your playlists on their website.

Enabling playlist embedding to allow sharing on external websites

One way to make a playlist popular is by adding it to your channel page. And don’t stop at just one! YouTube allows for 

, which can be a mix of recent uploads, playlists, live streams, Shorts, and more.

Here’s how to add a playlist to your channel homepage:

Accessing Customization menu in YouTube Studio to feature playlists

Selecting the Layout tab to customize your YouTube channel page

Adding a new featured section to showcase playlists on your channel page

Choosing between single, created, or multiple playlist options for your channel page

YouTube is always recommending content to viewers, but there are other ways to get views on a playlist. For one, you can share it on social media sites like Instagram and Facebook. You can also share playlists in the 

Another option is embedding a few playlists on your website. If you have a blog or landing page, adding a playlist can boost your views from outside of YouTube.

Also, don’t forget about community forums. If you know an online community that needs help doing something — and your playlist has the answer — share it! You can post within Reddit groups, Discord servers, and Facebook groups.

How to Organize Your YouTube Playlists for Maximum Engagement

Knowing how your YouTube playlists perform is key to growing your channel with playlists. You can see the numbers in YouTube Studio under Analytics. 

 playlist starts, average watch time, and videos per viewer

. If viewers only watch one or two videos, try changing the order or theme of your playlist. You can also estimate how many viewers watch the entire playlist by comparing the first and last video views.

The image above gives you an idea of how to think about making your playlist, depending on the content you're making or whatever your audience connects with the most.

Think about what makes a playlist work well. Ask yourself:

Creating playlists on YouTube is a great way to grow your channel, but it's not the only way.

If you want more tips on how to increase YouTube views

, we've compiled 22 proven strategies that work alongside playlist optimization.

Person using smartphone with transparent floating video player interface on screen.

Playlists help viewers binge your content, which increases watch time and makes your channel easier to navigate. Learn how to create, organize, and optimize a YouTube playlist so each viewer watches more videos in a single session.

Lydia Sweatt

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

How to Change Your YouTube Profile Picture on Desktop and Mobile

How to Make a YouTube Banner That Attracts New Subscribers

6 Popular Apps to Promote Your YouTube Channel

How to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Playlists

How to Write a YouTube Video Script That Keeps Viewers Watching

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7 Ways to Build Strong YouTube Branding

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