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How to Link a YouTube Channel to Other Profiles
Link a Brand Account to YouTube to let several people manage it from their own Google Accounts.
Is this your situation?
You want more than one person to manage your YouTube channel without sharing a password. You are deciding whether to connect the channel to a Brand Account first.
The short answer
Linking the channel to a Brand Account lets multiple people manage it, each from their own Google Account. No one needs a separate username or password to do this.
Before you start
- Confirm the channel is not already on a Brand Account Check your Brand Accounts list before starting.Verify: Go to myaccount.google.com/brandaccounts.
- Sign in with the right account You may need to sign in first.Verify: Select your profile picture in the top right.
- Check your own channel list Confirm you already have a personal channel.Verify: Look under Your Brand Accounts.
- Check which channel is active Confirm only one channel is in use at a time.Verify: Check the name and icon in the top right corner.
How YouTube handles this
- A YouTube channel can be linked to a Brand Account.
- Multiple people can manage a channel linked to a Brand Account, each from their own Google Account.
- No one needs a separate username or password to manage channels this way.
- On YouTube you can only use one channel at a time.
Step by step
- Sign in to the right Google Account Use the account associated with the channel you want to link.Confirm: Check the name and icon in the top right corner to confirm what channel you're currently using.
- Check your Brand Accounts Go to the Brand Accounts section of your Google Account.Where: myaccount.google.com/brandaccountsConfirm: Check under Your Brand Accounts for an existing account.
- Verify you're on the right account If nothing shows, check that you're using the right account.Where: Profile picture → top rightConfirm: Look for the profile picture of the account you want.
- Create or choose a Brand Account Having a Brand Account does not mean you are automatically using it on YouTube.Confirm: Choose the account you want to move the channel to from the list on screen.
- Switch to the Brand Account on YouTube You can switch between accounts on YouTube.Confirm: Check the name and icon in the top right corner.
- Link the channel The channel becomes linked to the Brand Account you selected.Confirm: A YouTube channel can be linked to a Brand Account.
- Check which channel YouTube is using Having a Brand Account does not mean you are automatically using it.Confirm: Check the name and icon in the top right corner.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a Brand Account is automatically in use Having a Brand Account does not mean you are using it on YouTube.Why it happens: On YouTube you can only use one channel at a time.
- Checking the wrong Google Account No Brand Accounts show because the wrong profile is signed in.Why it happens: You may need to sign in first before checking Brand Accounts.
- Expecting a separate login for managers Managers use their own Google Account, not a shared password.Why it happens: A Brand Account removes the need for a separate username or password.Already happened: If access already looks wrong, review who has access.
Roles at a glance
| Role | Can manage without password | Can use own Google Account | Channel in use at once |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Needs no separate username or password. | Manages from own Google Account. | Only one channel active at a time. |
| Manager | Needs no separate username or password. | Manages from own Google Account. | Only one channel active at a time. |
| Linked channel | Can be linked to a Brand Account. | Switches between accounts on YouTube. | Having a Brand Account does not mean it is automatically in use. |
| Personal account | Not stated by YouTube | Not stated by YouTube | Only one channel active at a time. |
| Brand Account | Needs no separate username or password. | Multiple people can manage it. | Can be linked to a channel. |
Keeping track of who has access
After you link the channel, you may want a simple way to keep track of who holds access. Delvia helps you track who has access as that list changes.
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