YouTube Manager vs Editor
Manager and Editor sound close, but they split sharply on who can control access and who can only create.
Is this your situation?
What it is
A Manager can manage permissions in YouTube Studio and can edit channel details. An Editor can edit everything and can upload and publish content. The Editor role cannot manage permissions. A Manager cannot delete the channel. An Editor also cannot enter into contracts on the channel's behalf and cannot delete or reset stream keys.
How YouTube handles this
- Manager: can manage permissions in YouTube Studio.
- Manager: can create, upload, publish, and delete content, including drafts, and can manage live streams.
- Editor: can edit everything on the channel and can upload and publish content.
- Editor: cannot manage permissions in YouTube Studio.
- Editor: cannot delete scheduled, live, or completed streams on the channel, and cannot delete or reset stream keys.
Side by side
| Role | Can manage permissions | Can delete content |
|---|---|---|
| Manager | Yes, in YouTube Studio. | Can create, upload, publish, and delete content, including drafts. |
| Editor | No, cannot manage permissions in YouTube Studio. | Can delete drafts. |
| Manager (channel deletion) | Not stated by YouTube | Cannot delete the channel. |
| Editor (streams) | Not stated by YouTube | Cannot delete scheduled, live, or completed streams, and cannot delete or reset stream keys. |
| Manager (live streams) | Not stated by YouTube | Can manage live streams. |
| Editor (contracts) | Not stated by YouTube | Cannot enter into contracts. |
Common mistakes
- Treating Editor as a safe substitute for Manager You expect an Editor's broad editing power to include managing permissions.Why it happens: Both roles allow broad content control, so the permissions split goes unnoticed.Already happened: If someone with Editor access needed permission control, see what Managers can and cannot do. Someone removed me from my YouTube channel
- Expecting an Editor to remove users The Editor role cannot manage permissions.Why it happens: Editors can edit most content, which looks like broad control.
- Assuming a Manager can delete the channel The Manager role cannot delete the channel.Why it happens: Managers hold wide editing and permissions power, mistaken for deletion ability.
If this changes who is in control
Giving Manager access means giving someone the ability to manage permissions in YouTube Studio. Review who holds Manager access on your channel permissions before adding or changing this role.
Quick reference
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can a Manager manage permissions? | Yes, a Manager can manage permissions in YouTube Studio. |
| Can an Editor manage permissions? | No, an Editor cannot manage permissions. |
| Can a Manager delete the channel? | No, a Manager cannot delete the channel. |
| Can an Editor delete published content? | No, an Editor cannot delete the channel or published content. |
| Can an Editor delete drafts? | Yes, an Editor can delete drafts. |
| Can a Manager manage live streams? | Yes, a Manager can manage live streams. |
| Can an Editor delete live streams? | No, an Editor cannot delete scheduled, live, or completed streams. |
| Can an Editor enter into contracts? | No, an Editor cannot enter into contracts. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the one thing a Manager can do that an Editor cannot?
A Manager can manage permissions in YouTube Studio, while an Editor cannot manage permissions.
Can either role delete the channel?
No, a Manager cannot delete the channel, and an Editor cannot delete the channel or published content.
Can an Editor delete anything?
An Editor can delete drafts.
Can an Editor sign the channel into a contract?
No, an Editor cannot enter into contracts on the channel's behalf.
Keeping track of who has access
Confusion between Manager and Editor builds as more people get added to a channel over time. Delvia keeps a clear record of who holds which role, so the distinction stays visible.
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