What YouTube Managers Can and Cannot Do
A Manager can run most of the channel day to day, but cannot delete it or transfer who owns it.
Is this your situation?
You have given someone the Manager role on your YouTube channel, or are about to, and want to know what that role actually lets them do. This page lays out the Manager role's capabilities and limits as YouTube defines them.
What it is
Channel permissions let people be granted access to channel data, tools, and features without needing access to the Google Account. A Manager can view all channel data. A Manager can manage permissions in YouTube Studio. A Manager can edit channel details. A Manager cannot delete the channel.
How YouTube handles this
- View everything: a Manager can view all channel data.
- Manage access: a Manager can manage permissions in YouTube Studio.
- Run content: a Manager can create, upload, publish, and delete content, including drafts.
- Copyright tab: a Manager can view and take actions in the Content detection tab.
- Cannot delete: a Manager cannot delete the channel.
Side by side
| Action | Manager | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Delete the channel | Cannot delete the channel. | Can do everything on all platforms, including deleting the channel. |
| Manage permissions | Can manage permissions in YouTube Studio. | Can manage permissions. |
| Manage live streams | Can manage live streams. | Can manage live streams and live chat. |
| Link Google Ads | Can link Google Ads accounts. | Can link Google Ads accounts. |
| Edit channel details | Can edit channel details. | Can do everything on all platforms, including deleting the channel. |
| Transfer ownership | You want to know if a Manager can transfer ownership; see how to transfer ownership instead. | Cannot transfer ownership to other users. |
Common mistakes
- Expecting a Manager to delete the channel A Manager cannot delete the channel.Why it happens: Broad editing powers can look like full ownership.Already happened: If so, see how to transfer ownership instead. Recover Access After an Owner Leaves the Organization
- Expecting a Manager to transfer ownership The Owner role cannot transfer ownership to other users.Why it happens: People assume the top working role can hand off the channel.Already happened: If added as Manager instead of Owner, review what went wrong.
- Confusing Manager with Editor A Manager can manage permissions in YouTube Studio.Why it happens: The two roles share content abilities, so the permissions gap gets missed.Already happened: If set up this way, review who can manage permissions.
If this changes who is in control
A Manager can manage permissions in YouTube Studio. If you are unsure whether giving Manager access is safe for your situation, review the risk of Manager access.
Quick reference
| Can the Manager role do this | Answer |
|---|---|
| View all channel data | Yes, a Manager can view all channel data. |
| Manage permissions | Yes, a Manager can manage permissions in YouTube Studio. |
| Edit channel details | Yes, a Manager can edit channel details. |
| Manage live streams | Yes, a Manager can manage live streams. |
| Create, upload, publish, delete content, including drafts | Yes, a Manager can create, upload, publish, and delete content, including drafts. |
| Comment | Yes, a Manager can comment. |
| Link Google Ads accounts | Yes, a Manager can link Google Ads accounts. |
| Delete the channel | No, a Manager cannot delete the channel. |
Frequently asked questions
Can a Manager delete the channel?
No, the Manager role cannot delete the channel.
Can a Manager remove other users?
If you want specifics on this, see Manager and removing other users.
Can a Manager manage live streams?
Yes, a Manager can manage live streams.
Can a Manager connect third-party tools?
If you run into limits here, see why third-party tools require Owner access.
Keeping track of who has access
Confusion about who can do what on a channel builds as roles pile up over time. Delvia keeps a clear picture of every role so you are not left guessing.
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