Viewer vs Viewer Limited on YouTube
The difference is one thing: whether revenue data is part of what a Viewer can see.
Is this your situation?
You want to give someone visibility into a channel without handing over editing power, and you are not sure which viewer role to pick. You are comparing Viewer and Viewer (Limited) in the role list to see how they differ.
What it is
The Viewer role can view but not edit all channel details. The Viewer role can view revenue data, including chat revenue and viewer activity tab. The Viewer role can view all stream settings except the stream key. The Viewer role cannot manage live streams. Under channel permissions, the Viewer (Limited) role has the same permissions as Viewer except it can't access revenue data, including chat revenue and the viewer activity tab.
How YouTube handles this
- Viewer can view all stream settings except the stream key.
- Viewer cannot manage live streams.
- Viewer can view revenue data, including chat revenue and viewer activity tab.
- Viewer (Limited) cannot access revenue data, including chat revenue and viewer activity tab.
- Viewer can create and edit YouTube Analytics groups.
Side by side
| Capability | Viewer | Viewer (Limited) |
|---|---|---|
| View all channel details | Can view but not edit all channel details. | Same permissions as Viewer except revenue access. |
| Revenue data | Can view revenue data, including chat revenue and viewer activity tab. | Cannot access revenue data, including chat revenue and viewer activity tab. |
| Stream settings | Can view all stream settings except the stream key. | Same permissions as Viewer except revenue access. |
| Managing live streams | Cannot manage live streams. | Same permissions as Viewer except revenue access. |
| Analytics groups | Can create and edit YouTube Analytics groups. | Same permissions as Viewer except revenue access. |
| Monitoring live streams | Can view or monitor created streams, pre-live and while live. | Same permissions as Viewer except revenue access. |
Common mistakes
- Giving Viewer access for analytics only The Viewer role can view revenue data, including chat revenue and viewer activity tab.Why it happens: The role names read as interchangeable.Already happened: See how to share YouTube analytics without showing revenue.
- Assuming Viewer can manage streams The Viewer role cannot manage live streams.Why it happens: 'Viewer' suggests read-only, but the stream limit is not obvious until checked.
- Confusing Viewer with editing roles The Viewer role can view but not edit all channel details.Why it happens: Assigning roles without checking the channel permissions list leads to the wrong pick.
Quick reference
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can Viewer view revenue data? | Yes, including chat revenue and viewer activity tab. |
| Can Viewer (Limited) view revenue data? | No, it cannot access revenue data, including chat revenue and viewer activity tab. |
| Can Viewer manage live streams? | No, the Viewer role cannot manage live streams. |
| Can Viewer see stream settings? | Yes, all stream settings except the stream key. |
| Can Viewer edit channel details? | No, Viewer can view but not edit all channel details. |
| Can Viewer create Analytics groups? | Yes, Viewer can create and edit YouTube Analytics groups. |
| Can Viewer monitor live streams before they start? | Yes, Viewer can view or monitor created streams, pre-live and while live. |
Frequently asked questions
Is Viewer (Limited) the same as Viewer except for revenue?
Viewer (Limited) has the same permissions as Viewer except it can't access revenue data, including chat revenue and the viewer activity tab.
Can either viewer role manage live streams?
The Viewer role cannot manage live streams.
Can Viewer see the stream key?
The Viewer role can view all stream settings except the stream key.
Keeping track of who has access
Confusion about who can see what builds as more viewer-level roles get assigned across a channel's history. Delvia gives you a clear view of every role assigned, including where revenue visibility differs.
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