Setting up a YouTube channel

[Ambrosia7177]

What exactly is required to set up a YouTube account/channel so a persn (or business) can publish videos?

Does it require a SSN? DNA sample? Letter from your teacher?

Does it cost $$$?

 

[DeltaMac]

Create a YouTube channel - YouTube Help

You can watch and like videos and subscribe to channels with a Google Account. But without a YouTube channel, you have no public presence on YouTube. Even if you have a Google Account, you need to cre

support.google.com

 

[Ambrosia7177]

@DeltaMac,

Thanks for the link, but I'm not sure that answers my questions/reservations...

(Pardon my ignorance about social media)

So you have to have a Google account, or can you just create a YouTube account - if there is such a thing?

The video makes it sound like all you need is a Google account, but what about for a business?

It's hard for me to believe that to get a YouTube Channel and to get an account for a business - whether that be a business Google account and/or a business YouTube acount/channel wouldn't require $$$ and sensitive information or sometime of life commitment.

(I have a startup company, and in my limited travels, it seems like when you want a "business" account for anything you end up paying big time and get stuck in confusing contracts and they make you sign your life away. And as someone who values his privacy, all of that makes me squeamish.)

 

[BrianBaughn]

You're asking for a lot of information that isn't static…that is, what was true a year ago may be different now. I don't have any reason to believe that everything you need to know isn't at the YouTube site. I think that if you have a particular question about something that is in the directions/explanations/agreements at the YouTube site then you probably ought to link to that page and post the question that way.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

You're asking for a lot of information that isn't static…that is, what was true a year ago may be different now. I don't have any reason to believe that everything you need to know isn't at the YouTube site. I think that if you have a particular question about something that is in the directions/explanations/agreements at the YouTube site then you probably ought to link to that page and post the question that way.

I don't mind researching, but I figured I'd ask here first to check for the obvious.

Like if it is common knowledge it costs $1,000 and you need all of these business documents to have a business YouTube channel, then I'm sure people here could point that out versus me spending all day on Google.

Google Help is often less than helpful in my mind.

That's all.


Maybe a larger question to ask is... Do I need/want a YouTube channel? (Should I start another thread?)

I have been out covering the coronavirus pandemic, and have taken lots of videos - even though I have no clue about editing or publish video, and some people I know have made it sound likeit would be better to post such videos on YouTube versus hostong them on say my own website because I guess it is hard to host videos?

That, I guess, is what I am really trying to figure out...

HTH

 

[ruslan120]

Starting a channel is as easy as having a Google Account (Name, DOB, Phone #).

AdSense and making money will require an SSN for tax reasons. If you don't want to make ad revenue then nothing else is necessary.

(I'm close to crossing the 1,000 subscriber threshold so can update when that happens with any additional information needed. I've monetized another channel before and aside from SSN no additional information was necessary).

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Starting a channel is as easy as having a Google Account (Name, DOB, Phone #).

AdSense and making money will require an SSN for tax reasons. If you don't want to make ad revenue then nothing else is necessary.

(I'm close to crossing the 1,000 subscriber threshold so can update when that happens with any additional information needed. I've monetized another channel before and aside from SSN no additional information was necessary).

Excuse me?

Who is asking for your Social Security Number?

And for what purpose?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Sorry, Texas_Toast. Pay no attention to me!

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Sorry, Texas_Toast. Pay no attention to me!

I did listen to you Brian. And I said that it would be helpful to get a high-level overview before I do a deep dive into Google no-so-great help files.

The last poster is making it sound like you have to cough up a SSN. WTF? Is he jerkng my chain, or is Google that crazy?

 

[DeltaMac]

If you want to make money by posting videos on youtube, then, to get your money from Google/Youtube, you would need to provide tax info (with the infamous SSN), much the same as any income producing activity.
As was posted above in #6, if you have a viewer level that warrants it, you can get income from your own activity. And, you have the honor of providing your tax info to get it.
And, I suppose you have the choice of ignoring any income that might produce -- I wouldn't mind if you direct any of the big bucks my direction -- I would figure out the tax situation on my own.

But, I think the simple answer to your question "How much does it cost to set up a Youtube channel?" There's no initial "Pay Google to allow you to post videos on Youtube" It's part of your (free) Youtube account.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

If you want to make money by posting videos on youtube, then, to get your money from Google/Youtube, you would need to provide tax info (with the infamous SSN), much the same as any income producing activity.

Can you use an EIN?

As was posted above in #6, if you have a viewer level that warrants it, you can get income from your own activity. And, you have the honor of providing your tax info to get it.

So you are giving tax info directly to Google?

And, I suppose you have the choice of ignoring any income that might produce -- I wouldn't mind if you direct any of the big bucks my direction -- I would figure out the tax situation on my own.

Ha ha. Well, I owe you (and a lot of other people here on MacRumors my eternal gratitude), so I'll look you up when I make it big!

Fwiw, anytime someone mentions the SSN, the hair on my neck stands up. (I fret about scams and identity-theft day and night, and try to minimize who gets that info.)

But, I think the simple answer to your question "How much does it cost to set up a Youtube channel?" There's no initial "Pay Google to allow you to post videos on Youtube" It's part of your (free) Youtube account.

So there are no "gotchas" for businesses, huh?

If so, I guess that makes sense... After all, the reason Google is so benevolent and offers all of these "free" services is so they can turn people into their "product offering".


For right now, the videos I want to post would be considered "news" or maybe "editorial", so it's not about money. But down the road, I would like to learn to create training videos. Now if I wanted to charge for access to those, maybe YouTube isn't the way to do that?

In any case, my goal has never been to make money from the videos via advertising commissions, so if Google sends me a check I'll forward it on to you, @DeltaMac ;-)