New Youtube One Channel Features

If you've spent any time on YouTube recently, you may have noticed that things look a little—or a lot—different. Earlier this summer, YouTube rolled out their newest design, called the YouTube One Channel. Although it's been an optional beta upgrade for quite some time, all channels have now been permanently upgraded to the new design. I've spent some time switching Ecreative' YouTube Channel over to the updated design and will share the Top 3 new or changed features below.

1. Au Revoir Youtube skin

If you painstakingly designed a paneled background for your YouTube Channel, it's gone, and you can't get it back. YouTube's new answer to the skin is what they call "Channel Art," which is really just a banner, and YouTube's way of managing responsive design. [caption id="attachment_2266" align="alignnone" width="799"]
Channel Art on different devices[/caption]  
The Channel Art's size is 2120 x 1192 pixels, which reflects the full size depiction available on new smart TVs.
I've got to admit, it may involve a little tweaking in order for the Channel Art's imagery to display correctly. Be extra particular about the 1280 x 350 pixel area in the center, as this area is the focal point on all devices. Taking advantage of the Channel Art also allows for embedded social platform links within the art, viewable as icons on the bottom right edge.

2. Hellooo Channel Trailer

Presumably designed to help marketers introduce viewers to a YouTube Channel's brand, this feature can be enabled to play automatically. A Channel could use the trailer to describe the Channel, to prompt viewers to subscribe, or to share details about when or how often new videos are/will be added to the Channel.

3. Welcome to Youtube, Tabs 

Taking cues from Facebook, the new YouTube One Channel allows viewers to interact and navigate within the Channel via Tabs.

See all of the tabs explained below:

Home

Where users can select between the Browse or Feed view of a Channel. If only the Browse view is enabled, the Channel has enabled this setting.

Videos

Uploads and playlists, sortable by most popular or date added. Videos can be viewed in list or grid format.

Discussion

Where viewers can interact with the brand, post comments, and see comments from other viewers or the brand itself.

About

The Channel's description, links to other platforms, and featured channels, as well as subscriptions to other Channels. While many brands and marketers were sad to see the customized backgrounds go, this new design better reflects how videos are being consumed—on desktops, smart phones, tablets, and televisions. Do you need help utilizing YouTube One Channel for your brand or company? Contact Ecreative to learn more about how we can help you set your brand's Channel up for the best results!