Digital Video Articles, Tutorials, Guides & Q & A Since 2007

Fixes, YouTube Video

How to Verify Your YouTube Account to Upload Video Longer than 15 Minutes with Custom Thumbnail

How to Verify Your YouTube Channel

Last updated on January 23rd, 2024 at 02:18 am

So, you’ve just created a YouTube account and are ready to upload your first video.

It’s a 30-minute video and you have even designed an eye-catching thumbnail for it.

When you upload the video, you get the following message: Processing abandoned. Video is too long.

Then when you try to upload your thumbnail, you get another error message. You’re needed to verify your phone before you can upload a custom thumbnail.

Benefits of Verifying Your YouTube Account

verified Youtube account benefits

Upload Videos Longer than 15 Minutes

So, it’s a YouTube requirement that you need to verify your account before you can upload videos longer than 15 minutes.

Longer videos will help you get more watch hours. It will be useful if you’re looking forward to joining the YouTube Partner Program.

Upload Custom Thumbnails

With hundreds or thousands of videos on a particular topic, you need attractive thumbnails to grab attention.

So, it’s pertinent that you design an eye-catching and informative thumbnail to stand out among other videos.

Without a verified account, you’ll just have to use any of the random thumbnails suggested by YouTube.

Once your account is verified, you can use a thumbnail creator to create eye-catching designs.

Live Streaming

Live streaming is becoming popular on YouTube these days.

It allows you to engage with your viewers.

Not only do you get to enjoy more views but also increased engagement.

Studies have shown that livestream videos enjoy at least three times the engagement of normal videos.

Appeal Content ID Claims

With a verified YouTube account you get to appeal Content ID claims. If your videos are struck with such claims, you can take the necessary action within 30 days.

If it’s a wrong claim, you can get YouTube to remove it. If the claim is valid, you get to remove the offending part in the case of a video.

If it’s audio, you get to mute it or replace it with a track from YouTube Audio Library.

External Links in Video Description

This is a useful feature. You may link to your website, social media accounts, and more.

Many have taken advantage of this feature to include affiliate links in the video description.

All these links will be clickable. You don’t only get to drive traffic to your website, but also earn through affiliate links.

YouTube doesn’t place a limit on the number of external links you can place in the video description.

Increased Daily Video Upload Limit

A verified YouTube account will also allow you to upload more videos daily.

YouTube places limits on daily uploads. A verified Youtube account will be useful if you plan to have an active YouTube channel covering news and daily events.

It will also allow for more live streams and Shorts.

Monetization Eligibility

Most folks start a YouTube channel with the aim of making money. Verifying your YouTube account is a must if you’re to apply for the YouTube Partner Program.

Here are the steps on how to go about it after logging in to your account.

Step 1 – Go to YouTube’s Verification Site

To verify your YouTube account,

This will be at www.youtube.com/verify.

Step 2 – Choose Your Verification Code Option

Choose either a text or a voice message verification.

Step 3 – Enter Your Mobile Phone Number

Enter a number valid in the country you’ve chosen.

Then hit Get Code.

Step 4 – Enter the SMS Code

Check your SMS message and enter the 6-digit code.

Next, hit the Submit button.

Step 5 – Your Account is Verified

You’ll receive a notification that your phone number has been verified.

Now, go ahead and give the steps a try to verify your YouTube account. Start enjoying uploads of more than 15 minutes with custom thumbnails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Have to be a YouTube Partner to Verify Your YouTube Account?

No, you don’t have to be a YouTube Partner. Even if your channel doesn’t have 1000 subscribers and 4000 watch hours, you may still apply to verify your YouTube account.

What’s the Difference Between Verifying Your YouTube Account and Getting a Verification Badge?

You can verify your YouTube account right after creating it. To get a verification badge you would need 100,000 subscribers.

Free Video Workshop