The YouTube video category is a key parameter for success on the platform. How so, you may wonder? An appropriate category helps the YouTube algorithm better understand the video.
This guide will help you to quickly change YouTube video category to expand the video’s reach and visibility.
What Is The YouTube Category List?
A YouTube category is a predefined list of options for dividing your video and categorizing it by various topics. The YouTube algorithm fetches the video’s category and ranking, promoting it to the right audience looking for videos in that category or subject. So, when you publish the video, it is essential to place it in the correct category to improve its visibility and reach. There are 15 categories to choose from. Before moving on to how to change category on YouTube video, let us explain you the different categories available for YT videos in detail which will allow you to choose the right one for your channel and videos.
What Are the Different Categories on YouTube?
On YouTube, content creators have a variety of categories to choose from, depending on their preferences, interests, and content that the viewers like to watch:
- Education- Content around educating the audience on personal finance, accounting, language learning, business ideas, and other related videos.
- Art & Craft – Videos targeted for a broader audience, which can be shared across home, lifestyle, and education topics, including painting, crochet, knitting, etc.
- Tech- Videos related to automobiles, comparisons of various gadgets such as laptops, smartphones, cameras, equipment, and tablets.
- Comedy- Stand-up and funny video content
- Sports – YouTube category that includes videos on different sports like Cricket, basketball, and football, as well as analysis of the game and its players.
- Music – This YouTube category features videos of various lyric videos, music videos, cover songs, and more.
These are just a few YouTube video categories. But there are many more, such as makeup, lifestyle, animation, films, and more.
How to Change the Category of a YouTube Video?
Many creators forget to set, update, or choose the wrong category by mistake. Let us look at the steps on how to change YouTube video category.
Follow these easy steps to update video categories on YouTube:
- Log in to your YouTube account
- Tap on the profile picture and tap on YouTube Studio
- From the Dashboard, select Content
- Here, you will see the list of videos uploaded on your channel
- Find and select the video you want to edit
- Hover over the video and tap on the pencil icon
- Once inside the video details page, scroll down.
- Click on the Show More button to expand additional settings.
- Scroll to the Category section.
- Click the dropdown menu to see all available categories.
- Select the category that best fits your video content.
- After selecting the appropriate category, scroll up and click Save.
- Your video category will be updated instantly.
How to Set Your Channel’s Default Category?
Every time you upload and publish a video, the category will be set as follows. This will help simplify the upload process and optimize your channel’s visibility. To set a default YouTube category, follow the steps:
- Go to YouTube Studio
- Select Settings
- Go to Upload Defaults
- Select Advanced Settings
- Choose your default video category.
Unless you manually change the category, the selected category will be labeled under every video. If not, the default settings, in the above section, we have shown you, with visual images, how to change category on YouTube video.
How Does Categorizing Videos Affect The YT Channel?
Does category matter on YouTube? Well, yes, it does. Let us explain to you in brief how categorizing videos will help you grow your channel and maximize engagement:
- Strengthens Channel Authority: A well-categorized channel establishes authority in a specific niche, leading to stronger YouTube algorithm support.
- Boost Watch Time: When videos are correctly categorized, you can create playlists, which help viewers watch multiple videos in a row. This keeps them on the channel longer and helps them discover newer videos. It also enables you to achieve a higher retention rate.
- Improves Discoverability: The YT algorithm gives your content credibility, making it easier for viewers to find. This also increases the chances that your videos will appear in the “Recommended” and “Suggested” video lists.
- Personalization: Based on video categories, the YouTube algorithm suggests videos tailored to each user’s preferences.
- Expectation: Once the video is placed in a category, viewers are more likely to watch it because they already know they enjoy that type of content. They’re familiar with what to expect. It is essential to classify videos into the correct categories.
What Are the Most Popular Categories on YouTube?
We have already explained the different YouTube category change, but here are some popular ones that attract more engagement and views than other categories:
- Music
- Gaming
- Home and lifestyle
- Vlogging
- Make-up tutorials
- Entertainment and comedy
- How-to videos and guides.
Why YouTube Video Category Matters for Your Channel?
We have explained in detail why does category matter on YouTube. In brief, yes: categorizing video is essential for the channel’s visibility. It helps the target audience to recognize your video’s niche. Additionally, the YouTube algorithm will also categorize your videos and recommend them to the right audience. Based on the category you choose, your videos will appear in related videos, which will improve your credibility within your niche. It will also help attract viewers genuinely interested in your content, boosting discoverability, watch time, and engagement.
Conclusion
How to change YouTube video category has been explained in simple terms, along with the importance of increasing visibility and engagement. Changing your YouTube video category is a quick and easy way to improve your video’s reach and engagement. By ensuring your content is categorized correctly, you help YouTube recommend your videos to the right audience. Follow these steps and optimize your content for better visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What Category is Best for YouTube Videos?
There are several popular categories on YouTube, including gaming, entertainment, food, music, beauty, sports, fashion, and more. You can grow your YouTube channel and ensure your videos reach the right audience by using the best categories.
Q2. Does category affect YouTube views?
Yes, the YT category affects the video’s number of views. The video will appear in the search results if the category and topic match and if the audience is looking for similar content.
Q3. Which category is highly paid on YouTube?
The highest-paid categories on YouTube are finance and investing, real estate, etc. Other niche categories include Tech, ASMR, online educational platforms, and digital marketing.
Q4. Which category is most searched on YouTube?
The most searched category on YouTube is Music, followed by gaming, how-to, entertainment, etc.
Q5. Can I change my YouTube channel category after monetization?
Yes, you can change your YouTube channel’s category even after you start monetizing your videos. It will influence how your audience discovers your videos.
Summary
- Choosing the appropriate YouTube video category helps the algorithm understand and promote the video to the right audience.
- There are 15 predefined categories on YouTube, including Education, Tech, Comedy, Sports, and Music, which cater to various content types.
- Correctly categorizing videos strengthens channel authority, boosts watch time, and improves discoverability in YouTube's recommendations.
- You can easily change the category of a video in YouTube Studio by editing the video details and selecting the appropriate category.
- Using popular categories like Gaming, Music, and How-to guides can enhance viewer engagement and increase the chances of reaching the target audience.
