A YouTube channel trailer is your 30-second pitch to convince new visitors why your content matters and why that subscribe button needs clicking. Done well, it showcases what makes your channel different from the thousands of others in your niche and previews the content that keeps your existing subscribers coming back.

Here's the thing though: scroll through YouTube's biggest channels and you'll notice many don't even have trailers. This raises the obvious question: is creating one actually worth your limited time and energy?

We'll break down exactly how to create a channel trailer that actually works, and help you decide whether it deserves a spot on your already-crowded content creation checklist.

What is a YouTube channel trailer?

A YouTube channel trailer is a video you can assign to be prominently displayed on your channel's home page with YouTube's Video Spotlight feature. Their primary purpose is to convince new viewers to subscribe to your channel. The trailer will sit near the top of your channel's homepage, above other playlists or YouTube's personalized recommendations.

Unlike other YouTube videos, ads aren't shown on channel trailers. There are otherwise no special features or length restrictions for channel trailers. You can search through your uploaded videos to select one to feature as your trailer. It's as simple as that.

But you should put some thought into creating your channel trailer. A good trailer should establish the identity of your channel: who you are, what kind of content you make, and why people should be interested enough to subscribe.

You can even customize which video to spotlight based on whether or not the viewer is a subscriber.

Detailed technical guidance for setting up channel trailers

YouTube Studio is the central hub for managing your channel layout, including the placement of your channel trailer. Under Customization > Layout > Video Spotlight, you can assign or change your featured video for non-subscribers. Creators can also add up to 12 sections—like Shorts, Playlists, and popular uploads—to organize content effectively for viewers. Additionally, branding options in YouTube Studio allow you to update your banner and profile picture, helping viewers instantly recognize your channel. Don’t forget to include relevant links in your banner, because you can direct traffic to external platforms or your personal website for deeper engagement. Optimizing these technical elements ensures your channel trailer is not only displayed prominently but also integrated into an overall cohesive brand presence.

How to set a YouTube channel trailer

To add a channel trailer to your YouTube channel, click "customize channel" directly below your channel name and description. Once in channel customization, you can set your channel trailer from the videos you've already uploaded to your channel.

You can also select the customization tab in YouTube Studio (formerly Creator Studio) to access these settings.

How to create a great YouTube channel trailer

A great YouTube channel trailer should clearly convey what your channel does and why a viewer should subscribe. Here are some helpful tips to consider when creating your trailer.

1. Include a hook

Grab the viewer's attention in the first few seconds with a big question, exciting statement, or something visually intriguing. Remember that YouTube users can quickly click away, so your opening needs to be compelling.

Remember, you're not just trying to get someone to watch the rest of your trailer; you're trying to get them to watch the rest of your channel. Leave a little bit of intrigue to encourage the viewer to explore the rest of your library.

2. Be concise

Your YouTube channel trailer only needs to be long enough to get someone to click subscribe and, ideally, watch another video. While there's no hard rule, most successful channel trailers stay under a minute to maintain viewer interest.

3. Provide a value proposition

What will a viewer get if they subscribe to your channel? Good trailers promise something tangible, like The Editing Podcast's trailer that positions the channel as a way to become a better editor. Avoid overly vague value propositions. Kurzgesagt: In a Nutshell promises to explain the vast universe one video at a time, while highlighting specific videos to entice viewers.

4. Have a call to action

It may be obvious, but remember to include a clear call to action asking viewers to subscribe. Don't burden your channel trailer by cramming in multiple calls for multiple things—keep it simple and focused on subscription.

5. Differentiate your channel

What makes your YouTube channel different from others in the same niche? Your trailer should establish what is unique about your channel, likely some combination of your personality, content style, and approach to the topic.

Also consider how what isn't explicitly said can differentiate your channel. Do you have a unique animation style to show off, or a specific brand of visual humor?

6. Show off your footage

Use your channel trailer to show off your most exciting footage, whether that's mouthwatering food, big-name guests, or impressive production quality. Doing this visually demonstrates what the viewer should expect from your larger library, and gives a taste of what's to come if they subscribe.

7. Use quick cuts

Don't dwell on any one image for too long in your YouTube trailer. Quick cuts let you show more of why your channel matters, while keeping the viewer engaged throughout the short duration.

Even if your videos are primarily a single speaker on screen, consider how you can cut between different angles and B-roll.

8. Experiment with music and sound effects

Even if your regular videos don't contain dramatic crescendos or mood-setting beats, your channel trailer is a good place to experiment with music. Background music and sound effects can add emotion and intrigue that encourages viewers to explore the rest of your content. The Editing Podcast's channel trailer excels in this regard as well.

Deepening viewer engagement with trailer length and value propositions

Ideal channel trailer length generally falls between 30 seconds and two minutes, as recommended by social media marketing experts. Shorter trailers can capture attention quickly, while slightly longer ones can provide a compelling narrative—just be mindful of your audience’s attention span. Focus on a clear value proposition from the start, whether it’s offering expert knowledge, humor, or a unique visual style. Genuine storytelling can spark an emotional connection that helps turn casual viewers into devoted subscribers. Every second in your trailer should serve a purpose, reinforcing both your channel’s theme and the viewer’s motivation to click ‘subscribe’.

Do you need a YouTube channel trailer?

Frankly, it depends on your channel's goals and audience. Viewers who have stumbled across one of your videos may start investigating your channel's home page to decide whether they should subscribe. A well-crafted trailer lets you carefully control what kind of impression they'll get when they visit.

But overall, channel trailers typically don't get as many views compared to regular content. Consider SweetPotatoSoul, whose channel trailer has amassed almost 26,000 views in 3 years. That may seem like a lot, but it's less impressive compared to her 720,000 subscribers. Maybe that trailer netted the vegan food channel 26,000 new subscribers, but the vast majority likely came from the content itself. There are, of course, exceptions to this pattern.

Some of the biggest YouTube creators don't use the video spotlight feature for channel trailers at all. MrBeast often spotlights his most recent video instead. The same approach is used by Chicken Shop Date creator Amelia Dimoldenberg, whose homepage prominently features her recent videos with high-profile guests.

Others skip the channel trailer spotlight altogether, choosing instead to put curated playlists or YouTube's "For You" suggestions at the top of their home page. That's the approach of Michelle Khare, who has a "Start Here" playlist featured prominently on her channel homepage.

In other words, there are multiple effective ways to make your YouTube channel page alluring to potential subscribers. Channel trailers are just one option. Many creators, pressed for time, will be better served by spotlighting a popular video rather than spending the time creating and editing a dedicated channel trailer.

Descript: The best tool for YouTube channel trailers

Descript is a great tool to edit together clips, score your trailer with music, edit new footage, and add professional narration to your YouTube channel trailer.

You can add existing YouTube videos to Descript by pasting the URL directly in Descript under New Project. Underlord, Descript's AI tool, will give you the option to automatically create clips from your footage if you don't already know which segments you want to use for your trailer.

From there, making a fast-paced trailer of new and old footage is a breeze with text-based editing. You'll also get access to:

• Stock footage and images to elevate your edit
• Transitions to seamlessly guide viewers through your clips
• Studio Sound that automatically removes background noise and echo while enhancing voices

YouTube channel trailer FAQ

How do I create a channel trailer on YouTube?

To add a channel trailer to YouTube, upload your edited video to YouTube first. Then, under channel customization settings, you can set that video as a trailer for viewers who have not yet subscribed to your channel. Remember that you can set any video from your uploaded content as your channel trailer.

Should I create a YouTube channel trailer?

Channel trailers for YouTube can be valuable for establishing your brand and attracting new subscribers, but they're not strictly necessary for success. Many popular channels opt to spotlight their best or most recent video instead, and some skip the feature altogether in favor of organized playlists.

What is a trailer on YouTube?

A YouTube channel trailer is a video featured on your home page that helps new viewers quickly understand what your channel offers and decide if they'd like to subscribe. Effective trailers should give a clear sense of what the channel covers, the unique value it provides, and why viewers should hit that subscribe button.

How long should my YouTube channel trailer be?

Most channels keep their trailers between 30 and 90 seconds, but anything under two minutes is typically effective. According to marketing research, it’s crucial to grab your viewers’ attention quickly with a strong hook. If your analytics show viewers dropping off too soon, consider tightening your content to maintain engagement. Ultimately, the best length depends on how quickly you can convey your channel’s value without losing audience interest.

Should I share my channel trailer on social media?

Cross-promoting your channel trailer on social platforms can help reach an audience beyond YouTube. Social media experts note that posting teasers, behind-the-scenes snippets, or full trailers can drive traffic to your channel. Make sure to optimize each post with relevant hashtags or tags for discoverability. You can also embed your trailer in blog posts or newsletters to further extend its reach. Strategic content distribution can improve your channel’s visibility and subscriber growth.