A verified account on Google+ makes a brand far more credible to visitors and followers, and the same is true of YouTube. A YouTube channel with a verified name tells users that the page is authentic.
So how do you know if your brand’s YouTube channel is verified?
A YouTube channel with a verified name will have a verification badge in the form of a checked box to the right of the brand’s name. Take Google’s YouTube account for example. The check to the right of the name indicates the page is verified and good to go.
Look for the check next to the username.
Another way to check if your account is verified is by going into your YouTube settings. Click on Channel Settings, then click on Features, and you will see your Account status. If your account is verified, you will see a bolded “Verified” next to your brand’s name.
If you don’t see a verification badge on your YouTube account, or your Account status is not “Verified” in your Settings, there are some steps you will need to take. Google support lists them as follows:
- Be connected with a Google+ page or profile
- Your Google+ page or profile must be authorized by your commercial entity, organization, brand, or product.
- If the channel is connected to a Google+ page, the page must contain a link to your organization’s website. This website must be verified (i.e. have a small checkmark next to the website URL), which the +page owner can do themselves by following these instructions.
- Have a substantial number of subscribers.
Additionally, you can link your website to your YouTube channel. Doing this will tell YouTube and Google that this is the official channel for your brand, which adds more authenticity and can improve search results.
To do this, go to Channel Settings > Associated Website, and from there you can add your website link into the blank field. Once complete, you will receive a “Success” message letting you know your channel and site are now linked.
Linking your website to YouTube
One other thing to consider once your YouTube account is verified and in good standing (to check this, go to Channel Settings > Features > Account Status) is adding external links to your YouTube videos in YouTube annotations. YouTube annotations allow you to overlay hyperlinks directly into your YouTube videos, like in the PMG Brain Room video below.
Using annotations can boost engagement and subscribers, making it quick and easy for your channel visitors to subscribe to your website directly from your YouTube video. Find more details on adding external links to your YouTube videos here.
