- Steps to add a watermark to your YouTube videos
- Choose when the watermark appears
- Watermark image rules
- Where your watermark won't appear
- Watermark versus burning a logo into the video
- Changing or removing the watermark
- Designing a watermark people will click
- Make it part of your channel branding
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To add a watermark to your YouTube videos, open YouTube Studio, go to Customization, then Profile, choose when it shows (last 15 seconds, a custom start time or the entire video), upload a square image and click Publish. It appears on all your videos, except those set as made for kids.
A YouTube watermark is the small logo in the corner of your videos that lets viewers follow your channel. You don't add it to each video one by one: you set it once in YouTube Studio, and it applies across your channel. It's one of the quickest branding wins there is, as long as your image meets YouTube's size rules and you know where it won't show. Here's how to set it up.
Steps to add a watermark to your YouTube videos
- Sign in to YouTube Studio on a computer.
- In the left menu, select Customization, then Profile.
- Find the video watermark section and choose a display time.
- Click Change, pick your image and adjust its size, then click Done.
- Click Publish.
Choose when the watermark appears
| Option | When it shows | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| End of video | The last 15 seconds | Prompting a follow once someone has watched to the end |
| Custom start time | From a time you choose | Videos with a natural break or call to action |
| Entire video | Throughout | Maximum brand visibility |
My own preference is the entire video for most small businesses. People who leave halfway through never see an end-only watermark, and it's those casual viewers you most want to turn into followers.
Watermark image rules
- At least 150 x 150 pixels.
- A square image.
- Less than 1 MB in size.
A simple logo or icon works far better than text, because the watermark is small on screen. Use a transparent PNG if you can, so it doesn't sit in a white box on top of your video. A one-colour version of your logo often reads more clearly than a detailed full-colour one.
Where your watermark won't appear
This is the catch most creators miss. YouTube says video watermarks aren't available on videos set as made for kids. And if you added a watermark earlier and then set a video as made for kids, viewers won't see it on that video. YouTube also says the watermark shows in horizontal (wide) view on computers and mobile devices, isn't clickable on mobile, and doesn't appear on custom chromeless players.
| Where | Watermark shows? |
|---|---|
| Computer, horizontal view | Yes, and it's clickable |
| Phone, held sideways | Yes, but not clickable |
| Videos set as made for kids | No |
| Custom chromeless players | No |
Watermark versus burning a logo into the video
You could also add your logo inside your editing software, so it's part of the video itself. The difference matters. YouTube's watermark sits on top and can be changed or removed later across every video at once. A logo burned into the footage is permanent and shows everywhere, including when your clip is shared on other platforms. Many creators use both: a small burned-in logo for protection, and the YouTube watermark for the clickable follow.
Changing or removing the watermark
Go back to Customization, then Profile in YouTube Studio. From the watermark section you can change the image, change the display time, or remove it, then click Publish. Because it's a channel-wide setting, the change applies to all your eligible videos.
Designing a watermark people will click
- Keep it simple: a single icon or initials reads better at that size than a full logo with a strapline.
- Check contrast against your typical footage. A dark logo vanishes on dark videos, so add a light outline or background shape.
- Avoid placing important text or graphics in the bottom right corner of your videos, where the watermark sits.
- Preview it on a phone held sideways as well as a computer, since that's where many viewers will see it.
If you're not sure it's working, watch one of your own videos signed out or in a private window. You'll see exactly what a new viewer sees, including whether the watermark is clear enough to notice.
Make it part of your channel branding
The watermark sits in the same Profile area as your profile picture and banner, so it's worth updating all three together so they match. YouTube's profile picture rules are different from the watermark ones: JPG, GIF, BMP or PNG, no animated GIFs, up to 15 MB, and it renders at 98 x 98 px. Keep the same logo across all three and viewers recognise you instantly.
While you're in YouTube Studio, my guide to seeing who subscribed to your YouTube channel shows whether your branding changes are winning followers, and if a fresh upload is stuck processing, see YouTube upload stuck.
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My verdict
Add your watermark once in YouTube Studio under Customization, then Profile, using a small square logo under 1 MB. Set it to show for the entire video unless you have a reason not to. Just remember it won't appear on made-for-kids videos, so don't rely on it for branding there.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add a watermark to YouTube videos?
In YouTube Studio, go to Customization, then Profile, choose a display time, upload a square image and click Publish.
What size should a YouTube watermark be?
At least 150 x 150 pixels, square, and less than 1 MB.
Why isn't my YouTube watermark showing?
Watermarks don't show on videos set as made for kids, or on custom chromeless players.
Can I add a watermark to just one video?
The YouTube watermark is a channel setting. For a single video, add a logo in your editing software instead.
Is the YouTube watermark clickable?
On computers, yes. YouTube says it isn't clickable on mobile.
Can I add a watermark from the YouTube Studio app?
YouTube's branding steps describe YouTube Studio on a computer, so set it there. It then applies to your eligible videos wherever they're watched.
Can I change when the watermark appears?
Yes. Choose end of video (last 15 seconds), a custom start time, or the entire video.
