YouTube advanced features are the top tier of channel tools, including clickable links in descriptions, pinned comments and adding a Related Video to a Short. Most active channels get them automatically through channel history; if you want them straight away, you can verify your identity with an ID or a short video, after verifying your phone number first.
YouTube splits channel tools into three tiers, and which tier you're on decides what you can do. If a feature is greyed out in YouTube Studio, this is almost always why.
The three tiers
| Tier | How you get it | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Creating a channel, with no active Community Guidelines strikes | Uploading videos and Shorts |
| Intermediate | Verifying your phone number | Videos longer than 15 minutes |
| Advanced | Channel history, or an ID or video check | Content ID appeals, clickable links in long-form descriptions and posts, a Related Video on Shorts, pinned comments |
YouTube also says advanced access usually comes with higher limits than intermediate. And by default, without verification, your uploads are capped at 15 minutes, which is the first thing most new creators bump into.
The two routes to advanced
Phone verification comes first, whichever route you take. After that:
- Channel history. If you're an active creator with enough history, YouTube says you'll likely qualify automatically. There's nothing to apply for.
- ID or video verification. If you want advanced features right away, you can verify your identity with a valid ID or a video. YouTube notes this option isn't available to all creators.
The catch with both: advanced access isn't permanent. To keep it you need to follow the Community Guidelines and maintain a positive channel history, and YouTube says breaking the guidelines can lose you feature eligibility.
How to check and upgrade, step by step
- Sign in to YouTube Studio on a computer.
- Click Settings, then Channel, then Feature eligibility.
- Under Intermediate features, click Verify phone number and follow the steps.
- Look at the Advanced features section. If you already qualify through channel history, it will show as enabled.
- If it doesn't and the option is offered to you, choose ID or video verification.
What happens to your ID or video
This is the question I get most from creators who are wary of uploading ID. YouTube says ID review usually takes 24 hours and you get an email when it's approved. Your ID or video verification is usually deleted a few months after you've built enough channel history, or after 1 year if you haven't used advanced features, and it's deleted automatically within 2 years either way. You can delete it yourself at any time from your Google Account, but if you do that before your channel history is established, you lose advanced features.
Common reasons you can't get advanced features
- You're not the primary owner. Only primary channel owners can verify identity. The message 'Advanced YouTube features aren't available for this account' usually means you're signed in to a supervised account or a Brand Account.
- Strikes. Community Guidelines strikes and copyright strikes both count against your channel history.
- Recent problems. YouTube says active channels that consistently follow the guidelines can usually rebuild enough channel history within 2 months.
Why the links feature matters
Of everything in the advanced tier, clickable links in long-form descriptions are the one most creators want, because they're how you send viewers to a newsletter, a booking page or another video. Adding a Related Video to a Short is a close second, since it turns a Shorts viewer into a long-form viewer. Pinned comments matter too: they let you keep the most useful reply or your own note at the top.
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My verdict
Verify your phone today; it's quick and lifts the 15 minute cap. Then keep posting and keep your channel clean, and advanced access usually arrives on its own. Only reach for the ID or video check if you need links or Related Videos right now. For the basics around it, here's how to turn off Restricted Mode and how to see who subscribed to your channel.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get advanced features on YouTube?
Verify your phone number first, then either build enough channel history or, if it's offered to you, verify your identity with a valid ID or a video.
Why can't I add links to my YouTube description?
Clickable links in long-form descriptions are an advanced feature. Check Feature eligibility in YouTube Studio to see which tier your channel is on.
Can I lose YouTube advanced features?
Yes. YouTube says you need to follow its Community Guidelines and keep a positive channel history to keep advanced features.
Is ID verification required for YouTube advanced features?
No. It's the fast route. Active creators with enough channel history usually qualify automatically.
