Published by the Zolyp team ·
What is a YouTube channel trailer?
A channel trailer is a preview of your channel shown on your Home tab to people who haven't subscribed, so they can learn what you post and subscribe. By default, ads don't show on it unless the video contains third-party claimed content. Your Home tab has to be turned on:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Customisation, then Home tab.
- Turn on the toggle next to Home tab.
- In the YouTube Studio app: tap your profile picture, then Edit, then Home tab, and turn the toggle on.
Source: YouTube Help: Customize your YouTube channel layout, checked 15 October 2026
How do you add a channel trailer?
On a computer:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Customisation, then Home tab.
- Under Layout, click Add section, then Channel trailer.
- Select the video to use as your trailer.
- Click Publish.
Source: YouTube Help: Customize your YouTube channel layout, checked 15 October 2026
How do you feature a video for returning subscribers?
The Spotlight section shows returning subscribers a video when they visit your Home tab. It can be one of yours or any video on YouTube.
- In YouTube Studio, select Customisation, then Home tab.
- Under Layout, click Add section, then Spotlight.
- Select the video to feature.
- Click Publish.
Source: YouTube Help: Customize your YouTube channel layout, checked 15 October 2026
How do you add and reorder Home tab sections?
You can have up to 12 custom sections. By default, the Home tab shows four: Short videos, Uploads, Created playlists, and Subscriptions you've made public. To add one, go to Customisation, then Home tab, click Add section, choose a type and click Publish.
- To edit a section, hover over it, click Options, make changes and click Publish.
- To reorder, click and hold the vertical bar on a section, drag it into place and click Publish.
- If you've connected a store through YouTube Shopping, its shelf appears at the top by default. Move it or turn it off under Customisation, then Home tab, then Products from store.
| Section type | What it shows |
|---|---|
| For you | A personalised mix based on what each viewer has watched; you choose content types and can limit it to the last 12 months |
| Videos | Your videos, Shorts and live streams |
| Playlists | Single, created or multiple playlists |
| Channels | Subscriptions and featured channels |
| Posts | Your posts |
| Top community clips | Popular clips of your videos, made by you or viewers |
| Memberships | Members-only videos, if memberships are on |
Sources: YouTube Help: Customize your YouTube channel layout, checked 15 October 2026; YouTube Help: Connect, manage, & disconnect your store on YouTube, checked 15 October 2026
Why isn't my channel trailer showing?
Check these first:
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribers don't see the trailer | The trailer is for people who haven't subscribed | Add a Spotlight video for returning subscribers |
| You no longer see it yourself | Once a viewer watches it, it isn't shown to them again | Check from a signed-out browser |
| No Home tab at all | The Home tab is turned off | Turn it on under Customisation, then Home tab |
| Changes aren't live | The layout wasn't published | Click Publish after each change |
| Ads on the trailer | The video contains third-party claimed content | Choose a video without claimed content |
Source: YouTube Help: Customize your YouTube channel layout, checked 15 October 2026
Where Zolyp fits
A trailer is worth setting once your channel has a few videos that show what you post. Zolyp, which publishes this guide, publishes to YouTube as one of 9 platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Business, X, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and Threads). It creates video uploads and Shorts with titles and descriptions written for search, can set a custom thumbnail on a standard video, and schedules them with the posts on your other networks. You approve the week before anything goes live.
Common questions
Who sees a YouTube channel trailer?
People visiting your Home tab who haven't subscribed. Once someone has watched it, it won't be shown to them again.
What's the difference between a channel trailer and a Spotlight video?
The trailer is for visitors who haven't subscribed. Spotlight features a video for returning subscribers.
Do ads show on a channel trailer?
Not by default, unless the video contains third-party claimed content.
How many sections can a YouTube Home tab have?
Up to 12 custom sections.
Can I add a channel trailer from my phone?
YouTube's trailer steps are for YouTube Studio on a computer. In the Studio app, you can turn the Home tab and the For you section on or off.