Published by the Zolyp team ·
What are YouTube upload defaults?
Upload defaults are settings applied to every web upload, so routine fields aren't retyped. They only affect videos uploaded in a browser at youtube.com/upload. You can still change any setting on a video after it's uploaded.
| Default | What it controls |
|---|---|
| Privacy | Who can watch and where the video can appear |
| Category | Helps viewers find the video |
| Title | A starting title (up to 100 characters) |
| Tags | Keywords that mainly help with common misspellings; YouTube says they play a minimal role in discovery |
| Comments | Whether viewers can comment, and whether like counts are visible |
| Language | The video's original language and caption certification |
| Ad format and monetisation | Partner Program members only |
Sources: YouTube Help: Set default upload settings, checked 15 October 2026; YouTube Help: Edit video settings, checked 15 October 2026
How do you set upload defaults?
On a computer:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Settings.
- Select Upload defaults.
- Choose your settings in the Basic info and Advanced settings tabs.
- Click Save.
Source: YouTube Help: Set default upload settings, checked 15 October 2026
How do you set a default audience for your channel?
Every creator must say whether videos are made for kids. A channel setting covers existing and future videos; individual video settings override it.
- Sign in to studio.youtube.com.
- On the left menu, click Settings, then Channel.
- Click the Advanced settings tab.
- Under Audience, choose made for kids, not made for kids, or review this setting for every video.
- Click Save.
Source: YouTube Help: Set your channel or video's audience, checked 15 October 2026
How do you edit many videos at once?
Defaults only shape new uploads. To change existing videos together:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Content.
- Tick the boxes next to the videos to change.
- Click Edit and choose the field.
- Enter the change and click Update videos.
- Fields you can bulk edit include title, description, tags, visibility, monetisation, ad settings, audience, automatic chapters, category, comments, embedding, licence, recording date, user ratings and video language.
- More actions, then Delete forever, removes several videos or drafts at once. Deleted videos can't be recovered through YouTube, so keep a backup first.
Source: YouTube Help: Make bulk changes to videos, checked 15 October 2026
Why aren't my upload defaults applied?
Usually one of these:
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| New video ignores defaults | It was uploaded from mobile or the video editor | Upload at youtube.com/upload, or edit the video's settings afterwards |
| Old videos unchanged | Defaults only apply to new uploads | Use bulk edit on the Content page |
| No ad format or monetisation default | Those are for Partner Program members | They appear once you're in the programme |
| Audience asked on every upload | No channel-level audience is set | Set it under Settings, then Channel, then Advanced settings |
Sources: YouTube Help: Set default upload settings, checked 15 October 2026; YouTube Help: Set your channel or video's audience, checked 15 October 2026
Where Zolyp fits
Upload defaults only cover browser uploads at youtube.com/upload, so videos published through any other app or tool take their settings from that tool. 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
Do YouTube upload defaults apply to mobile uploads?
No. They only affect videos uploaded through a browser at youtube.com/upload, not uploads from mobile or the video editor.
Can I change a video's settings after upload?
Yes. Open it from the Content page in YouTube Studio, change the settings and save.
Can I add tags to many YouTube videos at once?
Yes. Tick the videos on the Content page, click Edit, choose Tags, enter the change and click Update videos.
Can I set a default made for kids setting?
Yes, at channel level under Settings, then Channel, then Advanced settings. Video-level settings override it.
Is bulk deleting YouTube videos reversible?
No. Deleted videos are permanently deleted and can't be recovered through YouTube.