Migrate from Brand Account user access to channel permissions (original) (raw)
A Brand Account is a Google account for your business or brand that’s available for some Google services. If your YouTube channel is linked to a Brand Account, multiple people can manage it from their Google Accounts.
Channel permissions provide you the ability to give other users access to your channel via specific roles. Designating roles allows you to choose the correct level of access. Migrate to channel permissions to prevent security risks such as password sharing and minimize other privacy concerns.
Use channel permissions in YouTube Studio with a Brand Account
To note before moving to channel permissions:
- Brand Account user access will no longer apply to the channel and you no longer need to manage Brand Account roles. Channel permissions access is managed exclusively through YouTube Studio.
- Existing Brand Account users will be copied into channel permissions. First, you must manually set the permissions level and send the invite.
- People you’ve invited to manage your channel can manage your channel directly on YouTube and in YouTube Studio on both computer and mobile. They can’t manage via YouTube APIs.
Opt into channel permissions
The primary owner of the Brand Account can decide to use channel permissions in YouTube Studio or directly on YouTube.
Before you continue, confirm that you already have a Brand Account.
- Go to studio.youtube.com. You must sign in as the primary owner of the Brand Account to have the option to opt into permissions.
- On the left-hand side, click Settings.
- Click Permissions.
- Click Move Permissions.
- Click Invite.
- Fill out the Email and Access fields for each new user.
- Click Save. You may be prompted to verify your account to save changes.
- Each invited user will receive an email to accept the invite.
- Each new user will now show in Studio Permissions.
Opt out of channel permissions
Only opt out of channel permissions if you need to complete a channel transfer.
To opt out, select “Opt out of permissions in YouTube Studio” under YouTube Studio's Settings Permissions.
Note: If a channel owner revokes delegate access to an OAC, you will get an email alert for access changes.
Supported features
Channel permissions allow granular levels of access, unlike Brand Account roles.
| Category | Access level/Public actions | Brand Accounts | Channel permissions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YT Studio on a computer | YT Studio app | YouTube | |||
| Granular permission control | Manager role | Yes |  |
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| Editor role | No | |
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| Editor (Limited) role | No | |
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| Viewer only role | No | |
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| Viewer (Limited) role | No | |
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| Subtitle Editor role | No | |
— | — | |
| Video management | Upload videos / Shorts | Yes | |
— | |
| Create Shorts | Yes | — | — | |
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| Understand video performance in YouTube Analytics or Artist Analytics, including in Artist Roster View | Yes | |
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| Manage videos (metadata, monetization, visibility) | Yes | |
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| Create a playlist | Yes | |
— | |
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| Add a video to an existing public playlist | Yes | |
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| Manage playlists | Yes | — | — | |
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| Live stream as the channel | Yes | |
— | — | |
| Captions, private video sharing | Yes | |
— | — | |
| Mobile uploads | Yes | |
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| Channel management | Customize / manage the channel homepage | Yes | |
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| Community engagement | Create a post | Yes | — | — | |
| Manage posts | Yes | |
— | |
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| Delete posts | Yes | [Manager only] | — | [Manager only] | |
| Reply to comments as the channel from YouTube Studio | Yes | |
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| Comment and interact with comments on another channel's videos as the channel | Yes | — | — | |
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| Use Live Chat as the channel from Live Control Room | Yes | |
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| Artists specific | Official Artist Channel features (for example, concerts) | Yes | |
— | — |
Channel permissions & Brand Account delegation limitations
Important: If you delete the primary owner account linked to your channel, the channel will also be deleted.
Channel permissions limitations
| Owner | No limitations. Can take actions like deleting the channel, plus managing live streams and live chat Can't transfer ownership to other users |
|---|---|
| Manager | Can’t delete channel, but can delete draft videos |
| Editor | Can’t delete scheduled/live/completed streams |
| Editor (Limited) | Same permissions as editor, except can’t access revenue data (includes chat revenue and viewer activity tab) |
| Viewer | Can’t access the stream key Can’t edit stream settings/metadata Can’t go live or end streams Can’t delete scheduled/live/completed streams Can’t chat or moderate chat within Live Control Room |
| Viewer (Limited) | Same permissions as viewer, except can’t access revenue data (includes chat revenue and viewer activity tab) |
Brand Account limitations
| Primary Owner | No limitations |
|---|---|
| Owner | No limitations |
| Manager | Can’t join or leave an MCN Can’t invite other users Can’t transfer the channel, or have it transferred to them (except by the primary owner) Can’t delete the channel Can’t make a purchase |
| Communications Manager | Can’t take any actions on YouTube |
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