Add Featured Channels YouTube (5-Board Secret!)

Think about it: millions of people with disabilities are searching for content just like yours.

By making your channel accessible, you’re not only doing the right thing, but you’re also expanding your reach and building a more inclusive community.

And that’s where Featured Channels come in!

It is one of the most underrated tools on YouTube.

In this article, I’m going to walk you through how to leverage Featured Channels to not only boost your channel’s visibility but also to champion accessibility.

I’ll be revealing my “5-Board Secret,” a strategic approach that will transform how you use this feature.

Get ready to dive deep into the world of accessible content creation and discover how Featured Channels can be your secret weapon!

So, what exactly are Featured Channels?

Simply put, they are a way to showcase other YouTube channels on your own channel page.

Think of it as a curated list of recommendations for your viewers.

They appear on your channel’s homepage, typically on the right-hand side or at the bottom, depending on the layout.

But why bother using them? Let’s talk benefits!

But here’s the kicker: Featured Channels can be a powerful tool for promoting accessibility.

By featuring channels that prioritize accessible content, you’re not only supporting those creators but also exposing your audience to inclusive practices.

This can include channels that focus on providing captions, audio descriptions, or sign language interpretation.

Did you know that YouTube has an auto-captioning feature?

While it’s not perfect, it’s a great starting point for making your videos more accessible.

According to YouTube’s own data, videos with captions get, on average, a 7.32% increase in views!

Let’s get real for a moment.

Accessibility isn’t just a buzzword; it’s about ensuring that everyone can enjoy your content.

We’re talking about people with visual impairments, hearing loss, cognitive differences, and more.

Think about the different ways people experience YouTube:

By embracing inclusive practices, you’re not just being considerate; you’re tapping into a massive audience.

According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability.

That’s a huge potential audience that you could be missing out on!

Featuring accessible channels sends a powerful message: you care about inclusivity and diversity.

This can attract viewers who value these principles and build a loyal community around your brand.

Take, for example, the YouTube channel “Special Books by Special Kids.” They interview individuals with disabilities, showcasing their unique stories and talents.

Their commitment to accessibility, including captions and transcripts, has helped them build a massive following and create a truly inclusive space.

Alright, now for the good stuff!

I’m about to reveal my “5-Board Secret” for maximizing the impact of your Featured Channels, with a focus on accessibility.

Think of each “board” as a strategic area to focus on.

Board 1: Channel Selection – Choosing the Right Channels

This is where it all begins.

Don’t just feature any random channel.

Be strategic!

Look for channels that:

For example, if you create educational content about coding, you might feature a channel that teaches coding basics with clear visual aids and transcripts.

Board 2: Descriptions and Tags – Optimizing for Discoverability

Don’t just slap a channel in your Featured Channels section and call it a day!

Use descriptions and tags to highlight why you’re featuring them and what makes them special.

For instance, you could write: “We’re thrilled to feature [Channel Name], a fantastic resource for learning about [topic].

They prioritize accessibility with clear captions and transcripts!”

Board 3: Visual Representation – Making it Accessible

Even the visual elements of your Featured Channels section can be made more accessible.

Did you know that WebAIM provides a free contrast checker tool?

It helps you ensure that your text and background colors meet accessibility standards.

Board 4: Collaboration Opportunities – Partnering for Inclusivity

Featuring accessible channels can open doors to collaboration opportunities.

Imagine collaborating with a channel that provides sign language interpretation to create a video that teaches basic sign language phrases to your audience!

Board 5: Community Engagement – Fostering an Inclusive Space

The final board is all about engaging your community around your Featured Channels and promoting accessibility.

By creating a community that values accessibility, you’re not only making your channel more inclusive, but you’re also helping to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility in the wider YouTube community.

Okay, let’s get practical.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to adding Featured Channels to your YouTube channel.

Go to YouTube Studio: Sign in to your YouTube account and click on your profile picture in the top right corner.

Select “YouTube Studio” from the dropdown menu.

Navigate to Customization: In the left-hand menu, click on “Customization.”

Go to the “Layout” Tab: Make sure you’re on the “Layout” tab within the Customization section.

Add a Section: Scroll down and click the “+ Add Section” button.

Choose “Featured Channels”: From the list of options, select “Featured Channels.”

Give Your Section a Title: Enter a title for your Featured Channels section, such as “Channels We Love” or “Accessible Channels.”

Search for Channels: Use the search bar to find the channels you want to feature.

As you type, YouTube will suggest channels based on your search terms.

Select Channels: Click on the channel logos to select the channels you want to feature.

A checkmark will appear on the logo to indicate that it has been selected.

Reorder Channels: You can drag and drop the channel logos to reorder them in the Featured Channels section.

Click “Done”: Once you’ve selected all the channels you want to feature, click the “Done” button.

Publish Your Changes: Click the “Publish” button in the top right corner to save your changes and make your Featured Channels section visible on your channel page.

Customization Options:

Maintaining and Updating Your Featured Channels:

Looking ahead to 2025, accessibility is only going to become more important.

Here are some trends to watch:

YouTube is already taking steps to promote accessibility.

For example, they’ve invested heavily in improving their auto-captioning technology and have launched initiatives to support creators who prioritize accessibility.

In the future, I anticipate YouTube will offer more robust tools for creators to manage and enhance the accessibility of their content.

This could include features like:

So, there you have it!

Everything you need to know about adding Featured Channels on YouTube and leveraging them to promote accessibility.

Remember, accessibility isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have in today’s digital landscape.

By implementing the “5-Board Secret” and making thoughtful choices about the channels you feature, you can not only boost your own channel’s visibility but also help create a more inclusive and accessible YouTube community.

As we move towards 2025, let’s all commit to embracing accessibility and making our content available to everyone.

It’s not just the right thing to do; it’s also the smart thing to do.

Now go out there and start featuring some amazing accessible channels!

Your audience (and the world) will thank you for it.