How to Edit Videos with the YouTube Studio Editor

When I upload content to YouTube, there are times I notice errors or want to make improvements after publishing. That’s when I make use of the YouTube Studio editor, which has become much more capable over the past few years. It allows me to trim, cut, and enhance my videos directly within the platform, even after they’re already live.

Whether I’m removing sensitive information, adding audio from the YouTube library, or making my videos more interactive with end screens and cards, these tools help me keep my content polished and relevant. My main focus is growing my channel as a business owner, so I also pay attention to strategies that drive discovery and audience engagement.

Key Takeaways

• The YouTube Studio editor offers core features for post-publishing edits.
• Blurring, audio enhancement, and interactive elements are available.
• Focusing on engagement and improvement supports channel growth.

Accessing YouTube Studio Editor

Navigating to Your Video Content

To start, I head over to my YouTube Studio dashboard. In the menu on the left, I click on Content.
This opens a list of all my uploaded videos.

From here, I can scroll and find the video I want to edit. I often look for longer interviews or key uploads when demonstrating editing.

Selecting the Video to Edit

Once I’ve located the video I want to modify, such as an interview or tutorial, I click on it.
After selecting the video, some options become available, including Editor.

Tip: Choosing a longer video is helpful for practicing multiple edits or testing out different functions.

Opening the Editor Interface

Clicking on the Editor tab takes me straight to the YouTube Studio editing suite.
On this screen, I see the video timeline, preview window, and available tools like Trim & Cut, Blur, and more.

I use the zoom function to get a closer look at specific sections of the timeline.
All edits made here affect the published, live video, so I make sure to preview and review my changes before clicking Save.

Important: Saving an edit may take some time to process, and YouTube will update the video once processing completes.

Core Editing Features

Trim and Cut

I use the Trim & Cut feature to remove unwanted sections from my video. I can trim the start or end by dragging the edges of the timeline to where I want the video to begin or finish. Zooming in on the timeline helps me make precise edits, especially when there are small mistakes at the start or end that I want to cut out.

• Trim Start/End: Adjust the beginning or end of my video.
• Zoom in/Zoom out: Get a closer look at the exact frames for accuracy.
• Keyboard Shortcuts: I recommend zooming in all the way for best results.

Cutting Video Sections

If there's a segment in the middle that I need to remove, I add a new cut directly on the timeline. I move to the exact moment that needs editing, mark the section, and simply click 'Cut' to take it out. This is useful when I want to delete a factual error or personal information that slipped through.

• Add multiple cuts as needed
• Easily edit or delete any marked cut
• Discard changes: If I make a mistake, I can discard individual cuts or all changes to revert to the original video

Previewing and Saving Edits

Before making any of my edits permanent, I always use the Preview function. This lets me see how the edited video will play, ensuring I’m satisfied before saving. Once I'm happy with my changes, I click Save—YouTube will then process the video, and this may take some time before the edits appear live on the channel.

Working With the Timeline Zoom

The timeline zoom tools are essential for making precise edits. I can zoom in to see each frame or zoom out for a broader view of the entire video. This is especially handy for long videos, as it allows me to find the exact spot I want to trim or cut without guessing.

• Zoom in: For frame-by-frame edits
• Zoom out: For navigating longer videos
• Helps ensure accuracy when adjusting trim and cut points

Blurring Sensitive Information

Applying Face Blur

When I need to obscure faces within a video, I use the Face Blur option in YouTube Studio. This tool scans the entire video and detects faces automatically. The platform’s AI will process and blur all identified faces; however, it can take a little time for this processing to finish.

Using Custom Blur for Objects

If there’s an object, email address, phone number, or anything else in the frame that I want to hide, I choose Custom Blur. I can select either a rectangle or an oval to define the blur area. After identifying what needs to be blurred—like a book title or personal information—I draw the blur box over it and apply the blur.

• Shape options: Rectangle, oval
• Common uses: Books, documents, backgrounds
• Steps:
1. Pause at the relevant frame
2. Place the blur area
3. Adjust size and position as needed
4. Apply and confirm the blur

Tracking Moving Regions

If the object I want to blur moves during the video, I have the option to track the blur region. YouTube Studio lets me set the blur to either stay fixed in one spot or follow the object as it moves. I simply enable tracking, making sure the blur continues to cover the sensitive content throughout the clip.

• Tracking settings: On or off
• Useful for: Moving text, faces, objects
• Ensures that even with motion, private or confidential information stays hidden on future views

Enhancing Video With Audio

Adding Music From YouTube Audio Library

I can add audio to my video directly through the YouTube Studio editor. To do this, I look for the section labeled with audio options, and I use the YouTube Audio Library to select a track that fits my content.

The process is straightforward:

• Locate the Audio Timeline: I see the separate audio track beneath my video timeline.
• Select Music: I browse and choose from available tracks in the YouTube Audio Library.
• Add to Video: After choosing, I can insert the track onto the audio timeline.

Tips for using the YouTube Audio Library:

• All tracks are royalty-free and safe for monetized videos.
• I can preview tracks before adding them.
• It’s possible to replace, trim, or adjust the audio as needed before saving.

I always review changes using the preview feature. Once satisfied, I save my edits, keeping in mind that changes will take a little time to process before they appear on the live video.

Interactive Elements

Using End Screens

I use end screens to offer viewers a clear next step at the end of my videos. End screens let me direct viewers to other videos, playlists, or even encourage them to subscribe. I place these elements at the back of my video directly within the YouTube Studio editor.

How I add end screens:

• Select the video in the editor.
• Navigate to the end of the timeline.
• Click the dedicated end screen section to make edits.

Benefits:

• Increase watch time by linking to relevant content.
• Drive more subscribers with a direct subscribe prompt.

Implementing Info Cards

For info cards, I usually add them toward the beginning of my videos where appropriate. Info cards help me highlight related content, link to playlists, or prompt viewers to engage.

To edit or add a card:

• Click the card marker on the timeline.
• Choose the type of card: Video, Playlist, Channel, or Link (if eligible).
• Position the card where I want viewers to notice it.

Example Use Cases:

• Directing viewers to an introduction or related interview.
• Suggesting additional resources on my channel.

Tip: I aim to position cards at moments when viewers might have questions or need more context. This supports my strategy of making it easy for viewers to learn more or continue watching my content.

Monetization Options

Inserting Ad Breaks

If I am monetized and meet YouTube’s requirements, I can add ad breaks directly within my video editor. This lets me choose where ads appear in longer videos, such as interviews. The option only becomes available once I am a YouTube Partner.

Steps to Insert Ad Breaks:

• Access the video in YouTube Studio.
• Navigate to the editor and look for the ad breaks option (only visible if eligible).
• Select the desired points in the video timeline to insert ad breaks.
• Save changes.

Tip: Ad breaks can enhance monetization for longer content, but placing too many may impact viewer experience.

YouTube Partner Program Requirements

To gain access to monetization features such as ad breaks, I must be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program. The primary requirements include:

I need to meet both the subscriber and watch time criteria before I can monetize my videos. Once accepted, additional options such as adding ad breaks become available in the YouTube Studio editor.

Strategy for Channel Growth

Leveraging Interviews and Keywords

I focus on building my channel by interviewing other people and conducting keyword research. This approach helps me create content that can be discovered on both YouTube and Google. By choosing interview topics that are relevant and in demand, I increase the chances of attracting viewers searching for those subjects.

Here's a simple breakdown of the process:

• Interviews: Featuring guests allows for diverse content and reaches their audiences too.
• Keyword Research: I publish videos based on popular and relevant keywords to maximize discoverability.
• Content Selection: I often select longer-form interviews, as these offer more opportunities for in-depth discussion and audience engagement.

Driving Viewers to Your Website

One of my key aims is to guide viewers from my YouTube channel to my website, where they can learn more or work with me. I use end screens and info cards effectively to provide a clear next step.

How I drive viewers:

• I place info cards at the start of videos and end screens at the end.
• I make sure links and calls to action are visible and accessible.
• The timeline below illustrates the placement of cards and end screens:

By consistently offering this path, I make it easy for viewers who are interested to visit my website directly from the video.