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YouTube channel
Starting a YouTube channel is a low-cost way to publish videos, but growing an audience and earning money can take time. You can create a personal channel or one with a different name, and the channel setup steps are described in YouTube’s guide <a href="https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/1646861?hl=en-GB" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">YouTube</a>.
Open the interactive guide (checklist, video, read-aloud) →In plain words
- Choose a topic you enjoy sharing.
- Make short videos with equipment you already have.
- Start a channel for free.
- Build an audience slowly; income is not guaranteed.
- Label adverts and paid links clearly.
Who it suits
It may suit people with a topic they enjoy exploring and who are willing to plan, film and improve videos over time. It can also suit a small business or community group that wants to share useful information.
Viewers may value videos that teach them something, answer a question or entertain them. Businesses may also pay to reach viewers, while eligible creators can earn through YouTube features or affiliate links; income is uncertain and takes time to build.
Step by step
- Choose a subject and list useful video ideas. Pick a topic you enjoy exploring and decide who you hope to help or entertain. Write down a few questions viewers might have, then turn each question into a possible video. About 30-60 minutes.
- Choose your channel name and account type. Decide whether to use your personal name or a different name for a business or project. YouTube says a channel with a different name can be connected to a Brand Account, which may have more than one manager or owner YouTube. About 15-30 minutes.
- Open YouTube’s channel management settings. Sign in on a computer or the mobile site. Open your profile menu, go to Account, then choose Add or manage channel(s) YouTube. About 5-10 minutes.
- Create the channel and add its basic details. Choose Create a channel, then add a profile picture, name and handle before creating it YouTube. Check that the name is easy to say and spell. About 15-30 minutes.
- Plan a simple first video. Write or dictate a brief outline with a beginning, a few key points and an ending. Choose a quiet place and check that your subject will be easy to understand. About 30-60 minutes.
- Record and check the sound and picture. Start with equipment you already have. Review a short test recording before filming the whole video; a beginner guide recommends prioritising audio over upgrading the camera ProfileTree. About 30 minutes-2 hours.
- Edit the video and prepare its title and thumbnail. Remove parts that distract from the main point and make the video easy to follow. Write an accurate title and description, then choose a thumbnail that represents what viewers will actually see. About 1-3 hours.
- Upload the video and check it on a phone. Upload the finished video and check that the image, sound, title and description appear as expected on a phone. Share it with people who may genuinely find it useful. About 30-60 minutes.
- Review responses and decide what to make next. Notice which questions viewers ask and use that to plan another video. If you include paid promotion or affiliate links, label commercial content clearly; the ASA explains how ads should be recognisable ASA. About 20-30 minutes each week.
Your first 15 minutes
Choose one topic, create your channel, and publish a simple first video using equipment you already have.
The money
You do not usually set a fixed price for ordinary YouTube views: eligible creator income depends on the features used, audience activity and other factors, and payment is not guaranteed. If you sell a service, sponsorship or product alongside your channel, set a price that covers your time and costs, and make any commercial relationship clear.
Example only: In one month, suppose channel-related income is £100 and costs are £20; £100 − £20 = £80 before tax. Separately, suppose income is €100 and costs are €20; €100 − €20 = €80 before tax. These figures are illustrations, not expected earnings.
The rules
You can generally make and publish a YouTube channel in the UK and Ireland. You must follow YouTube’s rules and the usual rules on income and advertising. Check the tax and advertising guidance for your country. If you’re unsure about your activity, check with the relevant regulator.
UK and Northern Ireland
- Channel age. YouTube says supervised users may not be able to create a channel. If you use a supervised experience, check YouTube’s current rules YouTube.
- Trading income and tax. The first £1,000 a year of trading income is covered by the trading allowance. The allowance is based on gross income before expenses. If your trading income is above the allowance, tell HMRC. If you need to register for Self Assessment, do so by 5 October after the tax year ends GOV.UK Tax Help for Hustles GOV.UK.
- Ads and affiliate links. If a brand pays or otherwise incentivises you, or you have a personal or commercial connection to it, content featuring or referring to that brand must be clearly identifiable as advertising. Put a prominent “Ad” label upfront. “Sponsored,” “Gifted” or “affiliate” alone may not be enough. If you refer to a product alongside an affiliate link or code, that content counts as advertising. Brands and affiliates are jointly responsible for making affiliate advertising identifiable ASA ASA.
- Data protection fee. The ICO lists advertising or marketing another person’s business, goods or services as an example of an activity that requires a data protection fee. Use the ICO self-assessment tool to check whether a fee applies to how you use data. There’s no general rule for every creator ICO.
- Selling to viewers. If you also sell products or services, check the consumer rules that apply to your sales with Trading Standards or the relevant advice service. The rules for these sales aren’t set out here.
Ireland
- Channel age. YouTube says supervised users may not be able to create a channel. If you use a supervised experience, check YouTube’s current rules YouTube.
- Tax return and income. If you’re a PAYE worker, register for self-assessment using Form 11 if your taxable non-PAYE income is over €5,000 or your gross non-PAYE income is over €30,000. Below those limits, declare it on Form 12 through myAccount Revenue.
- Self-employed tax. If you’re self-employed, you pay income tax, PRSI (Class S) and USC under self-assessment. Preliminary tax is due by 31 October. Check your position with Revenue or a tax adviser Citizens Information.
- Ads and affiliate links. Clearly label commercial content, including influencer advertising. The CCPC advises: “if in doubt, label it” CCPC.
- Selling to viewers. If you also sell products or services, check the consumer rules that apply to your sales with the CCPC. The rules for these sales aren’t set out here.
- Other permissions. There’s no special creator licence or vetting requirement identified for running a YouTube channel. If your videos or other activities involve regulated work, check with the relevant authority.
Checked against official sources: 22 October 2026. Not yet reviewed by a qualified tax or legal adviser. General guidance, not legal advice. Check the official link beside each point before you start.
Common mistakes
- Buying equipment or promotion before you know what you need.
- Trying to cover too many ideas in one video.
- Spending too long editing instead of publishing a clear first version.
- Using a title or thumbnail that does not match the video.
- Forgetting to label paid promotion or affiliate content clearly.
AI-made demonstration: this module has a 20-second street-chat video in the interactive guide. The presenter and the people in it are computer-generated, not real people.