What are YouTube Community Posts?

Do you have an update from your life or brand that's too short for a YouTube video or Short? Or a behind-the-scenes moment already shared on Instagram Stories or Twitter/X?

If you're not posting this on YouTube Community Posts, you're missing out.

YouTube Community Posts enhance the platform, turning it into a one-stop shop for audience engagement — an essential tool for keeping your subscribers hooked.

You might wonder, “Don’t I need over 1,000 followers to access the YouTube Community tab?” Not anymore! In 2023, YouTube extended this feature to all channels, even brand-new ones.

Ready to dive in? This guide covers everything you need to know about this underutilized feature, including tips, tricks, and inspiring examples from seasoned YouTube creators and brands.

What are YouTube Community Posts?

YouTube Community Posts are like a mini Facebook or Twitter/X Feed tied to your YouTube Channel, allowing you a way to share lightweight updates with your audience.

Community posts appear on the YouTube community tab (which users can find via your channel) and can even show up on their home feed and subscriptions feed on the web version of YouTube or the YouTube app.

They help keep your subscribers engaged without the need for a full-length video or YouTube Short. Since they can appear on the home feeds of non-subscribers too, they can help you grow your channel's audience.

Much like Facebook or X, these posts can take a variety of formats, including text, images, GIFs, polls, and video links.

Who is Eligible for YouTube Community Posts?

If you have a YouTube Channel, you’ll be able to share community posts. There’s no longer a subscriber requirement to use the feature. YouTube accounts with less than 1,000 subscribers can now have a community tab too.

Why You Should Use YouTube Community Posts

Think of YouTube Community Posts as a way to stay connected with your subscribers without the effort of creating new videos. They are an essential part of your YouTube content strategy.

Engaging with your subscribers through Community Posts might even reduce the need to create videos as often, depending on your content and audience.

Your community tab is ideal for updates that aren't substantial enough for a full video and a space for content you're likely already posting elsewhere (on X, Threads, Instagram, and so on).

Benefits of Regularly Sharing Community Posts

• Boost audience engagement: Community posts are a direct line to your audience. Your subscribers will be notified when you share a post, increasing engagement on your channel.
• Promote new content: Use posts to tease upcoming videos, share behind-the-scenes content, or remind people of your work.
• Build a stronger community: Regular updates make your audience feel like they’re part of your journey, offering a glimpse into your world between videos.
• Create exclusive content for paid subscribers: If you have channel subscribers, you can provide more incentives by sharing exclusive content through your community tab.

How to Create a YouTube Community Post

There are several ways to share a post on your community tab on YouTube (and it’s much easier than uploading a video).

• In the YouTube app: Select Create post (the + icon), then hit ‘Post.’ Perfect for sharing on the go.
• In the web version of YouTube: Go to the ‘Community’ tab, where you’ll find the post composer.
• In YouTube Studio: Click the ‘Create’ button on the top right corner.

Using any of these methods, you can share text posts, images, text polls, image polls, quizzes, or links to existing videos by tapping one of the options below the composer.

On images, you can also add filters, stickers, and text, similar to Instagram Stories.

You can set your posts to expire after 24 hours and choose who will see the post.

How to Make the Most of YouTube Community Posts

Let's talk about how to make YT Community Posts work for you.

Post (and Reply!) Regularly

Consistency is key. Regular posts on your community tab, much like your video uploads, offer value to your audience and provide a deeper connection.

Engage with your audience by replying to comments and questions. This interaction will incentivize them to watch, engage with, and share your videos, boosting your visibility and performance in the YouTube algorithm.

Mix Up Your Content

Keeping your viewers engaged means experimenting with different formats and seeing what resonates. Using the same medium repeatedly can get stale, no matter how well it works initially.

Use a mix of text posts, images, polls, and GIFs to keep things interesting. Polls are particularly effective as they encourage direct interaction with minimal effort from your subscribers.

Tease Upcoming Content

New video coming soon? Tease it with a community tab post. Share behind-the-scenes footage or photos, a snippet, or just a cryptic message to build excitement.

It’s like giving them a trailer before the movie, whetting their appetite before the main content is released.

Resurrect Old Videos

Have you gained new subscribers recently? A quick community post can be a great way to point them to older videos they might find valuable.

Share Behind-the-Scenes Content

People love to see the magic backstage and all the chaos that goes on behind the scenes to get the perfect shot. Share behind-the-scenes content to make your audience feel like insiders.

Share Your Bloopers

Make yourself or your brand more relatable by sharing your on-camera gaffs. Authenticity resonates on social media, especially when it’s funny or tongue-in-cheek.

Your subscribers will appreciate your ability to laugh at yourself.

Highlight Fan Content

User-generated content is a gold mine, particularly for brands. If a fan or customer creates something awesome, showcase it in a community post. This will make them feel appreciated and encourage more fans to create.

Run Contests and Giveaways

Community posts are perfect for content that will be obsolete in a few weeks, like giveaways and competitions. They boost engagement and can grow your subscriber base.

Share Branded Content or Affiliate Links

If you’re monetizing your YouTube content through partnerships or affiliate links, your community posts are another outlet to boost your earnings.

Be cautious, though. If all your posts are ads, your audience may quickly unsubscribe.

Ask for Feedback or Gather Ideas

Engaging with your audience through YouTube Community posts can provide valuable feedback on your content. Use polls and questions to find out what your audience wants to see more of (or less of).

Don’t Forget the Analytics

Analytics are the best indicator of which content efforts are working. To find an analytics overview for each community post, go to YouTube Studio, then click the YouTube community tab.

For a detailed look at your post analytics, go to the Analytics tab in YouTube Studio > Advanced mode > More > Posts. Here you’ll see post impressions, response rate, like rate, and more.

Start Using YouTube Community Posts

YouTube Community Posts offer a simple way to engage with your audience, promote your content, and build a stronger community.

Remember, the key is to be authentic, consistent, and always keep your audience in mind. And maybe throw in a GIF or two to keep things lively.