Most viewers only see the first line or two of a description before tapping “more”, and search engines use the description to understand what the video covers. A good description is short at the top, useful underneath, and honest throughout.
The template
- Line 1–2: [what the video is about, in plain words, with the main search phrase used naturally] + [why it's worth watching]
- Chapters: 0:00 [Intro] / 1:20 [Chapter title] / 4:05 [Chapter title] … (start at 0:00, at least three timestamps, each at least 10 seconds long)
- About this video: [2–4 sentences of context — what's covered, who it's for]
- Sources: [links or references for factual claims]
- Related: [link to the next video or playlist]
- Credits: [music, images or footage you licensed, with required attribution]
- Disclosure: [sponsorships, affiliate links, or notes about AI-assisted production if relevant]
What the limits are
- Descriptions can be up to 5,000 characters.
- Titles can be up to 100 characters.
- Chapters need the first timestamp at 0:00, at least three timestamps, and each chapter at least 10 seconds long.
- Hashtags in the description: YouTube may show up to three above the title; adding too many can cause YouTube to ignore them.
Writing the first two lines
Say what the video is about the way a viewer would search for it, then give a reason to watch. “The full story of the Library of Alexandria — how it grew, what it held, and why it didn't burn in a single fire” beats “In today's video we're going to be talking about…”.
Mistakes to avoid
- Keyword stuffing — lists of search terms violate YouTube's spam policies.
- Misleading claims that the video doesn't deliver.
- Leaving out required credits for music or images.
- Copy-pasting the same description on every video; the top lines should be unique.
A filled-in example
- Lines 1–2: “The Library of Alexandria didn't burn down in one night. This documentary follows its 600-year decline — the funding cuts, the fires and the politics that slowly emptied it.”
- Chapters: 0:00 The legend · 2:10 Building the library · 9:45 Caesar's fire · 18:30 The slow decline · 31:05 What was really lost
- About: a sourced, narrated history for anyone who's heard the legend and wants the real story.
- Sources: a list of the main books and articles used.
- Related: link to the playlist “Lost Wonders of the Ancient World”.
Descriptions for Shorts
Shorts descriptions are seen less, but they still help: one line describing the Short, and a link or mention of the full video it comes from. Viewers who want more will look there.
Using a reusable footer
Most creators keep a standard footer — social links, a membership link, credits for recurring music, a channel description line — and paste it below the unique part of each description. YouTube Studio lets you set upload defaults so the footer is added automatically; keep the top lines unique for every video.
Description checklist
- First two lines unique, specific and readable on their own.
- Chapters starting at 0:00.
- Sources for factual claims.
- Credits and licences for third-party assets.
- Required disclosures (sponsors, affiliates, AI where applicable).
AI and disclosure
If your video includes realistic altered or synthetic content — for example, a realistic depiction of a real person or event that didn't happen — YouTube requires you to disclose it using the setting in YouTube Studio when uploading. Illustrated scenes and AI voiceovers in clearly stylised videos typically don't require it, but check YouTube's current guidance. Our guide to disclosing AI content on YouTube covers the details.
Make one with DreamTuber
One topic in, a finished long-form video out — script, voice, visuals, and render, automatically.
Create your first videoFrequently asked
How long should a YouTube description be?+
Long enough to be useful — the first two lines matter most. The limit is 5,000 characters.
Do descriptions help SEO?+
Yes, they help YouTube and search engines understand the video. Write naturally; don't stuff keywords.
How do I add chapters?+
List timestamps starting at 0:00, with at least three chapters of 10+ seconds each.
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