Export videos directly to your YouTube channel using Descript's built-in integration. Set your title, description, category, and tags, then publish in just a few clicks.
Not available in the desktop app
Exporting to YouTube is only available from the web version of Descript.
This article covers:
- Before getting started
- How to export your video to YouTube
- YouTube export settings
- Video chapters and Google permissions
- Known limitations
Before getting started
Exporting to YouTube is supported on all plans, with some limits:
- Free plans can export videos to YouTube up to 720p resolution, 1 hour max.
- Hobbyist plans can export videos to YouTube up to 1080p resolution, 1 hour max.
- Creator, Business, and Enterprise plans can export videos to YouTube up to 4K resolution, 3 hours max.
How to export your video to YouTube
- From the Script Editor or Scene Editor, click Export in the top-right corner.
- Select your desired resolution under the Web link destination.
- Switch the destination to YouTube in the dropdown.
- Customize your video title, description, tags, thumbnail, and other settings.
- To set or change your thumbnail, see Set and customize thumbnails.
- To generate a new thumbnail with AI, see Generate a YouTube thumbnail.
- Sign in to your Google account and grant Descript permission:
- Click Sign in to YouTube when prompted.
- Allow Descript access in the browser window.
- If prompted, choose your YouTube channel and return to Descript.
- Click Export to publish your video to YouTube. Descript will also create a share page for your video.
YouTube export settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Access | Choose your video's privacy setting |
| Title (next to thumbnail) | Title of your Descript share page |
| Title | Title of your YouTube video |
| Description | Text that appears below your video on YouTube |
| Category | Helps viewers discover your content |
| Tags | Keywords that help with search and visibility |
Title length limit
YouTube titles must be under 100 characters and use valid UTF-8 (no < or >). If your title doesn't meet these requirements, export will fail.
Video chapters and Google permissions
Using markers? Descript automatically turns your markers into YouTube video chapters. Learn how to use markers.
Need to disconnect Descript from YouTube? Go to your Google account settings and remove Descript's access. Learn more about managing third-party access.
Fix an insufficient permissions error
This usually means Descript does not have the Google permissions it needs for the selected YouTube account or channel. To fix this:
- From the Script Editor or Scene Editor, click Export in the top-right corner.
- Click Switch accounts, then sign in to YouTube again.
- Make sure all requested permissions are selected, then click Continue.
- Return to Descript and try exporting again.
Known limitations
- YouTube Shorts are not supported. To publish a Short, download your video and upload it manually.
- Brand and shared access YouTube channels are not supported. Only channel owners can publish directly from Descript.
- Thumbnails set in Descript only apply to the Descript share page. To use a thumbnail on YouTube, download it from Descript and upload it in YouTube Studio after publishing.
- YouTube upload limits: Unverified accounts are limited to 15 minutes per video. Verified accounts can upload up to 12 hours or 256 GB, but limits may be lower if your channel has copyright strikes or other restrictions. Learn more from YouTube.
- Copyright flags: Exports include metadata to help YouTube correctly identify stock media and reduce false copyright claims. Learn how to avoid copyright claims.