How to edit YouTube videos?

Use the online Creator Studio or try Movavi Video Editor!

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How to edit YouTube videos easily

Edited by Ben Jacklin
10 063

When it comes to YouTube, we all want our videos to look as good as possible, as they’re exposed to so many viewers. But there’s always the problem of decent video editing. Until last year, YouTube provided a simple and convenient online video editor that you could use not just for basic editing, but also to assemble complete videos from multiple clips. It was a great solution for inexperienced users, but YouTube dropped it at the end of 2017, leaving only the Creator Studio with just a few enhancement editing features.

So what’s left for a user who wants to do some basic editing but doesn’t want to get bogged down in technical complexities? The best solution here might be to find a user-friendly video editor that has the same features and is capable of much more, for example Movavi Video Editor. Let’s have a look at the current state of YouTube Creator Studio and also see what Movavi’s program can do.

How to edit video with the YouTube video editor

YouTube’s Creator Studio lets you make some specific changes to your uploaded video, including the audio track. In terms of video enhancement, there are only two functions available for editing your video – trimming and blurring. So let’s see how to use these functions.

Step 1. Trimming video

In the Creator Studio menu, choose the video you want to change and click Edit.

Open the Enhancements tab and hit the Trim button. This function lets you shorten the video from each end or split it into multiple parts and cut out the unimportant pieces.

Simply drag one or both ends of the video towards the center on the timeline to shorten it. If you want to cut out a fragment that is somewhere in the middle of the video, just place your marker at the beginning of that section and hit Split. Find the ending of the section and do the same. Then select that segment and click the Delete button above it. When you’re done trimming, click Done. To cancel the edits, hit Clear.

Step 2. Adding a blur effect

The second function you can use is the Blur effect. The editor enables you to either blur all the faces in the video or apply this effect only to a certain area.

To blur faces, click the appropriate Edit button and wait for the editor to process your video. You will be shown the faces you can choose to blur. Select those you want to blur and click Save.

If you need to blur something other than a face, choose the Custom blurring option and click Edit. The video will start playing automatically, so press the Space bar to pause when you see what you want to blur. Then click your left mouse button anywhere on the video to display a rectangular area selector. You can move and change the size of the selector to frame the object you want to blur. After you choose the area, you can click Lock if you want to keep the area selector in one position, otherwise it will automatically follow the selected object throughout that entire section of the movie. To set the desired duration, simply drag the ends of the selector on the timeline. You are free to blur more than one spot. When everything is ready, click Done.

It is important to note that, depending on the video, this blurring effect may not always work correctly, so be sure to review the final result before saving the changes.

Step 3. Working with audio

As well as editing video, Creator Studio enables you to work with audio. The app includes a free library of music tracks to match the mood of any video. If you are not satisfied with the original sound of your clip, or you want to layer some music on top of it: simply find an appropriate track in the list and click Add to video. You can also trim the music added, and set the saturation level if you want to hear the original sound as well.

As you can see, YouTube still provides some basic adjustment functionality, but it’s far from a full-blown video editor. You cannot work with multiple clips, add more than one audio track, or use transitions and special effects. You can only make small edits to one specific video and that’s it. So it’s a good idea to take a look at user-friendly YouTube video editing software that offers more useful features.

How to edit video using Movavi Video Editor

Movavi Video Editor is a viable alternative – it’s a powerful yet easy-to use editing app that’s an effective replacement for the YouTube video editor. You can use it to combine or cut clips, add music, filters, text, and transitions to create one-of-a-kind videos. Download Movavi Video Editor for Mac or Windows and follow this simple guide to start creating high-quality videos right away!

Step 1. Install Movavi’s video editor for YouTube movies

Open the downloaded file and follow the instructions to install the program on your PC or Mac.

Step 2. Open your video files

After you’ve launched the program, choose New Project in the welcome window. Then click Add Media Files and select all the videos and pictures that you want to use.

Step 3. Cut and trim your videos

If you want to split a video into two or more parts, select the file on the Timeline and move the marker to the place where you want to make the first cut. Then click the Split icon. Repeat the process as many times as you need. To delete a certain segment, simply select it and press Delete on your keyboard or click the Trash can icon.

If you need to trim your clip, click the file on the timeline and just drag the edges towards the middle.

Step 4. Add special effects

The first thing you can do to take your video to the next level is to add some special effects. Click the Filters tab and choose the effects you like best from the huge library. Unlike Creator Studio, which only offers blurring, Movavi Video Editor boasts multiple effects and filters to suit any taste. The Blur effect is also available in Video Editor and can be used as a filter with more than 15 unique presets. To apply an effect, drag it to the video segment you want to use it on. If you want to use the same effect on all your clips, simply click on the desired effect with the right mouse button and choose Apply to All Clips. To remove an effect, click on the Star icon on the video clip to see a list of the effects you used on this clip. Choose the effect you want to delete and click Remove.

Step 5. Insert transitions

It’s always a good idea to add transitions between clips, it’ll make your video more dynamic and professional. Open the Transitions tab, select the styles you want to apply, and place them between your video clips on the timeline. Double-click the transition in the working area and set the desired duration in the window that opens.

Step 6. Add music

If you want your video to attract viewers, it’s important to consider the soundtrack. You can add a music track or even a voiceover. To add an audio file, click Add Media Files in the Import tab or just drag your music onto the timeline straight from a folder on your computer. If you plan to make a vlog or simply record your voice, just click the Microphone button above the timeline. You’ll be able to choose the recording device, set the quality and volume. Click Start Recording to begin recording your voice and then Stop Recording when you’re done.

Step 7. Add titles, callouts, and stickers

Adding text to the video is a basic yet important feature. Choose the Titles tab and find a style that fits your video. Drag the selected title down to the timeline and place it on the special Titles Track. To enter text, double-click the title and type your text in the preview window. Here, you can also edit other title parameters such as font, color, speed, and duration. The selected text or any other overlaid object can also be moved and changed in size. Click Apply to save the results.

In addition to adding text, you can also add different graphic symbols: speech bubbles, arrows, or some geometric shapes, which can be helpful if you’re making a tutorial or an educational video. Open the Callouts tab, choose the one you like and drag in to the timeline. Double-click the callout; in the preview window, you’ll be able to set the duration, speed and color.

Another set of objects you can overlay is Stickers – these can make any video more interesting and engaging. Choose the sticker you like and place it on the Titles Track. Double-click the sticker so you can move it within the frame, change its size, and set the duration in the preview window.

Step 8. Save and upload your video to YouTube

Now that your video is complete and ready to be shared, it’s time to upload it to YouTube. Click the Export button and select the Upload online tab. Now sign in to your YouTube account using the Sign in button; add a title, description, and other information about your video, set the desired resolution and select the folder for the exported copy of the video. Click Upload and enjoy the result!

Now you know how to edit your YouTube videos using the Creator Studio and Movavi Video Editor. The Free YouTube editor provides only a few editing features and may be not enough for full video montage. In this case, Movavi’s software is a convenient and effective alternative that is equally useful for beginners and advanced users alike, providing more flexibility and functionality.

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*The free version of Movavi Video Editor may have the following restrictions depending on the build: watermark on exported clips, 60-second video or 1/2 audio length limit, and/or some advanced features unavailable when exporting videos.

Frequently asked questions

Can I edit someone else's YouTube video?

No, YouTube does not support such a feature. Editing someone else's YouTube video is illegal, as every video represents the content its publisher owns all the rights to, including publishing, sharing, and monetizing that content. The only things you can do with someone else’s video on YouTube is to like/dislike it, share it, report it, or add it to your playlist.

How can I edit my YouTube video description?

To edit the title and the description of your video, simply go to the YouTube Studio page for your account and choose the Videos tab. Then, just find the video you need to edit and click on it. On the next page, you’ll be able to edit the title and description, change thumbnail, add tags, and more.

If you need to change the channel description as well, click on your profile photo in the top right and choose My Channel. On the page that opens, click Customize Channel. On the About tab, you’ll be able to add to or edit the channel description.

Can I edit the audio of a video on YouTube?

As we mentioned earlier in the guide, the only way to change the audio track in the Creator Studio is by overlaying another piece of music. If you’re not happy with the original soundtrack of the video, open the Audio tab, add a music track from the library, and move it on the timeline if needed. Tweak the Audio Saturation slider to find the right balance between the new track and the original audio.

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