Having trouble adding your YT channel because it’s not showing up in the list? This usually comes down to your role and permission settings on the YouTube brand account.
YouTube currently runs two different permission systems for brand accounts side by side, the old (legacy) system and a new system. Which one your account uses affects who is able to connect the channel to ZoomSphere, so check both sections below to find the one that matches your account.
Old (legacy) system
Who can connect the channel
Under the old (legacy) system, there are only two roles, Owner and Manager. Both an Owner and a Manager can connect the channel to third-party tools such as ZoomSphere.
However, to connect a channel you didn't personally create, it needs to be switched to a Brand Account.
How can I set up a Brand Account?
Go to your Account settings and click on Add or manage your channel(s).
Click on + Create a channel.
To get your channel up and running, just type in a name and hit "Create." This will successfully set up your Brand Account. ✅
Do you already have content on your YT channel that isn't a Brand Account?
No worries. You can switch your YT channel to a brand account. 😊 Just go to the Advanced settings of your YouTube channel and click on Move channel to a brand account.
Choose the account that you want to move to from the list on your screen. If the account you choose is already associated with a YouTube channel, click Replace.
💡 Moving your Brand Account to another is a process you can complete yourself, but it should only be done if necessary. You can risk deleting the wrong channel if a transfer is done incorrectly. To avoid this mistake, check that you’re in the Google Account associated with the channel you want to move.
Learn more on Google Support 👉 Move your YouTube channel from one Brand Account to another.
New system
Who can connect the channel
YouTube has introduced several additional, more granular roles for brand accounts. Under this new system, only the Owner can connect the channel to a third-party tool such as ZoomSphere.
Users invited under any of the other roles, even if they otherwise have broad access, cannot add or connect the channel, due to YouTube API restrictions.
What to check on your account
Open your brand account’s permissions page on YouTube Studio (Settings > Permissions) and check your role next to your name. If it already shows you directly as Owner and there is no option to invite a Manager, your account is on the new system.
[Screenshot: brand account, new permission system, with the small “permissions” link highlighted to get the old regime]
How to switch back to the old (legacy) permission system
Good to know: at the moment, YouTube still allows you to switch a brand account back to the old (legacy) permission system.
This is useful if you need a Manager, not only the Owner, to be able to connect the channel.
Follow these steps:
Open your Channel's settings in YouTube Studio and head to the Permissions section.
You'll see the message: To go back to managing permissions in your Brand Account, opt out of permissions in YouTube Studio. Click the opt out of permissions link.
Check the two consent checkboxes and confirm. YouTube will ask you to verify this action with your account password. This deactivates the new system and activates the old one.
Once the switch is complete, you need to invite users to the account again to restore their access under the old system.
⚠️ If your YouTube channel was created after YouTube implemented the new system, it couldn't be switched to the old one. In that case, only the channel's Owner can connect it to ZoomSphere.
👀 We're working on a better solution for connecting YouTube channels.