YouTube is one of the most popular platforms for sharing videos and building an audience. Many creators, however, wonder if they can hide their subscriber count from viewers. While YouTube no longer allows you to hide your subscriber count completely, there are alternative ways to maintain your privacy and manage your audience effectively. This article will guide you through these options in simple steps that even kids can understand.
Why Can’t You Hide Your Subscriber Count Anymore?
YouTube used to let creators hide their subscriber counts, but this feature was removed to stop scammers. Some people pretended to be famous brands or creators by hiding their low subscriber counts. To keep YouTube a safer place for everyone, subscriber counts are now always visible.
But don’t worry! Even though you can’t hide your subscriber count, there are still ways to keep some parts of your YouTube channel private.
How to Keep Your Subscriptions Private
Your subscriptions are the channels you follow on YouTube. If you don’t want others to see which channels you subscribe to, follow these easy steps:
- Log in to YouTube on a computer. (This feature doesn’t work on the mobile app.)
- Click your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings from the menu.
- On the left-hand side, click Privacy.
- Turn on the toggle for Keep all my subscriptions private.
Now, no one will know which channels you follow or how many subscriptions you have.
How to Hide Comments from Certain Subscribers
Sometimes, you might have a subscriber who leaves rude or inappropriate comments on your videos. You can hide their comments without banning them from your channel entirely. Here’s how:
- Copy the subscriber’s channel URL:
- Go to the comment they left.
- Click their username to open their channel.
- Copy the URL from your browser’s address bar.
- Go to YouTube Studio:
- Open YouTube Studio on your computer.
- Sign in if needed.
- Adjust community settings:
- Click Settings in the left-hand menu.
- Go to Community.
- Add the user to the Hidden Users list:
- Paste their channel URL into the box labeled Hidden users.
- Click Save to apply the changes.
Now, their comments won’t show up on your videos, and they won’t know they’ve been hidden.
How to Hide Your Entire YouTube Channel
If you want to hide everything on your channel, including your subscriber count, videos, and playlists, you can temporarily hide your channel. This is a good option if you’re rebranding or taking a break from YouTube.
Follow these steps:
- Log in to YouTube Studio on your computer.
- Click Settings in the left menu.
- Select Channel, then go to Advanced Settings.
- Scroll down and click Remove YouTube Content. (You might need to log in again.)
- Choose I want to hide my channel.
- Check all the boxes to confirm your choice and click Hide my channel.
Now, your channel is completely hidden. Remember, this action will permanently delete any comments you’ve made on YouTube, but your videos and subscriber count will stay safe and private.
To unhide your channel:
- Personal accounts: Visit this link and follow the instructions.
- Brand accounts: Go to YouTube Account Management and select your hidden channel to reactivate it.
FAQs About YouTube Privacy
1. Can I hide my subscriber count but keep posting videos?
No, YouTube doesn’t allow creators to hide subscriber counts anymore. However, you can still make your subscriptions private or hide your entire channel temporarily.
2. Will hiding my channel delete my videos?
No, hiding your channel makes everything private, but your videos and data remain safe. You can unhide your channel anytime to restore it.
3. Can subscribers see if I’ve hidden them?
No, they won’t know. Hidden users can still watch your videos but can’t comment or interact with your channel.
Tips to Build a Successful YouTube Channel
While hiding your subscriber count is no longer an option, here are some tips to grow your channel confidently:
- Focus on quality content: Upload videos that are interesting and well-made.
- Engage with your audience: Reply to comments and thank your subscribers.
- Be consistent: Post videos regularly to keep your audience engaged.
- Promote your channel: Share your videos on social media to attract new viewers.
Conclusion
Even though you can’t hide your YouTube subscriber count anymore, there are still ways to protect your privacy and manage your channel effectively. By keeping your subscriptions private, hiding certain users’ comments, or temporarily hiding your channel, you can control what others see on your profile.
Remember, growing a YouTube channel takes time and effort. Instead of worrying about your subscriber count, focus on creating amazing videos and building a positive community. Good luck!