YouTube Integration
LabelGrid’s YouTube integration automatically generates videos from your track audio and artwork, then uploads them directly to your YouTube channel.
What You Can Do
- Generate videos from tracks with album artwork
- Choose from multiple video layout styles
- Add audio visualizations to videos
- Upload full-length tracks or clips
- Control privacy settings (public/private/unlisted)
- Schedule uploads for specific times
- Manage posting rules to stay within limits
Connecting Your YouTube Account
Before uploading, you need to connect your YouTube account to LabelGrid.
Adding a YouTube Account
- Click Distribution in the main menu, then click the YouTube tab
- Click the Manage Accounts button in the top right
- Click Add Account
- Enter your account details:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | A friendly name for this account |
| Posting Rules | Throttling setting to prevent rate limits |
- Click Submit to save
- Complete OAuth authorization with Google
Note: YouTube uses OAuth for authentication. You’ll be redirected to Google to authorize LabelGrid to upload to your channel.
Posting Rules
Posting rules prevent you from hitting YouTube’s rate limits:
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Unlimited | No throttling - use carefully |
| 1 per hour | Maximum one upload per hour |
| 1 per day | Maximum one upload per day |
| 1 per week | Maximum one upload per week |
Important: YouTube has strict upload limits. Using conservative posting rules (1 per day or less) is recommended.
Account Properties
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Long Uploads Status | Whether your channel is verified for uploads > 15 minutes |
| Connection Status | Current authorization status |
Creating YouTube Videos
Creating a YouTube Upload
- Click Distribution in the main menu, then click the YouTube tab
- Click the + Add YouTube Delivery button
- Configure your video settings
Upload Settings
| Setting | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Post Individual Track(s) | Select tracks to create videos for | Required |
| YouTube Destination | Choose which channel to upload to | Required |
| Scheduled Delivery Time (GMT) | When to upload | Respects posting rules |
| Privacy Status | Video visibility | Public/Private/Unlisted |
| Video Layout | How artwork is displayed | See layout options |
| Upload full-length track | Full audio or clip | On/Off toggle |
| Clip Start | Start position for clips | If not full-length |
| Clip Length | Duration in seconds | If not full-length |
| Include visuals | Add audio visualization | On/Off toggle |
| Force Delivery | Bypass duplicate check | Use only if getting errors |
Video Layouts
LabelGrid auto-generates videos using your release artwork:
| Layout | Description |
|---|---|
| art background and square packshot | Full artwork background with centered square album art |
| blurred art background and square packshot | Blurred artwork background with sharp centered album art |
| square packshot only | Just the album artwork, no background effects |
Privacy Settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| public | Anyone can see the video |
| private | Only you can see the video |
| unlisted | Anyone with the link can see it |
Audio Visualization
Enable “Include visuals” to add an audio-oscilloscope visualization blended on top of your generated video. This creates an animated waveform that reacts to the music.
Managing the Upload Queue
Queue List View
Click Distribution in the main menu, then click the YouTube tab to see all your uploads.
The queue displays:
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | Track/video title |
| Destination | YouTube channel account |
| Visibility | Public, private, or unlisted |
| Deliver At | Scheduled delivery time |
| Video Settings | Layout and visualization settings |
| Status | Current queue status |
| Actions | Available actions (retry, cancel, archive) |
Queue Statuses
| Status | Meaning | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| pending | Waiting to upload | Respects posting rules |
| processing | Generating video and uploading | In progress |
| complete | Successfully uploaded | Check YouTube |
| failed | Upload failed | Check error message |
| cancelled | Cancelled by user | No action needed |
Queue Actions
Cancel: Stop a pending upload
- Find the item in the queue
- Click the Cancel button
Retry: Re-attempt a failed upload
- Find the failed item
- Click Retry
Archive: Remove completed items
- Find the completed item
- Click Archive
Label Default Settings
Your label can set default settings that apply to all YouTube uploads:
- Default Clip Start - Starting position for clips
- Default Clip Length - Default duration
These defaults can be overridden per upload.
Best Practices
Video Quality
- Use high-resolution artwork (3000x3000 recommended)
- Ensure artwork is properly cropped and formatted
- Test different layouts to see what looks best
Content Strategy
- Create videos for singles and key album tracks
- Use clips for teasers before release
- Schedule videos to release with other promotional activities
Metadata
Videos are automatically titled using track and artist information:
- Format:
Artist Name - Track Title - Description is auto-generated from release metadata
- Tags are derived from release tags
Channel Health
- Use posting rules to maintain steady upload schedule
- Avoid bulk uploads that might trigger rate limits
- Verify your channel for uploads longer than 15 minutes
Troubleshooting
Upload Failed - Authentication Error
Cause: YouTube token expired or revoked
Solution:
- Click Distribution in the main menu, then click the YouTube tab
- Click Manage Accounts and re-authorize the account
- Retry the upload
Upload Failed - Quota Exceeded
Cause: Daily upload quota reached
Solution:
- Wait until the next day for quota reset
- Adjust posting rules to spread uploads over time
- Retry after quota resets
Upload Failed - Already Posted
Cause: Video with same content already exists
Solution:
- Check your YouTube channel for the existing video
- Delete the existing video if you want to re-upload
- Or use “Force Delivery” to bypass the check
Video Longer Than 15 Minutes Failed
Cause: Channel not verified for long uploads
Solution:
- Verify your YouTube channel with Google
- Check your account shows “Long Uploads Status” as enabled
- Retry after verification
Video Quality Issues
Cause: Low-resolution artwork or processing issues
Solution:
- Use artwork at least 3000x3000 pixels
- Ensure artwork is square (1:1 aspect ratio)
- Try a different video layout
Limitations
- Videos are auto-generated (no custom video uploads)
- One video per track (track videos, not album videos)
- Long uploads require YouTube channel verification
- Processing time varies based on queue length
- YouTube API quotas may limit daily uploads
YouTube vs DDEX Distribution
| Feature | YouTube Direct Upload | DDEX to YouTube Music |
|---|---|---|
| Content Type | Auto-generated videos | Audio for YouTube Music |
| Destination | Your YouTube channel | YouTube Music platform |
| Control | Full control over posting | Standard distribution |
| Monetization | Your channel, your ads | YouTube Music royalties |
| Best For | Visual presence, promotion | Streaming royalties |
Tip: Use both approaches - direct upload for your channel presence and DDEX for YouTube Music streaming revenue.
Related Guides
- Direct Upload Services Overview - Overview of all direct upload platforms
- Bandcamp Integration - Upload to Bandcamp
- SoundCloud Integration - Post to SoundCloud
- Creating a Release - Prepare your release for distribution
Need Help?
If you have questions about YouTube uploads, contact our support team.