Fill in the necessary information.

3. Fill in the necessary information.

The fields shown in Figure 2-7 are much what you’d expect, but here’s a description of each item anyway:

• Name: This is the name that will be associated with your account. You can use your real name here, or a made-up name that has

Part I: Getting Started With YouTube Channels

something to do with your account. Just be aware that the name will function as the public face of your channel, so sophomoric attempts at humor are probably not the way to go. Note that creating a new account here automatically creates a new (linked) Google+ account.

• Your current address: We like Gmail, so create a new Gmail address when setting a new account rather than using your current email address. It will make all your YouTube work easier. Below this field is a link that offers the option to create a new Gmail account.

• Password: You’ve probably done the Create a Password and Confirm Your Password song‐and‐dance a thousand times before, so we won’t offer any advice other than to recommend that you follow the sound password tips that Google offers during this process.

• Birthday: No ifs, ands, or buts — you need to choose a birthday. You may not wish to show your real age, what with YouTube largely being a young person’s game, but we’re also not going to encourage you to lie.

If you’re going to be a smart aleck and decide to give the age of your channel rather than your own age, make the age at least 18. Some content on YouTube has age restrictions, and giving your channel a birthday that makes it less than 18 years old can come back to bite you.

• Gender: Gender is truly up to you. It’s a sensitive subject these days, so we’re not going to joke about it here. Personally, when we’re creating business accounts, we usually choose Other, because we think of the channels as an inanimate object.

• Mobile phone: A mobile phone number is required for identity confirmation and account recovery processes. (You use account recovery when you’ve forgotten your password.)

• Prove you’re not a robot: Prove that you’re a human by typing in the alphanumeric code that’s shown in the image. Google does what it can to prevent computer programs (known as robots or ‘bots) from setting up accounts.

• Set your location: Google’s terms and conditions for YouTube are dic- tated by country. When we think of the Internet, we don’t necessar- ily consider borders, but it’s especially important for video rights.

• Agree to Google’s terms and services agreement: This is the requisite “fine print.” We’ll leave it to you and your legal representation to decide whether you’re comfortable with it.

• Email: If you’ve chosen to set up new Gmail email address, you’ll be asked to provide an alternative email, also for security and recovery. If you’re using your current email, then this field won’t appear.

Chapter 2: The Basics of YouTube

Figure 2-6:

The Google login screen.

Figure 2-7:

Google wants all your details before you’re

granted an account.

Part I: Getting Started With YouTube Channels