How to Make a YouTube Community Post: Complete Guide (2026)
TL;DR - Quick Answer
13 min readTips you can use today. What works and what doesn't.
YouTube Community posts let you engage your audience without uploading videos. Polls, images, and text posts keep subscribers active between uploads. Here's how to use them effectively.
Skip to: Create a Post | Post Types | Eligibility | Best Practices
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Start your free trialWhat Is the YouTube Community Tab?
The Community tab is a social feed on your YouTube channel where you can share:
Who Can Make Community Posts?
Current Requirements (2026):
How to Check Eligibility:
- Go to YouTube Studio
- Click "Content" in left menu
- Look for "Community" option
- If visible, you have access
Not seeing the Community tab?
- You may not have 500 subscribers yet
- New accounts may need a brief waiting period
- Check for any channel restrictions
How to Create a YouTube Community Post
On Desktop (YouTube Studio)
- Go to YouTube Studio (studio.youtube.com)
- Click "Create" in the top right
- Select "Create post" from dropdown
- Choose post type:
- Text (default)
- Image/GIF (click photo icon)
- Poll (click poll icon)
- Write your content
- Add optional elements (mentions, emojis)
- Click "Post" to publish
On Mobile (YouTube App)
- Open YouTube app
- Tap "+" (Create) at bottom
- Select "Create a post"
- Write or add media
- Tap "Post"
Post Types Explained
Text Posts:
- Up to 2,000 characters
- Support for emojis
- Can tag other channels (@channel)
- Add links (clickable in post)
Image Posts:
- Upload single image
- Supports JPG, PNG, GIF
- Add caption text (recommended)
- Maximum file size: 16 MB
Poll Posts:
- 2-5 answer options
- Text-based answers only
- Results visible after voting
- Great for audience research
Video Posts:
- Share links to YouTube videos
- Can be your videos or others'
- Adds context with your caption
- Revives older content
What is the minimum subscriber count required to access YouTube's Community tab?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Community Post Ideas
Engagement Posts:
Content-Related:
Before uploading:
- Tease upcoming video topics
- Share behind-the-scenes photos
- Ask what subscribers want to see
After uploading:
- Highlight key points from video
- Ask for feedback on content
- Share bonus context
Between uploads:
- Share relevant industry news
- Post throwback to older videos
- Update on channel progress
Community Building:
- Celebrate milestones (subscriber counts, anniversaries)
- Shout out subscriber comments
- Share personal updates
- Post memes related to your niche
YouTube Community Post Best Practices
Do:
- Post consistently (2-4 times per week)
- Use polls regularly (highest engagement)
- Respond to comments on your posts
- Cross-promote videos to boost views
- Time posts well (when audience is active)
- Use relevant emojis (increases engagement)
Don't:
- Spam your audience (too many posts = unfollows)
- Only self-promote (mix promotional with valuable content)
- Ignore comments (engagement matters)
- Post controversial content (risky for channel standing)
- Use clickbait (damages trust)
Optimal Posting Frequency:
Which Community post type typically gets the HIGHEST engagement?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Community Tab Analytics
Metrics to Track:
How to Check Community Analytics:
- Go to YouTube Studio
- Click "Analytics"
- Navigate to "Engagement"
- View Community tab performance
Community Posts vs Other Features
When should you use Community Posts vs uploading a Short?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Troubleshooting Community Posts
Can't Find Community Tab:
- Need 500+ subscribers
- Check YouTube Studio → Content
- May need account verification
- Ensure no channel restrictions
Post Not Getting Views:
- Algorithm favors engagement
- Try polls (higher interaction)
- Post when audience is online
- Engage with comments to boost visibility
Image Won't Upload:
- Check file size (under 16 MB)
- Use supported format (JPG, PNG, GIF)
- Try different image
- Clear cache and retry
Community Post Strategy by Niche
Gaming Channels:
- Poll: "What game should I play next?"
- Memes about gaming culture
- Behind-the-scenes of setup
- Tournament/event updates
Education Channels:
- Quick tips as text posts
- Polls about learning preferences
- Study resource recommendations
- Student success shoutouts
Lifestyle/Vlog:
- Personal life updates
- Polls about content preferences
- Behind-the-scenes photos
- Day-in-the-life snapshots
Business/Marketing:
- Industry news and insights
- Polls about audience challenges
- Quick tips and strategies
- Case study teasers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many subscribers do I need for Community posts?
You need at least 500 subscribers to unlock the YouTube Community tab. Once unlocked, it becomes a permanent feature on your channel.
Can I schedule Community posts?
Yes, YouTube Studio allows scheduling Community posts in advance. Create your post, click the dropdown next to "Post," and select "Schedule." Choose your date and time, then confirm.
Do Community posts appear in subscribers' feeds?
Yes, Community posts appear in the Subscriptions feed and can show up on the YouTube homepage for subscribers. They also appear in the Community tab on your channel.
Can I edit a Community post after publishing?
You can edit text in Community posts after publishing, but you cannot change images or poll options. For major changes, delete and repost.
How often should I post to the Community tab?
2-4 times per week is ideal for most channels. Posting too frequently can overwhelm subscribers, while posting too rarely misses engagement opportunities.
Do Community posts help my channel grow?
Yes! Community posts increase engagement metrics, keep subscribers connected between uploads, and can drive views to new and existing videos. Higher engagement signals to YouTube that your audience is active.
Can I add links in Community posts?
Yes, you can include URLs in text posts. They become clickable links for viewers. Note: YouTube may restrict certain external links based on their policies.
Next Steps
After mastering Community posts:
- Create a posting schedule for consistency
- Track analytics to see what resonates
- Experiment with all post types (polls get most engagement)
- Engage with comments on your posts
- Cross-promote new videos via Community
Related Resources
YouTube Growth:
- How to Create Engaging YouTube Content
- Best Times to Post on YouTube
- YouTube Audience Retention Guide
- How to Get Verified on YouTube
YouTube Features:
- YouTube Channel Memberships Guide
- How to Add Timestamps to YouTube Videos
- How to Change YouTube Thumbnails
Video Strategy:
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