The fastest way to find a channel
Type the channel name into the YouTube search bar at the top of any page, then look for the channel result — it will have a profile picture and a "Subscribe" button next to it. Click on that result to go to the channel's main page. If you know the channel's exact name, this takes about five seconds.
If you are not sure of the exact name, search for a video you remember from that channel instead. When the video appears in your results, click on the channel name that sits just below the video title. This takes you directly to the channel page.
You can also find channels through your watch history. If you have watched videos from a channel before, go to your library (the icon that looks like a stack of rectangles on the left side of the screen), select "History," and scroll through until you see a video from that channel. Click the channel name below any of those videos.
Key Takeaways
- Search the channel name in the YouTube search bar and click the channel result with the profile picture and Subscribe button.
- If you remember a video from the channel but not its name, search for the video and click the channel name below the title.
- Your watch history shows channels you have viewed before — click any channel name in the history list to visit that channel.
- Once you find a channel, click the Subscribe button to add it to your subscriptions list for straightforward access later.
- You can also find channels through YouTube recommendations, which appear on your home page and in the sidebar while watching videos.
Using the search bar to narrow results
The YouTube search bar shows results for both videos and channels. When you type a channel name, the channel itself usually appears near the top of the results list, marked with a profile picture and the word "Channel" underneath. This separates it from individual videos with similar titles.
If many results appear and you are not sure which is the right channel, look at the subscriber count and description. A channel with thousands or millions of subscribers is more likely to be the one you are looking for than a small channel with a similar name. The description also tells you what kind of content the channel posts, which helps you confirm you found the right one.
Finding channels through your subscriptions and recommendations
Once you subscribe to channels, you can see them all in one place. Click on "Subscriptions" in the left sidebar to view a list of every channel you follow. From there, you can click any channel name to visit it.
YouTube also recommends channels based on what you watch. On your home page, you will see a "Recommended channels" section that suggests channels similar to ones you already follow. Scroll through these suggestions and click on any channel that interests you. The more you watch, the more personalized these recommendations become.
Finding channels by browsing categories
YouTube organizes content into categories like Music, Gaming, News, and Sports. Click on "Explore" in the left sidebar to see these categories. When you click a category, YouTube shows you popular channels and videos in that area. This is useful if you want to discover new channels rather than search for a specific one you already know about.
Each category page displays trending channels and videos. You can scroll through and click on any channel that catches your eye. This method works well when you know what type of content you want to watch but do not have a specific channel in mind.
Finding channels from other websites and social media
Many channels post links to their YouTube page on their website, social media accounts, or email newsletters. If you see a link that says "Follow us on YouTube" or "Watch on YouTube," click it and you will go directly to that channel. This is often the easiest way to find official channels for businesses, creators, or organizations.
You can also search for a creator's name on Google along with the word "YouTube." This usually brings up their official channel as one of the top results. Be careful to click the official channel and not a fan-made or unofficial one with a similar name.
What to do if you cannot find the channel you are looking for
If your search does not return the channel, try searching for a video title or topic from that channel instead of the channel name. Sometimes a channel name is spelled differently than you expect, or it includes words you did not think of. Searching for the content instead of the name often works better.
You can also try searching for the creator's real name if you know it. Many channels use a stage name or brand name that is different from the person's actual name. If you know both, search for the real name and see if the channel appears.
If the channel has been deleted or removed from YouTube, the search will not find it. In that case, you may be able to find archived versions of the channel's videos through a search engine, but the channel itself will no longer be available on YouTube.
Organizing channels you find
After you find a channel, click the "Subscribe" button to add it to your subscriptions. You can then organize your subscriptions into groups by clicking the "Manage subscriptions" option. This lets you create folders like "Gaming," "Cooking," or "News" so you can find your favorite channels more quickly.
You can also add channels to a playlist or watch later list if you want to save videos without subscribing to the entire channel. Click the three-dot menu on any video and select "Add to playlist" or "Save to Watch later."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I search for a channel by the creator's name instead of the channel name?
Yes. If you know the creator's real name or stage name, type it into the search bar. The channel usually appears in the results, especially if the creator is well-known. This works even if the channel name is different from the person's name.
What if a channel name has special characters or numbers?
Type the name exactly as you remember it, including any numbers or symbols. If you are not sure of the exact spelling, search for a video from that channel or the creator's name instead. YouTube's search will often find the channel even if your spelling is slightly off.
How do I find a channel I watched before but did not subscribe to?
Go to your library, click "History," and scroll through your watch history to find a video from that channel. Click the channel name below the video to visit the channel page. Your watch history keeps videos for months, so you should be able to find it unless you cleared your history.
Can I search for channels by topic or category?
Yes. Click "Explore" in the left sidebar to browse categories like Music, Gaming, or News. Each category shows popular channels in that area. You can also search for a topic like "cooking channels" or "gaming channels" in the search bar to see results for channels about that subject.
What is the difference between a channel and a playlist?
A channel is a creator's entire account with all their videos, uploads, and information. A playlist is a collection of specific videos that you or a creator put together. When you find a channel, you see everything that creator has posted. When you find a playlist, you see only the videos someone selected for that list.