How to publish a 360° video on YouTube?

Why share a 360° video on YouTube?

YouTube is now much more than just a video sharing platform: it’s a true space for creating and distributing immersive content. 360-degree videos have found a prime spot there, allowing viewers to enjoy unique experiences, discover places from every angle, or immerse themselves in adventures as if they were actually there.

Why choose the 360° format?

• 🌟 Total immersion : viewing becomes interactive, viewers can navigate the video simply by sliding their finger or moving their head with a VR headset.
• 🌍 Global audience : with over 2 billion monthly users, YouTube lets you share your videos with the whole world.
• 😶‍🌫️ Virtual reality headset compatibility : your videos can be viewed in VR for even greater immersion.
• 🔍 A real plus for SEO : well-referenced 360° content stands out from classic videos and often attracts more engagement.

How to properly prepare your 360° video before uploading it to YouTube

Before you think about clicking “Publish”, you need to make sure that your video meets a number of technical criteria to be properly recognized and displayed as a 360-degree video by YouTube.

• 🎥 Video format : uses MP4 or MOV, preferably with the H.264 or H.265 codec for optimal compatibility.
• 📀 Recommended resolution : aim for at least 4K (3840 x 2160) for sufficient clarity in all directions.
• 🎞️ Smooth frame rate : 30 fps or 60 fps are ideal, but YouTube also accepts 24 or 25 fps.
• 🤓 Suitable 360° camera : film with a specialized camera such as the Insta360 X5 , the Insta360 X4 , the Insta360 X3 or the Ricoh Theta Z1 .

The new Insta360 X5 is particularly recommended for this type of content: it films in 8K at 360°, offers a battery life of 180 minutes, replaceable lenses, and excellent low-light performance thanks to its PureVideo technology. It’s a real gem for demanding creators who want uncompromising professional quality.

Key steps to publishing a 360° video on YouTube

🎥 1. Capture and edit your 360 video

Use a high-quality 360° camera:

• Insta360 X5
• Insta360 X4
• Insta360 ONE X2
• Ricoh Theta Z1

After capturing the footage, proceed to editing with software compatible with the 360° format: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or Insta360 Studio are among the most popular.

💡 Bonus: with Insta360 cameras, you can crop the image in post-production without losing quality thanks to “smart cropping”.

🧹 2. Add the 360° metadata

Once the editing is complete, you need to tell YouTube that your video is a 360° video. This is done by adding specific metadata.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Download the 360 Video Metadata Tool (free tool provided by Google).
2. Launch the software and import your finalized video file.
3. Simply tick the “Spherical” box.
4. Click on “Inject and Save” to create a metadata-enhanced version of your video.

You now have a file ready to be recognized as a 360° video by YouTube.

⬆️ 3. Upload the video to YouTube

1. Log in to your YouTube account.
2. Click on the “Create” button and then “Import a video”.
3. Upload your video with the metadata injected.
4. Add a catchy title , an SEO-optimized description , and remember to include relevant tags :
   • “Immersive 360 video”
   • “YouTube VR”
   • “360 virtual tour”
5. Choose the visibility (public, unlisted or private).
6. Click on “Publish” and let YouTube process and encode your video.

Optimize your 360° video to make it more visible

A well-made 360 video is not enough. It also needs to be optimized to stand out in search results and capture the attention of internet users.

• Title and description : choose clear and engaging titles with your main keywords.
• Custom thumbnail : creates an eye-catching image, as it’s the first thing users will see.
• Adds maps and end screens : this allows viewers to be redirected to other immersive content.
• Encourages interaction : asks questions, invites people to rotate the camera, to comment on their favorite viewpoint.

💬 Pro tip: Comments and shares boost the YouTube algorithm.

And now, it’s your turn!

You’re now ready to showcase your immersive videos on YouTube! Whether you’re filming a mountain outing, a property viewing, or a unique experience with a camera like the Insta360 X5 , you now have all the tools to capture, edit, and share your 360° content like a pro.

Ready to create your first 360-degree masterpiece? Let your creativity guide you and take your audience on a journey around you, literally.