- If the video needs to be fully replaced, upload the new version first. Go to studio.youtube.com, click Create > Upload videos, and upload the corrected file.
- Complete all metadata (title, description, hashtags, thumbnail) to match the original.
- To redirect viewers to the new video, add a pinned comment on the old video before deleting it. Update any backlinks or embeds to the new URL.
- To preserve watch time and comments, set the original video to Unlisted instead of deleting it, and add a note with a link to the updated version in the description.
- Optionally, if you want to delete it, go to Content, open the original video, click the three-dot icon, then select Delete forever and confirm.
How to Replace a YouTube Video
Try this guided demo to learn how to replace a YouTube video.
📌 Why this matters
Why this matters
There is no clean "replace" button on YouTube, and many creators discover this only after publishing a video with a visible error. Understanding the tradeoff between deleting and preserving matters more than the mechanics of the upload itself - losing thousands of views and an established URL is a significant cost for a minor fix that could have been handled with the trim tool. For companies replacing outdated product demos or correcting a video with incorrect branding, knowing when to trim, when to replace, and when to simply redirect protects the channel's existing performance data.
Your product deserves an interactive demo
Similar Articles
No items found.