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 special place there, allowing viewers to live unique experiences, discover places from all angles, and immerse themselves in adventures as if they were there.

Why choose the 360° format?

• 🌟 Total immersion : viewing becomes interactive, viewers can navigate through 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 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 traditional videos and often attracts more engagement.

Comment publier une vidéo 360° sur YouTube ?

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

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

• 🎥 Video format : Use MP4 or MOV, preferably with 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 : films with a specialized camera like the Insta360 X5 , the Insta360 X4 , the Insta360 X3 or even the Ricoh Theta Z1 .

The new Insta360 X5 is particularly recommended for this type of content: it films in 8K 360°, offers 180 minutes of battery life, replaceable lenses, and excellent low-light performance thanks to its PureVideo technology. It's a true gem for demanding creators who want professional quality without compromise.

Key steps to publish a 360° video on YouTube

🎥 1. Capture and edit your 360 video

Use a quality 360° camera:

• Insta360 X5

• Insta360 X4

• Insta360 ONE X2

• Ricoh Theta Z1

After capturing, move on 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 360° metadata

Once you're done editing, you need to tell YouTube that your video is a 360° video. This involves 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 check the “Spherical” box.

4. Click "Inject and Save" to create a metadata 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 then “Import a video”.

3. Upload your video with the metadata injected.

4. Add a catchy title , an SEO-optimized description , and remember to integrate relevant tags :

   • "immersive 360 video"

   • "YouTube VR"

   • "360 virtual tour"

5. Choose visibility (public, unlisted or private).

6. Click "Publish" and let YouTube process and encode your video.

Optimize your 360° video to make it more visible

A well-made 360° video isn't enough. It also needs to be well-optimized so that it stands out in searches and captures 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.

• Add cards and end screens : This allows you to redirect viewers to other immersive content.

• Encourage interaction : ask questions, invite people to roll the camera, comment on their preferred point of view.

💬 Pro tip: Comments and shares boost YouTube's algorithm.

And now it's your turn!

Now you're ready to make your immersive videos shine on YouTube! Whether you're filming a mountain outing, a real estate tour, or a unique experience with a camera like the Insta360 X5 , you now have all the keys to capturing, editing, and sharing your 360° content the right way.

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