# YouTube automation: share new videos

Follow a YouTube channel and share each new video on your other networks, as a link or with its thumbnail. Works with any public channel, without signing in to YouTube.

Last checked: Oct 8, 2026 on the live app. Source: https://heropost.ai/docs/automations/youtube/

## How it works

A YouTube automation follows one channel. Each new upload becomes an item with the video's title, description, link and thumbnail. You share it on your other networks as a link post, or as a picture post with the thumbnail.

Heropost reads the channel's public videos, so there's no YouTube sign-in, and any public channel works: yours, a partner's or one you curate.

**The video file itself isn't copied.** Posts share the video's link and thumbnail. To publish the video on Instagram, TikTok or another network, upload the file in the post editor. See [Add photos and videos](/docs/posting/photos-and-videos/).
## Set it up

1. On YouTube, open the channel's page and copy the address from your browser, for example `https://www.youtube.com/@ChannelName`.
2. In Heropost, click **Automations** in the left menu, then **Create Automation**.
3. On the **YouTube** card, press **Add Automation**.
4. Paste the address in **YouTube Channel URL** and press **Save**. Heropost shows "YouTube automation created! Your items are being imported and will appear shortly."
5. Press **Settings** on the new automation, select your accounts, choose **Read from Source** or **Publish Immediately**, and press **Save**.

[Screenshot: The Add New YouTube Automation window with the YouTube Channel URL field]

### Channel addresses that work

| Works | Example |
|---|---|
| Handle | `https://www.youtube.com/@ChannelName` |
| Channel ID | `https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC…` |
| Custom name | `https://www.youtube.com/c/ChannelName` |
| User name | `https://www.youtube.com/user/ChannelName` |

A link to a single video doesn't work: use the channel's page.

## What each item contains

| Part | From YouTube |
|---|---|
| Title | The video's title. |
| Description | The video's description. |
| Link | `https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=…` |
| Picture | The video's thumbnail, in the best size available. |

Each check reads the channel's latest uploads, up to 100.

## Settings that work well

- **Preferred Post Type:** **Link**, so networks that take link posts show the video card. **Backup Post Type:** **Image**, so the others get the thumbnail.
- **Caption:** YouTube descriptions are often long. Choose **Custom**: it's filled with `{{title}}` and `{{link}}` on separate lines, which suits most networks.
- **Attach Link to Caption:** with **Custom** and `{{link}}`, choose **Never**, or the link appears twice.
- **Accounts:** YouTube and TikTok accounts aren't listed, because automations can't post to them.

All settings: [Automations: how they work](/docs/automations/automations/#settings).

## If it doesn't work

| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| "Invalid URL" | The address isn't complete. | Paste the full address, starting with https://. |
| "An unexpected error occurred while processing your request." when you save | Heropost couldn't find a channel at that address: it's a video link, a playlist, or a mistyped handle. | Open the channel's main page on YouTube and copy that address. |
| No new items after you uploaded | The automation checks on its schedule (**Check for New Posts**). Private and unlisted videos aren't public. | Wait for the next check, or open **Settings** and press **Save** to check now. Reload the feed. |
| Instagram is left out of the post | Instagram needs a picture, and the item had none. | Rare for YouTube items. Post the item by hand with **Create Post** and add a picture. |

## Questions

**Can it post my videos as Reels or TikToks?**

No. Automations share the link and thumbnail, not the video file. Download the video and upload it in the post editor to publish it natively.


**Do I need to connect my YouTube channel to Heropost?**

Not for the automation. It reads the channel's public videos. Connecting a YouTube account is only needed to publish videos to YouTube: see [Connect a social account](/docs/social-accounts/connect-an-account/).


**Can I follow someone else's channel?**

Yes. Any public channel works. Make sure you're allowed to share what you post.