Guide1 min readUpdated June 25, 2026
How to write a good YouTube description
Short answer
Put the most important sentence and any key link in the first two lines, since that is all viewers see before 'show more'. Below the fold, add a short summary, chapter timestamps starting at 00:00, links, and credits.
Front-load the first two lines
Only the first two or three lines of a description appear before the 'show more' cut-off and in many previews. Lead with what the video delivers and the single most important link, rather than a generic greeting.
A reliable structure
- Hook and primary linkOne or two sentences on what the viewer gets, plus the one link that matters most.
- Short summaryA few lines expanding on the video, written for a reader skimming, not a search engine.
- ChaptersA timestamp list so viewers can jump to sections. It also generates the chapter markers on the progress bar.
- Links and creditsRelated videos, social links, gear, and any attributions, each on its own line.
Chapter timestamps that actually work
For YouTube to turn your timestamps into chapters, the list must start at 00:00, contain at least three timestamps in ascending order, and each chapter must be at least ten seconds long.
00:00 Intro
01:24 The problem
04:10 The fix
08:30 RecapTry it: YouTube Description FormatterStructure sections, links, and timestamps with clean spacing, locally in your browser.Open tool
Mind the lengthDescriptions can hold up to about 5,000 characters, but most of it is for reference. Keep the part people actually read short and useful.