What are the essential steps to create my first custom analytics report?

To create your first report, you need to navigate to 'Reports,' choose a template or start fresh, select your desired metrics, set appropriate filters (like date range or specific videos), choose a visualization type (e.g., line chart), and then save and schedule the report.

What types of data can I include and filter in my custom reports?

You can include various metrics such as Total views, Watch time, New subscribers, CTR, and Engagement rates. Data can be refined using filters like Date range, specific Videos or video groups, Audience types (e.g., subscribers only), and Geography.

How can I ensure my custom reports are effective and organized?

For effective reports, start simple with 3-5 metrics, iterate as you learn, use clear naming conventions (e.g., 'Weekly_ChannelName_Metrics'), and set reminders or schedule reports for times you'll actually review them. The 'Weekly Performance Summary' template is a great starting point.

设置您的第一份分析报告

自定义报告可以帮您跟踪对频道最重要的指标。现在就创建第一份。

Why Custom Reports?

Pre-built dashboards are great, but custom reports let you:

Focus on specific metrics you care about
Compare any combination of data points
Set up automated weekly/monthly deliveries
导出为 PDF 以与客户分享

Explore YouTube Studio, YouTube's built-in analytics →

For a deeper dive into understanding your metrics, see our guide on [Understanding Your Analytics Metrics](/guides/understanding-metrics).

Creating Your First Report

Step 1: Navigate to Reports

From your dashboard, click 'Reports' in the sidebar, then 'Create New Report.'

Step 2: Choose a Template or Start Fresh

Templates available: Weekly Performance Summary, Video Launch Analytics, Audience Growth Report, Revenue Tracking, Competitor Benchmark. Or start from scratch for maximum flexibility.

Step 3: Select Your Metrics

Choose from dozens of available metrics including Overview Metrics (Total views, Watch time, New subscribers, Average view duration, Revenue), Video Performance (Individual video views, CTR, Average percentage viewed, Likes/comments/shares), Audience Metrics (Returning vs new viewers, Demographics, Traffic sources, Device breakdown), and Engagement (Likes per view, Comments per view, Shares, Subscriber conversion rate).

Step 4: Set Your Filters

Refine your data with filters: Date range (any period you choose), Video (specific videos or video groups), Audience (Subscribers only, or include all viewers), Geography (Specific countries or regions).

Step 5: Choose Visualization

How do you want to see your data? Line chart for trends over time, Bar chart for comparison between items, Table for detailed numbers, Pie chart for distribution breakdown, Heatmap for performance by day/hour.

Step 6: Save and Schedule

保存选项：为报告命名，并添加到收藏夹以便快速访问。计划选项（Professional 及以上套餐）：电子邮件发送（每天、每周、每月）以及按计划自动生成。

Example Reports

Weekly Performance Report

Metrics: Views, Watch Time, Subscribers, CTR. Visualization: Line chart. Schedule: Every Monday at 9 AM.

Audience Growth Report

Metrics: New Subscribers, Returning Viewers, Demographics. Visualization: Multiple charts. Schedule: Monthly on the 1st.

Managing Your Reports

Edit reports: Click any saved report, then 'Edit'
Duplicate: Create variations of existing reports
Export: Download as CSV, PDF, or image
Share: Generate a shareable link (Professional and above)

Pro Tips

Start simple: Your first report should have 3-5 metrics max
Iterate: Add complexity as you learn what matters
Use naming conventions: 'Weekly_ChannelName_Metrics' keeps things organized
Set reminders: Schedule reports for times you'll actually review them

The 'Weekly Performance Summary' template is the best starting point for most creators — it covers views, watch time, subscribers, and CTR in a single clean report.

GEO Expansion

自定义报告可以帮您跟踪对频道最重要的指标。现在就创建第一份。 Getting-started pages should reduce setup friction and get users to their first useful signal fast.

Signals to watch

Focus on specific metrics you care about
Compare any combination of data points
Set up automated weekly/monthly deliveries

Practical next step

Read the answer first: Start with the quick answer for 设置您的第一份分析报告 so you know the intended outcome before digging into the details.
Apply one change: Use the advice on one channel, one video, or one account setting so the effect is easy to isolate.
Review the result: Compare the result against your baseline and keep only the parts that improve time to first insight.

Track time to first insight on the next test before you decide to scale the change. If the result is unclear, simplify the workflow and remove one variable at a time.

This article pairs best with Getting Started guide and Understanding Metrics guide for onboarding context.

设置您的第一份分析报告

Quick answer