How to Add a Descriptive Audio Track on YouTube

YouTube may support adding a descriptive audio track through YouTube Studio’s Languages workflow, depending on feature availability for your channel/account.

If your channel does not have access to multi-audio/descriptive audio features, publish an alternate audio-described version of the video and clearly label it as described.

Instructions

If your channel has access to descriptive audio/multi-audio features:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio (desktop).
2. In the left menu, select Languages.
3. Click the video you want to edit.
4. Select the language you are editing.
5. Find Descriptive audio and choose Add, then select your file and upload.
6. Publish your changes. 

Important note from YouTube: To add a descriptive audio track, you must already have the original or dubbed audio track uploaded in the same language.

If you need to replace an audio file later, YouTube also documents delete/replace steps in the Languages workflow.

If the descriptive audio option is not visible in YouTube Studio:

Use the alternate version approach (upload a separate “Video with Audio Description” version), and label it clearly.