Upload Media
Learn how uploading with Wistia works.
The first step to getting started with Wistia is to upload your content, so let’s do it!
Getting Started
All content in Wistia must be uploaded inside a Project or a Channel (learn all about Channels here. Projects work just like folders on your computer — they’re great for organizing and managing your stuff.
To create a new Project, click “New” from the Content Library. Then, select “Project” in the dropdown menu.
Once you’re in your new Project, you can give it a title by clicking the pencil icon above the title bar (by default it’s called “Untitled Project”).
To see more on projects, head to the file management help page.
You can also create a project after you’ve selected a media to upload.
Now we’re ready to upload a media.
Upload Your Media
Upload from the Content Library
On the Content Library page, click “New” and then select “Upload Media.”
Select a file from your computer to upload. Then, select the appropriate Project or Channel, or click “Create new project.”
Once selected, click “Upload 1 media” (or the number you’ve selected to upload).
Upload from a Project
From a Project page, you can either drag and drop media directly onto the page, or select the “Add” dropdown menu to upload or add from Wistia (you can move or copy media from any Project or Channel in your account!). You can also choose to import from Zoom or YouTube, or record a new video.
From here, choose the file you’d like to upload.
Once a file has been chosen, the progress bar displays where you are in the uploading process.
If you are having trouble with uploads completing, please try our backup uploader. One downside — no progress bar. You can also take a peek at our upload troubleshooting guide to get things fixed right up.
Once your media is uploaded, it’s time to customize.
Best Upload Settings
Wistia accepts all kind of file types. You can check out the full list here. This page also includes some helpful tips for encoding (or what we call exporting) your media prior to upload to make the process super smooth.
But just for kicks, our recommended upload settings for video are:
- mp4 file
- h.264 codec
- 5,000–8,000 kbps target bitrate
And for audio:
- mp3 file
- AAC (Advanced Audio Codec)
- 44.1 kHz sample rate
- 2-channel stereo (not surround)
If you’re looking for more specific information on how to export from certain video editors, check out our exporting guide.
Drag and Drop
Do you hate clicking through so many menus, just to upload your files? Want to make your Wistia experience even easier? Oh, do I have a surprise for you.
Drag that media file into your browser and let the magic happen. Wistia supports Drag and Drop media uploads. Say what?
Backup Uploader
If you’re having trouble with uploads completing, try our Backup Uploader instead! (Heads up, this upload process doesn’t show a progress bar.)
The Backup Uploader can be accessed by adding ?backup_uploader to a Project URL.
So from a project URL like https://support.wistia.com/projects/qdybaq78y0, you’d navigate to https://support.wistia.com/projects/qdybaq78y0?backup_uploader to get to the backup uploader. It’s like a secret clubhouse.
From there just select Upload and you’re sitting pretty.
If something seems fishy, you can always check out our Status Page for more information about what might be going on. Still no luck? Contact us. We’d be more than happy to help you out!