Getting started
All content in Wistia must be uploaded to a folder. Folders work just like folders on your computer — they’re great for organizing and managing your stuff.
To create a new folder, click “Add” from the Content Library. Then, select “Folder” in the dropdown menu.
(You can also create a folder after you’ve selected media to upload.)
Once you are in your new folder, you can update the title by clicking directly on the default title.
Tip
To read more on folders, head to Managing Files in Your Wistia Account.
Now we’re ready to upload media.
Upload your media
Upload from the Content Library
On the Content Library page, click “Add” and then select “Upload.”
Select a file from your computer to upload. Then, select a folder, or click “Create new folder.”
Once selected, click “Upload 1 media.”
Upload from a folder
From a folder page, there are various ways to upload. One option is to click the “Add” dropdown menu, then select "Upload."
From here, choose the file you’d like to upload.
Other uploading options include:
Dragging and dropping media directly onto the page
Requesting a video from someone else
Importing (from Zoom, or from a URL)
Adding media from another folder
Tip
You can upload multiple media at once; just select multiple files using the shift key before dragging and dropping or hitting upload.
Once a file has been chosen, the progress bar displays where you are in the uploading process.
Upload activity
Feel free to leave your folder while your uploads are in progress and go about your business in Wistia. Upload progress will be tracked in the Activity Tray in the top right menu and will show upload percentages of your files that are in progress. This tray will also indicate whether the upload is complete or if it has failed.
Tip
If you're having trouble with your uploads, check out our Upload Troubleshooting guide.
Once your media is uploaded, it’s time to customize.
Best upload settings
Wistia accepts all kinds 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)
Tip
If you’re looking for more specific information on how to export from certain video editors, check out our Video Software Exporting Guide.
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 folder URL.
So, from a folder URL like: https://support.wistia.com/folders/qdybaq78y0, you’d navigate to: https://support.wistia.com/folders/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.