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YouTube has offered the ability to blur faces of people in your uploaded videos since 2012. While the face blur tool worked relatively well, it couldn’t be applied to any other objects. Now there’s a secondary blur tool you can apply to any object, even moving ones.
Google’s announcement of the blur tool mentioned that it will be a “… simple way to blur things like people, contact information, or financial data without having to remove and re-upload your content.” Of course, it’s not limited to these uses. Want to try it out? Here’s how:
Note: The new blur tool is only available on the desktop version of YouTube at this time.
Enlarge ImageStep 1.
Nicole Cozma/CNET
Step 1: Open the Video manager on YouTube and click the Edit button under the video you’re going to use the blur tool on.
Enlarge ImageSteps 2 and 3.
Nicole Cozma/CNET
Step 2: Head to the Enhancements tab along the top, then click the Blurring effects tab on the right-hand side of the page.
Step 3: Click the Edit button next to Custom blurring. Your video will load in a new pop-up window.
Enlarge ImageStep 4.
Nicole Cozma/CNET
Step 4: To create a blurred area, click and drag to create a blurred box. You can create multiple blurred boxes, drag them around, and resize them.
Step 5: Once you’re finished, click Done. You’ll be offered three saving options on the right-hand side: Revert to original, Save as new video, or Save (overwrite).
Tip: Google noted on its blog that saving your content as a new video will allow you to delete the original content from YouTube, leaving only the blurred version.
Now you blur sensitive information, embarrassing objects, or strangers that walk in front of your camera with just a few clicks.
