diff --git a/tools/split.py b/tools/split.py
index 330b69b..4e14f9c 100755
--- a/tools/split.py
+++ b/tools/split.py
@@ -63,6 +63,29 @@ def make_thumbnail(video, time, outfile):
 
     return ret == 0
 
+def validate_youtube_title(title):
+    # https://developers.google.com/youtube/terms/required-minimum-functionality#data-requirements
+    if len(title) > 100:
+        raise Exception(f"Title '{title}' is longer than 100 characters. Modify JSON to include a valid youtube_title field.")
+    if "<" in title or ">" in title:
+        raise Exception(f"Title '{title}' contains an invalid character. Modify JSON to include a valid youtube_title field.")
+
+def validate_youtube_description(desc):
+    # https://developers.google.com/youtube/terms/required-minimum-functionality#data-requirements
+    if len(desc.encode('utf-8')) > 5000:
+        raise Exception(f"Description '{desc}' is longer than 5000 bytes. Modify JSON to include a valid youtube_description field.")
+    if "<" in desc or ">" in desc:
+        raise Exception(f"Description '{desc}' contains an invalid character. Modify JSON to include a valid youtube_description field.")
+
+def make_video_description(talk, desc):
+    link = "https://www.socallinuxexpo.org" + talk["path"]
+    return f"""\
+Talk by {talk["speakers"]}
+
+{link}
+
+{desc}"""
+
 def parse_args():
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="""\
 Takes a JSON file generated by the scale-av-cutter, downloads each full day
@@ -134,6 +157,11 @@ def main():
             talk_path = os.path.join(subdir_path, talk_name)
             thumbnail_path = os.path.join(subdir_path, image_name)
 
+            youtube_desc = make_video_description(talk, talk["description"])
+            youtube_title = talk.get("youtube_title", talk["title"])
+            validate_youtube_title(youtube_title)
+            validate_youtube_description(youtube_desc)
+
             if not make_cut(video_path, start, end, outfile=talk_path):
                 if args.skip_download_failure:
                     print(f"WARNING: Failed to cut clip of {title}. Skipping.")