Why it matters
Too quiet and your video sounds weak next to the others; too loud and the platform turns it down, sometimes squashing it.
Example
A sensible target for online video is around −14 LUFS overall, with peaks below −1 dBTP.
Common mistake
Judging loudness by the waveform, or only on headphones.
How to use it
Most editing apps and many free plugins have a loudness meter. Measure the whole finished video (integrated loudness), not one loud moment. Then check on a phone speaker: speech should be clear without turning the volume all the way up, and music shouldn’t bury your words.
