There's far more to YouTube than merely uploading and watching videos. It has several clever and helpful little-known features that can make your viewing experience that much more fun and enjoyable.
Let's get you started with these powerful tips.
1. Set an alert to take a break
It's easy to find yourself falling down a viewing rabbit hole while on YouTube because their algorithm has a way of tempting you to immediately start watching another video after you've finished or even while you're watching your current video. However, there's a little know YouTube feature to help you stop binging content.
You can also set a reminder to stop watching videos when it's bedtime by doing this:
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2. Check your watch time
There is also a way of seeing just how much time you are spending on YouTube, which can help you decide whether you might need to regulate your time a little bit more:
The time-watched section also gives you a shortcut for setting a break and bedtime reminders. Just be aware, Time Watched does not include any time spent watching videos on YouTube Music or YouTube TV.
3. Create a link to start a YouTube video at a specific time
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To save yourself a step or two, you can also pause the video where you want to start, and the time code will be auto-filled.
4. Pause your search and watch history
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This is also helpful in case you might want to hide your search and viewing history from friends or family members. Another option is to turn on Incognito mode, which will fill your home screen with random videos.
One thing to keep in mind about Incognito mode is that all videos will contain ads, even if you're a premium subscriber.
5. Disable Autoplay
One more thing that can make it hard to stop watching videos on YouTube is the fact that another video will automatically start shortly after you've finished watching one. This is because, for viewers 18 and over, Autoplay is enabled by default. However, this can be easily changed.
Unfortunately, this only disables Autoplay when watching YouTube on a smartphone or tablet.
YouTube is a great way to discover and learn new things. By following these five steps, you can rest assured that enjoying it will be safe and harmless, not a habit you need to kick.
Which one of these features has been most helpful to you? Let us know. We'd love to hear from you.
