Although many streaming platforms are active nowadays, none come close to YouTube in terms of popularity or the quantity of featured content. As per Business of Apps, YouTube had over 2.6 billion active users by the end of 2022.
YouTube allows users to access the platform in many ways. For instance, users of any platform or web-enabled device can access YouTube using a web browser. Besides this, YouTube offers dedicated applications for prominent operating systems like Android and iOS. Despite the platform offering many features, most users do not know much about YouTube hacks to enhance their experience.
Here are some general YouTube tips and tricks following which users can truly enhance their video-watching experience on the platform:
- Turn YouTube Videos into GIFs
GIFs have become exceedingly popular among the masses, especially on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Sadly, most people do not know how to create GIFs. They do not even know how to turn YouTube videos into GIFs. Fortunately, with the help of a simple hack, users can turn any YouTube video into an appealing animated GIF.
To do so, they need to open the video they wish to turn into a GIF using their device’s web browser, click on the URL and add the term “gif” exactly above the domain name, and press the Enter key. Doing so will take the user to gifs.com, where users can easily use the options on the left side to edit the video and customize its different aspects to turn it into a GIF.
Once the adjustments are made, users simply need to tap on the “Create GIF” option present at the top-right corner of the website to complete the process. Users can either share the newly-created GIF directly from the website or download it to save it offline after signing up on the platform.
- Download Audio
Although most users navigate to YouTube to watch or save YouTube videos, there are instances when users require only the audio of a specific video available on the platform. Unfortunately, YouTube does not offer users a dedicated “Download” option unless they have subscribed to the Premium membership plan. However, there are numerous ways to download audio from YouTube.
For starters, both macOS and Windows users can get the job done using third-party downloader apps like Pulltube and YTD Video Downloader, respectively. Besides this, they can also use web browser extensions like ByClick Downloader or YouTube MP3 Download. Additionally, users can also resort to the method of using online video downloader platforms for downloading audio from YouTube.
- Navigate the Platform Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Genericall navigating through YouTube, i.e., using the cursor, is very easy. However, there is an easier way to do the same. Any user who is navigating YouTube using their computer’s web browser can navigate the platform with ease and finesse using keyboard keys.
For instance, users wishing to rewind or skip 10 seconds of any video can press the left or right arrow keys to get the job done. Besides this, users can press the Spacebar to pause or play a video. Similarly, the platform allows users to increase or decrease the volume using the up and down arrow keys.
- Create or Share Video Playlists
YouTube hosts hundreds of millions of videos, which include different categories or varieties of videos, such as tutorials or DIYs, songs, trailers, movies, etc. The platform offers users the option to create personal playlists as per their preferences to store and manage their favorite videos. Besides this, the platform also allows users to share their playlists with others.
Playlists comprising a specific category of videos come in handy, especially when you meet another individual with the same taste. Keeping this in mind, YouTube also allows individuals to collaborate on playlists. To create a new playlist, all a user needs to do is navigate to the Playlists page, tap on the “Creator Studio” option followed by the “Video Manager” one, and choose the “Playlists” option. Then, they need to click on the “New Playlist” option to get the job done.
- Save Videos To Watch Them Later
Although YouTube features tons of interesting content for every type of user, no one can keep watching YouTube videos throughout the day. Hence, YouTube allows users to save and watch videos when they have time. This prevents users from missing out on any important video.
To save videos, all users need to do is use the “Save” option available below videos. The option saves any video in the “Watch Later” section, which users can open whenever they have time and watch the videos they saved. Hence, it would be safe to say that the “Save” option allows users to productively use the platform.
If you are a regular YouTube user, the aforementioned tips will significantly help enhance your video-watching experience on YouTube.
