The Correct Way to Use YT

Introduction

YouTube (YT) has transformed from a simple video-sharing site into a powerhouse for content creation, entertainment, and education. With over 500 hours of video uploaded every minute, knowing how to use YouTube effectively is more important than ever. This post will walk you through “The Correct Way to Use YT,” offering insights and tips on everything from organizing playlists to optimizing your viewing habits. Whether you’re a viewer looking to curate a better YouTube experience or a creator eager to grow your channel, this guide has something for everyone.

A Brief History of YouTube

YouTube was founded in 2005 by three former PayPal employees—Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim. Initially, the platform was intended for sharing personal videos with friends and family, but it quickly became a global sensation. After its launch, the site grew rapidly, leading to its acquisition by Google in 2006 for $1.65 billion. Over the years, YouTube has introduced features like monetization, live streaming, and the ability to create playlists, transforming it into the go-to platform for both viewers and creators. As of today, YouTube has over 2 billion logged-in users monthly and serves as the second-largest search engine in the world.

Why Use YouTube Correctly?

With the sheer amount of content available, learning to navigate YouTube efficiently can enhance your overall experience, whether you’re looking to get educated, entertained, or even make money. For viewers, organizing your playlists, managing subscriptions, and optimizing viewing time can help you stay on top of the content you love. For creators, using YouTube correctly means leveraging tools like SEO, thumbnails, and community engagement to grow your audience and monetize your content.

Organizing Your YouTube Playlists Effectively

1. Create Thematic Playlists

• Why It Matters: YouTube’s playlist feature is more than just a way to save videos; it allows you to curate your content into organized collections. Thematic playlists help you easily access videos on specific topics and share organized content with others.
• Tips:
  • Thematic Playlists: Create specific playlists based on topics. For example, if you’re interested in cooking, make playlists like “Quick Dinner Recipes” or “Baking Tips for Beginners.”
  • How to Do It: When creating a playlist, think about what unites the videos you’re saving. Is it educational? Inspirational? Just for fun? For example, you could have separate playlists for “Motivational Speeches,” “Music for Workouts,” and “Educational Tutorials.”
  • Regularly Review and Update: Make it a habit to review your playlists. Are all the videos still relevant? Have you watched everything? This will help keep your content organized and accessible.

2. Monitor Your Unwatched Videos Weekly

• Why It Matters: Sometimes, you may save videos to playlists or add them to “Watch Later” but never get around to watching them. Monitoring your unwatched videos helps you keep your playlists clean and ensures you’re not missing out on important content.
• Tips:
  • At least once a week, review your “Watch Later” playlist and any other playlists with unwatched content.
  • Move videos from “Watch Later” into more permanent playlists once you’ve watched them. This will help declutter the “Watch Later” list and keep it manageable.
  • Set a goal to watch a few videos from your “Watch Later” playlist weekly to ensure it doesn’t get overwhelming.

3. Use the Watch Later Feature Wisely

• Why It Matters: The “Watch Later” feature is a powerful tool that allows you to bookmark videos you find interesting but don’t have time to watch immediately. Using it effectively can help you manage your time better.
• Tips:
  • Use “Watch Later” as a temporary holding spot for videos you intend to watch soon. Don’t let it become an overstuffed repository of random content.
  • Once you watch a video, either remove it from the list or add it to a relevant playlist.
  • Make it a habit to go through your “Watch Later” list at the end of each week to remove old, irrelevant, or watched content. This keeps the list fresh and manageable.

What Playlists Should You Create?

Creating the right playlists is essential for maximizing your YouTube experience. Here are some ideas:

1. Educational Content

• Why It Matters: YouTube is a rich resource for learning. Whether you’re interested in improving your skills, understanding a subject, or learning something entirely new, a playlist dedicated to education can help you stay focused.
• Examples:
  • “Coding Tutorials”
  • “History Documentaries”
  • “Photography Tips and Tricks”

2. Entertainment and Leisure

• Why It Matters: Sometimes, you just want to relax and watch something fun. Organizing your entertainment content in separate playlists allows you to easily access it when you need a break.
• Examples:
  • “Comedy Skits”
  • “Movie Reviews and Trailers”
  • “Best Vlogs”

3. DIY and How-Tos

• Why It Matters: YouTube is full of practical content that can help you learn how to do almost anything. Having a playlist dedicated to DIY projects or tutorials can save you time in the future when you need step-by-step instructions.
• Examples:
  • “Home Improvement Tips”
  • “Crafting and Sewing Ideas”
  • “Tech Troubleshooting Tutorials”

4. Unfinished Series

• Why It Matters: Often, you may start watching a series or playlist of videos but don’t have time to finish. Create a dedicated playlist to keep track of unfinished series so you can come back to them later.
• Examples:
  • “Unfinished Web Series”
  • “Ongoing Documentaries”

5. Personal Development

• Why It Matters: If you’re working on improving yourself, having a playlist full of personal development content can be motivating and helpful.
• Examples:
  • “Productivity Hacks”
  • “Mental Health Tips”
  • “Motivational Talks”

How to Organize and Monitor Your Playlists Effectively

1. Weekly Review: Take time every week to review your playlists. Move videos you’ve watched from your “Watch Later” to relevant playlists, remove videos you no longer find useful, and update your playlists with fresh content.
2. Prioritize Your Watch Later Playlist: This playlist can become overwhelming if you leave too many videos there. Make it a habit to watch at least a few videos from it each week. If the content is important, move it to a more permanent playlist after viewing.
3. Use Playlist Descriptions: Adding a description to each playlist can help you (and anyone who visits your channel) understand the content. For example, a playlist titled “Photography Tips” might have a description like “A collection of tutorials and tips for beginner photographers focusing on lighting, framing, and editing.”
4. Share Playlists: Don’t forget that playlists can be shared. If you’ve curated a valuable collection of videos, share it with friends or your social media followers. Playlists can also be embedded on websites, which is particularly useful for creators and bloggers.

Additional YouTube Tips for Viewers

1. Subscribe Wisely

• Only subscribe to channels that consistently offer value to you. Don’t hesitate to unsubscribe if you’re no longer interested in the content.

2. Turn on Notifications for Your Favorite Channels

• Enabling notifications ensures you never miss a new upload from your favorite creators. You can adjust notifications per channel to suit your preferences.

3. Use YouTube’s Remind Me Feature for Livestreams

• YouTube offers a “Remind Me” button for live events or premieres. Use this feature to get notified when a live stream or new video is about to start.

Bonus Tips for Creators: Using YouTube Correctly

If you’re a content creator, mastering YouTube’s features is key to growing your channel:

1. Optimize Your Upload Schedule

• Regular uploads help keep your audience engaged. Stick to a consistent schedule to let viewers know when to expect new content.

2. Use YouTube’s End Screens and Cards

• End screens and cards allow you to promote other videos, playlists, or channels directly within your content. Use these tools to keep viewers on your channel longer.

3. Analyze YouTube Analytics

• YouTube offers detailed analytics that let you see which content performs best. Use this data to refine your approach and create more of what resonates with your audience.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Using YouTube

YouTube is an incredible platform for both viewers and creators, but only when used correctly. Whether you’re organizing your playlists, setting aside time to catch up on unwatched videos, or optimizing your content for search engines, following these tips will enhance your YouTube experience. By managing your content wisely and staying organized, you can make the most out of YouTube, no matter your goals.

So, what are you waiting for? Start organizing, curating, and consuming content the right way!