YouTube is the one of the most popular sites today. Although Facebook is the largest social networking site, YouTube undoubtedly has the second greatest reach after it in terms of public usage and view.
Well, there are many cool things that can be done with YouTube. Get to know some of them here, below:
- Easy access to written transcript of videos:
Do you know that an automatic written transcript is generated for each YouTube video that is uploaded on the website? Yes! And as a matter of fact, even you can have access to it unless the video maker manually hides it from the viewers.
Various situations arise, when the viewer needs the transcript either to take note of some important points, quotes or any important section of the video. So, an easy access to the transcript of YouTube videos other than that of Ted Talks is very helpful indeed.
To find a video’s transcript: Open the link and start the video in YouTube and press the “More” option below the video title. There from the drop-down menu choose ‘Transcript
(If you are unable to see this option, it might be because the uploader chose to hide the transcript from its viewers.)
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The transcript usually appears as a new section in the same window. In numerous cases, the user who uploads the video does not manually polish the transcript, so it won’t be apt. But it would definitely save much of your precious time.
- Your video can be made available in search button:
Your transcript is one of the biggest criteria considered while ranking videos in the Search tab by both YouTube and Google, its parent company. Another, even big factor for that is the ‘Description’ of your video. It is really important. So, it’s often suggested by famous Digital Marketing Consultant Ryan Stewart to make the transcript of your video in the description box itself.
In order to add transcript to your video: When you open your video on YouTube, and you would find a row of icons just below the play option. Click the button on the rightmost side for “Subtitles/CC.” (Here, CC stands for “Closed Captions.)
If you haven’t set your language already, then just do it. Then, you’ll then be asked to choose among three different options to add subtitles to your video by
- Uploading some pre-written text transcript or some timed subtitles file.
- Pasting a full transcript of the video, wherein subtitle timings is set automatically.
- Typing them in as you watch the video.
3. Videos can be saved for ‘Watch Later’:
It often happens with all of us that we are unable to access a video on YouTube either due to slow network connectivity, or low battery, or might be because volume can’t be turned up at that moment. Even you might be running out of time to watch that video. Well, you would be amazed to know that like Facebook, YouTube also has the ‘Watch Later’ feature, where you can save the video for later, in your library.
To add some video to your “Watch Later” playlist: Open the video link on YouTube and click the “Add to” button below the video title and check the drop-down box for the option. The steps are same even on your mobile.
To have access to those videos: just go to your YouTube library and choose “Watch Later” option from the menu available on the list on your screen.
- Just create your own custom YouTube URL:
Do you want to give your viewers an easy-to-memorize web address to get to your channel on YouTube? Actually, you can easily create a custom URL, which can be based on things like your YouTube username, your display name, any current vanity URLs, or merely the name of your linked website. Keep Blushing, for example, is https://www.youtube.com/keepblushing.
Important Note: Before doing this, be sure about the custom URL you want – because if once it’s approved, it can’t be requested to be changed. Please keep in mind that it’ll be linked to both your YouTube channel and your Google+ identity, too.
To claim your own custom URL: Open your YouTube account settings and click on “Advanced” in the name section.
If you are eligible to get yours then you will be prompted to claim it.
To claim it, you need to select the box next to “I agree to the Terms of Service.” Then, once you’re absolutely sure that it’s the URL you want, click “Change URL” to make it final.
- You can add links to your videos:
It so happens that you may want to link up your videos to different links while making it, for the viewers to benefit. Unable to do so? Learn it here.
These clickable links are called ‘annotations’. They can help you to link to various merchandise sites, for your viewers to learn more.
It’s an easy technique to encourage people to actually engage in and interact with your videos.
To add a clickable link to a video: Firstly, ensure that your YouTube account is verified and that you have an external linking turned on for your account.
Once you’ve got that, open YouTube and then go to your Video Manager clicking “My Channel” and then “Video Manager” nearest to the top of your YouTube home page.
Secondly, find the video you want to add links to and click the arrow next to “Edit” option. Choose “End screen and Annotations” from the drop-down menu.
Go to “Annotations” click the icon “Add Annotation” to add a new annotation, and choose from the five annotation types in the drop-down menu: Note, Title, Speech Bubble, Spotlight, or Label.
Once you choose an annotation type from there, you can then add text, choose your size, font, background color, and transparency. From below the video, you can also choose exact start time you want your annotations to start and end.
When you’re done with all the procedures, click “Apply changes” option – and then you’re all set. You can always try and edit your annotations after publishing them by going back to the “Edit Annotation” tool and by clicking “Edit existing annotation.”
These were few hacks which can be easily used so that now YouTube becomes easier for you. The best thing about these tricks are that these can be done even from your mobile. Thus, now you can even make high definition videos from your phone and upload it with newest tricks.
