How to Find the URL for a YouTube Video: Your Complete Guide
Want to share that hilarious cat video or insightful documentary with a friend? Finding the URL (Uniform Resource Locator), also known as the web address or link, is the key. Fortunately, grabbing a YouTube video’s URL is a piece of cake, no matter where you’re accessing the platform.
Here’s the straight scoop on how to find the URL for any YouTube video:
On a Computer (Web Browser):
- Open the YouTube video you want to share in your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.).
- Look at the address bar at the top of your browser. The URL displayed there is the one you need. Simply copy and paste it wherever you want. This URL will typically look something like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ - Alternatively, you can also right-click on the video player itself. A menu will appear. Select “Copy video URL” from the menu. This action copies the video’s URL to your clipboard.
On a Mobile Device (YouTube App):
- Open the YouTube app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Find the video you want to share.
- Tap the “Share” button. This is usually represented by an arrow pointing to the right (iOS) or the word “Share” (Android).
- A sharing menu will pop up. Look for the option to “Copy link“. Tap it. The video’s URL is now copied to your device’s clipboard. You can then paste it into a text message, email, social media post, or anywhere else you need it.
That’s it! Whether you’re on a desktop or mobile device, finding the URL is quick and simple. Now, let’s dive deeper with some frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about YouTube URLs
1. What is a YouTube URL used for?
A YouTube URL serves as a unique identifier and address for a specific video hosted on the YouTube platform. This link is essential for sharing videos with others, embedding them on websites, referencing them in documents, and generally directing people to a particular piece of content on YouTube. Think of it as the video’s home address on the internet. Without a valid URL, accessing a specific video becomes significantly more difficult. It’s the key to sharing viral moments, educational content, or your own creative masterpieces.
2. Can I customize a YouTube URL?
Yes, if you meet certain eligibility requirements, you can create a custom URL for your YouTube channel. Generally, you need to have at least 100 subscribers, be 30 days old or older, have an uploaded channel icon, and have uploaded channel art. A custom URL is easier to remember and share than the default randomly generated channel URL. To set up a custom URL, go to your YouTube Studio settings, then click on “Basic info” under the “Customization” tab. Here, you can check your eligibility and claim your personalized URL.
3. What is the difference between a YouTube video URL and a YouTube channel URL?
A YouTube video URL directs you to a specific video, while a YouTube channel URL takes you to the creator’s main channel page. The video URL typically includes the watch?v= parameter followed by a unique video ID. For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ. A channel URL, on the other hand, usually looks like https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, https://www.youtube.com/user/YourUsername, or https://www.youtube.com/@YourChannelName. Understanding this distinction is crucial when sharing content or promoting a creator.
4. How do I find the URL of a YouTube channel?
Finding a YouTube channel URL is just as straightforward as finding a video URL. Visit the channel’s main page on YouTube. The URL displayed in the address bar of your web browser is the channel’s URL. You can simply copy and paste it from there. On the YouTube mobile app, navigate to the channel, tap the three dots in the upper right corner, and then tap “Share” and then “Copy link”. This places the channel URL on your clipboard.
5. How can I create a shortened YouTube URL?
Sometimes, a long YouTube URL can be unwieldy, especially when sharing on platforms with character limits. Several URL shortening services, like Bitly or TinyURL, can help. Simply copy the YouTube URL and paste it into the URL shortener’s website. The service will then generate a shorter, more manageable URL that still directs to the same YouTube video. These shortened URLs are often easier to share and track click-through rates.
6. Can I find the URL of a live YouTube stream?
Yes, you can find the URL of a live YouTube stream. If the stream is currently live, the URL is the same as the URL you see while watching the live broadcast. If the stream is scheduled for the future, the URL will be available once the stream goes live. Sometimes, the creator might share a preview link before the stream starts, but this may not always work until the actual live event begins. In either case, the method for finding the URL remains the same: check the address bar or use the share button.
7. What does the ‘v=’ part of a YouTube URL mean?
The v= part of a YouTube URL is a parameter that identifies the specific video being accessed. The characters following the v= (e.g., dQw4w9WgXcQ) represent the unique video ID. This ID is essential for YouTube to locate and display the correct video. Without this parameter, the URL would not point to a specific video.
8. How do I find the URL of a YouTube playlist?
Finding the URL of a YouTube playlist is similar to finding a video URL. Open the playlist on YouTube. The URL displayed in your browser’s address bar is the playlist URL. It will typically look something like: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. You can then share this link with others to allow them to access the entire playlist.
9. What is a timestamped YouTube URL and how do I create one?
A timestamped YouTube URL allows you to share a video link that starts playback at a specific point in the video. This is incredibly useful for directing viewers to the most relevant section. To create a timestamped URL, add &t=XmYs to the end of the video URL, where ‘X’ is the number of minutes and ‘Y’ is the number of seconds. For example, to start the video at 1 minute and 30 seconds, you would add &t=1m30s to the end of the URL. Alternatively, when sharing the video, YouTube often offers an option to “Start at” a specific time. Checking this box will automatically generate the timestamped URL when you copy the link.
10. Is it possible to find a YouTube video’s URL if the video is unlisted?
Yes, it is possible to find a YouTube video’s URL even if it’s unlisted. An unlisted video isn’t publicly searchable on YouTube, but anyone with the URL can still watch it. If you have been provided with the URL of an unlisted video, you can access it just like any other video. The methods for finding and sharing the URL are the same, provided you already possess the link.
11. How can I embed a YouTube video on my website using the URL?
To embed a YouTube video on your website, you’ll need the video’s URL and the embed code. After accessing the video on YouTube, click on the “Share” button, then select the “Embed” option. YouTube will then generate an HTML code snippet that you can copy and paste into your website’s HTML. This code contains the video’s URL and the necessary parameters to display the video player on your site. You can customize the player’s size and other options within the embed code.
12. What if the YouTube URL is broken or not working?
If a YouTube URL is broken or not working, there could be several reasons. The video might have been removed by the uploader or YouTube for violating community guidelines. The URL might have been typed incorrectly. Or, in rare cases, there might be a temporary issue with YouTube’s servers. Double-check the URL for any typos. If the URL is correct and the video still doesn’t load, the video may no longer be available. Unfortunately, if the video has been removed, there’s no way to access it using the old URL.
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