How to Share a Video on YouTube: The Definitive Guide

So, you’ve poured your heart and soul (or at least a decent amount of time) into creating an amazing YouTube video. The editing is crisp, the content is compelling, and now you’re ready to unleash it upon the world. But how exactly do you share your video on YouTube? Fret not, aspiring creator! Sharing your video is remarkably simple, and this guide will walk you through every method, ensuring your masterpiece reaches its intended audience.

The core answer is this: To share a video on YouTube, simply click the “Share” button located directly below the video player. This reveals several sharing options, including copying a direct link, sharing on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, embedding the video on a website, sending via email, or starting the video at a specific timestamp. Choose the method that best suits your needs and follow the prompts. Let’s break down each of these methods in more detail.

Deep Dive into YouTube Sharing Options

Let’s explore each sharing method in detail to ensure you’re maximizing your reach and engaging your audience effectively.

Copying the Video Link: The Foundation of Sharing

This is the most straightforward method and the foundation for almost every other sharing technique. When you click the “Share” button, the first option presented is the video link. Clicking the “Copy” button next to the link instantly copies it to your clipboard. You can then paste this link anywhere – in an email, a text message, a social media post, or even a document.

Pro Tip: Notice the “Start at” checkbox below the link. Checking this box allows you to specify a precise timestamp in your video, ensuring viewers start watching from that exact point. This is incredibly useful if you want to direct viewers to a specific segment or highlight a particular moment in your video.

Sharing on Social Media: Expanding Your Reach

YouTube offers direct integration with several popular social media platforms, making sharing effortless. The “Share” menu typically includes icons for platforms like Facebook, Twitter (now X), Reddit, Pinterest, and more.

• Facebook: Clicking the Facebook icon will open a new window where you can log in to your Facebook account (if you’re not already logged in). You can then choose to share the video on your timeline, in a group, or on a page you manage. Add a compelling description to entice your friends and followers to watch.
• Twitter (X): Sharing on Twitter pre-populates a tweet with the video link and often the video title. Customize the tweet with relevant hashtags, mentions, and a catchy description to maximize engagement.
• Other Platforms: The process for sharing on other platforms is similar, usually involving logging into your account and crafting a post with the video link.

Strategic Sharing: Don’t just blindly share your video on every platform. Consider your target audience and tailor your sharing strategy accordingly. For example, a DIY tutorial might perform well on Pinterest, while a gaming video might thrive on Reddit.

Embedding the Video: Integrating into Websites and Blogs

Embedding a YouTube video allows you to seamlessly integrate it into your website or blog, making it accessible directly on your own platform.

• Click the “Embed” option: In the “Share” menu, select the “Embed” option. This will display an HTML code snippet.
• Customize the embed code (Optional): You can customize the embed code to adjust the video size, enable or disable player controls, and even start the video at a specific time. Look for options to “Show player controls,” “Show video title and player actions,” and “Enable privacy-enhanced mode.”
• Copy and paste the code: Copy the generated HTML code and paste it into the HTML source code of your webpage where you want the video to appear.

Responsive Design Considerations: Ensure your website or blog theme is responsive, meaning it adapts to different screen sizes. This will ensure the embedded video displays correctly on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

Email Sharing: Personal and Direct

The “Email” option in the “Share” menu will open your default email client with a pre-populated email containing the video link and title. You can then add recipients, customize the email body, and send it directly to your contacts. This is a great way to share your video with specific individuals or smaller groups.

Sharing Through YouTube’s Platform

YouTube provides several ways to share within its own platform.

• Sharing to YouTube Channels: YouTube allows you to share the video to other channels you manage. This can be useful if you have multiple channels with overlapping audiences.
• Saving to a Playlist: You can save the video to a public or private playlist. Sharing the playlist is another way to curate content and share multiple videos at once.
• Adding to “Watch Later”: Adding a video to your “Watch Later” playlist is a private action, but it can be a useful reminder to share the video later when the timing is right.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about sharing YouTube videos, addressing common concerns and providing additional insights.

1. Can I share a private YouTube video?

No, you cannot directly share a private YouTube video with the general public. Private videos are only visible to you and anyone you specifically invite through their Google accounts. You can, however, change the video’s privacy setting to “Unlisted” or “Public” to make it shareable.

2. What’s the difference between “Unlisted” and “Public” videos?

Public videos are visible to everyone on YouTube and can be found through search. Unlisted videos are not publicly searchable, but anyone with the video link can watch them. Unlisted videos are a good option if you want to share your video with a specific audience without making it visible to the entire YouTube community.

3. How do I share a video that’s not mine?

The process is the same! Just navigate to the video you want to share and click the “Share” button below the video player. You can then copy the link, share it on social media, or embed it on your website, just like you would with your own videos.

4. How do I share a YouTube video on WhatsApp?

The easiest way is to copy the video link from the “Share” menu and then paste it into a WhatsApp chat. WhatsApp will automatically generate a preview of the video, making it easy for your contacts to watch it.

5. How do I share a YouTube video on Instagram?

Instagram doesn’t allow direct linking in posts (except for verified accounts or through paid ads). The most common workaround is to copy the video link and paste it into your Instagram bio, then direct viewers to check out the link in your bio in your post caption. You can also share a short clip of your video as an Instagram Reel and encourage viewers to visit your YouTube channel for the full video.

6. Why can’t I see the “Share” button on a YouTube video?

This is rare, but if you can’t see the “Share” button, it might be due to a few reasons:

• Restricted video: The video creator might have disabled embedding and sharing.
• YouTube glitch: Sometimes, temporary glitches can occur. Try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache.
• Age restriction: If the video is age-restricted and you’re not logged into an account that meets the age requirements, you might not see the “Share” button.

7. Can I schedule a YouTube video to be shared automatically?

YouTube doesn’t offer a built-in feature to schedule shares directly. However, you can use third-party social media management tools like Hootsuite or Buffer to schedule posts containing your YouTube video link to be published at a specific time.

8. How do I track how many times my video has been shared?

YouTube Analytics provides detailed insights into your video’s performance, including views, watch time, and audience demographics. However, it doesn’t directly track the number of times your video has been shared. You can get a sense of its reach by monitoring engagement metrics like likes, comments, and shares on social media platforms where you’ve shared the video.

9. How do I share a YouTube video with a specific start and end time?

While the “Share” menu allows you to set a start time, there isn’t a direct option to specify an end time. A workaround is to create a YouTube Clip. To do this, select the clip option below the video, then set the desired start and end times for the clip. Then share the clip instead of the full video.

10. Is it legal to share someone else’s YouTube video?

Yes, it is generally legal to share someone else’s YouTube video as long as you are not claiming it as your own or using it for commercial purposes without permission. Sharing the video through the “Share” button or embedding it on your website is considered fair use.

11. How do I create a custom thumbnail for my shared video on social media?

When sharing on some social media platforms, like Facebook, you might be able to choose from a few automatically generated thumbnails. However, for greater control, you can use social media management tools that allow you to upload a custom thumbnail when scheduling your post. Alternatively, you can try to edit the Open Graph metadata of the webpage where you’re sharing the link (if applicable) to specify a custom thumbnail image.

12. What are some tips for making my shared YouTube video more engaging?

• Write a compelling description: Entice viewers with a captivating description that highlights the key benefits of watching your video.
• Use relevant hashtags: Increase discoverability by including relevant hashtags in your social media posts.
• Tag relevant people or brands: If your video features specific people or brands, tag them in your posts to increase visibility.
• Ask a question: Encourage engagement by asking a question related to your video in your post.
• Share at optimal times: Experiment with different posting times to see when your audience is most active on social media.

By mastering these sharing techniques and understanding the nuances of YouTube’s platform, you can effectively promote your videos, reach a wider audience, and achieve your content creation goals. Happy sharing!