How to Make a YouTube Video Private: A Comprehensive Guide

In today’s digital age, YouTube has become an indispensable platform for content creators, businesses, and individuals alike. Whether you’re sharing personal moments, promoting your brand, or educating your audience, YouTube provides a vast stage to connect with the world. However, there are times when you might want to restrict access to your videos, making them viewable only to a select group of people. This is where the privacy settings on YouTube come into play. One of the most useful settings is the ability to make a video private. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of making your YouTube videos private, step-by-step, ensuring that only those you choose can view your content.

Why Make a YouTube Video Private?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s explore the reasons why you might want to make a YouTube video private.

* **Personal Content:** Sharing family memories, home videos, or moments that are only meant for close friends and family.
* **Confidential Information:** Internal training videos, sensitive business presentations, or content containing proprietary information that you don’t want publicly accessible.
* **Testing Purposes:** Uploading videos for testing purposes before they are officially launched or made public.
* **Exclusive Content:** Providing exclusive content to members of a specific group, such as Patreon supporters or paid subscribers.
* **Drafts and Works in Progress:** Keeping unfinished videos private while you continue to edit and refine them.
* **Educational Material:** Sharing educational videos with a specific class or group, ensuring only enrolled students can access the content.
* **Review Purposes:** Sharing a video with a client or colleague for feedback before public release.

Understanding these reasons can help you determine when and why utilizing the private setting is the right choice for your content.

Understanding YouTube’s Privacy Settings

YouTube offers three main privacy settings for your videos:

* **Public:** Anyone on YouTube can view your video. It can be searched, recommended, and easily shared.
* **Unlisted:** Your video is not publicly searchable on YouTube, but anyone with the link can view it. It’s a good option for sharing content with a specific group without making it available to the general public.
* **Private:** Only you and people you choose can view your video. It’s the most restrictive option and perfect for personal or confidential content.

This guide focuses specifically on the **Private** setting.

How to Make a YouTube Video Private: Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to make your YouTube videos private, covering both desktop and mobile methods.

Method 1: Making a Video Private on Desktop

1. **Sign in to YouTube:**

* Open your web browser and go to the YouTube website ([www.youtube.com](http://www.youtube.com)).
* Click on the “Sign In” button located in the top right corner of the page.
* Enter your Google account email address or phone number and click “Next.”
* Enter your password and click “Next.” If you have two-factor authentication enabled, follow the prompts to verify your identity.

2. **Navigate to YouTube Studio:**

* Once you’re signed in, click on your profile icon located in the top right corner.
* A dropdown menu will appear. Select “YouTube Studio” from the menu. This will take you to the YouTube Studio dashboard, where you can manage your channel and videos.

3. **Access Your Videos:**

* In the left-hand sidebar of the YouTube Studio dashboard, you’ll see a menu with various options.
* Click on “Content.” This will display a list of all the videos you’ve uploaded to your channel.

4. **Select the Video You Want to Make Private:**

* Browse through the list of your videos and find the one you want to make private.
* Hover your mouse over the video thumbnail. You’ll see several icons appear: Details (pencil icon), Analytics (graph icon), Comments (speech bubble icon), and Options (three vertical dots).
* Click on the “Details” (pencil icon) button. This will take you to the video details page, where you can edit the video’s title, description, tags, and other settings.

5. **Change the Visibility Setting:**

* On the video details page, scroll down or look for the “Visibility” section.
* You’ll see options for “Public,” “Unlisted,” and “Private.” The current visibility setting of your video will be highlighted.
* Select the “Private” option by clicking the radio button next to it. A checkmark will appear next to “Private,” indicating that the video is now set to private.

6. **Save Your Changes:**

* After selecting “Private,” click the “Save” button located in the top right corner of the video details page. This will save your changes and update the video’s privacy setting.
* A notification will appear at the bottom of the screen, confirming that your changes have been saved.

7. **Granting Access to Specific Viewers (Optional):**

* Once a video is set to private, only you can view it by default. However, you can grant access to specific individuals.
* After saving the video as private, a new section might appear below the visibility settings, labeled “Share Privately.” If not, refresh the page.
* Click on “Share Privately.” A window will pop up.
* Enter the email addresses of the people you want to grant access to. Ensure you’re using the Google account email address associated with their YouTube account.
* Click “Save.” These individuals will receive an email notification with a link to view the private video. They must be logged into their Google account to access the video.

Method 2: Making a Video Private on Mobile (YouTube App)

The YouTube mobile app provides a convenient way to manage your videos and their privacy settings directly from your smartphone or tablet.

1. **Open the YouTube App:**

* Locate the YouTube app icon on your device’s home screen or app drawer.
* Tap on the icon to open the app.

2. **Sign In to Your Account:**

* If you’re not already signed in, tap on your profile icon located in the top right corner of the screen.
* Select “Sign In” and enter your Google account email address or phone number, followed by your password.

3. **Access Your Channel:**

* After signing in, tap on your profile icon again.
* Select “Your channel” from the menu. This will take you to your YouTube channel page.

4. **Manage Videos:**

* On your channel page, tap on “Manage videos.” This will display a list of all the videos you’ve uploaded to your channel.

5. **Select the Video You Want to Make Private:**

* Browse through the list of your videos and find the one you want to make private.
* Tap on the three vertical dots (ellipsis) next to the video you want to edit. A menu will appear with several options.

6. **Edit the Video:**

* From the menu, select “Edit.” This will open the video editor, where you can modify the video’s title, description, and other settings.

7. **Access Visibility Settings:**

* In the video editor, look for the “Visibility” section. It will display the current privacy setting of your video (Public, Unlisted, or Private).
* Tap on the “Visibility” option. This will open a menu with the available privacy settings.

8. **Set to Private:**

* Select “Private” from the menu. A checkmark will appear next to “Private,” indicating that the video is now set to private.

9. **Save Your Changes:**

* Tap on the back arrow or the checkmark icon (depending on your device) to return to the video editor.
* Tap on “Save” in the top right corner of the screen. This will save your changes and update the video’s privacy setting.

10. **Granting Access to Specific Viewers (Optional):**

* To share the private video with specific people on mobile, you need to use the desktop version of YouTube Studio, following the steps outlined in Method 1, step 7.

Important Considerations When Making Videos Private

* **Email Addresses:** Ensure you’re using the correct email addresses associated with the Google accounts of the people you want to grant access to. Incorrect email addresses will prevent them from viewing the video.
* **Google Account Requirement:** Viewers must be logged into their Google account to view private videos. They cannot access the video without being logged in.
* **Sharing Restrictions:** Even if you grant access to specific viewers, they cannot share the video with others. The video remains private, and only those you’ve explicitly granted access to can view it.
* **Embed Codes:** Private videos cannot be embedded on other websites or platforms. The embed code will not work, and viewers will not be able to watch the video outside of YouTube.
* **Notifications:** When you grant access to viewers, they will receive an email notification from YouTube with a link to the private video. Encourage them to check their spam or junk folders if they don’t see the email in their inbox.
* **Removing Access:** You can revoke access to a private video at any time. Simply go back to the video’s visibility settings and remove the email address of the viewer you want to remove. They will no longer be able to view the video.
* **Bulk Changes:** You can change the privacy settings of multiple videos at once using YouTube Studio on desktop. This is useful if you need to make several videos private quickly.
* **Future Uploads:** You can set a default privacy setting for all future uploads in your channel settings. This can be helpful if you consistently upload private videos.
* **Comments and Interactions:** Comments and other interactions are disabled on private videos. Only you can view and manage comments on private videos.
* **Thumbnails:** Even if a video is private, YouTube may still generate a thumbnail for it. Be mindful of the content displayed in the thumbnail if privacy is a major concern.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, you might encounter issues when trying to make a video private or when viewers are unable to access a private video. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

* **Viewer Cannot Access the Video:**
* **Check the Email Address:** Ensure you’ve entered the correct email address associated with the viewer’s Google account.
* **Google Account Login:** Confirm that the viewer is logged into the correct Google account when trying to access the video.
* **Browser Cache:** Ask the viewer to clear their browser cache and cookies, as this can sometimes interfere with access.
* **Check Permissions:** Verify that you’ve granted the viewer access to the video in the video’s privacy settings.
* **Visibility Setting Not Saving:**
* **Internet Connection:** Ensure you have a stable internet connection when saving the changes.
* **Browser Issues:** Try using a different web browser or updating your current browser to the latest version.
* **YouTube Glitches:** Sometimes, YouTube experiences temporary glitches. Try again later or contact YouTube support.
* **Cannot Find the “Share Privately” Option:**
* **Refresh the Page:** After setting the video to private and saving the changes, refresh the page. The “Share Privately” option should then appear below the visibility settings.
* **Check YouTube Studio:** Ensure you are using the latest version of YouTube Studio.
* **Bulk Actions Not Working:**
* **Number of Videos:** YouTube may limit the number of videos you can change at once. Try changing the privacy settings in smaller batches.
* **YouTube Policies:** Ensure your actions comply with YouTube’s terms of service and community guidelines.

Best Practices for Managing Private Videos

* **Regularly Review Access:** Periodically review the list of viewers who have access to your private videos and remove access for anyone who no longer needs it.
* **Communicate with Viewers:** Inform viewers that you’ve granted them access to a private video and provide them with any necessary instructions or context.
* **Use Playlists:** Organize your private videos into playlists to make them easier for viewers to find and watch.
* **Monitor Analytics:** While private videos have limited analytics, you can still track basic metrics to see how many times the video has been viewed by authorized users.
* **Backup Your Videos:** Always keep a backup of your videos in case of accidental deletion or other unforeseen issues.
* **Stay Informed:** Keep up-to-date with YouTube’s latest features and policies regarding privacy settings.

Advanced Privacy Settings and Considerations

While the “Private” setting is the most straightforward way to restrict access to your videos, there are some advanced privacy settings and considerations to keep in mind:

* **Channel Membership:** If you have a channel membership program, you can create exclusive videos that are only available to your members. This is a good option for providing premium content to your most loyal supporters.
* **YouTube Premium:** YouTube Premium subscribers can download videos for offline viewing. This feature is available for both public and unlisted videos, but not for private videos.
* **Age Restrictions:** You can set age restrictions on your videos to prevent them from being viewed by users under a certain age. This is important for content that may be inappropriate for younger audiences.
* **Copyright Considerations:** Even if a video is private, you are still responsible for complying with copyright laws. Make sure you have the necessary rights to use any copyrighted material in your videos.
* **Data Security:** When sharing private videos, be mindful of data security best practices. Avoid sharing sensitive information in the video itself and ensure that your Google account is protected with a strong password and two-factor authentication.

Conclusion

Making a YouTube video private is a simple yet powerful way to control who can access your content. Whether you’re sharing personal moments, confidential information, or exclusive content, understanding and utilizing the private setting is essential for managing your videos effectively. By following the step-by-step instructions and best practices outlined in this guide, you can confidently make your YouTube videos private and ensure that only those you choose can view them. Remember to regularly review access permissions, communicate with viewers, and stay informed about YouTube’s latest privacy features. With these tips in mind, you can make the most of YouTube’s privacy settings and create a safe and secure environment for your content.