YouTube is a powerful platform for sharing videos with the world, but sometimes you might want to keep your content private. Whether it’s a video for personal use, a draft you’re not ready to share, or sensitive information, making your YouTube video private ensures that only you and those you choose can view it. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of making your YouTube videos private, covering various aspects, troubleshooting, and providing tips for managing your video privacy effectively.
Why Make Your YouTube Video Private?
There are several reasons why you might want to make your YouTube video private:
- Personal Use: The video might be for personal use, such as a home video, a memory you want to keep for yourself, or a practice video for learning a new skill.
- Draft Content: You might be working on a video that isn’t yet ready for public consumption. Making it private allows you to refine it without the pressure of public scrutiny.
- Sensitive Information: The video might contain sensitive information that you don’t want to be publicly accessible. This could include personal details, confidential data, or proprietary content.
- Limited Audience: You may only want to share the video with a specific group of people, such as family, friends, or colleagues.
- Educational Purposes: The video may contain content for a class or small group of people who need access to the content.
Understanding YouTube Privacy Settings
YouTube offers three main privacy settings for your videos:
- Public: Anyone on YouTube can see your video. It can be searched for, watched, and shared by anyone.
- Unlisted: Your video is not publicly searchable on YouTube, but anyone with the link can watch it. This is a good option for sharing with a specific group of people without making it completely private.
- Private: Only you and the people you choose can watch your video. It will not appear in search results or on your channel page for others.
This guide will focus specifically on how to make your YouTube video private.
How to Make a YouTube Video Private: A Step-by-Step Guide
There are two primary ways to make a video private on YouTube:
- When Uploading a New Video
- Changing the Privacy Settings of an Existing Video
Method 1: Making a YouTube Video Private During Upload
This method is used when you are uploading a new video to YouTube and want to ensure it is private from the outset.
- Sign in to YouTube: Go to www.youtube.com and sign in with your Google account. This is the account you use to manage your YouTube channel.
- Upload the Video: Click on the Create icon (it looks like a camera with a plus sign) in the top right corner of the page. Select Upload video from the dropdown menu.
- Select the Video File: Choose the video file you want to upload from your computer. A progress bar will appear as the video uploads.
- Details Tab: While the video is uploading, you’ll be taken to the Details tab. Here, you can add a title, description, and tags to your video. While these details are important, the primary focus here is privacy.
- Choose Privacy Setting: Scroll down to the Visibility section, or click the Next button to navigate to the second screen of the upload process and find the Visibility settings. Here, you’ll see three options: Public, Unlisted, and Private.
- Select “Private”: Select the Private option. A brief description will appear, confirming that only you and people you choose can watch the video.
- Set Schedule (Optional): If you want to schedule the video to become public at a later date, you can set a date and time. However, since you want it to be private, you can skip this step.
- Finish Uploading: Click the Save button (or Done if you set a schedule). Your video will be uploaded to YouTube with the privacy setting set to private.
Important Notes:
- The video will be processed after it’s uploaded. Processing time depends on the video’s length and resolution.
- While the video is processing, it will be private.
Method 2: Changing the Privacy Settings of an Existing YouTube Video
This method is used when you have already uploaded a video to YouTube and now want to change its privacy settings to private.
- Sign in to YouTube Studio: Go to studio.youtube.com and sign in with the same Google account you use to manage your YouTube channel.
- Navigate to Content: In the left-hand menu, click on Content. This will take you to a page where all your uploaded videos are listed.
- Select the Video: Find the video you want to make private. Hover over the video, and you’ll see several icons. Click on the Details icon (it looks like a pencil). Alternatively, you can click directly on the video thumbnail.
- Access the Visibility Settings: In the video details page, look for the Visibility section. This is usually located on the right-hand side of the screen, but the layout can sometimes vary. You might see the current visibility status (e.g., Public, Unlisted) displayed there. Click on the visibility status.
- Change to “Private”: A dropdown menu will appear with the three privacy options: Public, Unlisted, and Private. Select Private.
- Save Changes: Click the Save button in the top right corner of the page. YouTube will update the privacy settings of your video, making it private.
Inviting Specific People to View a Private Video
One of the key features of making a video private on YouTube is the ability to invite specific people to view it. This allows you to share your video with a select audience without making it publicly available.
- Access Video Settings: Follow steps 1-4 from Method 2 above to access the video details page in YouTube Studio. Ensure the video’s visibility is set to Private.
- Share Privately: In the Visibility section, you’ll see an option that says, “Share privately.” Click on this option.
- Add Email Addresses: A window will appear where you can enter the email addresses of the people you want to invite to view the video. Enter each email address, separating them with commas or by pressing Enter after each address.
- Send Invitations: Click the Save button. YouTube will send an email invitation to each person you’ve invited. The email will contain a link to the video, which they can access after signing in to YouTube with the same Google account associated with the email address you provided.
Important Notes:
- The people you invite must have a Google account associated with the email address you provide.
- Invited viewers will be able to watch the video only if they are signed in to YouTube with the correct Google account.
- You can remove invited viewers at any time by going back to the “Share Privately” settings and deleting their email addresses.
- The maximum number of people you can invite to view a private video is 50.
Managing Access to Your Private Videos
Effectively managing access to your private videos is crucial for maintaining the privacy you intend. Here’s how to review and manage who has access to your private videos:
- Access Video Settings: Follow steps 1-4 from Method 2 above to access the video details page in YouTube Studio. Ensure the video’s visibility is set to Private.
- Review Invited Viewers: In the Visibility section, click on the “Share Privately” option. The window that appears will list all the email addresses of the people you have invited to view the video.
- Remove Viewers: To remove a viewer, simply click the “X” icon next to their email address. This will revoke their access to the video.
- Save Changes: Click the Save button to apply the changes. The removed viewer will no longer be able to access the video.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, you might encounter issues when making your YouTube videos private. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them:
- Video Still Shows as Public:
- Check the Settings: Double-check that the video’s visibility is indeed set to Private in YouTube Studio.
- Clear Cache and Cookies: Clear your browser’s cache and cookies, as outdated data can sometimes cause display issues.
- Check YouTube Analytics: Go to YouTube Analytics to make sure that the video is not still appearing in public metrics.
- Invited Viewers Can’t Access the Video:
- Verify Email Address: Ensure that you entered the correct email address for the invited viewer.
- Check Google Account: Make sure the invited viewer is signed in to YouTube with the same Google account associated with the email address you provided.
- Resend Invitation: Try removing the viewer and re-inviting them.
- Privacy Settings Not Saving:
- Check Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
- Try a Different Browser: Use a different web browser to see if the issue persists.
- Contact YouTube Support: If the problem continues, contact YouTube Support for assistance.
- Slow Processing Time:
- Video Length and Resolution: Longer videos with higher resolutions take longer to process.
- YouTube Servers: Processing times can be affected by YouTube’s server load. Wait a while and check again later.
Best Practices for Managing Video Privacy on YouTube
Here are some best practices to keep in mind when managing the privacy of your YouTube videos:
- Review Privacy Settings Regularly: Periodically review the privacy settings of your videos to ensure they are set as intended.
- Be Mindful of Content: Before uploading a video, consider whether it contains any sensitive information that should be kept private.
- Educate Invited Viewers: Inform invited viewers about the privacy settings and ask them not to share the video link with others.
- Use Unlisted for Wider Sharing: If you need to share a video with a wider audience but don’t want it to be publicly searchable, use the Unlisted setting instead of Private.
- Consider YouTube Kids: If your content is geared towards children, consider using YouTube Kids and its associated privacy features.
- Backup Your Videos: Always keep a backup of your videos in case you need to re-upload them or if something happens to your YouTube account.
- Stay Informed: Stay updated on YouTube’s privacy policies and settings, as they may change over time.
Alternatives to YouTube’s Privacy Settings
While YouTube’s privacy settings are useful, there are alternative platforms and methods you can use to share videos privately:
- Vimeo: Vimeo offers robust privacy settings, including the ability to password-protect videos and restrict embedding.
- Google Drive: You can upload videos to Google Drive and share them with specific people. Google Drive offers granular control over who can view and download the videos.
- Password-Protected Websites: You can create a password-protected website or page to host your videos. This requires some technical knowledge but provides a high level of control.
- Cloud Storage Services: Services like Dropbox and OneDrive allow you to share videos with specific people using secure links.
- Self-Hosted Video Platforms: Platforms like PeerTube allow you to host your videos on your own server, giving you complete control over privacy and access.
Conclusion
Making your YouTube videos private is a simple yet effective way to control who can access your content. Whether you’re working on a draft, sharing personal memories, or dealing with sensitive information, understanding and utilizing YouTube’s privacy settings is essential. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently manage your video privacy and share your content on your terms. Remember to review your settings regularly and stay informed about any changes to YouTube’s policies. With the right approach, you can harness the power of YouTube while maintaining the privacy you need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can I make a YouTube Short private?
Yes, the process for making a YouTube Short private is the same as for regular YouTube videos. Follow the steps outlined in this guide to change the privacy settings.
- What happens when I make a public video private?
When you make a public video private, it becomes invisible to everyone except you and the people you specifically invite to view it. It will no longer appear in search results, on your channel page, or in the feeds of your subscribers.
- Can I make a video unlisted after it has been public?
Yes, you can change a public video to unlisted at any time. This will make it so that only people with the link can view the video.
- How do I know if a video is private?
In YouTube Studio, the visibility status of each video is clearly displayed. If a video is private, it will be labeled as “Private.”
- Is it possible to download a private YouTube video?
Downloading a private YouTube video is generally not possible through official YouTube channels unless you are the video owner. Third-party tools may exist, but using them could violate YouTube’s terms of service and may pose security risks.
- Can I embed a private YouTube video on a website?
No, private YouTube videos cannot be embedded on a website. The embedding option is disabled for private videos.
- How often should I review my YouTube privacy settings?
It’s a good practice to review your YouTube privacy settings at least once a month to ensure they are aligned with your preferences and that no unexpected changes have occurred.
- What should I do if I accidentally shared a private video link?
If you accidentally shared a private video link, immediately revoke access to the video for anyone who shouldn’t have it by removing their email address from the “Share Privately” settings. Also, consider changing the video to unlisted or completely deleting and re-uploading it with the correct privacy settings.
- Are there any limitations to how many private videos I can have?
YouTube does not impose a strict limit on the number of private videos you can have. However, excessive use of private videos might affect your channel’s overall performance and visibility.
- Can I change a video from private to public?
Yes, you can change a video from private to public at any time by following the steps outlined in Method 2 and selecting the “Public” option.