The fastest way to save a video to a playlist

The quickest path is to click the Save button below any video while you are watching it. This button looks like a bookmark or flag icon and sits next to the Like and Dislike buttons. Click it once and YouTube shows you a list of your existing playlists — select the one you want, or create a new playlist right there by typing a name.

On a phone or tablet, the same button appears in the same spot. Tap it, choose your playlist from the menu that slides up, and the video is saved. The whole action takes about five seconds and does not interrupt your video.

If you cannot see the Save button, you may be using an older browser or a very small screen. Scroll right on the button row below the video until you see it, or use the three-dot menu next to the Like button instead — the Save option appears there too.

Key Takeaways

  • The Save button below any video is the fastest way to add it to a playlist — click it and select your playlist from the menu.
  • You can create a new playlist while saving by typing a name instead of selecting an existing one.
  • On phones and tablets, tap the Save button and choose your playlist from the menu that appears at the bottom of the screen.
  • If you cannot find the Save button, look in the three-dot menu next to the Like button for the Save option.
  • Videos added to a playlist stay there until you remove them, even if the original video is deleted from YouTube.

Using the three-dot menu when the Save button is hidden

If the Save button is not visible on your screen, the three-dot menu (also called the More menu) contains the same option. Click or tap the three dots next to the Like button, and a dropdown menu appears with several choices. Look for Save to playlist or just Save in that menu.

Click it and you will see the same list of your playlists. Select the one you want, or type a new name to create a playlist on the spot. This route works on all devices and browsers, even older ones that may not display the Save button in the standard location.

Creating a new playlist while saving a video

You do not have to create a playlist before you save your first video to it. When you click Save or tap the Save option in the menu, YouTube shows your existing playlists at the top of the list. Below them is a Create new playlist option (or a text box where you can type a name).

Click Create new playlist and a small window appears asking you to name it. Type whatever you want — "Cooking Ideas", "Watch Later", "Funny Videos", anything that makes sense to you. You can also choose whether the playlist is Public (anyone can find and watch it), Unlisted (only people with the link can watch it), or Private (only you can watch it). After you choose, the video is automatically added to your new playlist.

The privacy setting matters only if you plan to share the playlist with others. If you are just saving videos for yourself, Private is the default and the safest choice.

Adding videos from a channel page or search results

You do not have to be watching a video to add it to a playlist. When you are browsing YouTube — looking at a channel, scrolling through search results, or watching your home feed — you can hover over any video thumbnail and a menu appears. Click the three dots on that thumbnail and select Save to playlist.

On a phone or tablet, tap and hold on a video thumbnail until a menu pops up, then tap Save to playlist. The same playlist selection window appears, and you can save the video without ever clicking into it to watch.

This method is useful when you are collecting videos on a topic but do not have time to watch them right now. You can save several videos in a row without opening each one.

Finding and managing your playlists

Once you have saved videos to a playlist, you can find it by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner of YouTube and selecting Your channel. On the left side of your channel page, click Playlists. All your playlists appear there, showing how many videos are in each one.

Click any playlist to open it and watch the videos in order. While you are inside a playlist, you can remove videos by clicking the three dots next to each video title and selecting Remove from playlist. You can also reorder videos by dragging them up or down the list, or delete the entire playlist by clicking the three dots next to the playlist name at the top.

On a phone or tablet, tap your profile picture, then tap Your channel, then tap Playlists. The same options appear — tap a playlist to open it, and tap the three dots next to any video to remove it or reorder the list.

What happens when you add a video to a playlist

When you save a video to a playlist, YouTube stores a link to that video in your account. The video itself stays on the creator's channel (or gets deleted if they remove it), but your playlist keeps the link. If the creator deletes the video, it disappears from your playlist too, but the spot where it was does not leave a blank space — the playlist just shows one fewer video.

Adding a video to a playlist does not notify the creator, does not change what the creator earns from the video, and does not affect your watch history. Your playlists are separate from your history — a video can be in your history without being in any playlist, and in a playlist without being in your history.

If your playlist is set to Private, only you can see it. If it is Public or Unlisted, anyone with the link (or anyone browsing your channel) can watch the videos in it, but they cannot edit it or remove videos from it — only you can do that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a video to multiple playlists at once?

No, you can only add a video to one playlist per click. If you want the same video in two playlists, click Save twice — once for each playlist. YouTube will let you select a different playlist the second time.

What if I delete a video from my playlist — does it delete the video from YouTube?

No. Removing a video from your playlist only removes it from your list. The video stays on the creator's channel and on YouTube. Only the creator can delete their own videos.

Can I share a playlist with someone else?

Yes, if your playlist is set to Public or Unlisted. Click the Share button at the top of your playlist page to copy a link, then send that link to anyone you want. They can watch all the videos in the playlist, but they cannot edit it or add videos to it unless you give them permission through YouTube's collaboration features.

Why can't I find the Save button on a video?

The Save button may be hidden if you are using an older browser, a very small screen, or YouTube's mobile app in a certain layout. Try scrolling right on the button row below the video, or use the three-dot menu next to the Like button instead — the Save option is always there.

Do videos stay in my playlist if the creator makes them private?

If a creator makes their video private, it disappears from your playlist. You will no longer be able to watch it from your playlist, though the creator can still see it in their own account. Public and unlisted videos stay in your playlist no matter what.