What a YouTube playlist is and why you'd make one
A playlist on YouTube is a collection of videos grouped together under one name. You create it, you control what goes in it, and you can watch them in order without stopping between videos. Think of it like making a mixtape — except the videos play one after another automatically.
People make playlists for all kinds of reasons: to save cooking tutorials you want to try later, to organize videos from a creator you follow, to bundle together music videos, or to share a curated list with someone else. Once you create a playlist, you can add videos to it whenever you find something that belongs there.
Key Takeaways
- You create a new playlist by clicking "Create a playlist" from your YouTube library, then naming it and choosing who can see it.
- To add a video to any playlist, click the "Save" button below the video title, then select which playlist you want it in.
- You can add videos to a playlist while watching them, or go back and add them later from your search results or recommendations.
- Private playlists are visible only to you; unlisted playlists have a shareable link but don't show up in search; public playlists appear in your channel for anyone to find.
How to create a new playlist on YouTube
Start by going to YouTube and signing into your account. On the left side of the screen, you'll see a menu. Look for "Your channel" or scroll down until you see "Create a playlist" — the exact wording depends on whether you're on a computer or phone, but the option is always there.
Click "Create a playlist." A box will pop up asking you to name it. Type in whatever you want to call it — "Bread Recipes," "Jazz Piano," "Videos to Watch Later," anything that makes sense to you. Below the name field, you'll see three privacy options: Private, Unlisted, or Public. Private means only you can see it. Unlisted means anyone with the link can watch it, but it won't show up if someone searches YouTube. Public means it appears on your channel for anyone to find. Choose whichever fits what you're doing, then click "Create."
That's it — your playlist now exists and is ready for videos.
Adding videos to your playlist while you're watching
When you're watching a video on YouTube, look directly below the video title. You'll see several buttons in a row: "Like," "Dislike," "Share," and "Save." Click the "Save" button — it looks like a bookmark or a plus sign inside a box, depending on your device.
A menu will drop down showing all your playlists. If you just created a new playlist, it will be at the top of the list. Click the name of the playlist you want to add the video to. A checkmark will appear next to the playlist name, which means the video is now saved there. You can add the same video to multiple playlists if you want — just click each one.
Adding videos from search results or recommendations
You don't have to be watching a video to add it to a playlist. When you're browsing YouTube and you see a video in your search results or in the recommendations on the right side of the screen, you can save it without clicking into it.
Hover your mouse over the video thumbnail (or press and hold on a phone). A menu of options will appear. Look for "Save to playlist" or a bookmark icon. Click it, and the same dropdown menu of your playlists will show up. Select the playlist you want, and the video is added — you never had to open it.
Organizing and managing your playlists
Once you've added videos to a playlist, you can rearrange them, remove videos, or change the playlist's name and privacy settings. Go to your YouTube library — click your profile picture in the top right, then select "Your channel." Look for "Playlists" in the menu on the left.
Click the playlist you want to edit. You'll see all the videos in it. To remove a video, click the three dots next to it and select "Remove from playlist." To change the order, click and drag a video to a new spot in the list. To edit the playlist's name or privacy settings, click the three dots next to the playlist title at the top and select "Edit playlist."
Sharing a playlist with someone else
If your playlist is Public or Unlisted, you can share it. Open the playlist and look for a "Share" button near the top. Click it, and you'll see options to copy the link, share it to social media, or email it. If the playlist is Unlisted, only people you send the link to can watch it. If it's Public, anyone can find it on your channel.
If your playlist is Private, only you can see it — there's no way to share it with others. If you want to share it, you'll need to change its privacy setting to Unlisted or Public first.
Common reasons playlists don't work the way you expect
If you create a playlist but can't find it later, check whether you're signed into the same YouTube account you used to create it. Playlists are tied to your account, so you won't see playlists from a different account. Also, if you created it as Private, it will only show up in your library — not on your channel or in search.
If you try to add a video to a playlist and nothing happens, the video might be restricted or removed. Some videos can't be saved to playlists because the creator or YouTube has blocked that feature. If the "Save" button is grayed out or missing, that's why. You can still watch the video, but you won't be able to add it to a collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a video to a playlist after I've already watched it?
Yes. You can add videos to a playlist anytime, whether you're currently watching them or you watched them weeks ago. Search for the video, click "Save," and add it to whichever playlist you want.
What happens if I delete a video from a playlist?
The video stays on YouTube — it's only removed from that specific playlist. If the video is in other playlists, it stays in those. Deleting from a playlist doesn't affect the original video or any other collections.
Can other people edit my playlist if I share it?
No. Only you can add, remove, or rearrange videos in your playlists. When you share a playlist, other people can watch it and add it to their own library, but they can't change what's in yours.
How many videos can I add to one playlist?
YouTube doesn't set a hard limit on playlist size, so you can keep adding videos indefinitely. Very large playlists may load more slowly, but there's no point where YouTube stops you from adding more.
Can I make a playlist of videos from different creators?
Absolutely. A playlist can contain videos from anyone on YouTube — different creators, different channels, different topics. You're just grouping videos together however you want.