Create a link to your Youtube videos so strangers can't view them

We have already explained how to post private Youtube videos. While this prevents your uploaded videos from being viewed by uninvited strangers, it requires would-be viewers to be Youtube members. This can be annoying for occasional sharing. Fortunately, Youtube offers unlisted videos that can be viewed only by people who have the link. The link itself can be freely shared but random Youtube users won’t find the footage by searching the site. This isn’t as secure as private videos but it is rather more convenient. To begin, log into your Youtube account. Now click your username at the top right-hand side and choose My Videos from the dropdown menu. Scroll down the My Uploaded Videos list to find a clip that is currently marked as Private or Public – click Edit.

Scroll down the video summary page to find the Broadcasting and Sharing Options section. If it’s not already expanded, just click the heading. Now click to select the ‘Unlisted (anyone with the link can view)’ radio button – a new unlisted URL will appear in the box below.

Click once in this box and select the entire URL, either by left-clicking and dragging or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl and A. To copy the link to the Windows Clipboard either right-click the selection and choose Copy from the pop-up menu or use the Ctrl and C keyboard shortcut. Click the Save Changes button at the top or bottom of the video summary page and then paste this unlisted URL into an email or elsewhere. To change the video’s privacy setting at a later date just repeat this workshop, choosing a different radio button in Step 2.