How to Create a YouTube Timestamp Link

The exact moment you want them to see

If you’re sharing a YouTube video with friends, but you’re looking to pinpoint a particular section of the video, you’ll need to use the video’s timestamp. You could share the timestamp directly by telling the viewer to move the playback slider to another starting point themselves, but this creates unnecessary work for the viewer.

An easier way to share a YouTube video using a different starting point is to create a YouTube timestamp link. A timestamp link skips the start of your video, allowing the audience to automatically view the video from another starting point. If you want to know how to create a YouTube timestamp link, here’s what you’ll need to do.

The easiest way to create a shareable YouTube timestamp link is to use the YouTube website directly. While websites do exist that help you to create YouTube timestamp links, they aren’t required.

Instead, you can use the steps below to create a YouTube link with your chosen timestamp and share it with other users.

These steps will work for all PC and Mac users as the YouTube website is platform independent. However, if you’re having trouble, you may need to sign in to YouTube first using your Google account.

If you copy a YouTube link using the video’s sharing features from an alternative starting position, a timestamp parameter is added to the URL. YouTube loads the video from a different starting point and begins playback, rather than from the start of the video.

You can create these timestamp links manually without loading YouTube. You’ll need the YouTube video playback link to do this.

For instance,start one of Online Tech Tips’ YouTube videosfrom an alternative starting point. Take the video URL and add the?t=0 or &t=44sparameter to the end of the URL, replacing the0value with the new starting position (in seconds) to begin playback.

The parameter you use (using either the?or&special characters) will depend on the YouTube URL you use. For instance, if you’re using the standardyoutube.comdomain (e.g.,https://youtube.com/watch?v=on18Dt_qmrE&t=44), you need to add&t=to the end of the URL, adding the new starting point in seconds afterward.

You can also use minutes and seconds for longer videos by using the&t=XmYsparameter with theyoutube.comdomain instead, replacingXwith the number of minutes andYwith the number of seconds.

However, YouTube also has a shortened domain (youtu.be) that you’ll see if you use the share function on videos to copy video URLs. For these domains, you’ll need to add?t=to the end of the URL instead, adding the new starting point in seconds afterward.

For example, the following URLs will all begin playback of the video 43 seconds after the starting point on YouTube, using?t=for the shortened domain and&t=(or&t=XmYs) for the standard domain:

https://youtu.be/on18Dt_qmrE?t=43

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on18Dt_qmrE&t=43

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on18Dt_qmrE&t=0m43s

Unfortunately, the YouTube mobile app for Android, iPhone, and iPad users doesn’t allow you to create YouTube timestamp links directly. You’ll need to copy the URL of the video first using the YouTube app’s sharing features, then add the timestamp parameters manually using the steps outlined in the section above.

You’ll need to make sure that the YouTube app is installed on your mobile device first. You may also need to sign in using your Google account.

Using YouTube Effectively

Creating a YouTube timestamp link allows you to quickly pinpoint the parts of a video you’re looking to share, saving you and others time. There are other ways you can use YouTube’s features more effectively, from reducing YouTube data usage on mobile devices to going ad-free with aYouTube Premium subscription.

You could also think about downloading your YouTube playlists for on-the-go video playback without risking your mobile data allowance, or you could considerripping the audio from YouTube videos(as long as you have permission). However, if YouTube isn’t for you, don’t forget that you candelete your YouTube accountquickly.

Ben Stockton is a freelance technology writer based in the United Kingdom. In a past life, Ben was a college lecturer in the UK, training teens and adults. Since leaving the classroom, Ben has taken his teaching experience and applied it to writing tech how-to guides and tutorials, specialising in Linux, Windows, and Android. He has a degree in History and a postgraduate qualification in Computing.Read Ben’s Full Bio

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked*

Comment*

Name*

Email*

Website

Welcome to Help Desk Geek- a blog full of tech tips from trusted tech experts. We have thousands of articles and guides to help you troubleshoot any issue. Our articles have been read over 150 million times since we launched in 2008.

HomeAbout UsEditorial StandardsContact UsTerms of Use

Copyright © 2008-2024 Help Desk Geek.com, LLC All Rights Reserved