Creating a YouTube playlist is a really simple way to organize videos on your YouTube channel and improve the overall viewing experience for everyone – yourself included.

As a brand, it's worth making a playlist if you've got a series of videos on the same topic. Most brands with a big following on YouTube have a few different playlists.

Let's use the interiors magazine Architectural Digest as an example. They have a playlist for their 'Open Door: Celebrity Homes' series, another playlist for their 'Home at Last' series, and yet more playlists for topics like small spaces and DIY.

Once you've made a playlist, viewers will be able to watch all the videos in one go without having to click away to search for the next one. That means you'll get more views.

Reasons to create a playlist on YouTube

If you’re unsure whether YouTube playlists are for you, then here are some reasons why you might want to start creating some. 

Playlists are brilliant for grouping multiple videos, sharing collections with friends, and saving videos to watch later. So, for brands, they’re another way for audiences to watch lots of content at once and bookmark it for later. Playlists don’t even have to be public – you can set one to private or unlisted, depending on who you want to see it.

And it’s easy to switch up the contents and details once it’s live.

Like a music playlist, a YouTube playlist allows for the organization of content to be played back automatically, enhancing user experience and engagement through thematic collections like workouts or relaxation.

Fortunately, creating a playlist is easy. Once you do it one time, you'll never be in need of a tutorial again. We’ll take you through the process later in this guide.

We’ll also look at how to edit and optimize your playlist once it’s live, and delve into some advanced options for taking your playlist to the next level.

In this article, we cover the following:

What is a YouTube playlist?

Put simply, a YouTube playlist is a collection of videos that are grouped together into one place. After you’ve watched the first video, the next one will play automatically, and so on.

Setting a playlist title during the creation phase is crucial as it helps in organizing and managing your content effectively. 

You've probably come across these playlists while listening to music on the site. Artists collect all the songs from an album in one place to create a playlist based solely on that album.

Anyone with a YouTube account can create a playlist, and you don’t have to own the videos you add to your playlist. That means you could add Taylor Swift, Queen, U2, and Beyoncé songs to one personal playlist – just like creating a playlist of music on a music streaming platform.

Benefits of using playlists on YouTube

As a YouTube user, playlists are perfect for keeping your favorite videos organized.

You can create playlists for anything you like. For example, maybe you're learning to sew, and you want to gather a collection of videos so you can watch tutorials while you practice. There are all sorts of practical uses for playlists. 

For a brand or YouTube influencer, playlists are probably most useful for categorizing content. Think of it as running your own TV station, with a bunch of popular shows all airing on the same channel. Playlists make it easy for people to find their favorite shows, and then binge them.

A good playlist can also boost your channel's visibility because it's the playlist that people find when they search for content-not your channel page.

Once you've created a playlist, it's really easy to share it. You can even embed it on websites.

As a personal user, the videos you've clicked 'like' on are saved to a special playlist, so you can easily find them again later. Similarly, your YouTube music playlists will also show up. 

Creating playlists can keep viewers on your channel longer, since they'll be more likely to let the playlist run when one video finishes and watch a few more in one go. That's brilliant for increasing overall watch time and engagement.

Your quick guide to creating a YouTube playlist

Creating a playlist on YouTube takes just a few minutes. Here's how to do it.

Step 1: Sign into your YouTube account

Start by signing in to YouTube. If you don't have an account, you'll need to create one before making a playlist.

Step 2: Access the playlist creation option

Click the “You” tab on the left sidebar, then tap on the plus sign next to “Playlists”, or you can find a video you want to add and click the three dots below it, then “Save”. For the second option, you'll need to choose “New playlist” from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Name and set privacy for the playlist

Give your playlist a name. If it's a public playlist or one that you want people to come to, you should make sure it's search-friendly.

Your options for privacy are public (anyone can find and watch), unlisted (only people with the playlist URL can view), or private (only you can see it).

Click “Create” to set up your new playlist.

Step 4: Add videos to the playlist

To add videos, search for content you want to include, then click the three dots under a video and “Save”. After that, you can select your playlist name from the list.

Step 5: Organize your playlist

You can then rearrange videos by going to your newly created playlist (or whichever one you want) then clicking and dragging videos to new positions.

You can also remove videos, change their order, or add notes.

How to manage and edit YouTube playlists

To manage playlists, click the pencil icon next to the title or description and type a new one in.

You can also manage playlists through YouTube Studio. Go to “Content”, then “Playlists”. Find your playlist and click the three-dot menu. Select “Edit on YouTube” to open the editing page.

Remember to save your changes once you’re done. The new title and description will show up right away.

Adding or removing videos from a playlist

To add videos, browse YouTube and click “Save” under any video. Pick your playlist from the dropdown menu. You can also drag videos to reorder them within a playlist.

To remove videos, you'll have to go to the playlist page and click the three dots next to a video you want to get rid of. Select “Remove from [playlist name]”. The video will disappear from your list.

You can add the same video to multiple playlists. There's no limit to the size of a playlist.

Adjusting playlist settings and privacy options

Find playlist settings by clicking the three dots on the playlist page. You can change privacy, allow others to add videos, or delete the whole playlist.

Tips for optimizing your YouTube playlist

Creating a playlist is just the first step. If you're a brand, you want people to come to your playlist and then shift over to your profile. 

You therefore need to get views and engagement. In this section, we'll look at how you can do that.

Use descriptive titles and keywords

This might sound obvious, but there's no point in having a brilliant public playlist if nobody can find it. Include relevant keywords in your title and description to help your playlist show up in search results. 

For example, a music studio creating a playlist of its featured artists will need something more specific than “Our Top Songs”. Perhaps “The Best Music Videos of 2024” is the way to go.

A detailed playlist description with a few smart keywords will also help. This helps YouTube understand what it's about and who might be interested in it — much like how Google scans web pages before ranking them in search queries.

If you have the time, it's even worth updating your titles and descriptions from time to time to keep them fresh and relevant. You can even add the date to show it's current, like “Best Workout Songs - November 2024”.

Add thumbnails that attract clicks

Many influencers and brands use custom thumbnails to make playlists stand out on their YouTube channel and in search results. Let's take another look at Architectural Digest. Their playlists feature bright, interesting still images that entice clicks.

Try to make your thumbnails consistent across your playlists. This creates a cohesive look for your channel and helps build brand recognition.

Advanced options for YouTube playlists

Every playlist on YouTube has the option to benefit from features that go beyond basic video organization. You can collaborate with others and track performance to maximize your playlist's impact, so let's take a look at these options in a little more detail.

Collaborate on playlists with other users

YouTube Studio lets you add collaborators to your playlists. This is crucial for team projects or curating content with friends. It saves time and is way more efficient.

To invite collaborators, go to YouTube Studio then click on “Playlists” in the left menu. Select the playlist you want to share and click “Edit” then “Collaborate”. Then enter email addresses of people you want to invite.

Collaborators can add or remove videos, change the order, and edit playlist details. You can set different permission levels for each person. 

Use analytics to track playlist performance

YouTube Analytics reveals how well your public playlists are performing. To access playlist analytics, just open YouTube Studio. Click “Analytics” in the left menu, then select “Playlists” from the top menu. 

You'll see metrics like views, watch time, and audience retention for each playlist.

This is great, although if you really want to understand how well your YouTube channel is performing, then a social media tool like Brandwatch can give you far more data.

Frequently asked questions

Creating YouTube playlists is definitely worthwhile, and you can get started fairly easily once you've signed into your account. Here are some common questions about making playlists on different devices and in YouTube Studio.

How do I create a playlist on YouTube using my iPhone?

This is nice and simple. Simply open the YouTube app on your iPhone. Find a video you want to add. Tap the “Save” button below the video. Choose “Create new playlist” and give it a name. You can now add more videos to this playlist as you browse.

What steps are needed to make a playlist on YouTube on an Android device?

The process is similar on Android. Launch the YouTube app. Find a video to include. Tap the “Save” icon. Select “Create new playlist” and name it. Your new playlist is ready for more videos.

Is there a way to add videos to a YouTube playlist on my PC?

Sure! It's easy on a PC. Go to YouTube in your browser. Find a video you like. Click “Save” under the video. Pick “Create new playlist” from the options. Name your playlist and set privacy settings. You're all set to add more videos.

Can I create a YouTube playlist on my smart TV, and if so, how?

Yes, you can make playlists on many smart TVs. Use your TV's YouTube app. Select a video. Choose the “Add to playlist” option with your remote. Pick “Create new playlist” and enter a name using the on-screen keyboard.

What's the process for making a playlist in YouTube Studio?

Go to YouTube Studio on your computer. Click “Playlists” in the left menu. Select “New playlist” at the top. Give your playlist a name and select privacy settings. You can now add videos from your channel or others.

How do I add videos to my YouTube library?

To add videos to your library, tap or click “Save” under a video. Choose “Watch later” or a playlist. The video will be saved to your library for easy access later. You can find saved videos in the Library tab of the YouTube app or website.