- Unlisted YouTube videos explained in plain English
- Public vs unlisted vs private on YouTube
- How private is an unlisted YouTube link?
- When to choose unlisted for a YouTube video
- How to make a YouTube video unlisted on a computer
- Setting a YouTube video to unlisted on your phone
- Sharing a private YouTube video with named people
- Unlisted YouTube playlists and defaults for teen creators
- Frequently asked questions
Unlisted on YouTube means anyone with the link can watch the video, but it won't appear in search results, on your channel's Videos tab or in subscribers' feeds. The detail people miss: anyone who has the link can share it, so for anything sensitive, choose private and invite named people instead.
Unlisted is one of the most useful settings on YouTube, and one of the most misunderstood. I use the idea all the time when I talk to small-business owners: a client walkthrough, a training video for a new team member, or a draft you want feedback on. You don't want those showing up in search, but you do want people to watch them without fuss. Here's how YouTube's help centre defines each option, who can see what, and how to switch a video over.
Unlisted YouTube videos explained in plain English
An unlisted video is hidden from the public places on YouTube but open to anyone who has the link. YouTube's help page says it won't appear on your channel's Videos tab, in search results or in your subscribers' feeds. Viewers don't need a Google Account to watch it, comments are allowed, and anyone with the link can pass it on.
The one exception to it staying out of sight: YouTube notes that an unlisted video can appear on your channel if someone adds it to a public playlist. So think about where your link might end up.
Public vs unlisted vs private on YouTube
| Visibility option | Who can watch | Shows in search and on your channel | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public | Anyone | Yes, plus subscriber feeds | Allowed |
| Unlisted | Anyone with the link | No, unless added to a public playlist | Allowed too |
| Private | You and people you invite | No | Not available |
Private is the locked-down option. Only you and the people you choose can see the video, and YouTube's help centre says comments aren't available on private videos. Public is the default for most adult creators: the video can show up in search and related videos and lands in your subscribers' feeds.
How private is an unlisted YouTube link?
This is where I see people get caught out. Unlisted hides a video from the places people browse on YouTube, but it doesn't lock it. YouTube's help centre is clear that anyone who has the link can watch it and share it again. If a client forwards the link to a colleague, or posts it in a group chat, those people can watch too, and you won't be asked.
So I think of unlisted as 'not advertised' rather than 'secret'. It's perfect for content you're happy for anyone to see, as long as you don't want it promoted. For anything confidential, such as internal procedures, client data or a recording that shows people who haven't agreed to be online, private with named invitations is the safer setting. If something unlisted has gone further than you wanted, switch it to private and the old link stops working for anyone you haven't invited.
When to choose unlisted for a YouTube video
- Sharing a video with clients or a small group without making it searchable.
- Embedding a video on a course page or a members' area of your website.
- Checking how a video looks on YouTube before you make it public.
- Keeping an older video available for people who already have the link, without promoting it.
If what you're sharing is sensitive, unlisted isn't the right choice, because anyone who gets the link can watch and reshare it. Use private instead and invite named people.
How to make a YouTube video unlisted on a computer
YouTube's help centre gives these steps in YouTube Studio:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Content.
- Hover over the video you want to change. For live streams, open the Live tab first.
- Click the arrow under Visibility and choose Unlisted.
- Click Save.
You can also choose unlisted while you're uploading, on the visibility step. My guide on uploading a video to YouTube shows where that step sits.
Setting a YouTube video to unlisted on your phone
In the YouTube app, according to the help page for Android:
- Tap your profile picture, then Your videos.
- Next to the video, tap More, then Edit.
- Tap Visibility and choose Unlisted.
- Go back and save your change.
In the YouTube Studio app it's similar: tap Content, then More next to the video, then Edit, then Visibility, then go back and tap Save. Menus vary by app version, so look for the nearest match.
Sharing a private YouTube video with named people
If you'd rather keep control, YouTube's help centre explains how to share a private video on a computer. In YouTube Studio, open the video, click the Visibility box, select Share privately, enter the email addresses of the people you want to invite, then save. Only those people can watch it.
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YouTube also notes that private videos aren't entirely invisible to YouTube itself: its systems and reviewers may check them for things like copyright and abuse prevention.
Unlisted YouTube playlists and defaults for teen creators
Playlists have the same three settings. YouTube says an unlisted playlist can be seen and shared by anyone with the link, and that a public playlist can include unlisted videos. If you're building a set of videos for clients, my guide on making a playlist on YouTube covers the setup.
One more detail from the help page: uploads from creators aged 13 to 17 default to private, while creators aged 18 and over default to public. Everyone can change the setting on each video.
For more small settings that make YouTube easier to run, see my YouTube tips and tricks every user should know.
Frequently asked questions
What does unlisted mean on YouTube?
It means anyone with the link can watch the video, but it won't show in search, on your channel's Videos tab or in subscriber feeds.
Can people find an unlisted YouTube video by searching?
No. YouTube says unlisted videos don't appear in search results. They can appear on a channel if someone adds them to a public playlist.
Who can see a private YouTube video?
Only you and the people you've invited by email using Share privately. Comments aren't available on private videos.
Do you need a Google Account to watch an unlisted video?
No. YouTube's help centre says viewers don't need a Google Account to watch an unlisted video.
Can someone share my unlisted YouTube video?
Yes. YouTube says anyone who has the link to an unlisted video can reshare it, so use private for anything sensitive.
Can I change a video from unlisted to public later?
Yes. In YouTube Studio, go to Content, use the arrow under Visibility, choose Public and save.
