How to create a YouTube playlist: the ultimate step by step guide

You can create a YouTube playlist by opening a video, clicking or tapping Save, selecting Create new playlist, and then adding a name and privacy setting. Afterward, you can add videos, change their order, share your playlist, and improve the title and description so people can find it more easily.

Playlists are useful for almost everyone on YouTube. You can save your favourite music, organize a course, group a vlog series together, or present your own videos in a way that keeps viewers watching longer. For creators and brands, a good playlist is often more than a folder of videos. It can help with structure, watch time, returning viewers, and even income, as long as you understand how monetization works.

What is a YouTube playlist?

A YouTube playlist is a collection of videos that can play one after another. You can add your own videos as well as public videos from other channels. This makes playlists useful for things such as:

• music for work, exercise, or relaxation
• tutorials about one topic
• lessons, training, or courses
• vlog series or episodes in the correct order
• product reviews, explainer videos, or customer stories
• your best videos from your own channel

For viewers, a good playlist feels simple and easy to follow. They do not have to keep searching for the next video themselves. This is valuable for a creator because the better your videos connect with one another, the more likely someone is to watch several videos in a row.

Create a YouTube playlist on desktop and mobile

You can create a playlist from a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or the YouTube app. The buttons may appear in slightly different places depending on your device, but the process is the same: you save a video to a new playlist.

How to create a YouTube playlist on a computer or laptop

1. Go to YouTube and sign in using your Google account.
2. Find a video that you want to add to your new playlist.
3. Click Save below the video. Sometimes this option appears behind the three dots button.
4. Click Create new playlist.
5. Give your playlist a clear name, such as Home workouts for beginners or Best camera reviews for YouTube.
6. Choose the visibility: Public, Unlisted, or Private.
7. Click Create.

Your playlist will then appear in your library. If you make it public, it may also be visible on your channel or in search results when YouTube considers it relevant. Google also provides an official guide to creating and managing playlists on YouTube if you want to check the latest menus.

How to create a YouTube playlist in the YouTube app

1. Open the YouTube app and sign in.
2. Open the video that you want to save.
3. Tap Save.
4. Tap New playlist or Create new playlist.
5. Enter a name.
6. Choose whether the playlist should be public, unlisted, or private.
7. Tap Create.

If you only use the playlist for yourself, a private setting is usually suitable. If you want to share it with friends, clients, students, or followers, select unlisted or public. A public setting is especially useful when you want people to discover the playlist through your channel or YouTube search.

Which privacy setting should you choose?

Setting	Who can see the playlist?	When is it useful?
Public	Anyone can view the playlist.	For playlists that you want to grow, share, or display on your channel.
Unlisted	Only people with the link can view the playlist.	For clients, friends, lessons, temporary campaigns, or internal lists.
Private	Only you can view the playlist.	For personal collections, drafts, or research.

Also consider the privacy settings for your own videos. A public playlist containing a private video does not make that video public. The video will remain hidden or unavailable to other people. You can find more information about video visibility from YouTube on its page about video privacy settings.

Add videos to an existing playlist

If you have already created a playlist, you can add more videos later. This is useful when you have an ongoing series, such as weekly vlogs, music updates, lesson videos, or new reviews.

Add a video from the video itself

1. Open the video that you want to add.
2. Click or tap Save.
3. Select the playlist where the video should appear.
4. Close the window. The change is usually saved immediately.

You can add the same video to multiple playlists. For example, a cooking video can appear in Quick recipes as well as Healthy lunch ideas.

Add a video through your library

1. Go to your YouTube library.
2. Open the playlist that you want to edit.
3. Select the option to add a video if it is available on your device.
4. Search for the video and add it to the list.

If you do not see this option, use the first method by opening the video itself. YouTube regularly tests small changes in the app, so buttons may sometimes move to another location.

Manage and edit your YouTube playlist

Creating a playlist is quick, but a good playlist also requires maintenance. This is especially true when you use it for your channel, business, or community. Outdated videos, a disorganized order, or vague titles can cause people to leave sooner.

Change the order of videos

The order determines how someone moves through your playlist, so do not simply sort everything by date. Consider the viewer.

• For a course, place the basics first and the more difficult lessons later.
• For a vlog series, arrange the episodes in chronological order.
• For music or entertainment, you can begin with the strongest or most popular video.
• For product reviews, you can place the newest or most frequently searched video at the top.

Open your playlist, click edit if necessary, and drag the videos into the correct positions. On some devices, you can do this through the menu beside a video.

Remove videos from a playlist

Removing a video from your playlist does not remove it from YouTube. You are only taking it out of your list.

1. Open the playlist.
2. Click or tap the three dots beside the video.
3. Select Remove from playlist.

Remove videos that no longer match the topic, are no longer available, or reduce the quality of your list. A shorter playlist with strong videos often performs better than a long list containing many videos that few people want to watch.

Edit the title and description

The title and description are important when you want people to understand immediately what the playlist offers. Use words that an average viewer would also enter into YouTube.

For example, a weak title would be:

• My videos
• Fun things
• Playlist 1

For example, a clear title would be:

• Yoga for beginners at home
• YouTube tips for new creators
• Best budget cameras for vlogging
• LoFi music for studying and focus

In the description, briefly explain who the playlist is for, what someone will watch, and why the order makes sense. You do not need to write a long story, but one or two clear paragraphs can already make a significant difference.

Improve the thumbnail of a playlist

For playlists, YouTube often uses a thumbnail from one of the included videos. You can usually select a video from the playlist to serve as the visual cover. If you mainly add your own videos, creating strong thumbnails for them helps because those images also affect how appealing your playlist looks.

A good thumbnail is clean, readable, and recognizable. Avoid using too much small text. A thumbnail appears small on mobile, so always check that it remains clear on a phone screen.

Delete a playlist

To delete a playlist completely, open it, go to the options, and select delete. Consider this carefully before proceeding, especially for public playlists that have already been shared or receive traffic through your channel, website, or social media. The individual videos will continue to exist, but the playlist link will no longer work as it did before.

Share a YouTube playlist

You can share a playlist in several ways. The best option depends on your objective.

Share the playlist link

1. Open the playlist.
2. Click or tap Share.
3. Copy the link.
4. Paste the link into WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, your newsletter, your website, or a community.

You can also share an unlisted playlist using a link. Anyone with that link can view it, so select private if the content is genuinely intended only for you.

Embed a playlist on a website

If you have a website or blog, you can often embed a playlist using embed code. This is useful for lessons, product pages, training, or articles where several videos belong together. After adding it, always confirm that the playlist works properly on mobile because many visitors watch on their phones.

Promote your playlist on Instagram, TikTok and other channels

Do not wait for people to discover your playlist on their own. Create a short preview and explain exactly why someone should watch it. For example:

• post an Instagram Story with a link sticker to your playlist
• create a TikTok with three quick tips and direct people to the complete playlist
• include the playlist link in your YouTube video description
• place the link in a pinned comment below a relevant video
• add the playlist to your YouTube channel page

If you spend considerable time on YouTube, make sure that your channel name is also clear and recognizable. An unclear name makes it more difficult for viewers to find you again.

Make your playlist easier to find on YouTube

A playlist can appear on YouTube and sometimes in Google, but only when its topic is clear and it provides genuine value to viewers. Focus less on tricks and more on clarity. YouTube needs to understand what your list covers, and viewers should immediately feel that the playlist answers their question.

Choose one clear topic

A playlist containing many unrelated videos is difficult to understand. Creating several focused playlists is better than building one large mixed collection. For example:

• Not ideal: Fitness, nutrition, vlogs, and motivation
• Better: 20 minute home workouts for beginners
• Better: Healthy meal preparation recipes
• Better: Workout motivation for busy days

The more specific the playlist is, the more likely the right people are to continue watching.

Use search terms the way regular people search

Avoid complicated words if your audience does not use them. Someone is more likely to search for makeup for beginners than cosmetic application techniques. Include the main topic in the title and repeat it naturally in the description.

Write a description that genuinely helps

A useful description does not need to be extremely long. Explain what the playlist contains, who it is for, and what someone can do after watching. For example:

Example: In this playlist, you will find simple strength workouts that you can do at home without expensive equipment. Begin with the first video if you are new, and then progress gradually to the longer workouts. It is ideal for beginners who want to become stronger and exercise at home.

Use hashtags sparingly

Hashtags can help clarify the topic, but avoid overusing them. Three relevant hashtags are often sufficient. Consider #fitness, #youtubetips, or #guitarlesson. Too many hashtags make your description look cluttered and can quickly appear like spam.

Make the first video especially strong

The first video is important because it often determines whether someone continues watching. Do not automatically place the newest video first. Choose a video that provides value quickly, matches the title well, and naturally leads people to the next video.

Use playlists on your channel page

If you create your own videos, display your best playlists prominently on your channel page. New visitors will understand more quickly what your channel covers. This is particularly useful if you discuss multiple topics, such as tutorials, reviews, and livestreams.

If you want to support your YouTube channel alongside quality content and well planned playlists, you can explore the YouTube services from SocialKings to see what suits your goal. Some creators combine a strong playlist structure with additional visibility through options such as YouTube views, YouTube likes, or YouTube subscribers. Treat this as support rather than a replacement for quality videos, clear titles, and a channel that people enjoy revisiting.

Can you make money with a YouTube playlist?

Yes, a playlist can help you earn money with YouTube, but there is an important difference between earning money from your own videos in a playlist and earning money from videos created by other people.

If you create a playlist using videos from other creators, you do not automatically receive advertising revenue from those videos. That revenue goes to the rights holders and video creators, not to the person who assembled the playlist. A playlist alone is therefore not a quick way to earn money from advertisements on someone else’s content.

A playlist can be valuable for keeping viewers on your channel longer, organizing your own videos more effectively, directing traffic to your products or services, and presenting your content more professionally.

Way 1: More watch time on your own videos

If you participate in the YouTube Partner Program and your own videos can generate revenue, a good playlist may help. Viewers do not need to search for the next video themselves. They are more likely to continue watching, especially when the order makes sense.

Examples:

• a course with lessons arranged in a fixed order
• a series of product reviews covering the same topic
• a music series featuring your own songs
• a group of tutorials that build upon one another

The playlist does not earn revenue separately from your videos. Its main purpose is to help people watch your own videos in a smoother sequence.

Way 2: Affiliate links in the description

With some playlists, you can mention products, tools, or services in the description when they relate to the content. Examples include cameras with a vlogging playlist, sports equipment with fitness videos, or software with tutorials.

Keep this honest and transparent. Clearly disclose when you use an affiliate link, and only promote products or services that genuinely suit the viewer. A playlist filled with unrelated links feels unreliable and may drive viewers away.

Way 3: Traffic to your own offer

Do you have an online store, course, coaching service, music, events, or another service? A playlist can provide a useful path to your offer. A strong explainer playlist can assist viewers before they become customers.

Examples:

• a hairstylist shares hair tutorials and directs people to appointment booking
• a fitness coach shares training videos and directs people to a plan
• a musician shares live sessions and directs people to Spotify or merchandise
• a software company shares explainer videos and directs people to a demonstration

Way 4: Collaborations and sponsors

If your channel and playlists attract many relevant viewers, collaborations may become worthwhile. Brands consider not only views but also the topic, audience, and level of trust. A small, focused playlist about camera accessories can be more valuable to a brand than a broad playlist with unrelated viewers.

Consider copyright when using playlists to earn income

Adding videos to a playlist is different from downloading them, uploading them again, or presenting them as your own. The rights remain with the creator or rights holder. It is particularly important to be careful with music, movie clips, and sports footage. YouTube explains the basics on its page about copyright on YouTube.

If you want to learn more about earning income through playlists, consider exploring monetization models and effective ways to use playlists as part of your broader YouTube strategy.

Good ideas for YouTube playlists

Not every playlist has the same purpose. Choose a format that suits your channel or the content that you want to save.

Goal	Playlist idea	Why this works
More watch time	Complete course for beginners	Viewers progress logically from one lesson to the next.
More structure	Every episode from one series	New visitors can quickly find the correct order.
More trust	Customer questions and explainer videos	You address concerns before someone contacts you.
More entertainment	Best moments or highlights	Viewers can quickly find the most enjoyable content.
More sales opportunities	Product explanations and demonstrations	People gain a better understanding of what you offer.

Common mistakes with YouTube playlists

A playlist may seem simple, but minor mistakes can cause people to leave sooner.

Too many topics in one playlist

A list combining gaming, makeup, vlogs, and music is not ideal for most people. Create a separate playlist for each topic.

No logical order

If lesson 8 appears before lesson 1, viewers can lose track. Review the order as though you were watching the playlist yourself for the first time.

Vague titles

Titles such as Favourites or Fun provide very little information. Clearly explain what someone will receive.

Keeping old or broken videos

Videos are sometimes deleted, made private, or made unavailable in certain countries. Review your most important playlists occasionally, especially if you use them on your website or in your social media profile.

Only optimizing without promoting

A good title helps, but you also need to draw attention to the playlist. Share it in places where your target audience is already active.

Frequently asked questions about YouTube playlists

Can everyone see my YouTube playlist?

That depends on your privacy setting. Public playlists are visible to everyone. People with the link can view unlisted playlists. Private playlists are visible only to you.

Can I add videos from other channels to my playlist?

Yes, you can generally add public videos from other channels to your playlist. If the creator later deletes the video, makes it private, or restricts it, the video may disappear from your playlist or stop playing.

Do I receive ad revenue from other people’s videos in my playlist?

No, not through the usual process. Advertising revenue goes to the creator or rights holder of the video. You can earn money if you use your own videos, direct traffic to your own offer, or use affiliate links transparently and honestly.

How many videos should a playlist contain?

There is no ideal number that works in every situation. Five videos may be enough for a short explainer series. A music playlist or course can contain many more. The most important point is that every video matches the topic and the order remains logical.

Can I make a playlist private later?

Yes, you can change a playlist’s visibility later. Open the playlist, go to the editing options, and change the privacy setting to public, unlisted, or private.

Do playlists really help you get more views?

Playlists can help, particularly when they are well organized and connect your own videos in a logical sequence. They do not generate views automatically, but they make it easier for viewers to watch more videos in a row.

Create your playlist with a clear goal

A strong YouTube playlist begins with one simple question: what should viewers be able to watch easily? Once you answer that question clearly, choosing the title, order, description, and promotion becomes much easier.

Do not make your first playlist overly complicated. Select a topic, add the best videos, arrange them logically, and share the playlist where your audience already spends time. You can then improve it based on what people actually watch.