YouTube has become the essential platform for videos, offering a wide range of content for all interests. In this blog post, we will cover the basics of using YouTube, including how to create an account, like and dislike videos, and subscribe to channels.
This guide is perfect for beginners who are just getting started with YouTube. You don’t need to make an account to watch YouTube, but by making an account you can personalize and customize your choices.
Creating a YouTube Account: Step by Step
Before fully enjoying YouTube’s features, you’ll need to create an account. Here’s how!
Go to YouTube: Open your web browser and type www.youtube.com, or search from the browser for YouTube
Sign In: Click on the “Sign In” button located at the top right corner of the page.
Google Account: YouTube is owned by Google, so you’ll need a Google account to sign in. If you already have one, enter your credentials. If not, first go to Google click on “Create account” and follow the instructions to set up a new Google account, as demonstrated here on the right. Our blog post How to Make a Gmail Account has a step-by-step guide!
Home: This is the main page where you’ll find recommended videos based on your viewing habits.
Shorts: Short-form videos, like TikToks or Instagram reels.
Subscriptions: Shows the latest videos from YouTube channels you follow.
You: Your Youtube Items.
History: The history of the content you watched.
Playlists: Playlists are curated selections of content, like “Year-end Rewind” i.e. your most played videos, or lists you’ve made on your own.
Watch Later: Create a custom playlist of items you’re interested in on YouTube but haven’t had time to watch. You must manually add videos to the list for it to work.
Liked: Videos are added to a “liked” list based on videos that you have responded to using the “Thumbs Up.” These are manually added by the user.
Library: Here, you can access your watch history, liked videos, and saved playlists.
Basic Anatomy of YouTube’s Media Player
- Play, Pause, Fast Forward, and Volume Controls.
- Screen controls: Mini mode, Full Screen, Theatre mode.
- Channel Name, Subscribe Button, Like, and Dislike.
On the right-hand side, “Suggested Videos” appears, selected by YouTube based on the last viewed item, related videos, and viewing habits. Typically, the top video plays next. In our example, “DarkWave Mix” is currently playing, with “Space Trip” up next, followed by “Synthwave,” and so on.
Liking and Disliking Videos
Engaging with videos through likes and dislikes helps YouTube tailor recommendations to your preferences. Subscribing to a channel you enjoy allows YouTube to better understand your tastes, enhancing your overall browsing experience. For instance, my subscribed channels include Synth, retro, and dark wave music, as well as Linux Tips. By consistently liking videos and subscribing to these specific channels, YouTube has been able to curate a personalized feed that matches my interests, making my browsing experience more enjoyable and relevant.
Summary
Watch a Video: Click on a video to watch it, pause, and play using the on-screen controls.
Like/Dislike Buttons: Below the video player, you’ll see a thumbs-up (like) and thumbs-down (dislike) button. Click the thumbs up if you enjoyed the video, or thumbs down if you didn’t.
Subscribing to Channels
Subscribing to channels keeps you updated with new content from your favorite creators.
Find a Channel: When you find a creator you like, click on their channel name.
Subscribe Button: On the channel’s main page, click the red “Subscribe” button
Commenting on Videos: Engaging in the comment section can be a great way to join the conversation and connect with other viewers.
Find a Video “I JUST Watched”: Check the history and your most recently watched videos will be listed
You are now well on your way to becoming a proficient YouTube user! Whether you’re creating an account, liking and disliking videos, or subscribing to your favorite channels, these steps will help you navigate the platform with ease. Engaging with content through likes, dislikes, and subscriptions enhances your personal experience by having YouTube curate a feed that matches your interests.
Links to Google and YouTube
If you have questions about this post, or our services in general, just call or email. We’re happy to assist you! Feel free to use our contact form to send us a message. Thank you!