Easy Ways To Share A YouTube Video Text, Email, Social Media & Desktop
Hey guys! Found an awesome YouTube video you just have to share? Whether it's a side-splitting comedy sketch, an insightful documentary, or a helpful tutorial, YouTube makes it super simple to spread the video love. This guide will walk you through all the different ways you can share YouTube videos, from sending a quick text to posting it on all your favorite social media platforms. We'll cover sharing via email, social media, and even straight from your desktop. Let's dive in and get those videos circulating!
Sharing YouTube Videos: The Basics
Before we get into the specifics, let's cover the fundamental ways YouTube allows you to share videos. The primary method involves using the "Share" button located directly beneath the video player. Clicking this button opens up a treasure trove of sharing options, including:
- Copying the video link: This is the most basic and versatile method. You can copy the direct link to the video and paste it anywhere – in an email, a text message, a social media post, or even a document.
- Email: YouTube provides a handy email sharing option that lets you send the video link directly from the platform. Just enter the recipient's email address, add a message if you like, and hit send.
- Social Media: YouTube integrates seamlessly with a variety of social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and more. With just a click, you can share the video on your chosen platform.
- Embed Code: For those who want to embed the video on a website or blog, YouTube provides an embed code. This code allows you to directly integrate the video player into your own site.
- Start at: This nifty feature lets you share the video starting at a specific time. This is perfect for highlighting a particular moment or section of the video.
Now that we've covered the basics, let's explore each sharing method in more detail.
Sharing via Text Message
Sharing a YouTube video via text is quick and easy, perfect for sending a funny clip to a friend or sharing an important update with family. Here’s how you do it:
- Find the Video: First, head over to YouTube and find the video you want to share. This could be anything from a hilarious cat video to a thought-provoking documentary. The key is to have the video loaded and ready to go.
- Click the Share Button: Beneath the video player, you’ll see a row of buttons, including a “Share” button. It usually looks like an arrow curving to the right. Click on this button to reveal the sharing options. This is your gateway to sharing the video across various platforms.
- Copy the Link: A box will pop up with several sharing options. The first and most direct option is the video link itself. You’ll see a text box containing the URL of the video. Click the “Copy” button next to the link. This copies the link to your device’s clipboard, ready for pasting.
- Open Your Messaging App: Now, switch over to your favorite messaging app, whether it's iMessage, WhatsApp, Messenger, or something else. Open the conversation with the person you want to share the video with.
- Paste the Link: In the text input field of your messaging app, simply paste the link you copied earlier. You can usually do this by tapping and holding in the text field and then selecting “Paste,” or by using the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+V on Windows, Cmd+V on Mac). The link will appear in the message.
- Add a Message (Optional): If you want, you can add a little context or a message to go along with the video link. This could be anything from “OMG, you HAVE to see this!” to a brief explanation of why you’re sharing it.
- Send the Message: Finally, hit the send button in your messaging app. The message, complete with the YouTube video link, will be sent to your friend or family member. They can then click on the link to watch the video directly on YouTube.
Sharing videos via text is incredibly convenient for quick sharing, especially when you want to get a reaction or start a conversation about the video right away. It's a simple and effective way to spread the YouTube love!
Sharing via Email
Email is a classic way to share YouTube videos, especially when you want to send it to multiple people or include a more detailed message. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Locate Your Video: First things first, find the YouTube video that you want to share. This could be a fascinating documentary, a catchy music video, or a helpful tutorial – whatever strikes your fancy. Make sure you have the video loaded up and ready to go.
- Click the Share Button: Just like with text sharing, the “Share” button is your best friend. Look for it beneath the video player; it’s usually represented by an arrow curving to the right. Click on this button to open up the sharing options. This is where all the magic happens.
- Select the Email Option: In the sharing options box, you’ll see a variety of ways to share the video. Look for the “Email” icon, which usually looks like an envelope. Click on this icon to initiate the email sharing process. YouTube will often open a new email draft directly within the platform or redirect you to your default email client.
- Enter Recipient Email Addresses: A new email draft will appear, either within YouTube or in your email program. In the “To” field, enter the email addresses of the people you want to share the video with. You can add multiple recipients if you’re sharing with a group.
- Customize the Subject Line (Optional): The email will likely have a default subject line, such as “Check out this YouTube video!” You can customize this subject line to something more specific or engaging if you like. A catchy subject line can increase the chances of your recipients clicking on the link.
- Add a Personal Message: This is where you can really personalize your email. In the body of the email, write a message to your recipients. You could explain why you’re sharing the video, highlight a particular moment, or simply say “I thought you’d enjoy this!” A personal touch makes the sharing experience more meaningful.
- Review and Send: Before you hit send, take a moment to review your email. Make sure you’ve entered the correct email addresses, the subject line is appropriate, and your message is clear. Once you’re satisfied, click the “Send” button. Your email, complete with the YouTube video link, will be sent to your recipients.
Sharing videos via email is a great way to reach a specific audience and add a personal touch to your message. It’s perfect for sharing longer videos or when you want to provide some context or commentary.
Sharing on Social Media
Social media is a fantastic platform for sharing YouTube videos and reaching a wide audience. Whether it's Facebook, Twitter, or another platform, YouTube makes it incredibly easy to share your favorite content. Here's a breakdown of how to do it:
- Find Your Video: The first step is to locate the YouTube video that you're excited to share on social media. This could be anything from a viral sensation to a niche tutorial – the choice is yours. Just make sure the video is loaded and ready to go.
- Hit the Share Button: Just like with other sharing methods, the “Share” button is your key. Look for it beneath the video player; it usually appears as an arrow curving to the right. Click on this button to reveal the various sharing options. This is where the social media magic begins.
- Choose Your Platform: The sharing options box will display a list of social media platforms that YouTube integrates with. Common options include Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, LinkedIn, and more. Click on the icon of the platform where you want to share the video. This will initiate the sharing process for that specific platform.
- Customize Your Post: After selecting a platform, you'll typically be redirected to a new window or tab where you can customize your post. This is your chance to add your own commentary, thoughts, or a catchy message to accompany the video. For example, on Facebook, you can write a status update, tag friends, and choose your audience settings. On Twitter, you can add a witty tweet to go along with the video link.
- Add a Message (Optional): Take advantage of the opportunity to add a personal message or context to your social media post. Explain why you're sharing the video, highlight a specific part that you found interesting, or simply express your enthusiasm. A personal touch can make your post more engaging and encourage others to watch the video.
- Adjust Privacy Settings (If Applicable): Some social media platforms, like Facebook, allow you to adjust the privacy settings of your post. You can choose who can see your post, such as your friends, the public, or a specific group. Make sure to select the appropriate privacy settings based on your preferences and the nature of the video.
- Share It! Once you've customized your post and adjusted the settings to your liking, it's time to share the video! Click the “Post,” “Tweet,” or equivalent button to publish the video on your chosen social media platform. Your followers and friends will now be able to see the video and engage with it.
Sharing on social media is a powerful way to spread the word about your favorite YouTube videos and connect with others who share your interests. It's an excellent way to start conversations, share knowledge, and entertain your network.
Sharing from Your Desktop
You don't always need to be on the YouTube website to share a video. You can also share directly from your desktop using a variety of methods. This is especially useful if you want to share a video in an application that doesn't directly integrate with YouTube, or if you simply prefer to work from your desktop environment. Here’s how you can do it:
- Copy the Video URL: The most straightforward way to share a YouTube video from your desktop is to copy the video URL. Open the YouTube video in your web browser and look at the address bar at the top of the window. Select the entire URL (the web address) and copy it. You can typically do this by right-clicking and selecting “Copy,” or by using the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+C on Windows, Cmd+C on Mac).
- Paste the URL: Once you’ve copied the URL, you can paste it into any application or document on your desktop. This could be an email, a messaging app, a word processor, a presentation, or any other program that allows you to paste text. Simply open the application, find the text input area, and paste the URL. You can usually do this by right-clicking and selecting “Paste,” or by using the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+V on Windows, Cmd+V on Mac).
- Share in Messaging Apps: Many desktop messaging apps, like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Discord, automatically create a preview of the YouTube video when you paste the link. This makes it even easier for your recipients to see what you’re sharing and click to watch the video. Simply paste the URL into the message input field, and the app will often generate a thumbnail and title for the video.
- Embed in Documents and Presentations: If you’re creating a document or presentation, you can often embed a YouTube video directly into the file. This can be a great way to add visual content and make your document more engaging. The exact method for embedding a video will vary depending on the application you’re using, but it typically involves copying the video's embed code from YouTube and pasting it into your document or presentation.
- Use Third-Party Sharing Tools: There are also a number of third-party desktop applications and browser extensions that can help you share YouTube videos more easily. These tools often provide additional features, such as the ability to create shortened URLs or share to multiple platforms at once. Explore the options available to find a tool that suits your needs.
Sharing from your desktop provides flexibility and control over how you share YouTube videos. It’s a convenient way to integrate videos into your workflow and share them in a variety of contexts.
Sharing at a Specific Time
Want to share a YouTube video and direct your friends to a specific moment? YouTube's