Private means only those you invite to view the video can view it (they must have their own Youtube accounts and the maximum number is 50 usernames). Your video will not come up under any search results or your channel list. If you try to share it with someone who wasn’t invited, they will not be able to connect to it.
Unlisted means your video will not come up in search results or on your channel either. Only those who know the link can view it, and you can share the link with anyone, even those who do not have a YouTube account/username. This means that this video could still be seen by anyone, but only if they guess the link!
If your video is already uploaded, go to your video manager under the drop down menu and you can change the privacy settings for each video as well as DELETE your videos permanently.
This way, they are available for anyone to see and comment on. If you prefer, though, you can choose to make a video private.That means just what it sounds like – it's hidden from the general public and only you, the creator, can see it (though it is possible to share private videos with specific people).
Here's how to make a YouTube video private on your computer or mobile device.
How to make a YouTube video private in a web browser
You can make a video private either when you upload and publish it, or afterwards, after it's published. If you're uploading the video from a computer, do this:
1. Open YouTube in a web browser.
2. Click the Create a video or post button at the top of the screen (it looks like a camera) and then click "Upload Video."
Start uploading a video.Dave Johnson/Business Insider
3. In the Select files to upload box, click "Public" and then choose "Private."
4. When you complete the process to upload and publish, it will now be saved as a private video.
How to change a published YouTube video from public to private in a web browser
If you have already published a public video, it's easy to change it to private.
1. Open YouTube in a web browser.
2. Click your avatar in the upper right corner and then click YouTube Studio (beta) in the menu.
3. In the pane on the left, click "Videos."
4. Find the video you want to change. In the Visibility column, you should see it's currently set to Public or Unlisted. Click it.
You can change the privacy level of a video in YouTube Studio by clicking on its visibility.Dave Johnson/Business Insider
5. In the pop-up window, click "Private" and then click "Save."
How to make a YouTube video private on the mobile app
Just like on your computer, you can use the YouTube mobile app to make a video private when you upload it, or afterwards. Here's how to do it when you are publishing the video:
1. Start the YouTube app and tap the Upload Video icon at the top of the screen (it looks like a camera).
2. Choose a video from your phone and then tap "Next."
3. On the Add details page, tap "Public."
4. In the pop-up window, choose "Private – Only you can view."
When you upload a new video to YouTube, you can set the visibility to Private.Dave Johnson/Business Insider
5. Tap "Upload" and finish publishing your video.
How to change a published YouTube video from public to private on the mobile app
If the video is already live, here is how to change its visibility to private:
1. Start the YouTube app and tap "Library" in the bottom right corner of the screen.
2. Tap "My videos."
3. Find the video you want to change and then tap the three dots at the right side of the screen. In the pop-up screen, tap "Edit."
Choose to edit the video you want to set private.Dave Johnson/Business Insider
4. On the Edit details page, find the Privacy section. It should say either "Public" or "Unlisted." Tap it.
5. In the pop-up window, tap "Private – Only you can view."
On the Edit details page, you can change the visibility of your published video.Dave Johnson/Business Insider
6. Tap "Save."
Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:
How to share a private YouTube video with anyone by giving permission to their email address
A beginner's guide to YouTube Studio, YouTube's built-in video editor, which offers basic editing for free
How to block YouTube channels to keep certain users from commenting on your videos
How to temporarily hide or permanently delete your YouTube account, and erase any trace of yourself from the site
Dave Johnson
Freelance Writer
Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.