YouTube is the go-to choice for users wanting to create high-quality content for their audience. However, many users are frustrated by the download feature being locked behind a hefty 88$ paywall. So, is there a safe and reliable way of copying YouTube links to download your videos for free? In this detailed YouTube URL link copy guide, I’ll show you exactly how to copy YouTube URL and introduce you to Toolsmart, so you can download your favourite content with ease, using nothing more than a URL.
What Is a YouTube URL Used For?
A YouTube URL acts like a distinct key that lets me find any specific video, channel, playlist, or even a community post. It saves me the trouble of manually searching and lets me access or share my favourite content seamlessly. Whether I’m sending a funny video to a friend or downloading a guide to watch later, the right URL streamlines the process. In this section, I’ll walk you through the key functions of a URL that make it essential for sharing and saving content on YouTube.
Why do users need to copy YouTube URLs?
Easily share videos or playlists across different platforms without manually searching.
Save content to watch or share later, or download using online downloaders.
Add YouTube videos to your websites and blogs for better engagement.
Drive traffic to your videos or channels in marketing campaigns.
Start a video at an exact moment by adding “?t=[seconds]” to the end of the URL
For print materials, packaging, or presentations, turn URLs into QR codes that provide instant access to videos.
How to Copy a Specific YouTube URL (5 Different Types)
A YouTube URL isn’t the same for every kind of post, there are different links for videos, playlists, Shorts, and even for text-based community posts. Each kind of post has its own function and is useful depending on what I’m trying to share. Whether it’s a video link I’m trying to copy for sharing, or copying a playlist URL to watch later, the right link makes everything much more convenient. In this section, I’ll be showing you how to copy a YouTube URL so you can learn how to share each type of post hassle-free.
Video URL
I’ve found that the most common type of YouTube URL is the standard video link. It takes me directly to the specific video instantly, without the hassle of manual searching needed. I’ll be highlighting some of the common URL formats for YouTube videos, along with walking you through the steps to copy a video URL.
Formats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID&t=60s (starts the video at 60 seconds)
https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID (used for embedding in websites)
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Visit YouTube on your web browser, and select the video you want to share or save.
Step 2: On your browser’s address bar, select the URL and press “Ctrl” + “C”. Your video’s URL link will now be copied to your clipboard, ready to be shared.
Shorts URL
Shorts are YouTube’s take on short-form content, vertical videos for easy viewing on mobile phones. I’ve found that Shorts have their own distinct URL format that differs from standard YouTube videos. If I want to share a funny clip or save a useful short to watch later, having the URL saved with me is essential.
Formats
https://youtube.com/shorts/VIDEO_ID
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VIDEO_ID
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Navigate to the Shorts Page of YouTube and press the “Share” button to get started.
Step 2: In the sharing options, press “Copy Link” to add the link to your clipboard.
Playlist URL
A playlist URL allows me to share or open a large collection of multiple videos together, whether it’s a music playlist, or a show I’m watching. Instead of sharing each video manually, I can copy the entire playlist using the URL and share it in one go. It’s the perfect tool for organizing and sharing my favourite YouTube content seamlessly.
Formats
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAYLIST_ID
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID&list=PLAYLIST_ID (links to a specific video within the playlist)
https://youtube.com/watch_videos?video_ids=VIDEO_ID1,VIDEO_ID2,... (for temporary playlists made by selecting multiple videos)
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Visit YouTube and select the playlist you want to share to get started.
Step 2: Once the playlist loads up and starts playing, select the URL from your browser’s address bar and press “Ctrl” + “C” simultaneously. Your entire playlist’s URL will now be copied to your clipboard, ready to be shared.
Channel URL
The URL link of a channel directly takes me to a creator’s main page, where they have all their videos, playlists, and shorts organized. If it’s my own channel that I’m sharing or my favourite content creator, the channel URL allows me to share it seamlessly. I’ve found it to be especially useful for promoting other creators without the need of manual searching.
Formats
https://www.youtube.com/channel/CHANNEL_ID (direct link using the unique channel ID)
https://www.youtube.com/c/CustomName (custom URL chosen by the creator)
https://www.youtube.com/@Username (new YouTube channel format)
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: The first thing you need to do is tap on the creator's name or profile picture below the video to open their channel page.
Step 2: Once the YouTube Channel opens, select the URL in the address bar and press “Ctrl” + “C” to copy the link.
Community Post URL
Community posts are like social media updates from creators posted on their YouTube channel, ranging from images to polls and announcements. A community post URL link takes me directly to a specific post without needing to scroll through a creator’s community tab. It has proved to be really helpful whenever I want to look at an update, share a poll, or save something to revisit later.
Formats
https://www.youtube.com/post/POST_ID
https://www.youtube.com/channel/CHANNEL_ID/community?lb=POST_ID
https://www.youtube.com/@Username/community?lb=POST_ID
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: In the Posts section of a YouTube channel, scroll and find the post you want to share and press the time below the creator's name (e.g., "2 hours ago") to open it.
Step 2: Once the Community Post is open, select the URL in your browser and press “Ctrl” + “C” to copy it to your clipboard.
Toolsmart Free YouTube Video Downloader: The Best Free Tool to Get Your Favourite YouTube Videos
I know how overwhelming it can get to download a YouTube video using the URL, especially with so many downloaders available online. I’ve tested a bunch of them, but the one that truly proved reliable to me was Toolsmart’s Free YouTube Video Downloader. It was quick, completely free, and gave me a clean, ad-free experience with no sign-up required. What I really liked about Toolsmart was its support for multiple video qualities and a hassle-free interface that made everything feel seamless.
Toolsmart Free Online Tools
Features
Supports multiple video formats and quality options, so I can choose exactly how I want to save the video
No sign-up requirements, making the entire download process smooth and hassle-free
Fast download speeds that save time and get my video within seconds
Clean interface with no ads, pop-ups, or annoying redirects
Compatible with all types of YouTube content, including regular videos and Shorts
How to Use
Step 1: Visit Toolsmart’s Free YouTube Video Downloader on your desktop browser to get started.
Step 2: Next, paste the video URL into the input field by pressing Ctrl + V, then click the Download button.
Step 3: Once Toolsmart successfully processes the link, you’ll see several download options based on video quality. Choose the one that suits you best and click Download again.
Step 4: Select the folder on your device where you want to save the video, then press Save to start the downloading process.
When it comes to downloading YouTube videos seamlessly, Toolsmart is my go-to. It works flawlessly on any device, with no sign-up or cluttered interface. I really like how fast the downloads are and how there are no ads interrupting the process. Plus, I can choose the exact video resolution I need, so every download fits my work perfectly. No matter the content, Toolsmart keeps the process simple and hassle-free.
FAQs
Q1: Do I Need to Be the Owner of the YouTube Channel?
No, you don’t need to be the owner of the channel to copy the link. Any user can copy and share video or channel links, as they are publicly visible.
Q2: Does the Video or Channel Need to Be Public?
Yes, the video or channel must be set to Public in order for the link to be accessible. If it’s set to Private or Unlisted, others won’t be able to view the content even if they have the link.
Q3: Can I Find the URL From the YouTube App?
Absolutely. The YouTube app provides the same sharing options as the desktop version, allowing you to easily copy URLs for videos, playlists, and channels.
Q4: Is Toolsmart’s YouTube Video Downloader Truly Free?
Yes! Toolsmart is 100% free to use. It also comes with no ads, no sign-up, and supports fast, hassle-free downloads.
Seamless Video Sharing and Downloads With URL
I personally know how confusing the YouTube URL link copying process can be, especially for beginners who haven’t done it before. Whether I’m trying to share my YouTube channel, or a funny Short I saw, getting the right link allows me to instantly send it without any hassle. In this detailed guide, I’ve broken down every method step by step so you can learn how to copy YouTube URLs with ease.
After I’m done copying the URL of my video, I use Toolsmart’s Free YouTube Video Downloaderto seamlessly download it. It allows me to save videos quickly and effortlessly, all with just a link. Toolsmart removes all the confusion from the process and lets me focus on downloading my content without any disruptions to slow me down. If you’re someone who likes having efficient tools to download your favourite content reliably, Toolsmart is an ideal choice.