Whether YouTube playlists are private by default depends on who created the playlist. Playlists created by individual YouTube users are private by default. However, playlists created by YouTube channels and brands are public by default.
Playlists created by individual YouTube users
When a regular YouTube user creates a new playlist, that playlist is private by default. This means only the creator of the playlist can view it and make changes to it. Other YouTube users cannot see the playlist or its contents unless the creator explicitly makes it public.
Some key things to know about private playlists created by individual YouTube users:
- Only the creator can view the playlist and its videos.
- Other users cannot find the playlist by searching YouTube.
- The playlist won’t show up on the creator’s public channel page or playlists list.
- The playlist acts as a private collection for the creator to organize and save videos.
- The creator has to manually make the playlist public if they want to share it.
So in summary, regular YouTube users have full control over the privacy of their playlists. The default setting is private, but creators can choose to make any playlist public at any time if they want to share it.
Playlists created by YouTube channels
Playlists created by official YouTube channels linked to brands, creators, artists and businesses are public by default.
When a YouTube channel creates a new playlist, it is automatically set as public. Some key differences compared to user playlists:
- All channel playlists are visible on the channel’s public playlists page.
- Anyone can view and search for channel playlists.
- Viewers can like, share and save public channel playlists.
- Public playlists help channels organize content for viewers.
- Channel owners can also create private playlists if needed.
The default public setting makes it easy for channels to share content. It helps them build an audience and get their playlists seen and engaged with by viewers.
Switching playlist privacy settings
Playlist creators on both YouTube channels and personal accounts can change privacy settings anytime:
- User playlists – Toggle the “Private” switch off to make a playlist public.
- Channel playlists – Click the 3-dot menu and select “Change privacy” to make public or private.
So in summary:
- User playlists are private by default.
- Channel playlists are public by default.
- But creators have full control to change playlist privacy at any time.
Understanding these defaults helps creators and viewers manage expectations around YouTube playlist privacy.
