Yes, you can sort YouTube playlists on both desktop and mobile. YouTube allows you to sort playlist videos by date added, title, or view count. You can easily rearrange the order of videos in a playlist to customize the watching experience.
Sorting Playlists on Desktop
On the desktop YouTube website, you can sort playlist videos using the following steps:
- Go to the playlist page and click on the “Sort” button next to the playlist title.
- Select “Date added (newest),” “Date added (oldest),” “Title,” or “View count” to change the sort order.
- “Date added (newest)” will show the most recently added videos at the top.
- “Date added (oldest)” will show the first videos added to the playlist at the top.
- “Title” sorts alphabetically A-Z by video title.
- “View count” ranks videos by view count, highest to lowest.
The sort order will update instantly. You can change the sort anytime to customize how the playlist is organized.
Sorting Playlists on Mobile
On the YouTube mobile app, tap on a playlist to open it. Then follow these steps:
- Tap on the three dot “More” menu in the top right corner.
- Select “Sort” from the menu options.
- Choose “Newest,” “Oldest,” “A-Z,” or “Most Popular” to set the sort order.
“Newest” sorts by date added with newest videos first. “Oldest” goes from oldest added to newest.
“A-Z” sorts alphabetically by title from A to Z. “Most Popular” ranks by view count.
The playlist order will update right away based on the sort you picked. You can change it again anytime.
Customizing Playlist Order
Beyond sorting, you can fully customize the video order in playlists on desktop and mobile YouTube:
- On desktop – Hover over a video and click the up or down arrow to move it.
- In the YouTube app – Tap and hold on a video, then drag it to reorder.
This allows you to fine-tune the exact playlist order. You can have the videos flow in whatever way makes sense for that playlist.
Why Would You Want to Sort Playlists?
Here are some common reasons to sort or reorder YouTube playlists:
- Put newer videos on top so they get viewed first.
- Organize a themed playlist from oldest to newest releases.
- Rank videos by most popular so the hits get played first.
- Alphabetize for easier scanning and searching.
- Group similar videos together in sections or clusters.
- Separate videos into seasons or chapters.
- Move your favorite videos to the top.
Sorting and reordering makes playlists more usable. It also lets you shape the narrative flow. Proper organization can enhance the viewing experience for both you and your audience.
Playlist Organization Tips
Here are some tips for organizing playlists like a pro:
- Add a clear playlist title and description so viewers understand the theme or purpose.
- Curate your selections carefully to match the playlist intent.
- Use sorting to highlight your best or most relevant videos.
- Put series or collections in order for logical watching.
- Separate longer videos into sections or chapters.
- Remove outdated or irrelevant videos over time.
- Check analytics to see which videos get viewed the most.
- Reorder based on view trends to optimize watch time.
Well-organized playlists are more likely to be viewed, shared, and attract subscribers. Take time to sort and structure your playlists properly to get the most out of them.
Cautions Around Reordering Playlists
While sorting and reordering playlists is generally recommended, keep these cautions in mind:
- Don’t overdo it. Frequent reordering looks spammy to YouTube.
- Avoid moving videos solely to give certain ones priority. YouTube may see this as manipulation.
- Steer clear of clickbait or misleading arrangements meant to trick viewers.
- Relevance matters most. Stick to orders that benefit viewers.
Use legitimate reasons like recency, popularity, categories, or chapters when reordering. Don’t try to “game” YouTube just for more views.
Other Playlist Management Tips
Properly organizing and sorting playlists is part of overall smart YouTube channel management. Also remember to:
- Keep playlists fresh by adding new content regularly.
- Delete stale or underperforming videos over time.
- Cross-promote between playlists to direct viewers.
- Link playlists from cards, end screens, and descriptions.
- Make collaborative or crowdsourced playlists to engage viewers.
- Analyze stats to guide playlist optimization.
Playlists give viewers content collections while allowing you to structure viewing. Take full advantage by actively managing your playlists.
In Conclusion
YouTube makes it easy to sort and reorder playlist videos right from the player. Take time to properly organize each playlist by date, title, popularity, or your own custom structure. Well-sorted playlists deliver a better user experience, encourage deeper viewing, and may help your YouTube channel grow. Just be sure to avoid manipulative tactics and focus on legitimately enhancing the viewer experience.
