Play youtube playlist in chronological order

YouTube allows users to create playlists to organize and save videos for convenient viewing. By default, YouTube playlists play videos in the order they were added. However, there are a couple ways to play YouTube playlists in chronological order based on video upload or release date.

Sort Playlist by Date Added

The easiest way to play a YouTube playlist chronologically is to sort it by the date videos were added to the playlist. This orders videos from oldest to newest based on when they were added to the specific playlist.

To sort a playlist by date added:

1. Open the playlist you want to play chronologically.
2. Click the “Sort” button near the top of the playlist.
3. Select “Date added (oldest)” from the dropdown menu.

The playlist will now play videos chronologically based on the dates they were added. Videos added earlier will play first.

Sort Playlist Manually

You can also manually reorder videos in a playlist to play them chronologically. This method allows you to sort videos based on their upload or release date, rather than playlist add date.

To manually reorder a playlist:

1. Open the playlist you want to edit.
2. Click the “Edit” button near the top right of the playlist.
3. For each video, click and drag the dotted handles on the left to reorder.
4. Move older videos higher up and newer videos further down.
5. Click “Save” when finished to save the new order.

Manually dragging and sorting each video allows you to arrange them based on actual upload date rather than playlist add date. So you can play videos chronologically even if added out of order.

Add Videos in Order

When building a new playlist, add videos in chronological order to maintain a sequential playlist. Search for and add older videos first before moving on to newer ones.

To add videos in order:

1. Search for the oldest video to include first.
2. Add it to the new playlist using the “+” button below the video.
3. Repeat searching for and adding older videos near the top.
4. Work your way up through newer videos, adding them below older ones.

As long as no rearranging is done, videos will play chronologically based on their upload dates.

Use Date Added Playlist Filter

You can also use the “Date added” filter on your YouTube account Playlists page to view playlists ordered by date created. Oldest playlists will be at the top.

To use the date added filter:

1. Go to your Playlists page while logged in to your YouTube account.
2. Click the filter icon near the top right of your playlists.
3. Select “Date added” from the dropdown menu.

Playlists will reorder with the oldest at the top. You can then play the oldest playlist to view videos in chronological order based on upload dates.

Use Third Party Apps or Extensions

Some third party apps and browser extensions can play YouTube playlists sequentially. These tools add functionality not natively included in YouTube.

Options include:

• TubePlay – a Chrome extension for chronological playback.
• PlayPlaylist – a web app that plays YouTube playlists in order.
• ListTube – a website tool for sequential playlist playback.

These third party apps sync with YouTube and give you enhanced control over playback order and options.

Play Playlist via Embed Link

Embedded YouTube playlists will play videos chronologically by default. The embed method avoids the auto-shuffle behavior of YouTube’s main platform.

To embed a chronological playlist:

1. Open the playlist you want to embed.
2. Click the “Share” button below the playlist title.
3. Select “Embed” from the share options.
4. Copy and paste the iframe embed code into your website or page.

When the embedded playlist loads on another site, videos will play sequentially based on the order set in YouTube.

Use YouTube API Features

The YouTube API provides programmatic control over playlist ordering and playback. Developers can use the API to build apps and sites with customized chronological playlists.

API features include:

• Ordering playlist item retrieve requests chronologically.
• Iterating through paginated results by date.
• Calling nextVideo() sequentially during playback.

While advanced, the YouTube API allows full control over playlist chronology and sequencing.

Subscribe to Chronological Playlists

Some YouTube channels purposefully publish videos into chronological playlists. Subscribing to these sequential playlists allows you to easily access ordered content.

Options include:

• YouTube automatically generated “Uploads” playlists on channel homepages.
• Sequential playlists created by channels focused on order, like history or science.
• Playlists organized around events, like past conferences or shows.

Find and subscribe to chronological playlists aligned with your interests for conveniently ordered content.

Use Chronological Playback Sites and Apps

Some third party apps and sites specifically focus on chronological YouTube playback. These tools reorder videos and strip away suggested videos for sequential viewing.

Options include:

• Chronological YouTube – a site dedicated to sequential playback.
• Tubalr – an app that plays back videos chronologically.
• HookTube – a YouTube frontend with chronological playlists.

Dedicated chronological playback sites and apps offer the easiest way to strip away YouTube’s default autoplay and shuffle behaviors.

Conclusion

While YouTube defaults to shuffle mode, there are ways to play playlists sequentially. Sorting, reordering, adding chronologically, using filters, third party tools, embeds, the API, subscribing, and chronological sites/apps allow you to override autoplay and play videos based on upload date and time.

Chronological YouTube playback helps when order matters, like following along a timeline, catching up on history, or binge watching a series. Take control over your YouTube experience with these tips for sequential playback.