When a YouTube playlist ends, the autoplay feature will automatically start playing similar or related videos based on the overall theme, topic, or selection of the just finished playlist. Autoplay kicks in to continue providing uninterrupted viewing experience.
How autoplay works at the end of playlist
Once your playlist finishes playing all the videos in the queue, YouTube’s algorithms will analyze the contents of the playlist – the video titles, descriptions, keywords, and other metadata – to get an understanding of the broader topic or theme of the videos.
Using this information, the autoplay feature will start recommending and automatically playing videos that are closely related to the playlist’s subject matter. So if you were watching a playlist of funny cat videos, the autoplay may start showing you other funny animal clips or popular pet content.
Autoplay settings
You have some options to customize autoplay behavior in your YouTube account settings:
- Turn autoplay on or off – You can enable or disable autoplay entirely.
- Autoplay next video – Autoplay only the next video, not a continuous stream.
- Don’t autoplay videos with sound – Videos will only autoplay on mute.
These settings apply to autoplay throughout YouTube, including after your playlists end. Depending on your preferences, you may want autoplay off completely, minimized to just the next video, or playing silently.
Factors that influence autoplay recommendations
Several factors come into play when YouTube’s algorithm decides which videos to autoplay after your playlist:
Relevance – How closely related is the video to the playlist’s topic or theme.
Interests – Videos may be based on your general viewing history and interests.
Popular videos – Trending or viral content can get preference.
Freshness – Newly uploaded videos may be favored.
Quality – Factors like high view counts, engagement, and watch time are considered.
So the autoplay selections will aim to provide the most relevant, high quality videos tailored to your interests and what is currently popular on YouTube.
Controlling autoplay
If you dislike the videos chosen for autoplay, there are ways to manually control it:
Add videos to Up Next queue
When watching videos in a playlist, you can use the Up Next panel on the right side to add videos to the queue. These will play after the playlist ends instead of relying solely on autoplay recommendations.
Like/dislike autoplay videos
When autoplay is on, give feedback on the recommended videos by liking and disliking them. This will help “teach” the algorithm over time.
Pause autoplay
After your playlist finishes, you can immediately pause the first autoplay video to prevent the automated stream. Or use the Next and Previous buttons to skip around.
Turn off autoplay
Completely disabling the autoplay feature will stop any videos from playing automatically once your playlist ends.
Autoplay on different devices
The autoplay experience may vary slightly on different platforms:
Mobile app
In the YouTube mobile app, autoplay will be enabled by default when your playlist finishes. You can pause it or tap on Up Next to choose a video.
Computer browser
On the YouTube website, autoplay may be disabled by default at the end of a playlist, requiring you to click to play the next video.
Smart TV
On smart TVs and streaming devices like Roku, the autoplay behavior will depend on your account settings. For a seamless experience, keep autoplay on.
Gaming consoles
On gaming platforms like Xbox and PlayStation, the autoplay settings mirror your YouTube account. Manage settings for a optimized experience.
Troubleshooting autoplay issues
If you are having problems with autoplay at the end of playlists, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Make sure autoplay is enabled in your YouTube account settings.
- Check for any playback errors or restrictions on the previous video.
- Restart the device or app.
- Update the YouTube app to latest version.
- Clear the app cache and data.
- Try on a different device or browser.
- Test your internet connection speed.
If autoplay problems persist, it often helps to contact YouTube support for further specialized troubleshooting assistance.
Why does autoplay sometimes not work after my playlist?
Possible reasons include autoplay being disabled in your settings, internet connection issues resulting in playback failures, region restrictions on certain videos, or application bugs.
Can I make my own custom autoplay playlist?
Yes, you can create a playlist with your own desired video order and have that autoplay instead of relying on recommendations. Add videos to the Up Next queue or make ordered playlists.
Will autoplay eat up my mobile data?
Potentially yes, if you enable autoplay on mobile over your cellular data rather than WiFi. To conserve data, restrict autoplay or download videos while on WiFi.
Can I use autoplay for music playlists?
Absolutely. The autoplay feature works very well for seamless music listening experiences. Be sure to check your audio-only autoplay settings.
How do I stop inappropriate videos from autoplaying?
Dislike or block those videos when they come up to train the algorithm. You can also create a restricted account or supervised experience.
The autoplay feature on YouTube provides a continuous viewing experience by automatically playing related videos when your playlist ends.
It acts as a customized recommendation engine based on many factors.
You can control autoplay behavior through settings and by providing input on videos. Manage the feature to suit your preferences across devices for the best user experience.
