5 Uncommon Ways to Use Unlisted Videos on YouTube
Unlisted videos are a different kind of private video. Like a private video, they do not appear in YouTube search results, playlists, or on your YouTube channel; However, unlisted videos can be viewed by anyone with a link to the video. This makes your video easier to share with people who may not have a YouTube account, and also opens up some interesting new uses. Here are 5 creative ways you can use unlisted videos with your audience.
Setting Up Complex Annotations & Hotspots
Before unlisted videos I found it frustrating that my video would go live before I could add any clickable annotations. This was especially frustrating in the past since you would have to upload all the different videos, and then quickly link them all together with annotations before too many people saw them.
Now it’s easy to set your video to unlisted, add the annotations and hotspots you want, test them, and then make your videos public when they are ready.
Thank You Page Videos
Unlisted videos can still be embedded on your website and since they aren’t findable on YouTube, your site is the premiere place to watch them. So, for example, you could upload a “Thank you for your purchase” video to YouTube and set it as unlisted. Then take that video and embed it onto your website’s thank you page. Now, only people who make a purchase will see the video.
You can also use unlisted videos with a custom YouTube player on your website to ensure that viewers stay on your site, or drive viewers to take a specific action.
Secret Videos
Unlisted videos can still be linked to through annotations, which means you could hide a clickable hotspot in your video that takes viewers to an unlisted video message. This technique could be used to hide various Easter eggs in your video or even hide coupon codes and other deals that only your most diligent viewers can find.
Video A/B Tests
Unlisted videos are perfect for performing video tests. For example, you could upload multiple versions of the same video and use Google Website Optimizer to set up an A/B test of the videos on your own website.
The winning video can then be set to public while the other variations can be deleted or remain private for later use.
Video Quizzes
Create an interactive video quiz using a combination of public and private videos. Ask a multiple choice question at the end of a public video with private videos assigned to each answer.
What Else?
Do you have any other cool ways to use unlisted videos? Share it in the comments below!
I have one unlisted video, which is great. However, when someone clicks on the link, they can then see my other videos listed in the column on the right as suggested videos. Do you know if there is a way to disassociate an unlisted from other public or unlisted videos I've posted? In other words, I'd like to post a one-off video separate from my other public or in the very least unlisted videos, but so far youtube continues to link them together via their adjacent suggested list. Thank you
Thanks for posting this is pretty cool you can also integrate with google plus or fb tw to increase social interaction. Great post, thanks.
Great post. Love the content. Another tip I want to add is Be Consistent!
You can also use Ezvid to make videos of your own – its free and an effective way to market products you wanna sell. You can get Ezvid for free at http://ezvid.com – its really effective
How are you using YouTube