{"id":12990,"date":"2010-05-13T12:19:57","date_gmt":"2010-05-13T06:49:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=12990"},"modified":"2026-10-06T19:55:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T14:25:36","slug":"upload-secret-hidden-private-unlisted-youtube-videos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/05\/upload-secret-hidden-private-unlisted-youtube-videos\/","title":{"rendered":"Private vs Unlisted YouTube Videos: What&#8217;s the Difference? (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Want to upload a video to YouTube without the whole world seeing it? YouTube gives you three visibility settings: <strong>Public<\/strong>, <strong>Unlisted<\/strong> and <strong>Private<\/strong>. Private and unlisted YouTube videos are both hidden from search and your channel, but they work very differently when it comes to who can watch. Here&#8217;s the difference between private vs unlisted YouTube videos in 2026, and how to change a video&#8217;s visibility.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-59164\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/private-hidden.jpg\" alt=\"Private vs unlisted YouTube videos\" width=\"877\" height=\"491\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/private-hidden.jpg 877w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/private-hidden-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/private-hidden-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/private-hidden-768x430.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 877px) 100vw, 877px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> An <strong>unlisted<\/strong> video can be watched by anyone who has the link, with no sign-in needed. A <strong>private<\/strong> video can only be watched by you and up to 50 people you invite by email, who must sign in with that Google account. Neither appears in YouTube search, recommendations or on your channel.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ac574e729a73\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ac574e729a73\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/05\/upload-secret-hidden-private-unlisted-youtube-videos\/#Private_vs_unlisted_YouTube_videos_at_a_glance\" >Private vs unlisted YouTube videos at a glance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/05\/upload-secret-hidden-private-unlisted-youtube-videos\/#What_does_unlisted_mean_on_YouTube\" >What does unlisted mean on YouTube?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/05\/upload-secret-hidden-private-unlisted-youtube-videos\/#What_is_a_private_YouTube_video\" >What is a private YouTube video?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/05\/upload-secret-hidden-private-unlisted-youtube-videos\/#How_to_make_a_YouTube_video_private_or_unlisted\" >How to make a YouTube video private or unlisted<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/05\/upload-secret-hidden-private-unlisted-youtube-videos\/#How_to_share_a_private_YouTube_video\" >How to share a private YouTube video<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/05\/upload-secret-hidden-private-unlisted-youtube-videos\/#Old_unlisted_videos_may_now_be_private\" >Old unlisted videos may now be private<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/05\/upload-secret-hidden-private-unlisted-youtube-videos\/#Frequently_asked_questions\" >Frequently asked questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/05\/upload-secret-hidden-private-unlisted-youtube-videos\/#Can_people_find_unlisted_YouTube_videos\" >Can people find unlisted YouTube videos?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/05\/upload-secret-hidden-private-unlisted-youtube-videos\/#Do_unlisted_videos_get_views\" >Do unlisted videos get views?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/05\/upload-secret-hidden-private-unlisted-youtube-videos\/#Can_I_see_who_watched_my_private_video\" >Can I see who watched my private video?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Private_vs_unlisted_YouTube_videos_at_a_glance\"><\/span>Private vs unlisted YouTube videos at a glance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Feature<\/th>\n<th>Public<\/th>\n<th>Unlisted<\/th>\n<th>Private<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Who can watch<\/td>\n<td>Anyone<\/td>\n<td>Anyone with the link<\/td>\n<td>You and people you invite<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Shows in YouTube search<\/td>\n<td>Yes<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Shows on your channel<\/td>\n<td>Yes<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Viewers need a Google account<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Can be shared further<\/td>\n<td>Yes<\/td>\n<td>Yes, by passing on the link<\/td>\n<td>No, the link only works for invited accounts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Can be embedded on websites<\/td>\n<td>Yes<\/td>\n<td>Yes<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/unlisted-vs-private-youtube-videos-1024x358.png\" alt=\"Unlisted vs private YouTube videos comparison\" width=\"760\" height=\"266\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_unlisted_mean_on_YouTube\"><\/span>What does unlisted mean on YouTube?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>An unlisted video has a normal YouTube link, but it&#8217;s hidden from search results, your channel page, subscribers&#8217; feeds and recommendations. Anyone with the link can watch it, comment on it and share it, without signing in.<\/p>\n<p>That makes unlisted videos great for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sharing a family video with relatives<\/li>\n<li>Embedding a tutorial on your own website or course page<\/li>\n<li>Sending a draft to a client or teammate for review<\/li>\n<li>Preparing a video before a public launch<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Remember that unlisted isn&#8217;t truly secret. If someone posts the link on social media or a blog, anyone who clicks it can watch.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_private_YouTube_video\"><\/span>What is a private YouTube video?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A private video can only be seen by you and the people you specifically share it with. You can invite up to 50 people by email, and each person must be signed in to the Google account you invited. The link won&#8217;t work for anyone else, even if it&#8217;s forwarded.<\/p>\n<p>Use private videos for personal recordings, confidential work videos or anything you never want to leak. Private videos can&#8217;t be embedded on websites, so use unlisted if you need that.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_make_a_YouTube_video_private_or_unlisted\"><\/span>How to make a YouTube video private or unlisted<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Go to <a href=\"https:\/\/studio.youtube.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube Studio<\/a> and click <strong>Content<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Find your video and click the <strong>Visibility<\/strong> drop-down next to it (or open the video&#8217;s details page).<\/li>\n<li>Choose <strong>Public<\/strong>, <strong>Unlisted<\/strong> or <strong>Private<\/strong>. When uploading a new video, you choose this on the last step, and you can also <strong>Schedule<\/strong> it to go public later.<\/li>\n<li>Click <strong>Save<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/youtube-visibility.png\" alt=\"YouTube video visibility setting\" width=\"424\" height=\"284\" \/><\/p>\n<p>On the YouTube mobile app, tap <strong>You \u2192 Your videos<\/strong>, tap the three-dot menu next to a video, choose <strong>Edit<\/strong> and change the visibility.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_share_a_private_YouTube_video\"><\/span>How to share a private YouTube video<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>In YouTube Studio, set the video&#8217;s visibility to <strong>Private<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Click <strong>Share privately<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Enter the email addresses of the people you want to invite (up to 50) and save. They&#8217;ll receive an email with the link.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/private-video-youtube-setting.png\" alt=\"Share a private YouTube video\" width=\"683\" height=\"320\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Old_unlisted_videos_may_now_be_private\"><\/span>Old unlisted videos may now be private<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When this post was first written in 2010, unlisted videos were brand new. In 2021, YouTube automatically switched many unlisted videos uploaded before 2017 to private for security reasons, unless the owner opted out. If an old unlisted link stopped working, check the video&#8217;s visibility in YouTube Studio and change it back to unlisted.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_asked_questions\"><\/span>Frequently asked questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_people_find_unlisted_YouTube_videos\"><\/span>Can people find unlisted YouTube videos?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Not through YouTube search or your channel. They can only find them if someone shares the link or posts it publicly.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_unlisted_videos_get_views\"><\/span>Do unlisted videos get views?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Views from people who watch with the link are counted like any other view.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_see_who_watched_my_private_video\"><\/span>Can I see who watched my private video?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>YouTube doesn&#8217;t show a list of viewers, but only the accounts you invited can watch a private video.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Want to upload a video to YouTube without the whole world seeing it? YouTube gives you three visibility settings: Public,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":59164,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[49],"class_list":["post-12990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-social-media","tag-tutorials"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12990","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12990"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12990\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63309,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12990\/revisions\/63309"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59164"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}