Timestamps provide an ideal means of structuring your YouTube content. Here’s a guide on how to utilize them effectively.
It can be hard to watch YouTube videos that drag on. Fortunately, YouTube’s timestamp feature allows viewers to jump to key moments in videos.
Content creators who include timestamps in their videos, particularly in longer ones, are a tremendous help as they help you save precious time. Additionally, any user can contribute their own timestamps to a YouTube video through the comment section. Let’s explore how you can make use of this functionality.
Adding Timestamps to Your Comments on YouTube
We’re all familiar with leaving comments on YouTube videos, but how can you include timestamps in your comments? It’s a straightforward process. Follow the steps below to get started:
1. Open YouTube and begin watching a video.
2. Once you’ve identified the specific part of the video you wish to refer to, navigate to the comments section and click “Add a comment” or “Add a reply” if you’re responding to another comment.
3. Initiate your comment by clicking the timestamp icon and typing your response.
4. If you intend to reference multiple points in the video within the same comment, click the timestamp icon once more and type your second response. This will display two timestamps in your comment. For accuracy, it’s advisable to add timestamped comments while the video is playing, ensuring that the correct video segment is referenced.
Please be aware that you can only include timestamped comments in long-form YouTube content, not in Shorts.
The Benefits of Including Timestamps in Your YouTube Comments
In 2021, YouTube initiated testing for timestamped comments. Prior to this, commenters had to pause the video and manually note the exact time they were referencing. Subsequently, they would add these timestamps to their comments to point to specific moments within the video.
This process, as you can imagine, is time-consuming. However, employing timestamps not only saves you time but also enhances the quality of your comments. They are especially useful when you wish to reference a particular section of the video or highlight a significant moment, such as when someone made an important statement.
Furthermore, timestamped comments provide valuable context for those reading your comments, making it simpler for them to engage with your input. By simply clicking on the timestamp within your comment, they can immediately navigate to the exact moment you are discussing in the video, which eliminates the need for follow-up questions.
Providing Context to Your YouTube Video Comments
YouTube’s comment timestamp feature is a convenient addition to the platform. Incorporate timestamps into your YouTube comments for added convenience, simplifying both your experience and that of your readers, while also saving you valuable time.