Creating a Playlist in YouTube: A Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube is a fantastic platform for making playlists - whether it's music or videos. You can easily make and share playlists from any YouTube-enabled device - making it a great way to collect and organize your favorite music.

This is the ultimate guide to making playlists with YouTube. I'll explain how to make playlists on the browser and mobile version, as well as give you a bunch of other handy tips and tricks for getting more control over your lists.

Although DJ.Studio does not have the functionality to work with YouTube to import playlists, it can still be used in conjunction with YouTube.

TL;DR - Creating YouTube Playlists#

• YouTube playlists are perfect for organizing and sharing your favorite music or videos.

• Creating playlists is quick and easy, whether on desktop or mobile.

• Use advanced tips like collaborative playlists and offline playback to get more out of YouTube playlists.

• DJ.Studio can be used alongside YouTube playlists to bring your ideas to life.

  

Transform Your YouTube Playlists with DJ.Studio#

Love creating YouTube playlists? Take them to the next level with DJ.Studio, the ultimate tool for turning your playlists into professional DJ mixes.

With DJ.Studio, you can:

• Automate Perfect Mixes with AI-driven harmonic mixing and beatmatching.

• Create Stunning Transitions using intuitive timeline editing and effects.

• Share Your Mixes easily via a link or QR code - no account required for listeners!

Try DJ.Studio today for free and transform how you experience and share your favorite YouTube playlists!

Making YouTube Playlists: Ultimate Guide#

In the first section, I'll explain how you can create playlists on YouTube desktop and mobile. Let's have a look at how you can use YouTube channels to influence your mix in DJ.Studio.

(You might also like my guide on How to Make the Perfect Playlist!)

How To Make A YouTube Playlist (Desktop/Browser)#

Creating a YouTube playlist on the browser (desktop/laptop) version is super easy - here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Creating a YouTube playlist on the browser (desktop/laptop) version is super easy - here's a step-by-step guide:

   1. Sign in to YouTube - Make sure you are signed in to your YouTube account. If you don't have one, you'll need to create an account.

   2. Choose the first video/song - Search for a video you want to use in the playlist and open it up.

   3. Save to Playlist/Create New Playlist - Click the button with three dots below the video > Click Save > Create new playlist. 

      

   4. Give Your Playlist a Name and Set Privacy - A window will pop up where you can enter a name for the playlist. Type in a title for your playlist and select whether you want it to be public or private. Click "Create" when you're done.

   5. Add Multiple Videos to Your Playlist - Now that your playlist is created, it's time to add videos. You can do this in a few ways: 

      From Your own Videos:

      1. Go to the video you want to add to the playlist.

      2. Click on the Save button below the video.

      3. Select your newly created playlist.

      From Other Videos:

      1. While watching a video, click on the Save button below the video.

      2. Choose your playlist from the list or create a new one.

   6. Organize Your Playlist - Once you've added all the videos, you can arrange their order by dragging and dropping them within the playlist. Click and hold the video, then move it to the desired position. You can open your playlist from the left-hand browser if needed.

   7. Customize Playlist Settings - On the playlist page, you can click on the three dots (more options) to access settings. Here, you can change the playlist's privacy settings, add a custom thumbnail, and more.

   8. Save Changes - Remember to save any changes you've made to your playlist.

   Easy! That's your YouTube playlist made. You can share the playlist with others by copying the playlist url or by adjusting the privacy settings to make it public. You can also use YouTube Playlist Maker Apps for some extra functionality. This is a great tool to Make a Dance Party Playlist!

How To Make a Playlist on YouTube Mobile#

The process for making a playlist on YouTube mobile is basically the same as desktop, but the locations are slightly different. Follow these steps to make a new YouTube playlist on your mobile or tablet.

1. Open the YouTube App - Make sure you have the YouTube app installed on your mobile device. Open the app and sign in to your account if you're not already signed in.

2. Navigate to a First Song/Video - Search for a video or song you want to use in your playlist.

3. Create the Playlist - Under the video, look for the Save button. You may need to scroll to the right on the button bar to find it. You will see a popup saying "((Video Name) Added To Watch Later)". On the right of this popup, you will see a Change button. Tap this, then at the top right tap + New Playlist. 

   

4. Name Your Playlist and Set Privacy - Enter a name for your playlist in the provided field. You can also choose the privacy settings for your playlist. Once done, tap Create.

5. Add Videos to Your Playlist - Now that your playlist is created, you can start adding videos to it. While watching a video, tap on the Save button below the video. Choose your playlist from the list or create a new one.

6. Organize Your Playlist - You can rearrange the order of videos in your playlist by tapping and holding on a video, then dragging it to the desired position.

7. Customize Playlist Settings (Optional) - If you want to customize your playlist further, you can tap on the three dots next to the playlist name. Here, you can edit the playlist details, change the privacy settings, and add a custom thumbnail.

8. Save Changes - After making any adjustments, make sure to save your changes.

Congratulations! You've successfully created a playlist on YouTube using your mobile device. You can share your playlist by tapping on the "Share" button and choosing the appropriate sharing option.

Making Playlists on YouTube Music#

Follow these steps to make playlists on YouTube Music.

1. Open the YouTube Music App - You can do this in the browser or on your mobile. Make sure you are signed in.

2. Create a New Playlist - Find the option to create a new playlist; this might be represented by a + New Playlist button. It's usually found in the left-hand menu.

   

3. Name Your Playlist, Add a Description, and Set Privacy - Enter a name for your playlist, fill out the description, and choose the privacy settings. Then hit Create to finish making the playlist.

4. Add Tracks to Your Playlist - Now that your playlist is created, you can start adding tracks to it:

   1. Use the search bar to find a song.

   2. Tap on the song, then on the three dots.

   3. Select Save to playlist and choose your playlist.

5. Organize Your Playlist - You can change the order of the tracks by tapping and holding a song, then dragging it to your preferred position.

6. Customize Playlist Settings (Optional) - If you want to further customize your playlist, tap on the three dots next to the playlist name. Here, you can edit the playlist details, adjust the privacy settings, and even add a custom image.

7. Save Changes - After making any changes, make sure to save them.

Extra YouTube Playlist Tips, Tricks, and Settings#

Here are some extra tips and tricks to enhance and manage playlists on YouTube.

Collaborative Playlists#

Make your playlist collaborative, allowing others to add their favorite songs. To do this, go to the playlist settings and enable Collaborate. You are then given a sharable link to give to your collaborators. This will let them add and reorganize videos.

Playlist Description#

Write a compelling description for your playlist. This can include information about the theme, your mood when creating it, or any interesting facts related to the songs.

Explore YouTube's Auto-generated Playlists#

YouTube often generates playlists based on your watch history. Explore these auto-generated playlists for new music recommendations and related videos

Use Filters#

In your Library, you can filter your playlists based on different criteria, making it easier to find specific playlists.

YouTube API#

You can use YouTube API to pull a bunch of similar songs into one place for you to look through and choose your favorites.

Offline Playback#

You can download your YouTube playlists for offline playback. This is useful for times when you don't have an internet connection. You will need YouTube Premium to do this.

Embed Playlists#

Share your playlists on websites or blogs by using the Embed option in the playlist settings. This allows you to showcase your favorite music on other platforms.

Check Playlist Analytics#

If you're a content creator, check the YouTube analytics for your playlist. It provides insights into the performance, including views, watch time, and more. This can be accessed through YouTube Studio.

Create Themed Playlists#

Consider creating playlists based on themes, moods, or activities. Examples include "Workout Playlist," "Chill Vibes," or "Road Trip Tunes."

Final Tip! - Use ChatGPT to help you create playlist ideas, find out more here: How To Create A Playlist Using ChatGPT

How To DJ Using YouTube and DJ.Studio 

Unfortunately, due to copyright reasons, YouTube is no longer a supported format when working with DJ.Studio, let's have a look at some alternatives:

Smarter Alternatives to YouTube DJing – Here’s What I Recommend#

> Download DJ.Studio<

If you’ve been relying on YouTube for DJing, you’ve probably noticed that it’s no longer a reliable or legal option. Licensing rules have tightened, and streaming directly from YouTube in a DJ workflow just isn’t viable anymore. As someone who’s been in the same boat, I totally get the frustration.

That’s why we’ve been hard at work at DJ.Studio, exploring alternative workflows that are both creative and fully above board. We’re currently in conversation with major rights holders, as well as platforms like Soundcloud and Tidal, to bring more direct solutions to the table - so stay tuned for some exciting announcements later in 2025.

In the meantime, I want to walk you through two practical and legal approaches that can be used to replace YouTube in the DJ process. These keep things creative, flexible, and compliant, and they work great with DJ.Studio’s features.

Spotify to Beatport Streaming – A Game-Changing Workflow#

One of the best YouTube alternatives I’ve found is using Spotify together with Beatport Streaming inside DJ.Studio. It’s an easy setup that lets you legally mix tracks from a massive catalog while preserving the creativity and flexibility that make YouTube DJing appealing.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Activate Beatport Streaming in DJ.Studio. You’ll get instant access to their extensive track library.

2. Import a Spotify playlist. DJ.Studio automatically finds and converts any available tracks into a Beatport Streaming playlist.

3. Handle missing tracks. If any songs aren’t available via Beatport Streaming, you can either buy or download them from platforms like Beatport or Bandcamp.

4. Edit and refine your mix. With tools like stem separation, smooth transitions, effects, and sample layering, DJ.Studio lets you create mixes that sound polished and professional.

5. Legalize and export. Once happy with the mix, use DJ.Studio’s Legalize tool to purchase any missing tracks directly, ensuring the mix is 100% legal. Then you can export it as a high-quality audio file.

It’s honestly one of the most efficient ways to mix with the music that you love (without running into licensing issues).

Using YouTube for Planning (Not Playing)#

Even though you can’t legally DJ with YouTube content directly, that doesn’t mean it’s useless in your creative process. You can still use YouTube regularly for scouting and planning mixes.

Here’s a YouTube planning method that you can start using today:

1. Build a playlist on YouTube with the tracks you're considering.

2. Play around with track order to explore how the energy flows and how transitions might work.

3. Buy or download the tracks from licensed platforms once you’ve made a final selection.

4. Bring those tracks into DJ.Studio and start building the mix properly using all of the editing tools available.

This approach lets you test ideas quickly and cheaply, without having to buy every track upfront; it’s like sketching before painting.

More Solutions on the Way#

While these two workflows cover a lot of ground, I’m excited about what’s coming next. The DJ.Studio team is actively working behind the scenes on new partnerships and direct integrations with streaming platforms to make things even easier and more powerful for mix creators.

We’re fully committed to giving you the tools to stay creative and compliant - and there’s a lot to look forward to.

Give DJ.Studio a Spin#

If you haven’t already tried DJ.Studio, I seriously recommend checking out the free version. It’s packed with professional tools that help you go from idea to full mix faster than ever. With legal streaming workflows now built in, it’s the perfect time to make the switch from YouTube to something better. Only you can find out how DJ.Studio can really help your mixes. Try DJ.Studio for free today.

Summary#

So now you know how to make a playlist on YouTube, it can be a great platform to plan your mix and use this as inspiration to make your mix on DJ.Studio, if you are interested in more information about making a playlist, why not check out How to Make a DJ Playlist!

This is just one potential workflow for DJ.Studio based on using YouTube playlists and videos as source material. In reality, it has a wide range of other features and functionalities that are ideal for DJs, mix creators, and music lovers. Explore the DJ.Studio Website for more information.

With all of this YouTube playlist knowledge under your belt, you're probably excited to get to work.

You can see for yourself now with the free DJ.Studio trial!

Throwing a party? Check out this guide - How to Make a Playlist for A Party: The Easy Way