YouTube

Organizing Your YouTube Subscriptions

Jordan Lee

· 10 min read

Managing your YouTube subscriptions can be a daunting task, especially when your list has grown to include hundreds or even thousands of channels. With so much content being produced every minute, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of videos that flood your feed. However, organizing your YouTube subscriptions effectively can transform your experience from chaotic to enjoyable. Whether you’re a casual viewer, a creator looking for inspiration, or someone who relies on YouTube for education or work, a well-organized subscription list is essential. Here’s how you can take control of your YouTube subscriptions and ensure you never miss the content that matters most to you.

1. Audit Your Current Subscriptions

The first step to organizing your YouTube subscriptions is to take stock of what you’re currently subscribed to. Over time, our tastes and interests change, and channels that once brought joy may no longer be relevant. To begin your audit:

  • Go to Your Subscriptions Page: Navigate to the subscriptions tab on YouTube. This page lists all the channels you’re subscribed to in chronological order, with the most recent at the top.

  • Assess Each Channel: As you scroll through the list, ask yourself some key questions:

    • Does this channel still align with my interests?
    • How often do I watch videos from this channel?
    • Is the content quality consistent with what I expect?

  • Unsubscribe From Inactive or Uninteresting Channels: Don’t hesitate to unsubscribe from channels that no longer serve your needs. YouTube’s algorithm is more likely to recommend relevant content if your subscriptions are up-to-date.

Pro Tip: Use third-party tools like YouTube Subscription Manager to see a full list of your subscriptions at a glance, including when you last watched a video from each channel.

2. Categorize Your Subscriptions

Once you’ve trimmed down your list, it’s time to categorize your subscriptions. YouTube allows you to create custom groups called “Collections” that help you organize your channels into categories. Although the Collections feature was deprecated from YouTube's UI, you can still manually sort your subscriptions using playlists or tools like PocketTube.

Steps to Categorize Your Subscriptions:

  1. Use Playlists: One way to categorize your subscriptions is by creating playlists based on topics or themes. For example, you could have playlists for:

    • Tech Reviews
    • Cooking and Recipes
    • Fitness and Health
    • Music and Entertainment

    Add videos from your favorite channels to these playlists, so you have a curated selection ready whenever you want to dive into a specific topic.

  2. Leverage PocketTube: PocketTube is a Chrome extension that allows you to group YouTube subscriptions into collections. This makes it easier to manage and access specific categories of content directly from your subscriptions feed. With PocketTube, you can create collections like:

    • Daily News
    • Weekend Watch
    • Educational Channels

    This extension adds a layer of organization that YouTube’s native interface lacks, making it a must-have for serious YouTube users.

Pro Tip: Keep your categories broad enough to avoid micromanagement but specific enough to make them useful. If a category has fewer than three channels, consider merging it with another related category.

3. Prioritize Content with Notifications

Even with a well-organized subscription list, it’s easy to miss important videos, especially if you subscribe to channels that upload frequently. To ensure you never miss content from your favorite creators, take advantage of YouTube’s notification system.

How to Manage Notifications:

  • Bell Icon: Next to the subscription button on each channel, there’s a bell icon. Clicking this allows you to choose between three notification settings:

    • All: You’ll receive notifications for all videos from the channel.
    • Personalized: YouTube will send notifications based on your interaction with the channel.
    • None: You won’t receive any notifications.

  • Choose Wisely: Reserve the “All” setting for channels where you never want to miss a single video. For others, the “Personalized” setting is a good middle ground, allowing the algorithm to filter content based on your interests.

  • Review Notification Settings Regularly: As your interests change, revisit your notification settings to ensure they still align with your priorities.

Pro Tip: Use the “Scheduled Digest” feature available on some mobile devices to receive a daily summary of your notifications instead of being interrupted throughout the day.

4. Optimize Your Subscription Feed

Your subscription feed is the heart of your YouTube experience, but it can quickly become cluttered if not managed properly. There are several strategies to optimize this feed, making it easier to find and watch the videos you care about most.

Strategies for a Better Subscription Feed:

  1. Sort by Date: By default, your subscription feed shows videos in reverse chronological order. If you watch YouTube daily, this is the best setting to ensure you see the latest content first.

  2. Filter by Unwatched: YouTube offers a filter to show only unwatched videos in your subscription feed. This is useful if you want to avoid re-watching videos or if you like to clear out your feed systematically.

  3. Use ‘Watch Later’: If you come across a video that interests you but don’t have time to watch it, add it to your ‘Watch Later’ playlist. This keeps your feed clean while ensuring you don’t forget about videos you want to see.

  4. Regularly Clean Your Watch Later List: Just like your subscriptions, your ‘Watch Later’ list can become overwhelming if not maintained. Regularly review and remove videos you no longer intend to watch.

Pro Tip: For those who prefer a minimalist approach, consider using the “Hide” feature on channels you still want to stay subscribed to but don’t want cluttering your subscription feed. You can always access these channels directly from your subscriptions list.

5. Discover New Content Wisely

Part of organizing your YouTube subscriptions effectively involves being mindful of how you discover and subscribe to new channels. The key is to be selective and intentional, rather than impulsively subscribing to every interesting channel that crosses your path.

Tips for Discovering New Content:

  • Explore Recommendations with Caution: YouTube’s recommendation engine is powerful, but it can also lead you down rabbit holes. When exploring recommendations, be selective about what you subscribe to. Consider watching a few videos from a channel before deciding to subscribe.

  • Use YouTube’s “Explore” Tab: The Explore tab offers curated categories like “Trending,” “Music,” and “Gaming,” providing a structured way to discover new content without overwhelming your subscription feed.

  • Check Out Channel Trailers: Many YouTube channels offer a trailer or an introductory video for new viewers. Watch these to get a quick sense of the channel’s content, style, and frequency before subscribing.

  • Attend Live Streams: Participating in live streams can be a great way to engage with creators and their communities. This can help you decide if a channel is worth subscribing to.

Pro Tip: Use an incognito browser or a separate account when exploring new content to prevent YouTube’s algorithm from cluttering your main account’s recommendations with unrelated topics.

6. Review Your Subscriptions Periodically

Organizing your YouTube subscriptions isn’t a one-time task. Just like cleaning your house or organizing your files, it requires regular maintenance. Schedule periodic reviews to ensure your subscription list remains relevant and streamlined.

How Often Should You Review?:

  • Monthly Reviews: Set aside time at the end of each month to review your subscriptions. This is especially useful if you frequently subscribe to new channels or if your interests change regularly.

  • Quarterly Deep Dives: Every few months, conduct a more thorough review. Go through your subscriptions list, reassess your categories, and fine-tune your notification settings.

  • Annual Overhaul: Once a year, consider doing a full audit of your subscriptions, similar to what you did in the first step. This is a good time to unsubscribe from channels that have become inactive or irrelevant.

Pro Tip: Use tools like Google Sheets to keep track of your favorite channels, their upload schedules, and the categories you’ve assigned them to. This can make your periodic reviews quicker and more efficient.

7. Balance Subscriptions with Watch Time

One of the biggest challenges with YouTube subscriptions is balancing the number of channels you follow with the amount of time you have to watch videos. Subscribing to too many channels can lead to an overwhelming amount of content that you simply don’t have time to consume.

Strategies for Balancing Watch Time:

  • Set Limits on Screen Time: Use YouTube’s built-in time management tools, like “Remind me to take a break” and “Remind me when it’s bedtime,” to help you control your viewing habits.

  • Prioritize Content: Identify the channels that consistently provide the most value and prioritize watching their content. This might mean skipping videos from less important channels or even unsubscribing from them entirely.

  • Use ‘Playback Speed’: For educational content or longer videos, consider increasing the playback speed. Many viewers find that watching videos at 1.25x or 1.5x speed helps them consume content more efficiently without sacrificing comprehension.

  • Batch Watch Content: If you follow channels with similar content, try batch-watching their videos. For example, you might dedicate a specific day of

the week to catching up on tech reviews or cooking tutorials.

Pro Tip: Regularly review your YouTube history to see how much time you’re spending on the platform and adjust your subscriptions accordingly. If you find that certain types of content are taking up too much time, consider cutting back.

8. Engage with Your Favorite Channels

A well-organized subscription list not only helps you consume content efficiently but also allows you to engage more meaningfully with your favorite creators. Engagement can take many forms, from liking and commenting on videos to participating in live chats and supporting creators through memberships or Patreon.

Ways to Engage:

  • Comment on Videos: Leaving thoughtful comments on videos helps you connect with the community and the creator. It also signals to YouTube that you’re actively engaging with the content, which can influence your recommendations.

  • Join Live Streams: Many YouTubers host live streams, which offer a unique opportunity to interact with them in real-time. Engaging in live chats or participating in Q&A sessions can enhance your viewing experience.

  • Support Creators: If you find particular value in a channel, consider supporting the creator through YouTube memberships, Patreon, or by purchasing their merchandise. This not only helps the creator but also fosters a closer connection between you and the content you love.

Pro Tip: Turn on notifications for live streams or premieres from your favorite channels so you can participate in real-time and not miss out on engaging content.

Conclusion

Organizing your YouTube subscriptions is not just about decluttering your feed; it’s about enhancing your overall experience on the platform. By auditing your current subscriptions, categorizing channels, prioritizing content, and engaging with your favorite creators, you can take full control of your YouTube experience. Regular maintenance and mindful viewing habits will ensure that you spend your time on YouTube wisely, consuming content that truly adds value to your life.

Remember, YouTube is a vast ocean of content, and having a well-organized subscription list is like having a navigational map that guides you to the best treasures while avoiding the overwhelming tide of endless videos. Happy watching!