YouTube is amazing. With these 3rd party apps and extensions it gets even better. From AI-powered chat queries and overviews to different ways to find and follow great channels on YouTube, these friends can help you make your YouTube experience even better.
1. Ask YouTube (Web): Get answers from all YouTube videos with a search like ChatGPT
Ask YouTube is a search engine for YouTube videos, but with a difference. You probably know that recent advances in machine learning have allowed ChatGPT and other AIs to summarize YouTube videos so you don’t have to watch them all. Ask YouTube uses its technology to turn YouTube into a question and answer search engine.
For example, try a query like “What are the best mid-range GPUs for desktop gaming in 2023?” Ask YouTube processes your query and finds the best YouTube search results for that query, first analyzed and summarized. When there is a unanimous choice, Ask YouTube provides ChatGPT-like answers talking about which GPU to buy and why. If not, it will give you reasons why there is no clear answer, but offer further support.
All videos that Ask YouTube has analyzed for your query will be listed in the search results with a summary. This is great because you can read the synopsis and choose which videos to watch or not if the first answer didn’t give you enough information. But keep in mind that Ask YouTube isn’t as fast as Google or ChatGPT, so you’ll have to be a little patient.
2. Favoree (Web): IMDb for YouTube to discover channels and videos
Too many people are fed up with YouTube’s recommendation algorithm, especially when it comes to finding new channels to love and follow. Finding channels and creators on YouTube can be a frustrating experience. Favoree is one of his disgruntled YouTube fans’ attempts to create something like an IMDb for YouTube.
Favoree has an eye-pleasing interface that immediately stands out compared to YouTube. You can browse channels by topic (science, history, travel, movies, true crime, sports, etc.) and flip through the top recommendations for each. The site may also feature new channels of the week. You can also add your review to your channel’s favorites page, rate it with a 5-star rating, and read other viewer’s user reviews.
The website also offers a powerful search engine for both channels and videos. You can filter channels by topic, average video time, subscribers, mood, favorite reviews and categories. Additionally, you can sort the results by various metrics. Similarly, you can filter and sort videos by topic, most viewed, hidden gems, top rated, latest releases, and video length.
3. EduTube (Web): A curated collection of educational YouTube videos
YouTube is more than just entertainment. YouTube has some great educational channels that make you smart by cramming information into easy-to-understand clips. Munich-based Sebastian “Basti” Volkl argues that watching the right videos can get you a university-level education. Basti himself is an example, saying, “I never went to college. Instead, I started my own startup and taught myself mathematics, computer science, and neuroscience to work on projects on brain-computer interfaces.” I learned.”
EduTube is Basti’s collection of over 1,000 curated educational videos on YouTube covering a variety of topics including biology, computer science, space, physics, business, mathematics, electronics, philosophy, history, engineering, neuroscience, and more. . Of these, his first four are free to browse, and you can filter the videos by subcategory and length.
If any of these four topics interest you, use EduTube to study the subject on your own. Once you’re happy with your output, consider making a one-time $20 payment to get access to other topics and new weekly videos.
4. HourUps (Web): Curated Free Coursera-Like Mini-Courses for Technical Skills
Like HourUps, a few engineers in San Francisco and Toronto decided to create a free equivalent of Coursera tutorials for learning technical skills using YouTube videos. HourUps is Python, JavaScript, Java, PHP, Ruby, C#, C++, Lisp, Git, CS, Fundamentals, HTML/CSS, WordPress, Excel, SQL, API, Database, AWS, Linux, Communication. There are also career track video courses covering a wider range of topics.
Each section contains 6 videos, starting with a basic introduction that draws you into the topic and progressing to more in-depth guides. HourUps’ goal is not to make you a subject matter expert. This is intended for those who want to refresh their skills and gain real insight into a subject before investing time and money into getting it right.
5. Audio2Doc Chatbot (Chrome): ChatGPT query for video being watched
Audio2Doc is part of a growing number of cool AI extensions to improve your YouTube experience. A quick and easy way to run ChatGPT on a YouTube video you’re watching so you can ask questions.
For Audio2Doc to work, you need to sign in with your Google ID and refresh your browser. While watching a YouTube video, click the extension icon and wait 1 minute for the video to be analyzed. Then, simply ask the question that can be answered in the video and Audio2Doc will process the condensed answer.
download: Audio2Doc YouTube Chatbot for Chrome (Free)
6. TubeMail (Web): Create Custom Email Digests for YouTube Channel Updates
TubeMail is a simple free service that creates email digests that let you know about new videos released from the channels you want to watch. The service was born out of a developer’s desire to stop wasting time watching recommended videos on YouTube and focus only on the videos they intentionally want to watch. Email digests are more useful than subscribing on YouTube because they don’t require you to visit the homepage or be drawn into other content that YouTube pushes through its recommendation algorithm.
Sign up for the service, search for channels and add them to your list. It’s unclear how many channels you can add, but the developer says there are limits. You can then set how often you want to receive email digests (daily, weekly, or monthly) and when they are delivered to your inbox. It’s simple, easy, and free, but what’s not to like?
Remember to follow safe internet practices
These are all interesting uses of YouTube, but keep in mind that these are all third-party apps. YouTube is tied to your Google account (and possibly your email and other services), so be careful and follow safe internet practices when signing up for these accounts.
