YouTube is an American video sharing website. YouTube allows users to upload, view, rate, share, add to playlists, report, comment on videos, and subscribe to other users. It offers a wide variety of user-generated and corporate media videos. Available content includes video clips, TV show clips, music videos, short and documentary films, audio recordings, movie trailers, live streams, and other content such as video blogging, short original videos, and educational videos. Most content on YouTube is uploaded by individuals, but media corporations including CBS, the BBC, Vevo, and Hulu offer some of their material via YouTube as part of the YouTube partnership program. Unregistered users can only watch videos on the site, while registered users are permitted to upload an unlimited number of videos and add comments to videos. Videos deemed potentially inappropriate are available only to registered users affirming themselves to be at least 18 years old.

Navigating YouTube While it’s not necessarily required, it is recommended that you sign in to YouTube. Signing in allows you to like and comment on the videos you find, share videos more easily, and even upload and edit your own videos. You will need a Google account (Gmail) to sign in to YouTube. Once you have a Google account, you’re ready to sign in and start watching videos. Simply go to www.youtube.com, click Sign In in the upper right corner, and enter your Google account information.

The YouTube homepage Once you’ve signed in, the YouTube homepage will appear, and you’ll see trending and popular videos, videos recommended for you, and more. If you see a video you want to watch, just click it to start playing.

HAMBURGER BUTTON Clicking reduces or increases menu choices.

This is the “HOME” BUTTON. Clicking here gives you access to Recommended videos (videos suggested based on videos you’ve previously viewed), and YouTube TV (Google’s live TV streaming service), as well as the latest video posts of channels you’ve subscribed to.

SEARCH BOX BUTTON Here, you type in whatever it is you are searching for. ;)

CAMERA BUTTON Clicking here gives you the option to upload your own video or go live with a video.

APPS BUTTON Clicking here gives you access to YouTube TV/YouTube Music/YouTube Kids/Creator Academy and YouTube for Artists. Clicking on any of these opens a new tab.

SPEECH BUBBLE BUTTON Clicking here will give you access to any messages sent to you, as well as responses to comments you’ve made.

NOTIFICATIONS BELL BUTTON Click here if you have chosen to be notified when your favorite YouTubers post new content.

AVATAR BUTTON Click here to manage your account.