youtube debug mode – Alan Spicer – YouTube Certified Expert

YouTube is the world’s largest video sharing platform, with millions of active users and an enormous library of videos.

It is a complex system, consisting of numerous interconnected components, and ensuring that it functions smoothly is a significant challenge.

To address this challenge, YouTube has built-in a debug mode that allows developers to diagnose and fix issues that may occur on the platform. In this article, we’ll explore why YouTube has a debug mode, how to find it, and what to use it for.

Why YouTube Has a Debug Mode

YouTube’s debug mode is an essential tool that enables developers to identify and resolve issues on the platform. It’s a special mode that provides detailed information about the platform’s behavior, which can help developers understand what’s happening behind the scenes. The debug mode is particularly useful when developing new features, testing existing ones, or diagnosing problems that users may encounter.

The debug mode provides developers with a range of tools and features that allow them to monitor different aspects of the platform’s behavior. Some of the things that developers can do with the debug mode include:

Inspect network requests and responses: This feature allows developers to see how the platform communicates with servers to retrieve data and display videos. Developers can monitor HTTP requests and responses to identify issues such as slow loading times, errors, or missing data.
View console messages: The debug mode also allows developers to see console messages that may not be visible in the standard view. This can help identify issues such as JavaScript errors, which can cause problems with the platform’s functionality.
Modify video playback settings: Developers can use the debug mode to adjust video playback settings, such as the video quality or speed, which can be helpful when testing different playback scenarios.
Enable debugging flags: YouTube has a range of debugging flags that developers can enable to access additional functionality or diagnostics. These flags are typically only available in the debug mode and are not accessible in the standard view.

Overall, YouTube’s debug mode is a powerful tool that enables developers to diagnose and fix issues on the platform quickly. Without this mode, it would be much more challenging to identify and resolve problems that may occur, leading to a less stable and reliable platform.

How to Find YouTube’s Debug Mode

To access YouTube’s debug mode, you’ll need to have a Google account and be signed in to YouTube. Once you’re signed in, follow these steps:

Open YouTube in a web browser.
Right-click anywhere on the page and select “Inspect” from the menu. This will open the browser’s developer tools.
Click on the “Console” tab to access the debug mode.

Alternatively, you can access the debug mode by using a keyboard shortcut. Pressing Ctrl+Shift+I (Windows, Linux) or Cmd+Opt+I (Mac) will also open the developer tools and take you directly to the Console tab.

What to Use YouTube’s Debug Mode For

Once you’ve accessed YouTube’s debug mode, there are many things you can use it for. Here are some of the most common use cases:

Debugging video playback issues: If you’re experiencing problems with video playback on YouTube, such as slow loading times or buffering, the debug mode can help you diagnose the issue. You can monitor network requests, view console messages, and modify playback settings to identify and fix the problem.
Developing and testing new features: The debug mode is a valuable tool for developers working on new features for YouTube. It allows them to monitor how the platform behaves in real-time and quickly identify and fix issues as they arise.
Optimizing website performance: The debug mode provides developers with detailed information about how YouTube’s website functions. This information can be used to optimize the website’s performance, resulting in faster loading times and a better user experience.
Troubleshooting errors: If you encounter an error message on YouTube, the debug mode can help you identify the cause of the issue. By viewing console messages and inspecting network requests, you can often determine what’s causing the error and take steps to resolve it.
Monitoring traffic and usage: The debug mode can also be used to monitor traffic and usage on the platform. Developers can track metrics such as page load times, network requests, and user interactions to identify performance issues or areas that need improvement.

Overall, YouTube’s debug mode is an essential tool for developers and power users alike. Whether you’re a developer working on new features or a user trying to diagnose a problem, the debug mode provides a wealth of information and tools that can help you get the job done. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can access YouTube’s debug mode and start using it to your advantage today.

Q: What are YouTube’s debug tools?

A: YouTube’s debug tools are a set of features that enable developers to diagnose and fix issues on the platform. These tools provide detailed information about the platform’s behavior, which can help developers understand what’s happening behind the scenes. Some of the things that developers can do with the debug tools include inspecting network requests and responses, viewing console messages, modifying video playback settings, and enabling debugging flags.

Q: Why does YouTube have debug tools?

A: YouTube has debug tools to ensure that the platform functions smoothly and reliably. With millions of active users and a vast library of videos, ensuring that everything works as intended is a significant challenge. The debug tools provide developers with a range of tools and features that allow them to monitor different aspects of the platform’s behavior, identify issues, and quickly fix them.

Q: How do I access YouTube’s debug tools?

A: To access YouTube’s debug tools, you need to have a Google account and be signed in to YouTube. Once you’re signed in, you can access the debug tools by opening YouTube in a web browser, right-clicking anywhere on the page, and selecting “Inspect” from the menu. This will open the browser’s developer tools, where you can access the debug tools.

Q: What can I use YouTube’s debug tools for?

A: You can use YouTube’s debug tools for a variety of purposes, such as debugging video playback issues, developing and testing new features, optimizing website performance, troubleshooting errors, and monitoring traffic and usage on the platform. By accessing the debug tools, you can get detailed information about how the platform functions and use that information to diagnose and fix issues.

Q: What are some tips for using YouTube’s debug tools effectively?

A: Here are a few tips for using YouTube’s debug tools effectively:

Familiarize yourself with the different tools and features available.
Use the tools to monitor different aspects of the platform’s behavior.
Make use of the console messages to identify errors or issues with the platform’s functionality.
Modify playback settings to test different scenarios and identify issues.
Keep an eye on traffic and usage metrics to identify areas that may need improvement.

Overall, YouTube’s debug tools are a powerful set of features that enable developers and power users to diagnose and fix issues on the platform. By using these tools effectively, you can ensure that YouTube functions smoothly and reliably, providing a better experience for all users.

SECRET YouTube Debug Mode Feature for Frame rates, codecs, dropped frames, streaming quality all useful youtube stats for nerds that are hidden in plain view.

What is YouTube Stats for Nerds?

Stats for nerds is an inbuilt feature of YouTube app desktop and mobile including detailed statistics for video stats, audio and video formats, video ID, your current bandwidth, viewport, dropped frames, etc. It can help you find important info and troubleshoot your Internet (mobile data) issues.

On any YouTube video, if you right-click or control-click on the video, you will be presented with a contextual menu. In this menu, you will find a few options, such as the ability to set the video to loop, copy the URL of the video, copy a timestamped URL to share the specific location in the video, and few others.

Need some help in understanding what each of these options means then check out my YouTube Stats for Nerds EXPLAINED deep dive article where I look into these youtube stats for nerds, what they mean, how they impact your video and how you can use them to boost your luck in the youtube algorithm game.

Why Use YouTube Stats For Nerds?

This is a handy little tool if you love the fine details of YouTube and content creation.

These hidden gems can help you see what codec you are using, how well your video is performing from a technical standpoint and if you are a tech junkie its a little hidden extra look behind the scenes.

This could also be interesting for starting a YouTube gaming channel as you can see what video encoding service youtube is using for your videos. YouTube has different formats for footage depending on 4k, 1080p and even footage frame-rates which might effect your end product.

Why Does The YouTube Video File Format Matter?

Different types of video file formats exist for a reason: each one has slightly different methods of organizing the content within them, so it can affect playback, even if only slightly.

The YouTube stats for nerds can identify file formats for you. Different types of file formats and file containers may or may not be compatible with certain types of players.

Some file formats can take a single video and create a larger file size than others, which can impact the ability to upload it to certain platforms, too.

Since YouTube is all about video, it’s of course important to choose the video file format that will benefit you most. I have even done a video to show you the best 1080p HD Adobe Premier Pro Settings for YouTube or 4K videos below.

What Is The Difference Between File Containers and File Codecs?

One thing that we want to look at really quickly is the different between video file containers and video file codecs, because this will be relevant in a few minutes.

Video file containers will include how the video content is organized, and will include options that most people are familiar with, like .MP4 or .MOV which are used for Facebook video and Instagram file formats. Most file formats are ultimately named after their container.

Need help ranking your videos and growing your YouTube channel – I have a whole page of tools that can help you get started!

File codecs, on the other hand, is what’s used to compress and then decompress the file.

If you need help in understanding file codecs I have written this blog to explain why compression is needed, the best formats and how it can all help or hinder your YouTube video quality.

Certain, low-quality codecs can result in poor compression and decompression; though they can create smaller video files in many cases, the video quality is also much poorer.

As long as your video file is under YouTube’s maximum limit, always opt for the lossless codecs that yield the highest quality of video, even if it takes a little longer for it to upload.

What Video File Formats Does YouTube Accept?

YouTube accepts the following video formats:

.MOV
.MPEG4
.MP4
.AVI
.WMV
.MPEGPS
.FLV
3GPP
WebM
DNxHR
ProRes
CineForm
HEVC (h265)

Almost all video editors and creators will give you the option to choose what file format you’d like to save your content in, and the majority at least over .MOV, .MPEG4, and/or .MP4 file formats.

What’s the Best YouTube Video Format?

The best YouTube video format based on the platform’s recommendations is the .MP4 file type. Additionally, YouTube also recommends opting for the following in order to be able to create high quality 1080p HD content:

264 codec(which is one of the most efficient options out there, allowing for a small file size without sacrificing video quality)
15-20 mbps
A standard aspect ratio of 16:9(this is particularly important for mobile)
An audio codec of AAC-LC

That being said, if you absolutely can’t upload .MP4 files for whatever reason, .MOV files can work well, too. However, try to keep the H.264 codecs and aspect ratios consistent for ideal video quality on the platform.

YouTube accepts a number of different video formats, but they have recommendations for what can generate the best results and most high quality video on their platform.

States for Nerds – More Technical Requirements

When you’re creating your YouTube video and getting it ready for upload, there are a few more technical requirements and general best practices that you’ll want to be aware of in order to 1) be able to even upload your video on YouTube and 2) ensure that it looks great and is most likely to be well received by your audience.

Here are the other technical requirements that you should be keeping in mind to help your channel skyrocket to success:

The maximum file size that you can upload is either 128GB or 12 hours, whichever is less. Some older videos may be longer than 12 hours, but that cut off has been reduced. (Although really, that’s for the best; you’re going to lose people like crazy if you’re going more than 12 hours and it sounds like a nightmare to edit).
Stick to that 16:9 aspect ratio. You really want your videos to show up well when users are watching, whether they’re watching on desktop or mobile. It’s particularly important on mobile– especially with 70% of views coming from mobile— so that the video can scale properly to full screen, making it easier for users to see and engage with.

Top 5 Tools To Get You Started on YouTube

Very quickly before you go here are 5 amazing tools I have used every day to grow my YouTube channel from 0 to 30K subscribers in the last 12 months that I could not live without.

1. VidIQ helps boost my views and get found in search

I almost exclusively switched to VidIQ from a rival in 2020.

Within 12 months I tripled the size of my channel and very quickly learnt the power of thumbnails, click through rate and proper search optimization. Best of all, they are FREE!

2. Adobe Creative Suite helps me craft amazing looking thumbnails and eye-catching videos

I have been making youtube videos on and off since 2013.

When I first started I threw things together in Window Movie Maker, cringed at how it looked but thought “that’s the best I can do so it’ll have to do”.

Big mistake!

I soon realized the move time you put into your editing and the more engaging your thumbnails are the more views you will get and the more people will trust you enough to subscribe.

That is why I took the plunge and invested in my editing and design process with Adobe Creative Suite. They offer a WIDE range of tools to help make amazing videos, simple to use tools for overlays, graphics, one click tools to fix your audio and the very powerful Photoshop graphics program to make eye-catching thumbnails.

Best of all you can get a free trial for 30 days on their website, a discount if you are a student and if you are a regular human being it starts from as little as £9 per month if you want to commit to a plan.

3. Rev.com helps people read my videos

You can’t always listen to a video.

Maybe you’re on a bus, a train or sat in a living room with a 5 year old singing baby shark on loop… for HOURS. Or, you are trying to make as little noise as possible while your new born is FINALLY sleeping.

This is where Rev can help you or your audience consume your content on the go, in silence or in a language not native to the video.

Rev.com can help you translate your videos, transcribe your videos, add subtitles and even convert those subtitles into other languages – all from just $1.50 per minute.

A GREAT way to find an audience and keep them hooked no matter where they are watching your content.

4. Learn new skills for FREE with Skillshare

I SUCK reading books to learn, but I LOVE online video courses.

Every month I learn something new. Editing, writing, video skills, how to cook, how to run a business – even how to meditate to calm a busy mind.

I find all of these for FREE with Skillshare – Sign up, pick all the courses you want and cancel anytime you need.

5. Shutterstock helps me add amazing video b-roll cutaways

I mainly make tutorials and talking head videos.

And in this modern world this can be a little boring if you don’t see something funky every once in a while.

I try with overlays, jump cuts and being funny but my secret weapon is b-roll overlay content.

I can talk about skydiving, food, money, kids, cats – ANYTHING I WANT – with a quick search on the Shutterstock website I can find a great looking clip to overlay on my videos, keeping them entertained and watching for longer.

They have a wide library of videos, graphics, images and even a video maker tool and it wont break the bank with plans starting from as little as £8.25 ($9) per month.