YouTube is filled with little symbols and icons. They help users navigate, interact, and understand content better. But what do they all mean?
Understanding YouTube Symbols
Some symbols are obvious, while others can be confusing. Let’s break down the most common ones you’ll see on YouTube.
Play and Pause Icons
The Play icon looks like a simple triangle. It starts a video. The Pause icon has two vertical bars and stops the video temporarily.
Like and Dislike Buttons
You can show support for a video by clicking the thumbs up icon. If you didn’t like the video, you can click the thumbs down icon. These help YouTube understand what content people enjoy.
Subscribe Button
The red “Subscribe” button allows you to follow a channel. Once you subscribe, it turns gray and says “Subscribed.”
Notification Bell
Next to the “Subscribe” button, there’s a bell icon. This is for notifications. There are three types:
- Empty Bell: No notifications.
- Half-Filled Bell: Some notifications.
- Fully-Filled Bell: All notifications from the channel.
Share Button
The Share icon looks like an arrow. Click it to copy the video link or share it on social media.
Playlist and Save Buttons
If you want to watch a video later, click the Save icon (a small folder with a plus sign). This adds the video to your playlists.
YouTube Video Status Icons
These icons show information about a video’s upload status, monetization, and more.
Monetization Icons (For Creators)
- Green Dollar Sign ($): Video is fully monetized.
- Yellow Dollar Sign ($): Limited ads due to content restrictions.
- Red Dollar Sign ($): No monetization.
Video Processing Icons
- Clock Icon: Video is processing.
- Checkmark Icon: Video is successfully uploaded and ready to watch.
Live Stream Icons
If a video is live, you’ll see a red “Live” badge on it. This tells viewers they can watch in real time.
YouTube Comments and Chat Symbols
Pinned Comments
A small pin icon appears next to comments that a creator has pinned. Pinned comments stay at the top for everyone to see.
Moderator Icon
In live chat, some usernames have a small wrench. These users are moderators. They help manage chats and remove spam.
Super Chats
Users who donate during live streams get a highlighted message. The bigger the donation, the longer their message stays at the top.
Final Thoughts
YouTube’s symbols and icons make using the platform easier. Whether you are watching, uploading, or chatting, these icons provide useful information. Next time you see a new symbol, you’ll know exactly what it means!
