By default, every video you upload is public. That means anyone with the link can watch it, and search engines can index the page. You can flip a video to private at any time.
Public versus private
| Setting | Who can watch |
|---|---|
| Public | Anyone with the link. The page can be discovered through search and social shares. |
| Private | Only the owner when signed in. The link still exists but won't show the video to anyone else. |
Private videos are a paid plan feature. The Standard, Premium and Lifetime plans all include them. See Choosing the right plan for you.
How to switch the setting
- Open the video page.
- Find the privacy toggle in the video controls.
- Flip it on for private, off for public.
- The change takes effect immediately.
What "private" actually does
When a video is private:
- The public watch page returns a not found message to anyone who isn't you.
- Embeds will refuse to play for non owners.
- The thumbnail and oEmbed endpoints stop returning data publicly.
You can flip it back to public at any time, with no effect on the video or its stats.