Put video on fast-forward with YouTube automation

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Introduction

YouTube is an amazing platform for learning, but sometimes the videos can be too slow or include unnecessary content. Did you know you can automate the process of fast-forwarding or changing playback speed on YouTube? This simple trick can help you save hours while still catching the most important parts of any video.

Why Automate Fast-Forwarding?

  • Save Time: Speed up lengthy tutorials or podcasts.
  • Skip Repetition: Quickly move past intros, advertisements, or repeated content.
  • Boost Productivity: Learn more in less time by increasing playback speed.

Ways to Automate Fast-Forwarding

  1. Use YouTube’s Built-in Playback Speed Feature
    YouTube already allows you to change playback speed manually:
    • Click the settings gear icon.
    • Select Playback Speed and choose from options like 1.25x, 1.5x, or 2x.
    While this is a great feature, manually adjusting every time can get tedious.
  1. Automate with Browser Extensions
    Install browser extensions like Video Speed Controller (available on Chrome and Firefox).
    • Steps to Automate:
      1. Download the extension from the Chrome Web Store.
      2. Set default playback speeds (e.g., 1.5x or 2x).
      3. Use keyboard shortcuts to skip or adjust speed dynamically.
  1. Use YouTube API with Python Script
    If you’re tech-savvy, create a Python script to automate playback speed adjustment:pythonCopyEditfrom selenium import webdriver from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By # Set up WebDriver driver = webdriver.Chrome() driver.get("https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YourVideoID") # Locate playback speed menu and set speed playback_speed = driver.execute_script("document.querySelector('video').playbackRate = 1.5") print("Playback speed set to 1.5x") driver.quit()
    • Use this script to open YouTube videos automatically at your preferred speed.
  1. Keyboard Shortcuts for Quick Navigation
    YouTube offers built-in shortcuts:
    • Press L to fast-forward 10 seconds.
    • Press J to rewind 10 seconds.
    • Press Shift + , or Shift + . to adjust playback speed incrementally.

Conclusion

Whether you’re watching educational tutorials, long podcasts, or entertaining vlogs, automating video fast-forwarding on YouTube can revolutionize your viewing experience. Try these methods to make the most of your time and enhance your productivity.

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Found this helpful? Share your favorite YouTube hacks in the comments below! For more productivity tips, check out other blogs on Upskilliqr.

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