When you sign up for the YouTube (YT) service you’re required to agree to follow their rules and regulations. Most downloaded programs on the Internet require the same promise — that you’ll play by their rules or not play at all. If you don’t check the little box saying you agree with their terms of service, they won’t let you in. In order to download YouTube videos you must first agree NOT to download them (terms of service forbid it), and then go against your word and do it anyhow.
If you didn’t read the terms of service maybe you’re not even aware that downloading is forbidden. Well, now you know. By checking the box, you already told them that you read and understood the terms, so feigning ignorance won’t work in this case. You just have to be willing to fudge a little, kind of like going 60 in a 55 mph speed zone.
The old, “rules were made to be broken, ” axiom fits well here. Or, “what they don’t know won’t hurt them.” But the fact remains, if you decide to copy something from YouTube you’re doing it at your own risk and it’s, essentially, illegal.
There is one exception. If you’re the one who uploaded the video in the first place, YouTube gives you the option to download it yourself as an MP4. But apparently they’ll only allow you to do this a couple of times before the option goes away, a least for a while. It’s easy to do and it’s not against the rules but it’s no solution to grabbing something that someone else posted. There are lots of ways to do that, however.
If you do a search of this article’s keywords you’ll find many ways to download from YT to your computer. These downloading sites are generally free of charge, although a few do charge a fee. Some are so easy to use, all you have to do is put in the URL for the video you’re interested in and click ‘download’. Once the transfer is made, the file just needs to be saved and it’s ready to be played.
Some are slightly more complicated, requiring you to change the name of the file and add a different file extension. Some of these downloading sites are clean, while others are loaded with advertising of all sorts. Some are cleverly designed to get you to click the wrong button by mistake, which will take you somewhere you didn’t intend.
Trying out a few of these downloading sites proved the old KISS principle — the simpler, the better. Just putting in the URL and clicking one button to download and a couple more clicks to save was all it took. There were no problems encountered and the quality of the transfer was perfect.
If you want to download YouTube videos you should find it easy and quick. Remember to keep it simple (silly), and you’ll be rewarded with a raft of new content for your PC or MP4 in no time at all. YouTube is a great sharing platform. Enjoy.
You can learn more YouTube tips as well as find a list of YouTube downloader tools at ReelSEO.com, the online video marketing experts.