If you’re a fan of a creator’s videos but feel like there aren’t enough for you, you might have heard about the members-only content they offer. Sounds fun, right? Well, here’s what you need to know about how to watch members-only videos on YouTube and enjoy all the extra content.
What Are Members-Only Videos?
Members-Only YouTube videos are exclusive content that creators share only with subscribers who pay for a membership. These videos include behind-the-scenes footage, live streams, special updates, or personal messages. YouTube introduced this feature in 2018 as part of an effort to give creators more ways to earn money beyond ad revenue.
In a broader sense, the idea behind Members-Only videos is to build a stronger community and reward dedicated viewers with unique perks. In addition to earning a more reliable income, creators can give their fans a closer connection with their work.
Read also: How Can Musicians Make (More!) Money Online & Offline
How Can You Watch Members-Only Videos on YouTube?
You’ll need to be a paying member of the creator’s channel. When you become a member, you get access to exclusive videos and other content the creator shares just for subscribers. To join, click the Join button on the creator’s YouTube page and pick a membership level that works for you. Once you’re a member, you can watch all the special videos they offer.
Here’s a more detailed step-by-step:
- Find the creator you want to support.
- Click the Join button under their channel or on their membership page.
- Choose a membership tier and enter payment details to subscribe.
- Once you’ve subscribed, return to the creator’s channel.
- Go to the Community tab or check the Videos tab for members-only content.
- Look for videos marked with a Members-Only label.
- Click on the video to watch it like any other YouTube video.
Ways to Watch Members-Only Videos Without Paying
These methods are entirely within YouTube’s rules:
Check the creator’s social media accounts
If you’re curious about members-only videos but not ready to pay, you may find good content elsewhere. Creators often share clips, previews, or highlights of their exclusive content on other platforms — Instagram, X, TikTok, or Facebook. Sure, you won’t get the full experience, but it’s a great way to see some of the content they’ve made available for free.
Wait for public releases
Some creators eventually make their members-only videos available to the public after a set period. Keep an eye on their channel for updates or announcements about older exclusive content being shared with everyone.
Try YouTube’s free Premium trial
YouTube’s free Premium trial gives you a chance to explore, too. With this trial, you can enjoy ad-free videos, background play, and offline downloads. It also lets you access exclusive content from creators during the trial period, which usually lasts a month. Just be sure to cancel before the trial ends if you decide it’s not for you.
Is There a Way to Download Members-Only Videos?
Yes and no. On one hand, there isn’t a proper way to download members-only videos on YouTube for free. These videos are protected by YouTube’s terms and are meant to be watched through a paid membership. Downloading this content without permission goes against YouTube’s guidelines and could result in penalties for your account.
Read also: How to Download Music to MP3 Player From YouTube
On the other hand, if you’re a paying member with access to the content (or using a free trial), you can use third-party apps to download videos. Let’s take 4K Video Downloader Plus, for example.
Here’s how to download members-only videos on YouTube for free with it:
- Open 4K Video Downloader Plus — it works on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
- Log in to your YouTube account through the app. Just go to the Control Panel and select Log In.
- Get the link to the members-only video you want to save or use the app’s built-in browser to find it directly.
- Paste the link by clicking the green Paste Link button. If you used the in-app browser, simply click Download below the video.
- Choose the format, quality, and where you'd like to save the video.
- Click Download to start saving the video.
Once it’s done, you’ll find the video in a folder created by 4K Video Downloader Plus. Click the folder icon to locate it or click the video file to watch right away.
What’s the Difference Between Members-Only and Private Videos?
Members-only videos and private videos on YouTube are different, although both have restricted access.
Members-only videos are videos that are only accessible to people who have subscribed to a channel’s membership.
Private videos, on the other hand, are completely restricted and can only be viewed by specific users you invite via their Google accounts. Private videos cannot be found by the general public, even if someone has the video link.
What you can do with private videos:
- If it’s your video: You have full control over it. You can edit the video, change its privacy settings, or delete it.
- If it’s someone else’s video: You can’t view or interact with the video unless the creator grants you access by adding your Google account to the video’s permissions.
Now, back to members-only ones.
Other Ways to Download Members-Only Videos
If you’re looking for an online alternative, consider using SaveFrom.net (if you already have access to the content as a paying member or through a free trial). Here’s a quick guide:
- First, make sure you’re logged in to your YouTube account with the membership or trial access.
- Open the members-only video you want to download and copy its URL from the address bar.
- Go to the SaveFrom.net website and paste the copied URL into the provided input field.
- Once the video is processed, select your preferred download quality and format from the available options.
- Click the download button and the video will be saved to your device.
Because SaveFrom.net is a third-party tool, you need to use it responsibly. Make sure you’re complying with YouTube’s terms of service.
Other than 4K Video Downloader Plus and SaveFrom.net, there are many other similar tools that work in the same way, such as Y2Mate, Freemake Video Downloader, YTD Video Downloader, ClipGrab, and aTube Catcher.
Which Countries Have Access to YouTube Memberships?
YouTube memberships are available in many countries, but there are still some regions where the feature isn’t supported. For example, memberships are accessible in:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Australia
- India
- Germany
- France
- Brazil
- Japan
However, there are countries where YouTube memberships may not be available, such as:
- Some parts of Africa (e.g., certain countries like Zimbabwe)
- Some Middle Eastern countries (e.g., Iran)
- Some smaller nations or developing regions where YouTube has not yet rolled out all its features
If you’re unsure if memberships are available where you live, take a look at the channel’s membership page. If you don't see the option to join, it’s probably not supported in your area. But don’t worry because YouTube is always working to expand its services, so it could be available in the future.
Concerns Over Members-Only Content
Some people don’t like the sheer existence of Members-Only videos for a few reasons:
- Access and fairness — A lot of viewers get frustrated because they can’t watch certain videos unless they pay for a membership. They think it creates a divide between those who can afford it and those who can’t.
- Money focus — Some critics think creators are just trying to make more money by putting content behind a paywall. It supposedly damages the connection between creators and their audience, especially if the content is seen as something that should be freely available.
- Lack of transparency — When videos are locked behind a membership, it feels like there’s less openness. Fans who don’t pay might miss out on important updates or information that others get to see, which leaves them feeling left out.
- Is it worth it? People wonder if the content behind the paywall is really worth paying for. If the videos aren’t offering something unique or valuable compared to regular uploads, viewers feel like they’re being asked to pay for something they expect to be free.
In the end, Members-Only content helps creators earn money, and it can leave some fans feeling excluded or like they’re being asked to pay for things that should be accessible to everyone. It’s not all bad, so how you feel about this issue is your prerogative.
Is It Worth Having a Membership and/or a Premium Account?
Well, the answer to whether it’s worth the cost really depends on how much you use YouTube and what you’re looking for. Let’s do a recap: a YouTube membership lets you access exclusive content from creators, plus perks like badges and emojis for live chats. If you’re a big fan of a channel and want to support them, it’s a great way to do so and feel more connected with their community.
YouTube Premium, on the other hand, removes ads, lets you play videos in the background, and gives you access to YouTube Originals. It also includes YouTube Music, which is perfect if you’re into music or podcasts. If that sounds like the subscription will make your experience smoother and more enjoyable, it will be worth it. But if you just watch videos here and there, you might not need it.
