YouTube Music has rolled out a long-awaited feature: timestamp sharing. This functionality, similar to what’s been available on the main YouTube app, allows users to share specific moments within songs or podcasts.
Sharing a timestamped link on YouTube Music is simple. Locate the desired point in the audio and tap the “Share” button. You’ll see a new option in the top-right corner labeled “Start at [current time].” Simply toggle this option on to include the timestamp in the generated link.
The magic happens behind the scenes. When you share the link, YouTube Music automatically adds a code snippet (“t=XX”) to the URL, with “XX” representing the starting point in seconds. This ensures that whoever clicks the link will begin playback at the exact moment you chose.
This feature is particularly useful for podcast enthusiasts. Discussing specific segments of an episode becomes much easier when you can share a link that jumps right to the relevant part. While primarily beneficial for podcasts, timestamp sharing can also be helpful for sharing specific parts of songs, especially long ones, or even highlighting a particular moment in a concert recording.
The good news? Timestamp sharing is available now on YouTube Music for Android, iOS, and the web through a recent server-side update. This update also brings consistency across YouTube’s various platforms, making the user experience more seamless. It joins other recent updates to the YouTube ecosystem, including the revamped mini player for YouTube TV on Android, the addition of a sleep timer to the core YouTube app’s miniplayer, and enhanced now playing controls for YouTube Music.
While most of the YouTube Music app has received a visual refresh, it’s worth noting that the share sheet on the Android version hasn’t yet been updated to the new floating, non-edge-to-edge style. This is a minor inconsistency that will likely be addressed in a future update.
However, it’s important to note that YouTube recently announced a price increase for both YouTube Premium and YouTube Music subscriptions. This increase affects even users on legacy plans, sparking some user frustration.
So, the next time you want to share a specific part of a podcast or song with your friends, take advantage of YouTube Music’s new timestamp sharing feature. It’s a convenient way to ensure everyone’s on the same page from the very beginning. However, keep in mind the recent price hike for YouTube’s premium services.
Hillary Keverenge
2362 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
Next article View Article
