How to Search for Words in a YouTube Video

YouTube videos are packed with valuable information, but finding a specific word or phrase in a long video can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to search for words in a YouTube video—whether you’re looking for a quote, key point, or just trying to save time.

1. Use YouTube’s Transcript Feature

Many YouTube videos have transcripts automatically generated by YouTube. Here’s how to access and search them:

Step-by-step:

1. Open the video on YouTube.
2. Click the three dots (•••) below the video (next to the Save and Share buttons).
3. Select “Show transcript”.
4. A transcript panel will appear to the right or below the video.
5. Press Ctrl+F (Windows) or Cmd+F (Mac) to open your browser’s search bar.
6. Type in the word or phrase you’re looking for.

If the word exists in the transcript, it will be highlighted, and you can click the timestamp next to it to jump straight to that part of the video.

2. Use YouTube’s Searchable Captions (Not Always Available)

If the creator added manual captions or used timestamped chapters with keywords, you might be able to search within the video using the search bar above the comments section. This isn’t available on every video, but it’s worth checking.

3. Try a Third-Party Tool or Extension

There are several browser extensions and websites that can generate searchable transcripts or let you search inside videos. A few popular ones include:

• InVideo (for creators and marketers)
• YT Transcript (a simple tool to extract transcripts)
• Glasp or Liner (tools that add highlights and notes to YouTube videos)

Most of these tools work best on videos that have captions enabled.

4. Use AI Tools (Like ChatGPT)

You can use AI tools to analyze YouTube transcripts or summaries. For example:

• Copy the transcript and paste it into ChatGPT.
• Ask something like: “Where does the speaker talk about XYZ?”

This is helpful for long videos where you want a quick summary or key quotes.

Final Tip

Not all videos have transcripts, and YouTube’s auto-captions aren’t always perfect. But if the video does have accurate captions, these methods can save you a ton of time.

Have a favorite tool for searching YouTube videos? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear what works for you.