In today’s hyper-connected digital age, privacy is power. And if you’re on YouTube—whether as a creator, brand, or casual viewer—your account holds more than just videos. It contains personal information, watch habits, location data, and often sensitive communication. In 2025, overlooking privacy settings can mean losing control over your content and even your identity.
Whether you’re investing in audience growth through tools like buying YouTube subscribers or views, it’s critical to lock down your YouTube account before hackers or nosy competitors get a peek behind the curtain.
Let’s break down the must-change YouTube privacy settings that protect your channel and viewing experience.
1. Make Your Subscriptions Private
By default, YouTube displays your subscriptions publicly. While this may seem harmless, it exposes your interests, competitors, and even affiliate strategies.
How to Fix It:
- Go to YouTube Settings → Privacy
- Toggle on “Keep all my subscriptions private”
This is especially important if you’re running multiple channels or testing engagement tactics through tools like buying watch time or running niche-focused content on different accounts.
2. Hide Liked Videos and Saved Playlists
Your liked videos reveal what kind of content you support—and potentially your monetization strategies. If you don’t want this data shared with viewers or advertisers, hide it.
To Change:
- Navigate to Privacy settings
- Enable “Keep all my liked videos private”
- Do the same for saved playlists
If you’re using accounts sourced from platforms like SEO SMM Boosters’ Gmail offerings or old Gmail accounts, ensure each is configured with private preferences.
3. Disable Activity Sharing
YouTube can automatically share your activity with others, like uploads, comments, and subscriptions. Disable this if you value your operational anonymity.
Creators often manage multiple channels using tools like bulk email accounts or separate logins for affiliate marketing. Keep each identity distinct.
4. Control Comment Visibility
Trolls and spammers can clutter your channel’s reputation quickly. YouTube now allows advanced comment moderation that should be customized.
Recommendations:
- Enable comment filters to block offensive language
- Hold inappropriate comments for review
- Limit who can comment (e.g., subscribers only)
If you’re running campaigns using tools like buy YouTube likes or comments, ensure the feedback looks natural and aligns with your comment policy.
5. Manage Account Recovery Information
Privacy is pointless if your account can be easily recovered by someone else. Use strong, secure backups like Google Voice numbers instead of your personal number.
Backup recovery emails can also come from secure sources such as ProtonMail or Zoho accounts to keep your recovery process private and protected.
6. Review Connected Apps and Sites
Many users link third-party services to their YouTube accounts for analytics, automation, or video editing. These services can expose your data if compromised.
Action Steps:
- Visit “Google Account Settings” → “Security” → “Third-Party Apps”
- Revoke access from apps you no longer use
7. Turn Off Ad Personalization
YouTube uses your viewing habits to show tailored ads—but this also means your behavior is being tracked constantly.
Disable this to minimize data sharing:
- Go to Google’s Ad Settings
- Toggle off Ad Personalization
Pair this privacy setting with secure browsing habits. If you’re operating multiple YouTube channels for growth, using anonymous logins from aged Gmail accounts keeps each channel’s data siloed.
8. Secure Your Viewing and Search History
If you’re conducting competitive research or testing video performance, clear your history often. Better yet, pause it.
To Pause:
- Go to YouTube History → “Pause Watch History” and “Pause Search History”
This is critical for agencies managing several influencer or brand accounts through bulk YouTube services, ensuring browsing habits don’t overlap.
Final Thoughts: Small Settings, Big Impact
YouTube isn’t just a platform for entertainment—it’s a data goldmine. In 2025, every click, like, and comment carries metadata that could be used to profile, target, or even hack you.
By taking control of these critical YouTube privacy settings, you’re doing more than hiding playlists—you’re protecting your channel, audience, and digital identity.