YouTube error · Occasional
YouTube share link points to wrong timestamp — fix the share-with-time
You shared a link with timestamp using YouTube's "Start at" share option, but when someone clicks it the video starts from the beginning, or jumps to a different time than expected.
Why this happens
- Share dialog's "Start at" checkbox wasn't actually checked when you copied.
- You modified the URL after copying, breaking the timestamp parameter.
- Old YouTube embed link format that doesn't honor the timestamp.
- Recipient is using an old YouTube app version that ignores timestamps.
How to fix it
- 1
Use the proper format: ?t=90s (or &t=90s)
A working YouTube timestamp link looks like youtube.com/watch?v=ID&t=90s or youtu.be/ID?t=90s. The `t=90s` parameter is seconds.
- 2
Use the timestamp generator tool
Our [/youtube-timestamp-link-generator](/youtube-timestamp-link-generator) builds the link in 6 different formats (short URL, full URL, embed, Markdown, HTML, tweet text). One paste, all formats.
- 3
Confirm the "Start at" checkbox before copying
YouTube's share dialog has a small checkbox for "Start at [time]". It needs to be checked when you click Copy. Easy to miss.
Frequently asked
Why does the YouTube mobile app sometimes ignore timestamps?
Old app versions (pre-2022) ignored ?t= in some URLs. Updating the app fixes it. The mobile web (m.youtube.com) honors timestamps universally.