YouTube is testing a new restriction that may prevent you from watching embedded videos on CopperKnob unless you sign in to your YouTube account. This can be confusing, as the message doesn't specify to sign into YouTube, and you might think you need to log in to CopperKnob itself.
Sign-in required for videos
You might encounter a sign-in prompt when trying to watch videos embedded on websites like CopperKnob. This happens even if you're already signed in to CopperKnob itself, because the videos are actually hosted on YouTube.
Who's Affected
This seems to be more frequent for users with VPNs or privacy browsers like DuckDuckGo.
Temporary Workaround
If you don't want to sign in, you can try clicking the video title (not the play button) to open it in the YouTube app (on mobile) or a separate YouTube window. However, this requires returning to CopperKnob after each video.
Long-Term Solution
YouTube recommends creating a YouTube account and signing in to your browser. Here's how:
1. Visit this page: https://www.youtube.com/account
2. Create a new account or sign in with your existing Google account.
3. Return to the CopperKnob and view a video. You should now be able to watch them without signing in again (unless you clear your cookies).
Why is YouTube Doing This?
While frustrating for some users, YouTube likely wants to track viewership data and user behavior. It's important to note that requiring sign-in before viewing is entirely within YouTube's control.
