AI-Powered Bookmarklet Transforms YouTube Shorts Experience on Desktop Browsers

Using AI to improve the YouTube Shorts experience on desktop browsers: A tech enthusiast leveraged ChatGPT to create a custom JavaScript bookmarklet that converts the layout of YouTube Shorts to the standard YouTube video format with a single click, without requiring any coding knowledge.

Identifying the problem and potential solutions: The author noticed that YouTube Shorts have a suboptimal viewing experience on desktop browsers, with issues like incorrect video framing and difficult navigation. Recognizing that YouTube is unlikely to address this soon, he decided to find his own solution.

• By examining the URL structure of regular YouTube videos and Shorts, he realized that converting the URL format could potentially solve the layout issues.
• He turned to ChatGPT, a free AI chatbot, to explore whether it could help him create a tool to automatically convert the URLs and improve his YouTube Shorts experience on desktop.

Leveraging ChatGPT to create a custom bookmarklet: Through a series of prompts and conversations with ChatGPT, the author was able to generate the necessary JavaScript code for a browser bookmarklet that would convert YouTube Shorts URLs to the standard format.

• ChatGPT provided two potential solutions: a browser bookmarklet or a browser extension. The author chose the bookmarklet route as it seemed less daunting for a non-coder.
• The AI tool generated the code snippet and provided step-by-step instructions on how to create the bookmarklet, which the author successfully implemented in his own browser.
• ChatGPT also explained the generated code line-by-line, giving the author confidence in its functionality and safety before running it.

Testing the AI-generated solution: With the newly created “YT Shorts Switch” bookmarklet, the author tested it on a YouTube Short from PCMag’s channel. Clicking the bookmarklet instantly converted the Short to the regular YouTube video layout, confirming that the AI-powered solution worked as intended.

Embracing AI for accessible, personalized innovation: This experiment demonstrates how AI tools like ChatGPT can democratize technology and empower individuals, even those without coding skills, to create custom solutions tailored to their specific needs and preferences.

• The author emphasizes that the point is not just to provide a handy YouTube Shorts layout fix but to showcase how AI makes technology more accessible and allows anyone to build tools that solve their own unique pain points.
• He encourages readers to leverage AI to create their own helpful bookmarklets or automations, sharing a few additional ideas like formatting citations, redirecting to archived versions of webpages, or removing YouTube video controls for cleaner screenshots.

Embracing the AI-powered future: As AI continues to advance and become more user-friendly, individuals have unprecedented opportunities to harness its potential for solving everyday problems and enhancing their digital experiences. By embracing AI tools and experimenting with their capabilities, users can unlock personalized innovations that make their lives easier and more efficient, even without traditional coding skills. This accessible, democratized approach to technology holds immense promise for empowering individuals and driving widespread, user-centric innovation in the years ahead.