YouTube Description Link Extractor

WHAT IT DOES

YouTube Description Link Extractor is a browser extension that automatically scans the current YouTube page for video descriptions, description links, and URLs in description text. It detects description elements by examining class names, IDs, and data attributes for patterns like "#description", "#description-inner", and related selectors. The extension adds a floating extract button (🔗) next to the video player, providing quick access to link extraction controls. Clicking the button opens a panel where you can extract all links from the video description, copy them individually or in bulk, categorize links, and store extraction history locally. The panel displays the video title and a list of extracted links with their associated text. You can copy individual links, copy all links as text or JSON, and filter links by category. The extension maintains a link extraction database per video with link history, notes, and tags. The main panel shows saved link data for the current and recent videos. All data is stored locally in your browser using GM_setValue, ensuring your link history persists across page reloads and browser sessions. This helps researchers, students, content creators, and anyone who needs to collect and organize links from YouTube video descriptions efficiently.

WHERE IT RUNS

This extension runs on any YouTube page that displays video descriptions, description links, or URLs in description text – including YouTube watch pages and any page with YouTube video content. The extension intelligently adapts to different page structures and supports a wide range of common YouTube display patterns. No manual configuration is required per site; the extension automatically detects description elements using a flexible pattern matching system. This makes it ideal for users who need to extract and organize links from video descriptions.

HOW TO USE

Simply install the extension and navigate to any YouTube video page. The extension automatically detects the video and shows an extract button (🔗) next to the video player with a link count indicator. Click the button to open the link extraction panel. The panel shows the video title and a list of all links found in the description, along with their surrounding text. Each link has copy and open buttons for individual access. Use the category filter to sort links by type. Use "Copy All Links" to copy all URLs as a newline-separated list, or "Copy Links as JSON" to copy structured data. Add notes about the links and save them to your history. A floating button (📎) appears in the bottom-right corner of the page – click this to open the panel from anywhere. The panel also shows saved link data for the current video and recent videos. Use the "Clear All Data" button to remove all tracking data when needed.

ONE TECHNICAL SECTION – WHY IT WORKS

The extension uses a combination of DOM traversal and text parsing to extract links from video descriptions. The description text is retrieved from YouTube's description containers using multiple selectors to handle different page layouts. The URL extraction uses regex pattern matching to identify HTTP and HTTPS URLs in the description text, while also capturing anchor tags (a) with href attributes. The extension extracts both the URL and the surrounding text context to provide meaningful labels for each link. When anchor tags are found, the extension extracts the href and link text. For plain text URLs, the extension attempts to find nearby text to provide context. The link count is displayed on the floating indicator. Extracted links are stored in the local database with video ID, title, links, timestamps, notes, and tags. A MutationObserver detects dynamic content updates and re-scans only when the description changes, balancing real-time accuracy with system performance.

THE PANEL – DRAG / PER-SITE POSITION / SNAP / COLLAPSE / RESIZE / ESCAPE

The link extraction panel includes a draggable title bar, allowing you to position it anywhere on screen for convenient access during research. The extension remembers your preferred position per website, so the panel opens in the same location each time you return to that domain. The panel supports snap-to-edge behavior – when dragged near screen edges, it gently snaps into place for a tidy workspace layout. You can collapse the panel down to just its title bar by clicking the collapse button, keeping it accessible without taking up screen space. The link list and history are contained within a scrollable body, ensuring all content remains accessible even on smaller screens. Pressing the Escape key closes the panel instantly, returning you to your video viewing workflow.

PLEASE NOTE

This extension requires the free BotGentz extension to be installed and enabled, as it relies on BotGentz's userscript injection and GM_* API shims for cross-browser compatibility. Websites frequently update their HTML structures and class names, which may cause description detection to break temporarily – we actively maintain the matching patterns and release updates regularly. The extension stores all link data, notes, and history exclusively in your local browser storage (GM_setValue); no data is ever transmitted to any external server or third party. You are responsible for backing up your link extraction data if you switch browsers or clear your storage. The extension does not read, modify, or interfere with any YouTube content, videos, or functionality beyond the description display – it operates on the page content and stores only metadata (video IDs, titles, links, and notes) that you explicitly create. Use this tool responsibly and in accordance with YouTube's Terms of Service.