How to Take Notes on YouTube Videos

6,427+ learners took notes this week. You can start in 30 seconds.

Turn any YouTube video into structured Obsidian notes while you watch

No transcript needed - AI watches the video directly
Notes saved to your computer in Markdown
Works with coding tutorials, lectures, any video
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.7
|10,000++

Complete Tutorial (8 Steps)

STEP 1

Install HoverNotes

Install from the Chrome Web Store. Takes 30 seconds. Works on Chrome, Edge, Comet, and other Chromium browsers.

STEP 2

Go to YouTube

Open YouTube and play any video—coding tutorials, lectures, conference talks, or any content you want to learn from.

STEP 3

Open Video Mode

Hover over the video and click the HoverNotes button that appears. A floating notepad opens right beside your video without leaving your tab.

STEP 4

Connect Your Obsidian Vault

Click 'Connect Vault' and select or create your HoverNotes folder in Obsidian. This lets HoverNotes save notes directly to your computer - no cloud upload needed.

STEP 5

Turn On AI Notes

Start 'AI Notes' and HoverNotes will generate well structured notes from the video in real-time. You can edit everything.

STEP 6

Capture Screenshots

Click the camera icon to take screenshots with timestamps. Screenshots are saved directly to your Obsidian vault.

STEP 7

Type Your Own Notes

Take your own notes as you watch the video in our notion-like editor.

Your notes are saved on your computer and never in the cloud.

STEP 8

Review Your Notes

Your notes are saved as Markdown to your Obsidian vault and accessible in both Obsidian and HoverNotes.

Your notes live on your computer - not locked in our platform.

💡 BONUS TIP

Use Advanced Video Controls

Control playback without breaking your focus.

Adjust speed, volume, skip forward or back—all from your keyboard while taking your notes

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.7 on Chrome Store
10,000+ installations

Pro Tips for YouTube

Use Timestamps

Click timestamps in your notes to jump back to that exact moment in the video.

Watch at 2x Speed

Let AI handle the notes while you speed through content.

Playlist Strategy

Take notes on entire playlists. Build complete topic references.

Topic-Specific Folders

Organize notes by Topic - perfect for following specific subject concepts.

Why YouTube Works Great with HoverNotes

No Transcript Required

HoverNotes AI watches the video directly. Works even when transcripts are disabled or unavailable.

Understands Code & Diagrams Visually

AI understands & captures code, charts, and images shown on screen - not just what's said.

Works in Any Language

Watch in one language, get notes in another. e.g. Watch in English, get notes in Spanish. Supports 15+ languages.

Perfect for Free Learning

Learn from free YouTube content instead of paying for courses.

True Local-First

Notes are saved directly to your computer. We never store your content.

Who Uses HoverNotes on YouTube

Developers & Engineers

Capture code from React, Python, and JavaScript tutorials. Get syntax highlighting automatically.

Designers

Save UI/UX techniques, Figma workflows, and design principles from tutorial videos.

Real Estate Professionals

Document market analysis strategies, negotiation tactics, and investment frameworks.

Stock Market & Finance Learners

Capture technical analysis patterns, trading strategies, and market commentary.

Students & Researchers

Turn lectures, documentaries, and educational content into study materials.

Tech Conference Attendees

Never lose insights from keynotes and technical talks again.

Common Questions

Does it work on live streams?

Yes, HoverNotes & AI notes work on all YouTube videos even for live streams.

What about YouTube Shorts?

Yes, it works, but probably overkill for 60-second videos. Best to use on longer tutorials.

Can I edit notes after closing the video?

Yes. All notes are available on your computer and editable in both HoverNotes and Obsidian.

Does it slow down video playback?

No. AI processing happens in the background.

Ready to Start Taking Notes on YouTube?

Install HoverNotes and transform your YouTube learning experience today.