Did YouTube Turn Off Watch History (Timecode) for Embeds/Iframe API?

Solutions and Workarounds

While we may not know the exact reason behind the issue, we can explore some solutions and workarounds to get your watch history (timecode) feature up and running again. Here are a few:

1. Use the YouTube Player API

One possible solution is to use the YouTube Player API instead of the iframe API. The Player API provides more control over the video player and allows you to track the timecode.

<script>
  var tag = document.createElement('script');
  tag.src = "https://www.youtube.com/iframe_api";
  var firstScriptTag = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
  firstScriptTag.parentNode.insertBefore(tag, firstScriptTag);
  
  var player;
  function onYouTubeIframeAPIReady() {
    player = new YT.Player('player', {
      height: '390',
      width: '640',
      videoId: 'VIDEO_ID',
      events: {
        'onStateChange': onPlayerStateChange
      }
    });
  }
  
  function onPlayerStateChange(event) {
    if (event.data === 1) {
      // Video is playing, track the timecode
      console.log(player.getCurrentTime());
    }
  }
</script>

2. Use a Third-Party Library or Plugin

Another solution is to use a third-party library or plugin that provides the watch history (timecode) feature for embedded videos. There are several libraries available, such as YouTube-JS or Video.js, that offer this functionality.

<script>
  const video = document.getElementById('video');
  const youtube = new YouTube(video, {
    videoId: 'VIDEO_ID',
    autoplay: true
  });
  
  youtube.on('play', () => {
    console.log(youtube.currentTime);
  });
</script>

3. Implement a Custom Solution

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can implement a custom solution using JavaScript and the YouTube API. This involves tracking the video playback manually and updating the watch history (timecode) accordingly.

<script>
  const video = document.getElementById('video');
  let startTime = 0;
  let currentTime = 0;
  
  video.addEventListener('play', () => {
    startTime = Date.now();
  });
  
  video.addEventListener('timeupdate', () => {
    currentTime = Math.floor((Date.now() - startTime) / 1000);
    console.log(currentTime);
  });
</script>

Conclusion

In conclusion, the mysterious case of the missing watch history (timecode) feature for embedded videos using the iframe API remains unsolved. While we may not know the exact reason behind the issue, we can explore alternative solutions and workarounds to get this feature working again.

By using the YouTube Player API, third-party libraries or plugins, or implementing a custom solution, you can track the watch history (timecode) for embedded videos. Remember to always follow YouTube’s terms of service and API guidelines when implementing these solutions.

We hope this article has provided you with valuable insights and solutions to this frustrating issue. If you have any more questions or concerns, feel free to comment below!

Remember, the watch history (timecode) feature is essential for many content creators and developers. By exploring these solutions and workarounds, you can provide a better user experience for your audience.

Additional Resources

If you’re interested in learning more about the YouTube API, iframe API, or JavaScript, here are some additional resources:

• YouTube API Documentation
• YouTube iframe API Reference
• W3Schools JavaScript Tutorial

Stay tuned for more articles and tutorials on web development, JavaScript, and YouTube API!

Frequently Asked Question

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