YouTube Summarization Guide

Learn how to quickly get summaries of any YouTube video using AbbreviAI Sidekick. Save hours of watch time with our AI-powered summarization feature.

How to Summarize YouTube Videos

1

Install and Open AbbreviAI Sidekick

First, make sure you have the AbbreviAI Sidekick extension installed in Chrome. Click the extension icon in your toolbar to open the sidebar.

Note: You'll need an active OpenRouter API key configured in the extension settings to use this feature.
2

Navigate to the YouTube Video

Go to the YouTube video you want summarized. This works on any standard YouTube video page.

YouTube video page
3

Type the Magic Command

In the AbbreviAI Sidekick chat box, simply type:

summarize this video

Hit enter and wait a few seconds while our AI processes the video.

Typing summarize command
4

Receive Your Summary

The AI will analyze the video content and return a concise summary including:

  • Key points and takeaways
  • Main topics covered
  • Important timestamps (when applicable)
Example video summary

Pro Tips for Better Summaries

  • For long videos: Try "summarize this video in bullet points" for more structured output
  • For tutorials: Use "list the key steps in this tutorial" to extract just the actionable items
  • For research: Try "what are the main arguments in this video?" to get debate highlights
  • Speed control: Add "be more concise" or "provide detailed summary" to adjust length

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this work on all YouTube videos?

Our summarization works on most standard YouTube videos, including:

  • Regular uploads
  • Educational content
  • Podcasts and interviews
Some limitations apply to very short videos (under 1 minute) or videos without captions.

How accurate are the summaries?

The summaries are generated by advanced AI models through OpenRouter and are typically very accurate at capturing main ideas. For critical applications, we recommend skimming the video to verify important points.

Can I summarize videos in other languages?

Yes! The AI can process videos in many languages. Try adding "translate to [language]" if you want the summary in a specific language.

Why isn't the summarization working?

Common issues include:

  • No OpenRouter API key configured
  • Insufficient API credits
  • Video is age-restricted or private
  • Video has no captions available
Try refreshing the page and ensuring you're on the standard YouTube watch page.

Need More Help?

If you're still having trouble with YouTube summarization or any other feature, please contact our support team.

Contact Support
← Back to Home