🔒
Privacy Policy
Effective date: March 20, 2026  ·  Version 1.0
The short version
WatchTool collects no personal data except one thing: the email address of Pro subscribers, stored solely to restore Pro access if you reinstall within 30 days of an active subscription. Everything else stays locally in your browser — no backend, no analytics, no tracking. Your Watch Later list is yours.

1. Who we are

WatchTool is a Chrome browser extension that enhances the YouTube Watch Later playlist experience. It is an independent product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to YouTube LLC or Google LLC in any way.

2. What data we collect

For free users: nothing. WatchTool does not collect, store, transmit, or process any personal information about free-tier users. Specifically:

  • We do not log your YouTube usage, watch history, or browsing activity
  • We do not capture your YouTube account credentials or session tokens
  • We do not run any analytics, tracking pixels, or telemetry
  • We do not send any data to any external server for free-tier functionality

For Pro subscribers: email address only. When you upgrade to Pro, we store your email address on a secure server for one purpose only — to allow Pro licence restoration if you uninstall and reinstall the extension within 30 days while your subscription is still active. We store nothing else: no name, no payment details, no usage data, no YouTube information.

Why just your email?
When you reinstall WatchTool, the local licence key is wiped with your browser data. Without a server-side record, you would lose Pro access even with days left in your paid subscription. Your email is the minimal identifier needed to look up your active subscription and restore access cleanly — nothing more.

3. What data is stored locally

WatchTool stores a small amount of data in your browser only, on your device, never leaving it — except for the single item marked below:

Data stored Where Why Deletable?
First-seen date per video ID chrome.storage.local Stale video detection Yes — clear extension data
User preferences (sort order, thresholds) chrome.storage.sync Persist your settings across Chrome sessions Yes — clear extension data
Pro licence key chrome.storage.sync Verify paid status locally without a server call on every page load Yes — removing extension clears it
Video metadata (title, channel, duration) IndexedDB (local) Search, sort, session builder, overflow >5k (Pro) Yes — clear site data in Chrome
Email address Pro only Our secure server Restore Pro access after reinstall within 30 days of an active subscription. Deleted automatically when your subscription expires or is cancelled. Yes — email (Pro is not available yet)

The email address is the only data that ever leaves your device, and only for Pro subscribers. All other data listed above remains entirely on your device at all times.

4. YouTube integration

WatchTool operates by reading and manipulating the YouTube web page that is already loaded in your browser. It uses YouTube's existing interface to perform actions (like removing a video) on your behalf — exactly as if you clicked those controls yourself. It does not use YouTube's official API and does not authenticate separately with Google on your behalf.

5. Payment data & Pro licence restoration

If you upgrade to Pro, payments are processed by LemonSqueezy, a third-party payment processor. WatchTool never sees, stores, or handles your credit card or payment details. All payment data is governed by LemonSqueezy's privacy policy. We receive only a payment confirmation and your email address.

Why we store your email: When you uninstall WatchTool, your local Pro licence key is deleted with the extension's browser data. Without a server-side record, reinstalling would mean losing Pro access even if days remain in your paid subscription. To prevent this, we store your email address on a secure server tied to your active subscription record. When you reinstall and enter the same email, we verify your subscription status and restore Pro access — if and only if your subscription is still active and you are within 30 days of the original uninstall date.

The 30-day reinstate window
If you uninstall WatchTool and reinstall it within 30 days, and your subscription has not expired or been cancelled, your Pro features are automatically restored. After 30 days, reinstallation is treated as a fresh install — you would need an active subscription to regain Pro access.

Your email is stored only for licence management. It is never used for marketing, never shared with third parties, and is automatically deleted from our server when your subscription expires or is cancelled. You may also request deletion at any time by emailing xxx@emailxx.

6. Third-party services

WatchTool does not embed any third-party analytics, advertising networks, social widgets, or tracking services. The only external interaction is the optional AI topic grouping feature (Pro), which sends video titles only to an AI model API for clustering. No personal information, no account details, no video content is ever sent. You can also opt to use on-device processing, which sends nothing externally at all.

7. Children's privacy

WatchTool is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect any data from children. If you believe a child has provided data through this extension, please contact us and we will take appropriate action.

8. Changes to this policy

If we make material changes to this privacy policy, we will update the version number and effective date at the top of this page and notify users through the Chrome Web Store update notes. Continued use of the extension after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

9. Contact

Questions about this privacy policy? Contact us at [email protected]


📋
Terms of Use
Effective date: March 20, 2026  ·  Version 1.0

1. Acceptance of terms

By installing or using the WatchTool Chrome extension, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree to these terms, do not install or use the extension.

2. Description of service

WatchTool is a Chrome browser extension that provides enhanced management tools for the YouTube Watch Later playlist. The extension operates locally within your browser. It is an independent product not affiliated with YouTube or Google.

3. License grant

Subject to these terms, WatchTool grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to install and use the extension for your personal, non-commercial purposes.

Free tier: This licence is granted at no charge and does not expire.

Pro tier: This licence requires a paid subscription ($3.99/month or $33/year) or a one-time lifetime purchase ($59). The licence is personal to you and may not be shared or transferred.

4. Restrictions

You may not:

  • Reverse-engineer, decompile, or disassemble the extension
  • Redistribute, resell, or sublicense the extension or any Pro licence key
  • Use the extension in any way that violates YouTube's Terms of Service
  • Attempt to circumvent any licence verification mechanisms
  • Use the extension for any automated, bot-like, or bulk commercial activity

5. YouTube and Google

WatchTool is an independent third-party tool. YouTube™ and Google™ are trademarks of Google LLC. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Google or YouTube. Your use of YouTube remains subject to YouTube's own Terms of Service at youtube.com/t/terms.

Important notice
YouTube may change its website structure, policies, or functionality at any time without notice. Such changes may affect the operation of WatchTool. We cannot guarantee uninterrupted functionality and will not be liable for any disruption caused by YouTube-side changes.

6. Pro subscription, refunds & reinstatement

Monthly and annual subscriptions are billed in advance and are non-refundable except where required by applicable law. Lifetime purchases are final. If the extension is discontinued within 12 months of a lifetime purchase, a pro-rated refund will be offered.

You may cancel your subscription at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. You retain Pro access until the period ends.

Reinstatement after reinstall: If you uninstall WatchTool and reinstall it within 30 days of uninstalling, and your subscription is still active at the time of reinstall, your Pro features will be automatically restored for the remaining days of your subscription period. To trigger restoration, open the extension popup and enter the email address associated with your Pro purchase. Reinstatement is only available within the 30-day window — after 30 days, a new or active subscription is required.

Lifetime subscribers who reinstall within 30 days are restored automatically. Lifetime subscribers who reinstall after 30 days may contact xx@xx.com with their purchase confirmation for manual restoration at no charge.

7. Disclaimer of warranties

WatchTool is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranty of any kind, express or implied. We do not warrant that the extension will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that it will meet your requirements. Use at your own risk.

8. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, WatchTool and its developers shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of data, arising from your use of or inability to use the extension.

9. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the developer is registered. Any disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration except where prohibited by law.

10. Changes to terms

We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. Changes will be communicated via Chrome Web Store update notes. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.


🌐
Chrome Web Store
Official source only
WatchTool is only distributed through the Chrome Web Store. Never install from any other source — unofficial versions may be malicious. Always verify the publisher name before installing.

How to install

1
Visit the Chrome Web Store listing
Search "WatchTool Manager" on the Chrome Web Store, or use the direct link from this website. Verify the publisher name matches before proceeding.
2
Click "Add to Chrome"
Chrome will show a permissions dialog. WatchTool only requests access to youtube.com — nothing else. Review the permissions and click "Add extension".
3
Open your Watch Later
Navigate to youtube.com/playlist?list=WL. WatchTool activates automatically. The health dashboard appears in the extension popup (click the icon in your Chrome toolbar).
4
Pin to toolbar (optional but recommended)
Click the puzzle piece icon in Chrome's toolbar → click the pin icon next to WatchTool. This gives you one-click access to the dashboard from any YouTube page.
5
Upgrade to Pro (optional)
Free features activate immediately with no setup. To unlock Pro features, click "Upgrade" in the extension popup. Payment is handled by LemonSqueezy — your licence activates within seconds of payment.

Compatibility

Browser Status Notes
Google Chrome (v88+) ✓ Fully supported Primary platform — all features
Microsoft Edge (Chromium) ✓ Supported Install via Chrome Web Store
Brave Browser ⚠ Mostly supported Brave Shields may interfere — disable for youtube.com
Opera / Vivaldi ⚠ Untested Should work — not officially supported
Firefox / Safari ✗ Not supported Different extension system — planned for v2
Chrome on Android ✗ Not supported Android Chrome does not support extensions

Update policy

WatchTool updates automatically through the Chrome Web Store. Updates are released when YouTube changes its interface, when bugs are fixed, or when new features are added. You can see the changelog for each version in the Chrome Web Store listing under "Version History".

Critical fixes (when YouTube breaks the extension with a layout change) are typically pushed within 24–48 hours of discovery.

Uninstalling

To uninstall: right-click the WatchTool icon in your Chrome toolbar → "Remove from Chrome". All locally stored data (preferences, firstSeen dates, local video index) is permanently deleted when the extension is removed. Your YouTube Watch Later list itself is not affected in any way.


💬
Support Center

Response times

Issue type Expected response Notes
Extension completely broken Within 24 hours Highest priority — usually a YouTube DOM change
Feature not working as expected 1–2 business days Include Chrome version and steps to reproduce
Pro billing / licence issue Within 24 hours Email with your order ID from LemonSqueezy
General question 2–3 business days Check FAQ first — likely already answered
Feature request Acknowledged in 1 week Add to GitHub Discussions for community votes

Before contacting support

Please try these steps first — they resolve ~80% of issues:

  • Refresh the YouTube page (Ctrl+R / Cmd+R)
  • Disable other YouTube-related extensions and test again
  • Check if you're on youtube.com/playlist?list=WL (not a search result page)
  • Make sure Chrome is up to date (Settings → About Chrome)
  • Try disabling and re-enabling WatchTool in chrome://extensions

Frequently Asked Questions

Note: Extension is not yet live so some things related to pro might change in future , we will update the new faq respectively!

📢 Note: Pro Features Coming Soon
WatchTool is currently in its final development phase. Pro features mentioned in this document (licence restoration, email collection, AI topic grouping) are not yet available. The free version with all core features (search, bulk delete, filter, sort, auto-remove, stale detection) is fully functional and ready for launch. This page will be updated when Pro features go live.
Does WatchTool access my Google account?
No. WatchTool does not authenticate with Google or access your Google account in any way. It reads and interacts with the YouTube page that is already loaded in your browser — using the same session you already have open. It never sees your Google password, email, or account token.
Will it get my YouTube account banned or flagged?
No. WatchTool only simulates normal user actions — clicking YouTube's own buttons at a throttled speed (2–3 actions/second). This is identical to a user manually clicking. Hundreds of extensions do the same thing. To be safe, bulk operations include throttling and a maximum speed limit, so YouTube's systems see perfectly human-like behaviour.
The extension stopped working after a YouTube update. What do I do?
YouTube periodically changes its page structure, which can break extensions that rely on reading specific elements. When this happens, we push a fix within 24–48 hours. Check the Chrome Web Store listing for a pending update, or visit our GitHub issues page. In the meantime, YouTube's native Watch Later still works normally — WatchTool just won't show its extra controls until the update is installed.
Where does my Watch Later data go when I use the extension?
Nowhere. All data (video metadata, your settings, stale detection dates) is stored in your browser's local storage — either chrome.storage or IndexedDB. It never leaves your device. There is no WatchTool server or cloud database of any kind.
Can I use it on multiple devices?
Yes. Your settings and preferences sync automatically via chrome.storage.sync across devices where you're logged into the same Chrome profile. Your Pro licence also syncs. However, the video metadata cache (used for search and session builder) and the firstSeen dates (used for stale detection) are device-local and do not sync — they rebuild automatically when you open Watch Later on a new device.
I uninstalled and reinstalled — how do I get my Pro features back?
Open the WatchTool popup and click "Restore Pro Access". Enter the email address you used when you originally purchased Pro. If your subscription is still active and you are within 30 days of uninstalling, your Pro features will be restored immediately — no payment required. If you are outside the 30-day window, you will need an active subscription. Lifetime subscribers outside the 30-day window can contact xx@xx.xom for manual restoration.
How do I cancel my Pro subscription?
Log into your LemonSqueezy customer portal (link in your purchase confirmation email) → Subscriptions → Cancel. Your Pro access continues until the end of the current billing period. After cancellation, the extension switches to the free tier automatically — your data is unaffected.
Does bulk delete remove videos from my YouTube account permanently?
Yes — it removes them from your Watch Later playlist, exactly as if you had manually removed each one. The videos themselves are not deleted from YouTube — they still exist and can be found via search or channel pages. You can re-add them to Watch Later at any time.
Why does the stale detection only show videos added after I installed WatchTool?
YouTube does not expose "date added" information for Watch Later in the page's HTML. WatchTool tracks the first time it sees each video in your list. For videos that were already there when you installed the extension, the "first seen" date is the date you installed — not the original save date. This improves over time as the extension builds up a complete history of your list.
Is WatchTool open source?
The core extension code will be made available on GitHub. The Pro licence verification code remains proprietary. Contributions, bug reports, and feature requests are welcome via GitHub Issues and Discussions.
What happens to my data if I uninstall the extension?
Most locally stored data — your preferences, stale detection dates, video metadata cache, and local Pro licence key — is deleted when you remove the extension from Chrome. Your YouTube Watch Later playlist is completely unaffected. However: if you are a Pro subscriber, your email address remains on our server for 30 days so that reinstalling within that window restores your Pro access automatically. After 30 days, the server record is deleted too. To request immediate deletion of your email from our server, email xxx@emailxx.

🔑
Permissions Explained

Chrome extensions must declare every permission they use. Here is every permission WatchTool requests and exactly why it needs it — nothing hidden, nothing extra.

activeTab
Required to inject the WatchTool toolbar and controls into the currently active YouTube tab. Without this, the extension cannot add search, filter, or bulk-select UI to the page.
storage
Required to save your preferences (sort order, thresholds, settings) and to store firstSeen dates for stale detection. Uses chrome.storage.local and chrome.storage.sync — both are local to your browser.
scripting
Required by Manifest V3 to inject content scripts into youtube.com pages. This is what allows the extension to read the Watch Later list from the page's DOM and add interface elements.
host: youtube.com
Limits the extension to running only on youtube.com. It cannot run on any other website. This is the most restrictive host permission possible for a YouTube extension.
downloads
Used only for the Pro export feature — to trigger a file download of your Watch Later backup (JSON or CSV). Only activates when you explicitly click "Export". Not used for any other purpose.
host: api.WatchTool.app
Pro subscribers only. Used exclusively to verify and restore your Pro licence using your email address. This request is made only when you purchase Pro, restore Pro after reinstall, or the extension checks your subscription status on startup (once per session). No other data is sent. Free users: this permission is never invoked.
What WatchTool does NOT request
We do not request: browsing history, cookies, bookmarks, passwords, clipboard, camera, microphone, geolocation, notifications, or access to any website other than youtube.com. If you ever see a version of this extension requesting those permissions, it is not the official WatchTool.

📬
Contact
I'm a solo developer — I read every message and aim to respond within 24 hours on weekdays.