MyVidster: Social Video Bookmarking and Sharing

Summary:

MyVidster is a social video bookmarking and sharing platform that lets users collect, organize, and discover videos from around the web. This in-depth guide explores how MyVidster works, its features, benefits, and potential legal considerations, empowering users to make the most of their video-sharing experience while staying safe and compliant.

What is MyVidster?

MyVidster is a social video bookmarking site that allows users to collect and share videos from all over the internet. Unlike traditional video hosting services, MyVidster does not store videos directly; instead, it enables users to bookmark and organize links to videos hosted on other websites. As a result, users can build their own curated collections of videos, explore what others are saving, and engage in a community-driven sharing platform.

Launched in 2009, MyVidster was designed to make it easy for people to track, discover, and organize online video content. Its functionality is similar to a social bookmarking site like Delicious, but focused specifically on video. The platform supports a wide range of content, from mainstream media to niche interests, providing a flexible and community-centered way to explore the web’s endless video resources.

How Does MyVidster Work?

At its core, MyVidster works by letting users “bookmark” videos, similar to how you might bookmark a website in your browser. When you find a video you like on another site, you can save the link to your MyVidster collection. Other users can then discover these bookmarks through categories, tags, or social feeds.

Key features include:

• Bookmarking videos from any site
• Organizing collections by theme, genre, or personal preference
• Following other users to see their saved content
• Exploring trending videos curated by the community
• Embedding collections on blogs or personal websites

By focusing on social curation, MyVidster helps users find videos they might not otherwise discover through standard search engines. The platform encourages community interaction and sharing, fostering an environment where everyone can contribute their tastes and recommendations.

Benefits of Using MyVidster

Using MyVidster has several advantages:

1. Discovery of Unique Content
Because MyVidster aggregates user bookmarks from across the web, it’s a great way to stumble upon videos you might never have found through traditional video sites or search engines.

2. Organizing Your Library
The platform makes it easy to create themed collections, helping you keep track of videos you find valuable or entertaining.

3. Community Engagement
You can follow other users with similar interests, share content, and even discuss bookmarked videos, creating a social experience around video discovery.

4. Flexible Embedding
If you run a blog or personal website, MyVidster collections can be embedded, adding dynamic and fresh content to your pages.

5. Bandwidth Friendly
Since MyVidster bookmarks links rather than hosting video, it is lightweight and does not consume excessive storage or bandwidth.

MyVidster vs. Other Video Platforms

MyVidster occupies a unique niche compared to platforms like YouTube or Vimeo. Unlike these hosting services, MyVidster is more of an aggregator and social bookmarking network. Here’s a breakdown:

In short, if you want to store and stream your own videos, YouTube or Vimeo may be better choices. If you want to collect and share videos from all over the web without uploading them, MyVidster is a perfect fit.

How to Get Started with MyVidster

If you’re new to MyVidster, here’s how to get started:

1. Create an Account
Sign up on the MyVidster website with your email address and choose a username.

2. Explore Collections
Before adding your own bookmarks, browse existing collections to see what other users have curated.

3. Start Bookmarking
Install the MyVidster browser extension or use the website to start bookmarking videos you enjoy.

4. Organize Your Collections
Use folders and tags to categorize your saved videos for easy retrieval later.

5. Engage with the Community
Follow other users, comment on collections, and participate in discussions to get the most out of MyVidster’s social features.

Safety and Legal Considerations

While MyVidster is a powerful tool for collecting and sharing videos, there are some legal considerations to keep in mind. Because the platform aggregates links to videos rather than hosting them directly, users are responsible for ensuring the content they bookmark complies with copyright laws.

Some content creators or copyright holders may object to their videos being shared through social bookmarking. Therefore, it’s wise to respect intellectual property and use MyVidster for content that is clearly available for public distribution or covered under fair use.

MyVidster itself has faced legal challenges in the past, with some cases testing whether its social bookmarking approach constituted copyright infringement. However, generally, MyVidster relies on the idea that it is simply sharing links, not storing copyrighted material. As a user, you should always make sure you are acting within the law.

MyVidster App and Mobile Experience

While MyVidster started as a web platform, mobile browsing has become increasingly important. The site is mobile-optimized and also offers mobile apps for easier bookmarking and sharing on the go. The mobile interface supports the same functions: browsing collections, saving videos, following users, and exploring trending bookmarks.

For those who prefer smartphones and tablets, the MyVidster app can provide a smoother experience than a standard browser, especially for uploading, organizing, and social engagement.

MyVidster for Business and Creators

Businesses and creators can also benefit from MyVidster. If you publish video content on your own website, you can encourage fans to bookmark your videos on MyVidster, potentially expanding your audience. The platform’s sharing features can help content go viral, increasing exposure without requiring you to upload directly to YouTube or similar services.

Embedding your own video content in MyVidster collections is another way to drive more traffic to your website. As video marketing continues to grow, MyVidster can be part of a broader content distribution strategy.

Potential Risks with MyVidster

Like any platform, MyVidster has risks that users should be aware of.

1. Copyright Complaints
Sharing copyrighted videos without permission can expose you to takedown requests or even legal action.

2. Adult Content
MyVidster has communities that share adult material. You should be aware of this if you want to avoid explicit content, and set filters accordingly.

3. Security
Because you’re linking to external videos, there is always a chance of linking to malicious websites. Use caution when clicking links shared by unknown users.

4. Spam
As with many social platforms, spam or misleading links can appear in user-shared collections. Be sure to report anything suspicious.

MyVidster Community Culture

The community on MyVidster is diverse, ranging from tech enthusiasts to fans of niche subcultures. Many users praise the site for its openness and the chance to discover rare, hard-to-find videos. However, moderation and reporting tools are available to keep things relatively clean and respectful.

Respect for other users and creators is the key to keeping the MyVidster community healthy. If you join, take the time to engage positively, share fairly, and follow community guidelines.

Tips for Power Users

If you want to get the most from MyVidster, here are a few expert tips:

• Tag your bookmarks clearly for easier searching
• Follow power users with similar tastes
• Participate in discussions to build your follower base
• Regularly update your collections to keep them fresh
• Embed collections on your personal website or portfolio

By curating high-quality videos and maintaining an active profile, you can build a personal video discovery hub that others trust and follow.

The Future of MyVidster

As video continues to dominate the web, platforms like MyVidster are likely to remain relevant. Their focus on curation rather than hosting saves costs while encouraging communities to share what they love.

Future possibilities for MyVidster could include:

• Tighter integration with mobile devices
• Advanced recommendation algorithms
• Partnerships with legitimate video distributors
• Improved moderation to manage explicit or infringing content

If MyVidster can balance user freedom with respect for copyright, its social bookmarking model could thrive for years to come.

Alternatives to MyVidster

If you like the idea of bookmarking or curating content but want to explore other options, consider these platforms:

• Pinterest: Great for images and articles, but also supports video pins
• Pocket: Ideal for saving articles and some video links for personal reading
• Raindrop.io: A polished bookmarking service that supports video
• Tumblr: Combines blogging and video sharing
• Reddit: Community-driven with strong video sharing capabilities

Each of these platforms offers slightly different features and communities, but they share MyVidster’s core appeal: helping you discover and organize what you love online.

Conclusion

MyVidster has carved out a unique space in the world of social video bookmarking. By allowing users to collect, organize, and share videos from anywhere on the web, it empowers discovery and community engagement in a way traditional video platforms often do not. Whether you want to build a personal video library, follow other curators, or share your collections with the world, MyVidster is a flexible and powerful tool worth exploring.

Remember to respect copyright, stay safe, and use community features responsibly to get the best out of your MyVidster experience. Happy bookmarking!