--- {"title": "Order Interview Recordings by Length in 2026", "description": "Learn how to order interview recordings by length for UX research. Compare manual lists, spreadsheets and YTSort, with steps and checks before you reorder.", "url": "https://xpdaily.com/how-to-order-interview-recordings-by-length-for-ux-researchers/", "date": "2026-10-28"} --- Learn how to order interview recordings by length for UX research. Compare manual lists, spreadsheets and YTSort, with steps and checks before you reorder. To order interview recordings by length, gather the recording titles and durations, then arrange them from shortest to longest or longest to shortest. A written list or spreadsheet can help you sort recordings stored as files. If the recordings are videos in a YouTube playlist you own, YTSort can reorder that playlist by video length. [^1] | Option | How it orders recordings | Cost information | What to check | |---|---|---|---| | Paper list | You arrange titles by duration. | No price information provided for paper or stationery. | Confirm that every title matches the correct recording. | | Spreadsheet | You sort rows using a duration column you fill in. | No specific spreadsheet product or price is specified. | Check that duration values sort correctly and recording details stay together. | | Recording service's own organization options | Depends on the service's available organization options. | Not published for an unspecified service. | Check whether the service supports a custom recording order. | | YTSort | Reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first. [^1] | Free. All installation options include the same features. [^1] | Check that the recordings are videos in a YouTube playlist you own. [^1] | ## What you need before you start Ordering interview recordings by length can help UX researchers plan review sessions, find shorter recordings to review first, or set aside longer interviews for dedicated blocks of time. Start by deciding whether the goal is to review the shortest interviews first or begin with the longest ones. - **The recordings.** Gather the interview recordings you need to review. Check where they are stored and whether they are individual files or videos in a YouTube playlist. - **The duration of each recording.** Collect the title and length of each interview. Use the duration shown by the file or video service where it is available. - **A clear review goal.** Decide whether shorter recordings should come first, longer recordings should come first, or recordings within a particular length range should be grouped together. - **A record of the intended order.** A paper list or spreadsheet can hold the recording title, duration and position. This gives you a reference when arranging recordings manually. - **Access to the recordings.** If you want a tool to reorder a YouTube playlist, make sure it is a playlist you own. YTSort reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first. [^1] Before changing the order, consider whether the interview sequence matters for the research. Recording length is useful for planning review time, but it does not tell you which interview contains the most relevant evidence. ## Step by step These steps work whether you are keeping a written list, using a spreadsheet or arranging videos in a YouTube playlist. 1. **Gather the recordings.** Open the folder, video collection or playlist that contains the interviews. Check that you have the recordings needed for the review. 2. **Record each title and duration.** Make a list with one entry per interview. Include the recording title and its length. If you need to find interviews again later, include a filename or another identifier that points to the right recording. 3. **Check the duration information.** Confirm that each length belongs to the correct recording. If a duration is missing, check the recording itself or the information shown by the service storing it before placing it in the order. 4. **Choose the direction.** For a short review session, arrange recordings from shortest to longest. If longer interviews need attention first, reverse the order. Keep the direction consistent throughout the list. 5. **Protect important research sequences.** Check whether the recordings need to stay in a particular order for a study, participant sequence or review plan. If the sequence matters, record those constraints before rearranging anything. 6. **Sort the list by duration.** In a written list, compare the durations and move entries into the required order. In a spreadsheet, put the titles and durations in separate columns and sort the rows using the duration column. Keep each title attached to its original recording details. 7. **Choose how to apply the order.** For individual recordings, use the file or media service's available organization options, or keep the sorted list as a review queue. For videos in a YouTube playlist you own, YTSort can reorder the playlist by length. [^1] 8. **Review the proposed order before applying it.** Compare the first few and last few entries with their durations. Check that no recording has been paired with the wrong title and that any required sequence has been preserved. YTSort shows the before and after order so you can check it before applying. [^1] 9. **Apply the changes and verify them.** Reorder the recordings using the method you chose, then inspect the result. After sorting a playlist, YTSort reads the playlist back from YouTube and reapplies moves that did not stick. [^1] 10. **Keep a review record.** Note which recordings you reviewed and any follow-up needed. A length-based order helps with scheduling, while your research notes should guide interpretation of the interviews. ## Tools that can do it You do not need a dedicated tool to create a length-based review order. The right option depends on where the recordings are stored and whether you need to change their actual order. **A paper list.** Write each recording title and duration, then arrange the entries from shortest to longest or longest to shortest. This gives you a simple reference for review sessions. Check the list against the original recordings before you begin. **A spreadsheet.** Put recording titles and durations in separate columns, then sort the rows by duration. Keep any participant codes or research identifiers in the same row as the recording they describe. Check the spreadsheet application's current instructions if you need help sorting duration values correctly. **The recording service's own organization options.** If your recordings are stored in a media or file service, check whether it lets you arrange them in a custom order. The available options depend on the service, so verify its current features before relying on it to change the recording sequence. **YTSort.** YTSort is made by the team that publishes this site, XP Daily. It reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first. [^1] It can sort the full playlist rather than only the videos loaded on screen. [^1] YTSort can show the total, average, shortest and longest video durations for a playlist. [^1] It can also export each video's position, title, duration and URL to a CSV file, which can help you keep a record of the playlist order. [^1] YTSort is free, and all its installation options include the same features. [^1] You can use a bookmark, a browser script or a Chrome Web Store extension. [^1] The extension needs Chrome or Edge. The script version works in any browser, including Firefox, with Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey or Greasemonkey installed. [^1] The important distinction is the location of the recordings. YTSort is for videos in a YouTube playlist you own. For interview files stored elsewhere, use a written list, spreadsheet or the organization options provided by the service holding those files. ## Common mistakes to avoid **Sorting recordings that need to stay in sequence.** A duration-based order can separate interviews that belong together in a review plan. Identify any required sequence before rearranging the recordings. **Mixing up titles and durations.** A sorted list is only useful if each duration remains attached to the right recording. Keep related details together in the same row or entry, and check the result against the original recordings. **Assuming a video playlist covers every recording.** Check where the complete set of interviews is stored before choosing a sorting method. YTSort reorders videos in a YouTube playlist you own. [^1] If the recordings are individual files elsewhere, use a method suited to that location. **Changing the order without checking it first.** Read the proposed sequence before applying changes. YTSort provides a before and after view so you can review the order before applying it. [^1] **Treating length as a measure of research value.** A short interview is not necessarily more useful than a long one. Use duration to plan review time, and use research questions and interview notes to decide what deserves attention. **Failing to check the final result.** After applying a new order, confirm that the recordings appear in the intended sequence. Keep a separate review record if the order will guide later analysis or collaboration. ## Frequently asked questions ### How can UX researchers order interview recordings by length? Create a list of recording titles and durations, then arrange the entries from shortest to longest or longest to shortest. A paper list works for a manual review queue, while a spreadsheet can sort entries by a duration column. If the recordings are videos in a YouTube playlist you own, YTSort can reorder that playlist by video length. [^1] ### Can YTSort sort interview recordings by duration? YTSort reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, with the shortest or longest videos first. [^1] It sorts the full playlist rather than only the videos loaded on screen. [^1] This applies when the interviews are videos in a YouTube playlist you control. [^1] For individual recording files stored elsewhere, choose a method suited to that service. ### Can YTSort show the order before changing a playlist? Yes. YTSort shows the before and after order so you can check the proposed arrangement before applying it. [^1] Review the titles and lengths, and check whether any interviews need to remain together for research reasons. After sorting, YTSort reads the playlist back from YouTube and reapplies moves that did not stick. [^1] ### Can a spreadsheet sort interview recordings by length? A spreadsheet can organize recording titles and durations in separate columns, then sort the rows by the duration column. Keep each recording's identifying details in the same row so they remain associated with the correct interview. Check the spreadsheet application's instructions for sorting duration values, especially if lengths were entered as text rather than time values. ### Does YTSort work with individual interview files? YTSort reorders videos in a YouTube playlist you own by video length. [^1] Its approved purpose does not describe sorting individual recording files stored in other services. For those files, make a list or spreadsheet of titles and durations, then check whether the service storing the recordings offers a way to arrange them in a custom order. ### Is YTSort free for UX researchers? Yes. YTSort is free, and all installation options include the same features. [^1] It is available as a bookmark, a browser script or a Chrome Web Store extension. [^1] The extension needs Chrome or Edge, while the script version works in any browser, including Firefox, with Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey or Greasemonkey installed. [^1] ### What should UX researchers check before sorting interviews? Check that every recording has the correct title and duration, and decide whether any interviews need to stay in a particular sequence. Confirm that the chosen tool can organize recordings in their current location. Review the proposed order before applying changes, then verify the result. Duration can help schedule review sessions, but the research question and interview content should guide analysis. YTSort is free; all install options include the same features. [^1] - [Visit YTSort](/go/start-ytsort) ## Sources [^1]: YTSort's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher) (/go/start-ytsort)