The Playlist Widget That Keeps You Learning

The internet is basically the world’s biggest, most accessible university — and YouTube is one of its best classrooms. You can learn anything, from complex coding tutorials to simple cooking hacks. But let’s be honest: we’ve all started a YouTube playlist planning to finish it… and then got sidetracked. Whether it’s life getting in the way or YouTube pulling us into something random, staying consistent with learning isn’t easy.

So what if one small change — a simple YouTube playlist widget on your home screen — could make all the difference? It’s a design idea focused on keeping learning within easy reach, helping you maintain your motivation every single day.

Why We Lose Learning Momentum on YouTube

There’s a real psychological pull every time you open YouTube. In fact, YouTube’s Chief Product Officer once said that over 70% of the platform’s watch time comes from algorithm-driven recommendations. That’s huge — and it says a lot about how easily we can get pulled away from what we meant to do. If you open YouTube to continue a playlist but get distracted by a trending video or a funny clip, it’s easy to abandon your learning for something more immediate and eye-catching.

That’s actually what gave me the idea — I’ve been using Duolingo for over half a year now, and one thing that really helped me stay consistent was its home screen widget. Just seeing it every day kept the habit alive. I thought, why not bring that same nudge to YouTube learning?

The Power of a Visual Cue

As a product designer, my goal was to find a small, impactful solution to a big problem: how to make learning consistent in a world full of distractions. So, I focused on designing this widget with a clean, straightforward layout, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the home screen while still being noticeable. Every time you unlock your phone, there it is — a small visual nudge, keeping your goal in sight without feeling overwhelming.

When people see a visual reminder of a goal regularly, they’re up to 40% more likely to stick with it. Just seeing that reminder — even without acting on it immediately — reinforces your commitment and keeps your goal top of mind. It’s like having a friend say, “Hey, remember that design series you were watching?” each time you unlock your phone.

“Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.”

— Keri Russell

Adding a playlist widget to your home screen might seem like a tiny decision, but it could be the very nudge you need to stay consistent.

Designing for Real-Life Impact

When I designed this widget, I wanted it to feel helpful — not annoying. It’s super simple: it shows the playlist name, a thumbnail of the last video you watched, the creator’s name, and gives you one-tap access to jump right back in. The idea was to cut out the usual friction — no more opening YouTube and digging around to find where you left off.

Why This Matters

Consistency is one of the hardest parts of learning. A simple widget might sound trivial, but it’s more than that. It’s about building a habit, making learning as easy and accessible as anything else you do on your phone. Every time you see it, it’s a reminder that growth is within reach, just one tap away.

Note: This article reflects my personal perspective as a designer focused on user consistency. Other perspectives and strategies may offer different insights on building learning habits.