The phrase refers to the practice of utilizing KeepVid, a now-defunct online service, to acquire video files from the YouTube platform. Users would typically paste a YouTube video URL into the KeepVid website, which would then provide download links in various formats and resolutions. This process enabled offline viewing of YouTube content.
The popularity of downloading YouTube videos stemmed from a desire for convenience, such as accessing content without an internet connection or archiving videos for personal use. KeepVid became a widely used tool due to its simplicity and free availability, representing an early example of facilitating user control over digital media. However, its operation raised concerns regarding copyright infringement and terms of service violations related to YouTube’s policies.