The phrase denotes software or online services that facilitate the extraction of audio tracks, specifically in the MP3 format, from video content hosted on the YouTube platform. These tools enable users to acquire audio-only versions of songs, speeches, podcasts, or other sound-based material found within YouTube videos. As an example, a user might employ such a utility to create an MP3 file of a lecture they found on YouTube for offline listening.
The significance of these resources lies in their ability to provide accessibility to audio content divorced from the visual component. This provides benefits such as reduced data consumption, the ability to listen in environments unsuitable for video playback (e.g., during a commute or while exercising), and the potential for creating personalized audio libraries. Historically, the demand for such functionality arose concurrently with the increasing popularity of online video streaming and the parallel development of portable MP3 players.