I use this uBlock Origin filter for cleaning URLs:
https://filterlists.com/lists/actually-legitimate-url-shortener-tool
I use this uBlock Origin filter for cleaning URLs:
https://filterlists.com/lists/actually-legitimate-url-shortener-tool
For those who don't know: VLC also takes a YouTube video address as input (in the menu: Media | Open Network Stream...).
...or not to late.