Is there any way to open YouTube links in-app?

I'm a new Pixel/Android user and I'm a bit puzzled if this is possible. Whenever I tend to click on a YouTube link the YouTube app opens up. I then went into the phone's link settings and disabled the YouTube app from opening applicable links. However, now I'm always prompted to open links from either my default browser or the YouTube app. Is there no way to open them in-app like other links? This is also intrusive when i look at a YouTube video on an app's page in the play store.

Thanks.