diff --git a/downloader.py b/downloader.py
index 72a94bb..eb41af7 100644
--- a/downloader.py
+++ b/downloader.py
@@ -92,11 +92,27 @@ def download_mp3(url, quality='320'):
     # Prefer yt-dlp for YouTube because it can actually control MP3 output bitrate.
     if _can_use_ytdlp():
         try:
-            print(f"⬇️ Downloading via yt-dlp @ {quality_kbps}kbps...")
+            print(f"✨ Using yt-dlp (preferred method)")
+            print(f"⬇️ Downloading @ {quality_kbps}kbps...")
             return _download_with_ytdlp(url, quality_kbps)
         except Exception as e:
             # If yt-dlp fails for any reason, fall back to the existing Cobalt flow.
-            print(f"⚠️ yt-dlp failed, falling back to Cobalt: {e}")
+            print(f"⚠️ yt-dlp failed, falling back to Cobalt API: {e}")
+    else:
+        # Check what's missing
+        has_ffmpeg = shutil.which("ffmpeg") is not None
+        has_ytdlp = False
+        try:
+            import yt_dlp  # noqa: F401
+            has_ytdlp = True
+        except:
+            pass
+        
+        if not has_ffmpeg:
+            print("⚠️ ffmpeg not found - using Cobalt API fallback")
+        if not has_ytdlp:
+            print("⚠️ yt-dlp not installed - using Cobalt API fallback")
+            print("   💡 Install with: pip install yt-dlp")
     
     try:
         # Use Cobalt v9 API to download