To embed a video in WordPress, copy the video link from YouTube or Vimeo and paste it on a line by itself in your post. WordPress turns the link into a player. The video file stays on YouTube or Vimeo, so it does not use your hosting space.
Why embed instead of upload
Video files are large. If you upload them to your site, they eat disk space and load slowly.
When you embed, YouTube or Vimeo hosts the file. Your page only holds a small player. The page loads faster and your hosting space stays free.
You also get their playback tools, like captions and quality settings.
Embed a video with its link
This is the quickest way. It works for YouTube and Vimeo.
Copy the video link
Open the video on YouTube or Vimeo. Copy the web address from the top of your browser.
Open your post or page
In WordPress, go to Posts > All Posts or Pages > All Pages. Click the title to edit it.
Paste the link
Click where you want the video. Paste the link on a line by itself, with no other text on that line.
Preview the result
Click Preview. The link should show as a video player. If you only see the link, check that it sits alone on its line.
Publish or Update
When it looks right, click Publish or Update on the right-hand side of the screen.
Embed with the embed code
Use this way when you need a set size. On YouTube, open the video and click Share. Then click Embed and copy the code.
Vimeo works the same way. Use the share menu on the Vimeo video.
In WordPress, click the Text tab in the editor, or add a Custom HTML block. Paste in the code and click Preview.
You can also set the size with the embed shortcode shown below.
Set the video size
Wrap the link in the embed shortcode. Change the width and height to fit your layout.
[embed width="600" height="338"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID[/embed]Replace VIDEO_ID with the code from your own link. Keep the width and height in the same shape as the video, so it is not squashed.
If the video does not play
Check the video privacy setting first. A private YouTube video will not play on your page. Set it to Public or Unlisted.
Next, check that the link is a full web address that starts with https. A short or broken link will not turn into a player.
Some themes need the video inside a block, not loose text. If it still fails, switch to the embed code.
You can put your own text on the lines above and below the video. This helps visitors know what they are about to watch.
Our Omaha web design team can add video to your site for you. Call Websnoogie at 402-813-4034 any day from 7 am to 10 pm.
Common questions
Does an embedded video use my hosting space?
No. The video file stays on YouTube or Vimeo. Your page holds only the player.
Why does my video show only a link?
The link must sit on a line by itself. Put a blank line above and below it and preview again.
AboutRod and Tami Atwood
Rod and Tami Atwood and other Websnoogie contributors write the Websnoogie blog. Rod has built websites since 2004 and founded Websnoogie, LLC in Omaha in 2012. Tami is co-owner, content editor and billing expert. Call us at 402-813-4034 or write to staff@websnoogie.com.
