How to embed video in WordPress—simplified. WordPress has made it easy for creators of any experience level to embed video from any source in their blog posts and pages.
Some sites are supported with simple URL embedding, either with the block or classic editors. Many video hosts, like Spotlightr, provide their own WordPress plugin to simplify the process as well.
If neither of those is available to you, you can always copy and paste an embed code into a Custom HTML block. Down worry, it’s super easy!
As you add more and more videos to your WordPress site, you’ll also need to consider how you can optimize your videos for SEO and site performance, so we’ll cover that too.
Effortless Video Embedding in WordPress: Block Editor
The Block Editor, also known as Gutenberg, is the default editor in WordPress. It makes the video embedding process refreshingly simple.
All you need to do is:
1. Click on “+” to add a new block.
2. Search for “video” to add a new video block to your page or post.
3. You will see options to either choose a video from your WordPress media library, upload a new video to your WordPress media library, or insert the URL from a supported video site, like YouTube.
4. Copy and paste the URL of the video you want to embed.
Easy-peasy!
You won’t have a lot of control over how your video looks or any additional features, but the simplicity is great.
When you click on the video, look at the block settings sidebar. Under “Media settings,” make sure that “Resize for smaller devices” is toggled on so that your video shows up properly on a mobile device.
Embedding Videos with Classic Editor
While the Block Editor is the new default, many creators still prefer the Classic Editor. By simply copying the URL from a video hosting service like YouTube and pasting it in the editor, a video can be embedded swiftly.
Alternatively, if you need to use the embed code, the Classic Editor has you covered. All you have to do is paste the video embed code in the ‘Text’ tab of the editing area. Once you’ve embedded the video code, you can switch to the ‘Visual’ tab to preview the video within the post.
Auto-Embed Compatible Platforms
Some video platforms are supported by WordPress’s auto-embed feature, meaning you can simply paste a URL from a support third-party site, as we’ve just explained.
Supported platforms include:
– Animoto
– CloudUp
– DailyMotion
– Flickr
– Screencast
– TED
– TikTok
– Vimeo
– YouTube
For videos from sources not directly supported by WordPress Auto-Embed, keep reading! We’ll get to that next.
Embedding Professionally Hosted Video in WordPress
To embed a video that is housed with a professional video host and not supported by the auto-embed feature, there are a few options.
If the video host provides a WordPress plugin, you’ll simply install the plugin and follow the instructions for embedding your videos.
If your video host does not have a plugin, you can use the Gutenberg Block Editor to embed the video code. Simply click “+” to add a new block. Search for “HTML” to create a Custom HTML block.
From there, you’ll need to locate the embed code for the video that you want to embed. This should be easy to find within your video hosting software. Copy and paste that code into the Custom HTML block.
When you click the Preview tab, you’ll see your video!
Spotlightr provides even more in-depth step-by-step instructions for embedding videos on WordPress if you need help.
Plugins and Custom HTML blocks give you the flexibility to include videos from a wide range of sources that can have valuable features not available elsewhere.
Top Video Embed Plugins for Enhanced Functionality
So far, we’ve covered how to embed videos within the Block Editor and Classic Editor, plus how to embed videos that you have hosted with a professional video host. There are also plenty of video embed plugins that you can use. Some are free and some are paid.
Using a plugin can give you features like:
– Video player customization
– In-video CTAs
– Video analytics
– Autoplay settings
– Sticky video options
Each plugin works differently and it can get confusing in a hurry. Some of the plugins, like Feeds for YouTube, require that your content be set to “public” on YouTube for it to work.
Jetpack VideoPress is actually a private video host and plugin. While it is affordable, it lacks some powerful features that other video hosts provide.
Popular Video Hosts: YouTube, Spotlightr, and More
While you can upload your videos to the WordPress media library, it’s not recommended. Doing so can slow down the speed of your site and the videos will not have the best security or playback optimization. In general, don’t do it.
Many creators choose to host their videos on YouTube since it is free and easy to use. From there, using the methods described above, you can embed your YouTube video in your WordPress website. One of the main downsides of hosting videos on YouTube is that YouTube can play ads. Plus you don’t have much control over branding or viewer data.
A professional hosting service, like Spotlightr, provides budget-friendly hosting that is not only fast, but has HLS encryption for your valuable content as well as engagement features and fully customizable branding.
Here’s a list of some of the best video hosting sites to consider:
– Spotlightr
– YouTube
– Wistia
– Vimeo
– SproutVideo
Embedding Social Media Videos: Instagram
Social media videos are a great way to diversify your content and engage your site visitors. Unfortunately, WordPress no longer has an easy way to embed Instagram videos unless you create a developer account.
To embed videos, click on the Instagram video you want to embed. Then, click the three dots in the top corner and select “Embed.” Copy the embed copy and head back to your WordPress site.
Create a new Custom HTML block in the block editor and paste in the code. Then click the preview tab to see what the video will look like.
While photos display quite nicely, videos cannot actually be played on your site. If a visitor clicks play, they will be taken to Instagram to watch the video which is a bummer.
Adding Video Widgets to Sidebars and Footers
Adding video widgets to sidebars or footers in WordPress is also possible. This is perfect for videos that you want to be seen by everyone who visits your site.
To insert a video using the video widget, follow these steps:
1. Navigate to the website’s dashboard.
2. Choose Appearance → Customize → Widgets.
3. Select the desired sidebar.
4. Click on ‘Add a Widget’.
5. Search for ‘video’.
6. Use the ‘Insert from URL’ option to add the video’s URL.
Once the video is added to the sidebar widget and its preview is displayed, you can finalize it by clicking ‘Publish.” Not all video hosts are supported with this “Insert from URL” option. YouTube and Vimeo are two of the supported video hosts.
If your video host is not supported, you can add a Custom HTML widget to your sidebar or footer. From there, you simply need to copy and paste your video embed code.
Optimizing Video Embeds for SEO and Performance
Optimizing video embeds for SEO can improve your site’s rankings. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
1. Embed your video at the top of the page so that it gets indexed and ranked.
2. Let Google know what the video is about by including a descriptive title and a few sentences about the video in the paragraph directly below it.
3. Provide a video transcript.
4. Use the Google Search Console to request that the page your video is on gets indexed.
The best way to ensure that videos do not slow down the speed of your website is to host them with a professional video host. Good hosting can also detect the strength of a viewer’s internet and optimize the resolution for the best experience.
Summary
WordPress offers myriad ways to embed videos and they’re all easy to get the hang of. Whether you’re a casual blogger or a professional web developer, WordPress provides the tools to incorporate video content efficiently, enhancing the user experience and potentially boosting engagement on your site.
Remember, while embedding videos can significantly enrich your WordPress site, optimization for SEO and performance is crucial for the overall success of your site. So be sure to follow SEO and performance best practices as you create content that your audience will love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I embed videos using the Classic Editor in WordPress?
Yes, you can embed videos in the Classic Editor by pasting the video URL or the embed code directly into the editor. It’s a simple process to enhance your content.
Can I use the WordPress media library to host my videos?
Yes, but it is not recommended. It can significantly slow down your site speed and you will not have access to the valuable features that professional video hosting provides.
Can I add video widgets to sidebars in WordPress?
Yes, you can easily add a video to sidebars in WordPress using the video widget or the custom HTML widget.
How can I optimize video embeds for SEO?
Optimizing video embeds for SEO involves placing the video near the top of the page, including descriptive text near the video, and asking Google to index the page.