How To Embed A YouTube Video In WordPress
I remember when I started blogging not very long ago and at times I wanted to embed a video from YouTube but because I didn’t know how to embed a YouTube video in WordPress, I avoided trying to use videos in my posts opting to stick with what I was good at i.e. content creation.
I think I procrastinated learning how to embed a YouTube video in WordPress for a few days until I one day decided to take the bull by the horns and finally learn how to embed a YouTube video in WordPress and I’m happy to say that since then, the issue of how to embed YouTube videos in my blog has been a walk in the park so to say.
I’m therefore going to share with you guys what I’ve so far learnt about how to embed a YouTube video in WordPress so that you can also have the opportunity to come up with awesome blog posts that have YouTube videos embedded onto them.
How To Embed A YouTube Video In WordPress
There are basically two ways on how to embed a YouTube video in WordPress and these include:
Embedding a YouTube video in html
Using a WordPress plugin
I’ll start by explaining how to embed a YouTube video in WordPress by embedding its html then we’ll proceed to look at how to use plugins to embed a YouTube video.
How To Embed A YouTube Video In Html
In order to better drive the message home concerning how to embed a YouTube video in html, I’ll take you guys through the steps that I’ll go through in order to embed Richard Branson’s YouTube video on Advice for Entrepreneurs.
1. I’ll first need to visit YouTube and look for Richard Branson’s video on Advice for Entrepreneurs
2. After clicking on the link to play the video, I’ll need to right click on the video and select the “Copy Embed Code” option (left click)
3. I’ll then need to go to my WordPress post editor panel and paste the embed code in HTML view, NOT the VISUAL view
4. After pasting the code in the HTML view, I’ll then click on the VISUAL view option and my video should be there
NB: In order to change the width and height of any YouTube video you embed, you need to do so in the HTML view of the code and not in the VISUAL view
Using A WordPress Plugin To Embed A YouTube Video
There are many WordPress plugins that can help to ease the entire process of embedding a YouTube video in WordPress and I personally use Viper’s Video Quicktags to do so. I’ll once again go through the process of how I’ll embed Richard Branson’s video on Advice for Entrepreneurs.
1. Since I have the plugin installed and activated on my blog, I’ll need to get the URL of Richard Branson’s YouTube video either by right clicking on the video to “Copy Video URL” or by highlighting and copying the URL of the video on the browser
2. After copying the video URL, I’ll then proceed to my WordPress post editor and click on the YouTube icon from which a box will pop up and ask me to “Please enter the URL at which the video can be viewed”.
3. After I do so and I’m comfortable with the dimensions (There’s the option to alter them), I’ll click “Okay” and this should make a YouTube code appear-That’s it!
NB: You won’t be able to see the video in your post editor panel but when you preview (after you save) your post or publish it, you should be able to see it.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH35Iz9veM0[/youtube]
Last Word On How To Embed A YouTube Video In WordPress
The above are the two main ways on how to embed a YouTube video in WordPress so it’s now up to you to pick which method best suits your needs.
Let me also say that although using a plugin to embed a YouTube video can be a time saver, it can at times be cumbersome especially when the plugin isn’t functioning properly. On the other hand, you can never go wrong with embedding a YouTube video in html especially if you don’t have a self-hosted blog.
As always, feel free to share what your thoughts are on the above post on how to embed a YouTube video in WordPress; I’d certainly love to hear from you!
P.S: Don’t forget to share 🙂