5 Ways to Embed YouTube Videos on Your WordPress Website

Advanced embed tools

Embed a YouTube video using only the URL

If you want to embed a video on your website or any site that allows YouTube video embedding, you can do this very simply with the YouTube embed code. Before I show you that, you should know that some website builders can handle YouTube embeds with only the URL of the video.

I have a WordPress website, and let’s say I want to embed a YouTube video. I open the editor and just copy the URL. If you use any builder plugin like Divi or Elementor, you have a special block for that. In the simple Gutenberg editor, you also have a block for this URL. So, click on the plus button, look for YouTube, then add the link. That’s it. You can also grab playlists and embed them in the YouTube block.

However, there is a problem with the video. The embed comes with a lot of things that YouTube adds, and that can cause your visitors on your website to leave and go to YouTube.

So, if you want to eliminate that, you should know that you have the option to embed the HTML code instead of just the URL. With the code, you can add anything you want. Let’s say you want the video to start at a certain point.

Embed the video using the HTML code provided by YouTube

Open the video you want to embed. You can do this for any video on YouTube, not just your videos. Click on “share,” and then click on “embed.” You’ll get the HTML code from YouTube. Copy that code and paste it on your website using an HTML code block.

YouTube provides options that you can add to the code. you can start the video at a certain point. Tick the box and add the time you want the video to start. There are two more options. One is if you want to show the YouTube control buttons or not. If you choose not to show them, the video will appear on your website only with the option to play or stop. However, users won’t be able to add captions or play it at different speeds. Still, there are a few clickable areas that can bring the person back to YouTube. It may show the next videos that are not from your channel.

And the other option is if you don’t want YouTube to collect data about your visitors.

If you know HTML, you can change the code. YouTube provides a list of parameters that you can add to the HTML to customize it.

If you’re like me and don’t know how to code, you can use either VidIQ or TubeBuddy Advanced Embed. Both are free to use. If you’re not using these free extensions yet, you should. The links to add the extensions of VidIQ and TubeBuddy are in the description.

To add the extensions, click on the links in the description. When you get to their website, you can sign up for free and then get the extension for your browser.

Embed the video using the VidIQ Advanced Embed Code tool

Let’s start with the VidIQ advanced embed. You can find the Advanced Embed option on any YouTube video under the video itself. There’s a button with the VidIQ logo. Click on that, and you’ll get a short menu with the option to go to Advanced Embed. You can also find Advanced Embed in your YouTube Studio. Open your studio by clicking on the avatar, then find it in the menu. Click on the Content tab, and you’ll see a list of all your videos. Next to each one, there’s the VidIQ logo. Click on the logo, then choose Advanced Embed.

Now, let’s see what options we have here. You can choose a different size for the video. Then, there’s a list of options you can add to the HTML embed code. For instance, you can make the video start playing when the website page loads or add captions to the video. You can also start and stop the video at a certain point. With YouTube, you can only start the video at a certain point but not stop it. Additionally, you can loop the video, hide the YouTube logo, and most importantly, prevent YouTube from adding the suggested video list at the end of your video, which is very important if you want your visitors to stay on your website.

Now, click on the text and copy it. Go to your website and add that HTML code in the right place. When you publish it, you won’t see the related videos. If the video is too big for your website, change the size of the video and then copy and paste it again.

Embed the video using the TubeBuddy Advanced Embed Code tool

Let’s talk about TubeBuddy Advanced Embed. Once you have the extension, you can see a window with TubeBuddy stats on the side. Click on “Tools,” and you’ll find Advanced Embed. Similar to VidIQ, TubeBuddy also provides this embed in your Content tab in your YouTube Studio. Next to each video, there’s the TubeBuddy logo. Click on it, and you’ll see a long list of TubeBuddy tools. I have a full playlist that shows how to use each one. Find Advanced Embed, and now you have a list of options to choose from.

Select the size of the iframe video and when to start or finish the video play. You can also choose the controls on the video. If you want to remove the YouTube logo from the video with TubeBuddy, click on “Modest Branding.” Then, you’ll have the customized HTML. Click on it and copy it to paste on your website.

What’s the difference between VidIQ and TubeBuddy Advanced Embed? Well, TubeBuddy gives you the option to disable things, while VidIQ allows you to add them.

Both tools give you the same thing. They utilize YouTube’s list of HTML codes that you can add to the video embed. However, they do it for you without the need to write everything inside the HTML.

Embed a YouTube video on your WordPress site using the Presto Player plugin for extra customization

If you have a WordPress website, I also use a plugin that helps me with video embedding. As you can see, YouTube can add various elements to the video, and you can’t completely remove everything like the YouTube logo.

If you want to eliminate all text and make it so no one recognizes the video as a YouTube video, you can use the Presto Player plugin. This plugin provides tons of additional options, which are great if you want to embed a video in a landing page without visitors being directed to YouTube in any way. It creates a different player for your videos, and you can customize the colors, decide if it should autoplay, and even prevent viewers from stopping the video, among other options.

If you’re interested in a dedicated video about this plugin, please let me know in the comments.