- Embed a YouTube video: the steps on a computer
- Where the embed code goes in WordPress and website builders
- Start the embedded YouTube video at a set time
- Autoplay in an embedded YouTube video
- Privacy-enhanced mode for an embedded YouTube video
- Allow embedding: the creator setting behind every YouTube embed
- When an embedded YouTube video won't play
- Embed a YouTube playlist instead of one video
- Should a small business embed YouTube videos?
- Frequently asked questions
To embed a YouTube video, open it on a computer, click Share, click Embed, copy the code in the box and paste it into your web page's HTML. If you can't embed your own video, check that Allow embedding is ticked in YouTube Studio under Details, Show more.
Embedding means showing a YouTube video right on your own web page, so visitors can watch without leaving. For a small business it's one of the easiest ways to make a service page, a blog post or a landing page feel alive, and it keeps the video's views counted on your channel. The process is only a few clicks, but there are a couple of details that trip people up: the video has to allow embedding, and the odd video won't play outside YouTube at all. I've kept this guide to what YouTube's help centre says, and I've described everything in words rather than pasting code, so you can't copy the wrong thing.
Embed a YouTube video: the steps on a computer
According to YouTube's help article on embedding videos and playlists, you do it like this:
- On a computer, go to the YouTube video or playlist you want to show.
- Click the Share button under the video.
- In the Share options, click Embed.
- Copy the code from the box that appears. It's HTML, which is the language web pages are built from.
- Paste that code into the HTML of your website, in the spot where you want the video to appear.
That's the whole job. The help article describes the computer route, and it doesn't give a separate phone walk-through, so menus vary by app version if you try it on mobile. If your website builder has a block or widget for embedded media, that's usually where the pasted code goes. Page builders differ, so check how yours handles custom HTML.
Where the embed code goes in WordPress and website builders
Most builders have a Custom HTML block or an Embed block. In WordPress, for example, you add an HTML block to your page and paste the copied code into it. Some builders also turn a plain video address into a player automatically, but that depends on the builder, not on YouTube, so I can't promise how yours behaves. After you save, view the live page rather than the editor preview to check the video appears and plays.
Start the embedded YouTube video at a set time
This one is handy when you only want people to see the useful bit. YouTube's help says you can make an embedded video begin at a specific moment by adding a start setting to the embed code, followed by the number of seconds. So a start of ninety seconds begins the video at one minute thirty. The same help article says you can turn captions on by default, and even choose the caption language with a language code. Since I'm keeping code off this page, read the exact wording of those options in the embedding article in the YouTube help centre.
Autoplay in an embedded YouTube video
You can ask an embedded video to start by itself, and the help article explains how. One detail worth knowing: YouTube says autoplayed embeds don't count as views. Beyond that, plenty of visitors find a video that starts on its own annoying, so I'd leave it off for business pages, especially anywhere with sound.
Privacy-enhanced mode for an embedded YouTube video
YouTube's help describes a privacy-enhanced mode that changes the domain used in the embed code. It works on websites, not in apps. If your site is aimed at children, you still need to self-designate it using YouTube's tools, which stops personalised ads on the site and turns off some embedded player features. If you manage a network, the help says to allow YouTube through the firewall, and the privacy mode's domain too if you use it.
Allow embedding: the creator setting behind every YouTube embed
If you upload your own videos, there's a switch that decides whether others can embed them. In YouTube Studio, go to Content, choose Details for the video, select Show more, and you'll find a tickbox called Allow embedding. Untick it and save if you don't want the video shown on other sites. Leave it ticked and anyone, including you, can embed it.
This is the first thing to check if you can't embed your own video. Related to that, my guides to uploading a video to YouTube and what unlisted means help if you want a video on your website without it showing on your channel. An unlisted video can be seen by anyone with the link, which includes people watching it on your page.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
When an embedded YouTube video won't play
| What you see | What YouTube's help says | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| A message sending viewers to YouTube | Age-restricted videos can't be watched on most third-party websites and redirect to YouTube | Pick a video without an age restriction |
| Error 153 and a blocked-playback screen | Embeds need an HTTP Referer. Without one, viewers see the error but can still choose Watch on YouTube | Check your site isn't stripping referrer information, or ask your web developer |
| Nothing embeds from your own video | Allow embedding may be switched off in Studio | Tick Allow embedding for the video and save |
If a video is a private one, it can't be shown to the public anywhere, so that's a different problem again. Change its visibility first.
Embed a YouTube playlist instead of one video
The same Share and Embed steps work for playlists, according to the help article. That's neat for a page that needs a short series, such as a how-to course or a set of customer stories. If you haven't built one yet, see my guide to making a playlist on YouTube.
Should a small business embed YouTube videos?
In my view, yes, with one rule: put the video where it adds something. A short explainer near the top of a service page works well. Five embedded videos on one page will slow it down, and visitors won't watch them all. Write a couple of lines of text around each video as well, so people who don't want to press play still get your point.
Frequently asked questions
How do I embed a YouTube video?
On a computer, open the video, click Share, click Embed, copy the code from the box, then paste it into your website's HTML where you want the video.
Can I embed a YouTube video on my phone?
YouTube's help article describes the computer steps only. Menus vary by app version, so it's easiest to copy the embed code on a computer.
Why does my embedded YouTube video say it's unavailable?
Common reasons in YouTube's help are an age restriction, a missing HTTP Referer (error 153), or the creator having switched off Allow embedding.
How do I stop people embedding my YouTube video?
In YouTube Studio, go to Content, choose Details for the video, select Show more, untick Allow embedding and save.
Do embedded YouTube videos count as views?
YouTube's help says autoplayed embeds don't count as views. The article doesn't say more about how other embedded views are counted.
