How to Upload Videos to WordPress from Other Sites

Wondering how you can easily upload videos to your WordPress site from other sources without needing to download and upload them manually? WordPress offers several convenient methods to embed videos directly into your posts or pages. In this guide, we explore four effective techniques for embedding videos from external sites.

Method 1: Using the Add Media Button

Adding Media via the WordPress Editor provides a straightforward way to embed videos. Follow these steps:

Open the post or page editor in your WordPress dashboard. Click on the 'Add Media' button in the editor toolbar. Select the 'Add from URL' option, which allows you to enter a URL for the video you want to embed. Paste the video URL into the text box and then click 'Add to library' to embed the video.

This method is particularly useful for videos hosted on popular platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion.

Method 2: Using the [embed] Shortcode

The [embed] Shortcode is a powerful tool provided by WordPress for embedding videos from various sources. Here’s how to use it:

Insert the [embed] shortcode in your post or page. Follow the instructions to enter the video URL, and WordPress will handle the rest, automatically adding the appropriate shortcode to embed the video.

For example, if you want to embed a video from YouTube, you would write:

[embed][/embed]

WordPress will recognize the YouTube URL and embed the video directly, saving you the trouble of manually selecting the video format and other settings.

Method 3: Adding Custom HTML

For more advanced users, Adding Custom HTML offers a high level of control over how the video is displayed. This method is particularly useful when you want to customize the video’s appearance or add additional functionality like autoplay or controls.

Switch to the 'Text' tab in your post or page editor. Paste the standard iframe or object tag for the video into the editor. For example, to embed a YouTube video, you might use: iframesrc""/iframe WordPress will automatically wrap the HTML code in a figure tag and add a figcaption tag to display the title of the video, if available. This ensures your video is displayed seamlessly and improves its SEO.

Method 4: Switching to Classic Editor (Deprecated)

Before the modern Gutenberg editor was introduced, WordPress used a classic editor. For users still using the classic editor, you can embed videos by switching to 'Text' mode and pasting the video URL directly:

Switch to the 'Text' mode in the editor. Paste the video URL directly into the editor. If the URL is from a supported video hosting site, WordPress will automatically wrap it in a iframe or object tag and embed the video.

Note that the classic editor is deprecated and is being phased out, so it’s recommended to use the modern WordPress block editor for improved features and support.

SEO and Shareability Tips

When embedding videos, keep in mind that SEO best practices include optimizing video descriptions, titles, and alt tags. This can improve the visibility of your videos on search engines and on social media platforms, increasing the likelihood of engagement.

Optimize Video Descriptions: Provide detailed descriptions that include relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and tags that accurately describe the content of the video. Use Engaging Titles: Ensure your video titles are catchy and include keywords that will attract clicks and shares. Include Alt Text: Use alt text to describe the content of the video, which can enhance accessibility and improve search engine visibility.

By leveraging these methods, you can effectively embed videos from other sites within your WordPress site, providing engaging content to your audience and enhancing the user experience.

Conclusion

Embedding videos from external sites into your WordPress site is a seamless process with various methods at your disposal. Whether you opt for the simple Add Media button, the versatile [embed] shortcode, or the customization of Custom HTML, each method offers a unique way to enhance your content. With a bit of practice, you’ll be embedding videos like a pro in no time. Happy blogging!