Create a YouTube video resource

In this Article

• Add a YouTube video resource
• YouTube settings and requirements
• Display a YouTube video resource in Composer

In addition to uploading a video to Resources to use on your site, you have the option to add a YouTube video resource that will allow the video to be displayed in a Resource element. The YouTube video resource functions as an external resource, creating a link to the content that is stored and managed elsewhere (in this case, YouTube).

Add a YouTube video resource

To upload a YouTube video resource to Resources:

1. Hover over the Upload Resource button and select Youtube Video from the dropdown.

   

2. Paste the Youtube URL into the Video URL field, and enter a Title for the resource.

   

3. Optionally, add a description, thumbnail alt text, and/or tags to the resource. 

   Best Practice:

   The thumbnail for the video is set within YouTube, but it doesn’t include alt text. To ensure your website remains accessible for all users, it is recommended to include alt text for the YouTube-generated video thumbnail.

4. Click Save.

By default, the new YouTube video resource’s file name is “youtube-” plus the video’s unique ID from the URL. Once you’ve uploaded the video, you can customize the file name in the resource details.

As with other resources, you can also add a YouTube video resource from the Select a Resource modal in Composer. Select a folder, then click “YouTube Video” to add the video to Resources. 

YouTube settings and requirements

Because YouTube video is an external resource, almost all of the video settings — including thumbnail, resolution, captions, and related content links — must be managed in YouTube. 

The YouTube-branded overlay is required for such videos, as well; a YouTube video resource and an uploaded video resource will have different playback controls. 

Any linked content in the YouTube video, including suggested videos at the conclusion of the resource, will open in a new browser tab.

Display a YouTube video resource in Composer

Once you have uploaded a YouTube video resource in Resources, you can add it to a gallery and display it in a Resource element in Composer. 

For the most part, a YouTube video resource displays and plays like a regular video resource, other than the required YouTube overlay. You can use any of the video controls in the element to customize whether the video will autoplay, loop, show closed captions, and more. (Note that selecting “Hide Controls” does not hide the YouTube branding and links, only the playback controls.) 

However, because the YouTube video resource is an external resource and not a video resource, it is necessary to use the Resource element in Single format, rather than a Video element. You can also display YouTube video resources alongside other resources in a List, Grid, or Slideshow format.