Video block

You can embed videos from other sites or upload videos directly to your site using the Video block. In this guide, you will learn how to use the Video block.

This feature is available on sites with our WordPress.com Premium, Business, and Commerce plans. For free sites and sites on the Personal plan, upgrade your plan to access this feature.

Use the Video block to embed videos from other sites, upload videos, or add videos from your Media Library.

For videos you host on your site that need automatic optimization, privacy controls, or download protection, use the VideoPress block instead.

Follow these steps to upload a video through the Video block:

1. From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the post or page where you want to add the video.
2. Click the + block inserter (plus icon) and type video in the search bar.
3. Select the Video block from the results.

4. In the Video block, click the Upload button.

5. Select the video file from your local device and click the Open button (the button name may be different based on your device.)

You will see an embedded video player with your video. The video will be uploaded to your Media Library and you can use it on other pages or posts.

You can add videos you have already uploaded to your site by selecting them from your Media Library.

Follow these steps to add a video from your media library:

1. From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the post or page where you want to add the video.
2. Click the + Block Inserter (plus icon) and type video in the search bar.
3. Select the Video block from the results.

4. In the Video block, click the “Media Library” button.

5. Click the video you want to add, and then click the Select button.

You will see an embedded video player with your video.

You can insert a video URL that links to a video hosted elsewhere. The video will remain on the original site it was uploaded to, and your visitors will be able to view the video on your WordPress.com site.

Follow these steps to add a video from a URL to your site:

1. From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the post or page where you want to add the video.
2. Click the + Block Inserter (plus icon) and type video in the search bar.
3. Select the Video block from the results.
   • You will see several video options when you search “video” (including VideoPress, YouTube Embed, etc.); be sure to select the one labeled just “Video”.

4. In the Video block, click the “Insert from URL” button.

5. Paste your video URL into the field and click the Apply button (arrow icon).

You will see an embedded video player with your video.

The video will remain on the original site it was uploaded to, and your visitors will be able to view the video on your WordPress.com site. Do not delete the video from the original site; otherwise, it will no longer be available on your WordPress.com site.

If you paste a link from a popular site like YouTube or Vimeo, the Video block will automatically change to an Embed block. If you want a video on your site without any third-party branding or ads, you can upload it using VideoPress.

Once you have added your video URL to your WordPress.com site, you can configure additional video settings in the Video block.

You can customize how the video plays, whether the playback controls appear, or how it plays on mobile.

Follow these steps to customize the video settings:

Enhance the engagement and accessibility of a video with chapters and captions (subtitles). Learn how to add chapters and captions to your video through text tracks.

You can choose a poster image that will be displayed before the video starts to play. This can be useful if the first frame of the video isn’t necessarily appealing or indicative of the video content.

To add a poster image, follow these steps:

1. Click the Video block.
2. Open the block settings on the right.
3. Under Poster Image, click the Select button.
4. Select an image from your Media Library, or click the “Upload Files” tab to upload an image from your computer.

Once you add a poster image, you will see options to Replace or Remove the poster image.

Follow these steps to replace a video:

1. Click the Video block.
2. In the toolbar that appears, click the Replace option.

3. Select from one of the options in the drop-down menu:
   • Open Media Library: Select a different video from your Media Library.
   • Upload: Select a video to upload from your local device.
   • Reset: Reset the Video block to the default with no video.
   • Current media URL: Use the pencil icon to replace a video with the URL of a different video.
4. Click the Save button.