How can I add a YouTube video to a post

It’s extremely easy to embed a YouTube video (and many other content types) into your WordPress site. This feature was added way back in WordPress 2.9 and more content types have been added since.

How to embed YouTube and other types of content

To embed a YouTube video or other content object into a post or page, place its URL into the content edit area. The URL needs to be on its own line and not hyperlinked (clickable like a text link). Here’s a quick example:

Embed with a shortcode

Another option is to wrap the URL in a shortcode:

So what sites can you embed content from?

Here’s a list of current sites that are white-listed within WordPress for embedding:

This list will probably continue to grow over time, so check back now and again for an updated list.

Extend available shortcodes with Jetpack

If you happen to use Jetpack, the plugin extends the number of embeds quite a bit:

Video

• [ blip.tv ] embeds a Blip.tv video. » Full instructions
• [ dailymotion ] embeds a Dailymotion video. » Full instructions
• [ flickr ] embeds a Flickr video. » Full instructions
• [ ted ] embeds a TED talk. » Full instructions
• [ twitchtv ] embeds a Twitch.tv video or live stream. Full instructions.
• [ vimeo ] embeds a Vimeo video. » Full instructions
• [ vine ] embeds a Vine video. » Full instructions
• [ youtube ] embeds a YouTube video. » Full instructions

Audio

• [ audio ] displays uploaded audio file as an audio player. Jetpack now uses the shortcode parameters in WordPress Core.
• [ soundcloud ] embeds audio from SoundCloud. » Full instructions
• [ bandcamp ] embeds audio from Bandcamp. » Full instructions
• [ mixcloud ] embeds audio from Mixcloud. » Full instructions

Images and Documents

• [ presentation ] allows you to display a slide presentation on your site. » Full instructions
• [ scribd ] embeds a document/file from Scribd. » Full instructions
• [ instagram ] embeds an Instagram photo. » Full instructions
• [ slideshare ] embeds a slideshow from Slideshare.net. » Full instructions
• [ gallery type="slideshow" ] allows you to create a slideshow by using the built-in WordPress galleries. » Full instructions
• You can also use Jetpack to embed Google Docs. » Full instructions

Miscellaneous

Shortcodes for adding a blog archive index, contact form, polls, and more.

• [ archives ] displays an archive index of your blog posts. » Full instructions
• [ carto ] embeds Carto maps. » Full instructions
• [ codepen ] embeds code snippets from CodePen. » Full instructions
• [ facebook ] embeds Facebook posts. » Full instructions
• [ gist ] embeds code snippets from Gist. » Full instructions
• [ googlemaps ] embeds Google Maps. » Full instructions
• [ houzz ] embeds designs from Houzz. » Full instructions
• [ medium ] embeds Medium posts.
• [ polldaddy ] embeds a PollDaddy poll. » Full instructions
• [ recipe ] embeds a recipe with consistent formatting, basic metadata, and an option to print. » Full instructions
• [ twitter-timeline ] embeds a Twitter Timeline Widget. » Full instructions
• [ untappd-menu ] embeds beer menus from the location of your choice. » Full instructions
• [ wufoo ] embeds Wufoo forms. » Full instructions

Module-Dependent Shortcode
This shortcode only works when the corresponding module is enabled.

• [ jetpack_subscription_form ] displays a subscription form anywhere in your site. Works with the Subscription Module. » Full instructions
• [ jetpack_top_posts_widget ] displays the Top Posts & Pages Widget, if you’ve enabled the Extra Sidebar Widgets Module. » Full instructions