How to Put a YouTube Video in Google Slides: A Step-by-Step Guide

Adding multimedia elements like YouTube videos can significantly enhance your Google Slides presentations. Whether you’re creating educational content, business presentations, or personal projects, knowing how to put a YouTube video in Google Slides is an essential skill. This comprehensive guide will walk you through multiple methods, troubleshooting tips, and best practices to seamlessly integrate YouTube videos into your slides.

Table of Contents

• Method 1: Inserting a YouTube Video Directly
• Method 2: Using a YouTube Video Link
• Method 3: Embedding with HTML Code (Advanced)
• Troubleshooting Common Issues
• Best Practices for Using YouTube Videos in Google Slides
• Conclusion and Next Steps

Method 1: Inserting a YouTube Video Directly

The simplest way to put a YouTube video in Google Slides is by using the built-in insertion tool. Follow these steps:

1. Open your Google Slides presentation and select the slide where you want to add the video
2. Click on Insert in the top menu bar
3. Select Video from the dropdown menu
4. In the search box that appears, enter keywords or paste the YouTube video URL
5. Select your desired video from the search results
6. Click Insert to add the video to your slide

Customizing Your Inserted Video

After inserting the video, you can customize its appearance and playback settings:

• Resize the video by dragging the corners
• Reposition the video by clicking and dragging
• Right-click the video and select Format options to adjust:
  • Playback settings (autoplay, mute, etc.)
  • Start and end times
  • Video size and position

Method 2: Using a YouTube Video Link

If you prefer to use a specific YouTube URL rather than searching within Google Slides, follow this alternative method:

1. Copy the URL of your desired YouTube video from the address bar
2. In Google Slides, go to Insert > Video
3. Select the By URL tab in the video insertion window
4. Paste your YouTube video URL
5. Click Insert to add the video to your slide

Pro Tip: Make sure you’re using the standard YouTube URL (youtube.com/watch?v=) rather than shortened links for best results.

Method 3: Embedding with HTML Code (Advanced)

For more control over your embedded video, you can use YouTube’s embed code:

1. On YouTube, click Share below the video
2. Select Embed from the options
3. Copy the provided HTML iframe code
4. In Google Slides, go to Insert > HTML Box (Note: This feature may require Google Workspace)
5. Paste your embed code and click Insert

Important: The HTML box method may not work in all Google Slides environments and requires an internet connection for playback.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

When learning how to put a YouTube video in Google Slides, you might encounter some challenges. Here are solutions to common problems:

Video Won’t Play During Presentation

• Ensure you have a stable internet connection
• Check if the video is set to private or unlisted (it must be public or accessible to your audience)
• Verify that the video hasn’t been removed from YouTube

Video Appears as a Black Box

• Try refreshing the slide
• Check your browser’s permissions for Google Slides
• Consider using a different browser if issues persist

Audio Not Working

• Check if the video is muted in the format options
• Ensure your computer’s audio isn’t muted
• Verify that the original YouTube video has audio

Best Practices for Using YouTube Videos in Google Slides

To create professional presentations with embedded YouTube videos, follow these recommendations:

Video Selection Tips

• Choose high-quality videos that match your presentation’s resolution
• Select videos with clear audio and professional content
• Consider the video length – shorter clips (under 2 minutes) often work best

Presentation Optimization

• Place videos on dedicated slides for better focus
• Add introductory text before video slides
• Set specific start and end times to highlight relevant content
• Consider downloading videos (with permission) as backup for offline presentations

Accessibility Considerations

• Ensure videos have captions or transcripts available
• Provide alternative content for viewers who can’t access the video
• Check color contrast and readability of any on-screen text

Conclusion and Next Steps

Now that you know how to put a YouTube video in Google Slides, you can create more dynamic and engaging presentations. Whether you choose the direct insertion method, URL linking, or advanced HTML embedding, each approach offers unique benefits for different presentation scenarios.

To further enhance your Google Slides skills, consider exploring:

• Adding custom animations to video elements
• Incorporating interactive elements with video triggers
• Learning advanced Google Slides formatting techniques

Ready to elevate your presentations? Start by adding your first YouTube video to Google Slides today and experience the difference multimedia can make in your communication.