Too often, we treat digital video like a black box. We know how to create one, and we know how to share it. Yet in between, we have little to no notion of what happens. That’s a problem considering video accounts for a huge percentage of internet traffic. For example, consider how many minutes you’ve spent on YouTube today. A lack of understanding stops people from being able to optimize for video. You can do better by knowing common video embedding mistakes. After all, you can attract many more eyeballs with a few strategic alterations. Here’s a brief guide that will improve the results of your video embeds.

1. Violating Copyright Laws

One mistake is using unauthorized material in a video. When creating a video, make sure only to use the content you are legally authorized to use or in the public domain.If including copyrighted material from another source, make sure to get permission. Identify any copyrighted material you use in your video with credits and citations and include disclaimers when necessary. Violating copyright laws can result in fines and other legal penalties.

2. Not Using the Right Video Format

In editing website videos, it’s vital to ensure that the correct video format, resolution, and encoding type are used. If the media cannot be viewed in various web browsers or devices, it could lead to a poor user experience and drive away viewers. The three most common formats for embedding videos are MP4, WebM, and OGV.It’s a good idea to choose MP4 as the primary video format since it’s the most widely compatible. You can also use video embedding tools to convert mp4 to gif in-no-time. 

3. Using Low-Quality Videos

Another mistake often occurs when using low-quality videos. This issue can cause delays in loading times and wide variability in the video’s quality depending on the user’s network access. To avoid these issues, use properly encoded videos converted to multiple formats and compressed to the web standards. Doing so will ensure maximum compatibility across various browsers and keep loading times fast.

4. Excluding Social Sharing Buttons

Excluding social sharing buttons is another mistake. If users can’t easily share your videos on social media sites, like Facebook or Twitter, it may limit the number of people you can reach. You must include social sharing buttons on each video you embed to avoid this mistake. Remember to place the controls in an easy-to-spot location, like the top or to the side of the video.

5. Choosing the Wrong Thumbnail

One mistake in the video embedding process is choosing the wrong thumbnail. Thumbnails are necessary for branding and a great way to capture the viewer’s attention and engage them with your content. Ensure that the thumbnail you choose is the best one possible. Make the image eye-catching, relevant to the content, and consistent with your brand’s aesthetic.

6. Ignoring SEO Practices

Another mistake is neglecting SEO for videos. It can be a huge mistake, as not applying the proper practices to your video embedding can result in the video not appearing in search engine results. Use the correct frames, titles, and descriptions. Remember to include your video in the HTML code.

Avoid the Common Video Embedding Mistakes

Common video embedding mistakes can lead to playback issues, broken links, and poor UX for viewers. Following some best practices can avoid these issues and create a positive experience for viewers. Reference this article for tips to get started! If you enjoyed this article, check out the rest of our blog now!