Recently one of our users asked if it was possible to add a video as a post thumbnail instead of a featured image? By default, WordPress allows you to add featured image with a post, but what if you wanted to add videos instead? In this article, we will show you how to add a featured video thumbnail in WordPress instead of featured image.
Video Tutorial
If you don’t like the video or need more instructions, then continue reading.
First thing you need to do is install and activate the Featured Video Plus plugin. Upon activation, you can visit the post edit screen by creating a new post or editing an existing one. You will see a new ‘Featured Video’ metabox.
All you need to do is paste the video URL, and the plugin will automatically fetch and display a preview in the metabox.
When you preview your post on your website, the featured image will be replaced by the video. Your preview may look different, depending on how your theme handles featured images.
Configuring Featured Video Settings
You can fine tune featured videos on your site by visiting Settings » Media.
First you need to choose the usage settings. The default choice is to automatically replace featured image with the video. You can change it to open the video only when featured image is clicked, or to display featured video and auto-play if possible.
If you choose none of the above, then you can manually display featured video with shortcode or PHP functions.
Next, you can enable autoplay for your videos and adjust the video size. The default size is set on auto, but if that doesn’t work with your theme, then you can manually enter the height and width.
Among other options, you can configure how to handle local videos. These are manually uploaded videos which is a bad option. See why you should never upload a video to your WordPress site.
The plugin can handle YouTube, Vimeo, and DailyMotion videos, and we recommend you upload on one of those sites.
Click on Save Changes button when you are satisfied with the settings.
That’s all, we hope this article helped you add featured video as featured image in WordPress. You may also want to take a look at these useful YouTube tips to spice up your WordPress site with videos.
If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Google+.
Derek says
This plugin no longer works as of the latest version of wordpress 5.3.
WPBeginner Support says
Thank you for the heads up, we’ll be sure to keep an eye out for alternatives
Admin
Su says
It’s only showed the feature image I can’t click on it to show the video, although I changed the setting. The video is not showing.
WPBeginner Support says
If you reach out to the plugin’s support they should be able to assist.
Admin
Duarte Ban Fireworks says
This doesn’t work if you have a wordpress.com account and it’s not business account. Only business accounts allow you to install plugins. Is there any code we can use. In your PayPal button post, you had a workaround for wordpress.com users.
WPBeginner Support says
Hi Duarte,
WordPress.com has some limitations on what you can do. Please see our guide on the difference between self hosted WordPress.org vs free WordPress.com blog.
Admin
Apoorva Sharma says
hello i want to auto play related video, when we put cursor then video is play , but we have facing problem so please help me
HANIEH says
hello, would like to upload a video from a site other than Youtube and Vimeo with feature of thumbnail and pop up play , is it possible?
WPBeginner Support says
Hey Hanieh,
Yes, if the website provides an embed code, then you can add it to your blog posts to display the video.
Admin
iona says
Can I display multiple videos with a forward and backward button to scroll through the videos?
I would like to display multiple videos as my featured videos.
Thnx
Efrain says
Hi Syed, let me introduce my TROUBLE… i want click to link and it show me a image but in the same page, in other hand, i like the same funtion of the gmail… when you click and attachment file, this show in the same page the image o pdf. Is it possible with elementor or particular plugin… thank you any support about this
John says
Not sure if you care or not, but I always click off your site when I can’t view the video… Everytime I try to enlarge the video to fit screen – it’s disabled or not working on this blog. It’s odd.
WPBeginner Support says
Hey John,
Thanks for the feedback, we have fixed the issue. You can now watch videos in full screen.
Admin
Michael says
Hello the featured videos on my title page have big black triangles (I think an overlay play button) on them which means people cannot see what the video is. How can get rid of these? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
WPBeginner Support says
Hi Michael,
If this is a YouTube video then you can switch to the light theme. Unfortunately, there isn’t an option in the plugin settings to upload your own play button.
Admin
Michael says
Hello the featured image of the video has a big black triangle which is blocking the view of what video is how can I get rid of this?
Georgia says
this was so brilliantly helpful. i’m so grateful. you guys are awesome!
Marco Reeves says
Works like a charm, thanks heaps for sharing!
Tom Finley says
Finding that Featured Video Plus doesn’t seem to play well with Genesis child themes. Is that your experience? May have to come up with a Gist to show folks how to get around that.
christine says
I uploaded the plugin to my wordpress site and it has the featured image capability but I am not finding it works. I am not sure what info one might need to help me