Understand the video block
The video block allows you to add a video reference to your template by providing a YouTube or Vimeo URL. The designer automatically generates a static preview image from the video, which is embedded in the template. When a recipient clicks the preview image, they are taken to the video URL to watch it.
Videos do not play directly within the email. The video block functions as a clickable image that links recipients to the video content in their browser or the relevant app.
📌Note: The video block is configurable and may not be visible in your designer if it has not been enabled for your CRM instance. Contact your SHR support team if you need this block enabled.
Before you start using the video content block
Outlined below are important factors to know before working with the video block:
The video block must be placed inside a column within a columns row. It cannot be added directly to the canvas.
Only YouTube and Vimeo URLs are supported for automatic preview image generation.
The preview image is generated from the video thumbnail at the provided URL. Ensure the video is publicly accessible so the thumbnail can be fetched.
Videos do not play inline in email. Recipients will be taken to the video URL when they click the preview.
Add a video block
A video block can be added in an email template and a landing page template. Outlined below are the steps on how to do this.
In an email template
Follow the steps below to add a video block to an email template:
From the left navigation menu, click Campaign Management Tools.
Click Channels, then click Emails.
Open the template you want to edit and click Designer.
Click the Content tab in the right-side panel.
Drag the video block from the panel into a column in the canvas.
Click the block to select it. The right-side panel updates to show the video settings.
In a landing page template
Follow the steps below to add a video block to a landing page template:
From the left navigation menu, click Campaign Management Tools.
Click Components, then click Landing Pages.
Open the template you want to edit and click Designer.
Click the Content tab in the right-side panel.
Drag the video block from the panel into a column in the canvas.
Click the block to select it. The right-side panel updates to show the Video settings.
Configure the video URL
The link section in the right-side panel is where the video URL is entered. Follow the steps below to configure the video URL.
Click the video block in the canvas to select it.
In the right-side panel under link, enter the YouTube or Vimeo video URL in the video URL field.
The designer automatically generates a preview image from the video thumbnail and displays it in the canvas. The play icon settings also appear in the right-side panel once a valid URL is accepted.
The preview image is linked to the URL provided. Recipients who click the image are taken to the video.
📌Note: If the preview image does not generate, check that the URL is a valid and publicly accessible YouTube or Vimeo link.
Customize the play icon
Play icon settings only become available after a valid YouTube or Vimeo URL has been entered in the video URL field. Once a URL is entered and a preview image is generated, the play icon settings appear in the right-side panel. Follow the steps below to customize the play icon.
Click the video block in the canvas to select it.
Enter a valid YouTube or Vimeo URL in the video URL field. The play icon settings appear once the URL is accepted.
Configure the following settings as needed:
Play icon type: The shape of the play button displayed on the preview image. Options include rectangle and others.
Play icon color: The color of the play icon, such as white.
Play icon size: The size of the play icon on the preview image, such as small.
Configure spacing and responsive settings
Outlined below are the areas that can have the spacing and responsive settings updated.
General section
Container padding: The space around the outside of the video block container. The default is 10px on all sides. Enable more options to set top, right, bottom, and left padding values independently.
Responsive design section
Hide on desktop: Hides the video block when the email is viewed on a desktop device. The block remains visible in the designer canvas but is greyed out to indicate it is hidden on that view.
Enable display conditions on a video block
Display conditions allow the video block to be shown or hidden for specific recipients based on their profile data. Follow the steps below to enable display conditions on a video block:
Click the video block in the canvas to select it.
In the inline block toolbar that appears above the block, click the checkmark icon.
This enables display conditions for the block. The display condition section becomes active at the top of the right-side panel.
Configure the condition to control which recipients see this video.
📌Note: Display conditions are also referred to as dynamic content.
Duplicate or delete a video block
The inline block toolbar above the video provides two additional options:
The copy icon duplicates the block, creating an identical copy immediately below it.
The trash icon deletes the block from the template.
Frequently asked questions
Outlined below are a list of frequently asked questions.
Will the video play directly in the email?
No. Email clients do not support inline video playback. The video block embeds a static preview image generated from the video thumbnail. When a recipient clicks the image, they are taken to the YouTube or Vimeo URL to watch the video in their browser or the relevant app.
Which video platforms are supported?
Only YouTube and Vimeo URLs are supported for automatic preview image generation. Entering a URL from another platform will not generate a preview image.
What if my video is private or unlisted?
The preview image is generated from the video's publicly accessible thumbnail. If the video is set to private, the thumbnail may not be retrievable and the preview image may not display correctly. Use publicly accessible or unlisted, not private videos for best results.
Can I use the video block without a preview image?
The Video block requires a URL to generate the preview image. Without a valid YouTube or Vimeo URL, the block will display a placeholder only.