# Idea for an Alternative YouTube Video Embedding Solution in Joplin

**URL:** <https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/idea-for-an-alternative-youtube-video-embedding-solution-in-joplin/39972>\
**Category:** Features\
**Created:** [3 September 2024 08:55 UTC](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/idea-for-an-alternative-youtube-video-embedding-solution-in-joplin/39972 "2024-09-03T08:55:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 11\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![tomato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@tomato](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/u/tomato)\
**Post date:** [3 September 2024 08:55 UTC](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/idea-for-an-alternative-youtube-video-embedding-solution-in-joplin/39972/1 "2024-09-03T08:55:47Z")

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Hi everyone,

I’ve been following the discussions around embedding YouTube videos in Joplin. I understand that iframes were disabled for security reasons, which makes sense. However, I think many users, myself included, would appreciate a way to integrate YouTube videos into our notes.

I wanted to suggest an alternative approach that might work within Joplin’s security constraints.

**Suggestion: A Clickable Image with a Link to the Video**

_How It Could Work:_

- Video ID Extraction: The idea would be to detect YouTube URLs in a note and extract the video ID.

- Preview Image: Using the video ID, a preview image (thumbnail) could be generated via YouTube’s thumbnail service (e.g., [https://img.youtube.com/vi/VIDEO\_ID/0.jpg](https://img.youtube.com/vi/VIDEO_ID/0.jpg)).

- Clickable Link: This preview image would then be displayed in the note as a clickable link that opens the video on YouTube in a new tab.

_Not an Embedded Video_

Just to clarify, this wouldn’t embed the video directly into the note. Instead, it would create a visual cue showing there’s a video related to the content. The thumbnail would give users a clear idea of what the video is about, making the note more engaging without compromising security.

_Automating the Process for Efficiency_

I understand that this could technically be done manually by uploading an image and linking it to the YouTube video. However, the idea here is to automate the process to make note-taking more efficient and seamless. This would save time and streamline the workflow for users who frequently integrate video content into their notes.

_Potential Benefits:_

- Security: By avoiding iframes, this method would maintain Joplin’s strong security standards.
- User-Friendly: Users still get a visual representation of the video, making the notes richer in context.
- Simplicity: This could be a simpler and less intrusive solution compared to full iframe support.

_Looking for Feedback_

I’m curious to know if this kind of solution would fit within Joplin’s philosophy. Would it address the concerns around embedding external content while still providing the functionality users are looking for?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether this idea is worth exploring further.

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![sinewave-2097](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/discourse.joplinapp.org/sinewave-2097/32/21200_2.png) [@sinewave-2097](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/u/sinewave-2097)\
**Post date:** [8 September 2024 16:54 UTC](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/idea-for-an-alternative-youtube-video-embedding-solution-in-joplin/39972/2 "2024-09-08T16:54:48Z")

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Is iframes what Notion uses for embedding their youtube links? I think that is what you are asking for and I really do like the way Notion shows the thumbnail and a short description for the links.

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**Author:** ![Ispalis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/discourse.joplinapp.org/ispalis/32/22682_2.png) [@Ispalis](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/u/Ispalis)\
**Post date:** [15 September 2024 10:47 UTC](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/idea-for-an-alternative-youtube-video-embedding-solution-in-joplin/39972/3 "2024-09-15T10:47:23Z")

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_Sorry, I'm a newbie and my English can be confusing, so I write in Spanish and translate with Google if necessary)_

TRUCO (Sin Iframes): Cómo hago yo para "insertar imagen de un video que enlace a Youtube sin incrustarlo en Joplin".

1-Uso un capturador de pantalla ( En mi caso Lightshot) y capturo la zona en la página youtube o bien en el historial, más pequeña.

2- Pego la captura en la nota creada en Joplin.

3-Inserto este ejemplo de código que tengo en una plantilla:

`[![](:/dd37995e690e4d3)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYcUOUEcBd8)`

4-Entonces copio el "camino de la imagen" y lo pego sustituyendo en `(:/........)  
Hago lo mismo con la dirección de enlace al video. (https/:www.youtube....)

5- Borro la imagen anterior y me queda la imagen que enlaza al video, y pulsando sobre ella se me abre youtube, eso sí, en otra ventana.

Sé que no es lo idóneo que aquí se busca, pero puede servir a algunos usuarios sencillos que solo deseen como yo, tener una imagen de referencia para ir a un video de Youtube.

[![](https://i.postimg.cc/WzV3xjDx/Screenshot-10.jpg) ](https://i.postimg.cc/WzV3xjDx/Screenshot-10.jpg)

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**Author:** ![mcx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@mcx](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/u/mcx)\
**Post date:** [16 September 2024 05:58 UTC](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/idea-for-an-alternative-youtube-video-embedding-solution-in-joplin/39972/4 "2024-09-16T05:58:16Z")

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Check out [badabing2005/joplin-plugin-ytinsert: Inserts a youtube video link into the note from the selected text](https://github.com/badabing2005/joplin-plugin-ytinsert).

It seems to do what you want (i.e. thumbnail with clickable link). I'm using it and it is great!

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**Author:** ![Ispalis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/discourse.joplinapp.org/ispalis/32/22682_2.png) [@Ispalis](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/u/Ispalis)\
**Post date:** [16 September 2024 10:32 UTC](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/idea-for-an-alternative-youtube-video-embedding-solution-in-joplin/39972/5 "2024-09-16T10:32:13Z")

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Oh! This is wonderful. I hadn't found this plugin in the Joplin repository, so since I'm a beginner, I resorted to my markdown writing. This way it is much more comfortable.

Thanks, MCX.

* * *

Oh! Esto es maravilloso. No había encontrado este plugin en el repositorio de Joplin, así que como soy principiante, recurrí a mi redacción en markdown. De esta manera es mucho más cómodo.

Gracias, MCX.

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**Author:** ![tomato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@tomato](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/u/tomato)\
**Post date:** [17 September 2024 06:47 UTC](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/idea-for-an-alternative-youtube-video-embedding-solution-in-joplin/39972/6 "2024-09-17T06:47:32Z")

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Hi,  
Yes, it looks like this is exactly the feature I was looking for! It's a pity it's not available directly through Joplin’s official plugin manager within the app. I hope it will.

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**Author:** ![mcx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@mcx](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/u/mcx)\
**Post date:** [17 September 2024 08:00 UTC](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/idea-for-an-alternative-youtube-video-embedding-solution-in-joplin/39972/7 "2024-09-17T08:00:43Z")

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There is a manual installation option, that's what I did. Give it a try!

[Release Release 1.0.2 · badabing2005/joplin-plugin-ytinsert](https://github.com/badabing2005/joplin-plugin-ytinsert/releases/tag/v1.0.2)

Go to the Releases to download the plugin package zip file and unzip it.  
Open Joplin, go to Tools \> Options \> Plugins.  
Click Manage your plugins \> Install from file, select the previously unzipped jpl file.  
Finally, restart the application.

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**Author:** ![badabing2005](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/discourse.joplinapp.org/badabing2005/32/17541_2.png) [@badabing2005](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/u/badabing2005)\
**Post date:** [25 September 2024 23:54 UTC](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/idea-for-an-alternative-youtube-video-embedding-solution-in-joplin/39972/8 "2024-09-25T23:54:49Z")

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I didn't many people would use the plugin.  
I'll have to look into how it can be published, maybe I'll do that if there is an interest.

Ideally this would be part of the Joplin browser plugin if you ask me.

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**Author:** ![tomato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@tomato](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/u/tomato)\
**Post date:** [26 September 2024 07:07 UTC](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/idea-for-an-alternative-youtube-video-embedding-solution-in-joplin/39972/9 "2024-09-26T07:07:10Z")

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Hi @badabing2005

First of all, thank you for your work on this plugin and for considering publishing it! I think officially publishing it would be extremely helpful, as it would provide much more visibility. Personally, I was looking for exactly this kind of functionality, but I never think to look outside the official Joplin plugins. I'm sure many other users are in the same situation.

Thanks again for your contribution!

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**Author:** ![badabing2005](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/discourse.joplinapp.org/badabing2005/32/17541_2.png) [@badabing2005](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/u/badabing2005)\
**Post date:** [27 September 2024 13:54 UTC](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/idea-for-an-alternative-youtube-video-embedding-solution-in-joplin/39972/10 "2024-09-27T13:54:11Z")

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I just did, but it looks like it picked up version 1.0, and I have no idea why.  
You can see it [here](https://github.com/joplin/plugins) and this is the [commit](https://github.com/joplin/plugins/raw/master/plugins/com.github.badabing2005.ytlink/plugin.jpl) (which was done through the plugin)

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/cozic/original/3X/3/4/34f744e11b882d537decd160e56d57b0503a105b.png)

But here's the funny thing, the correct version got published to npm registry

> **[joplin-plugin-insert-youtube-video](https://www.npmjs.com/package/joplin-plugin-insert-youtube-video)**
>
> \[!\[Release\](https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/badabing2005/joplin-plugin-ytinsert?style=flat-square)\](https://github.com/badabing2005/joplin-plugin-ytinsert/releases/latest)...

Perhaps someone knowledgable with the process can explain.

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**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/cozic/original/3X/1/c/1c948e33314e232a0927789508474d8624f4270b.png) [@system](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [22 September 2025 13:55 UTC](https://discourse.joplinapp.org/t/idea-for-an-alternative-youtube-video-embedding-solution-in-joplin/39972/11 "2025-09-22T13:55:11Z")

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