Adding YouTube Videos to Google Slides Presentations

Adding video can make your Google Slides presentation more interesting.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to add a video to Google Slides effectively.

When you give a Google Slides presentation, it’s crucial to keep your audience engaged. Adding video content is an excellent way to capture their attention and enhance the overall experience.

For even more tips on how to give an effective presentation, review this tutorial:

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This tutorial is designed for those unsure about how to incorporate a video into Google Slides. We will discuss the benefits of using videos, how to select the appropriate video, and provide step-by-step instructions for embedding a YouTube video in your presentation.

Why Use Video in Your Presentation?

Integrating video into your Google Slides presentation offers numerous advantages, including:

1. Easily Accessible: As long as you have an Internet connection, streaming a video during your presentation is simple.
2. Provides a Break: Videos introduce variety and give your audience a change of pace.
3. Motivates Viewers: Videos can evoke powerful emotional responses, combining both visual and auditory elements.
4. Engages Your Audience: Audiences are accustomed to watching videos online and are more likely to stay focused during your presentation.
5. Eases Delivery: Videos allow speakers a brief respite from talking, which can be beneficial during longer presentations.

Sound is also an effective tool for grabbing attention during presentations. You can learn how to add sound to your Google Slides presentation by checking out our tutorial on this topic:

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How to Choose the Right Video

Not every video is suitable for your presentation. Here are some guidelines to ensure you select the most effective video:

• Relevance: Ensure the video directly relates to your topic rather than adding it just for the sake of having a video.
• Professionalism: Avoid using amateurish or poorly produced videos, as they can reflect negatively on you and your presentation.
• Length: Ideally, videos should be between 30 to 60 seconds long. Avoid videos longer than three minutes, as they may cause your audience to lose interest.

Remember that most videos are copyrighted. Always verify that you have permission to use a video before including it in your presentation.

Be mindful of overusing videos; including them on nearly every slide can lead to a disorganized presentation. Using too many videos will dilute their effectiveness as attention grabbers.

Now that you understand the importance of adding video to your presentations, let’s dive into how to embed a YouTube video.

How to Embed a YouTube Video in Google Slides

Follow these steps to add a YouTube video to your Google Slides presentation:

Step 1: Open Your Presentation

Begin by opening your Google Drive and selecting the presentation you wish to edit. Double-click to open it.

Step 2: Choose a Slide to Add Video

Once your presentation is open, navigate to the slide where you’d like to insert the video. Click on the desired slide in the left-hand side panel:

Ensure there’s enough space on the slide for the video.

Step 3: Add a YouTube Video to Google Slides

With the correct slide selected, go to the Insert menu and choose Video:

You’ll need the URL of the YouTube video you want to include. Input the URL in the provided box.

You’ll see two options at the top of the dialog box:

1. Search: This allows you to search for a video on YouTube.
2. Google Drive: Use this option to insert a video stored in your Google Drive.

After entering the YouTube URL, press Return, and the video will appear on your slide.

As an example, I’m using a URL from Envato’s Tuts+ YouTube Channel discussing how to create a Video Business Profile.

Step 4: Move and Resize the Video

Once the YouTube video is added, adjusting its position and size is straightforward. Click on the video to select it, and you’ll see blue handles around its edges:

Use these handles to drag the video to your desired location. To resize, click and drag a corner handle while maintaining its aspect ratio.

The video should now fit nicely on your slide:

Step 5: Set Video Options

To ensure the video plays automatically when the slide appears, access the Video Format Options panel on the right:

Select the down arrow below the video preview and choose Play (automatically).

You can also designate how much of the video plays. For instance, if you want just the first 30 seconds, set the Start at field to 00:00 and the End at field to 00:30. Be cautious when selecting start and end points to avoid cutting off important content.

Additionally, you can mute the audio by checking the Mute audio option if you prefer to provide your commentary instead.

How to Add a Non-YouTube Video to Google Slides

You can also add videos stored in Google Drive. Here’s how to insert a non-YouTube video:

Step 1: Open Your Presentation

Access Google Drive and select your presentation. Open it by double-clicking.

Choose the slide where you want to insert the video:

Step 2: Add a Video to Google Slides

Ensure the video is stored in your Google Drive or has been shared with you. To add the video, use the Insert menu and select Video:

Select the Google Drive option, and another dialog box will open:

You will see three options on the left:

• My Drive: Displays videos in your Google Drive.
• Shared with me: Shows videos that have been shared with you.
• Recent: Displays recently accessed videos.

Choose the video you want to add and click Select. The video will then appear on your slide:

Step 4: Move and Resize the Video

Just as before, click on the video to select it. Use the crosshair cursor to drag it to the desired location and resize it as needed:

Step 5: Set Video Options

Finally, ensure the video is selected and navigate to the Video Format Options panel:

Adjust the playback settings, such as starting and ending times. To mute the audio, check the corresponding box.

Once you’ve configured your video settings, close the Video Options panel by clicking the X in the upper right corner.

With these steps, you’ve successfully added videos to your Google Slides presentation, making it more engaging for your audience.