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Adding a Video to your Email

How to add a video link to your emails

Updated over a week ago

Email design is moving beyond static content. Videos and animated visuals increase engagement. You cannot embed full videos directly in emails. File sizes become too large. Deliverability issues can occur. The best approach is to link to a hosted video using a visual preview.

Before You Begin

You need a video hosted on a third-party platform. Common options include:

  • YouTube

  • Vimeo

  • Vidyard

You also need:

  • A screenshot from your video

  • A play icon image

Add a Video to a Knak Email

Step 1: Upload Your Video

  1. Upload your video to a hosting platform.

  2. Copy the video URL.

Step 2: Capture a Video Screenshot

  1. Play your video.

  2. Pause on the frame you want to display.

  3. Take a screenshot.

Screenshot of a Knak video hosted on Youtube.

Step 3: Add the Screenshot as a Background Image

  1. Upload the screenshot to your Knak image library.

  2. Add a row to your email.

  3. Set the screenshot as the background image at the Section Attributes level.

    Image URL input field in the section attributes level.

  4. Adjust section padding and your background image width accordingly to fit your desired view.

If you need help, see Adding a Background Image.

Step 4: Add a Play Icon

  1. Drag an Image content block into the empty column in your section.

    Dragging an image content block within an empty column above a background image.

  2. Upload or select a play icon image.

    Play button image.

  3. Position the icon over the background image.

  4. Use padding to align the icon correctly.

    Play button image added on top of static background image.

Step 5: Link the Play Icon

  1. Select the play icon image.

  2. Add a link to your video URL.

  3. Save your changes.

When someone clicks the icon, the video opens on the hosting site.

Image link settings panel.

Optional: Highlight the Play Icon

Enable Highlight on Hover. This makes the icon change color on hover to draw attention to call to action.

Pro Tips and Best Practices

  • Use a clear, high-contrast play icon.

  • Keep the preview image simple.

  • Make the video the main focus of the section.

Link to a Specific Time in a Video

You can link to a specific moment in a video.

YouTube

  1. Click Share.

  2. Tick the "Start at" box below the share link.

  3. Type in the time stamp you would like the video to start.

YouTube creates the correct link automatically.

Youtube share modal with start time set to a specific time frame.

Vimeo

Add a time parameter to the end of the URL.

Example:
​#t=1m2s starts the video at 1 minute and 2 seconds.

Full example:
​https://vimeo.com/81400335#t=1m2s

Need more help? Contact support via live chat using the chat bubble in the bottom right corner or email support@knak.com.

Related Articles
Email Rendering FAQs
Email & Module Best Practice Guide
Adding a Background Image
Adding Video Content to a Landing Page
HTML Import
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