Homepage video link will not accept my YouTube link address

Store Design

Topic summary

Issue: Shopify’s video field rejects YouTube Shorts links as “invalid,” preventing homepage/product page embeds across themes (e.g., Narrative, Empire).

Primary fix (widely confirmed):

Common pitfalls and workarounds:

  • Remove tracking parameters like “?feature=share” and any stray spaces in the video ID (e.g., “6mOB_R7 sa44” → “6mOB_R7sa44”) to avoid “Could not load video metadata.”
  • If link conversion still fails, play the video on YouTube, right‑click, copy the embed code, and paste it into an HTML block/section.

Status and outcomes:

  • Multiple confirmations that the watch?v conversion (or using embed code) resolves the error.
  • One report that the video appears in the editor sidebar but not on the live site; no resolution provided.
  • Latest inquiries repeat the Shorts issue on other themes; the same conversion solution applies. The discussion remains open with edge cases noted.
Summarized with AI on December 16. AI used: gpt-5.
1

Can someone please help me?

I created a video on YouTube I would like to add to my homepage.

I enter the YouTube address. And Shopify does not accept it, says it’s not a complete address.
This is exactly what it says:

“This link is invalid. Try pasting a complete YouTube/Vimeo link”

this is the link I am trying to add:

https://youtube.com/shorts/4IRw58sfy2M?feature=share

my theme is narrative.

can anyone help me?

2

Hello @Bougieboard ,

Try https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IRw58sfy2M

Thanks

5 Likes
3

Hi, I have the same problem with this link

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0Kq3jPXdSWk

help please

thanks

4

i have the same issue and i think its because its a shorts video.. but not sure how to fix this

2 Likes
5

How were you able to view the “shorts” video as a normal YouTube video to get the full link? Looks like lots of people have this same issue. Thanks!

1 Like
6

Hi,

I have the same problem. I think that is because it is a shorts YouTube video and does not recognize the new URL for shorts. :roll_eyes: I try to find info in Google and Shopify help and noting.

7

HI,

GOOD NEWS, I found how to insert the YouTube Shorts in the product page or in Shopify. Just make this small change to the video link. I show you an example:

Original video link: https://youtube.com/**shorts/**iZT9jxbke98

Modified link: https://youtube.com/**watch?v=**iZT9jxbke98

You just have to change this: shorts/ for this: watch?v=

That’s all! :grinning_face:

18 Likes
8

nice! thank you!

1 Like
9

Hi I am no longer getting the "This link is invalid. Try pasting a complete YouTube/Vimeo link” error message, I am now getting “Could not load video metadata.”

Original link: https://youtube.com/shorts/6mOB_R7sa44?feature=share

Modified Link: https://youtube.com/watch?v=6mOB_R7sa44?feature=share

Please help

5 Likes
10

Thank you! :grin:

11

Try removing the space between B_R

12

i just resolve mine

play the video on youtube as a normal video then right click on the video to copy the embed code then paste it on your page html

1 Like
13

Thank you!

14

Thank you - this has worked!

15

thank you so much - it works!

16

I am having the same issue
my link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xZyIkGkgUc

However it comes up find on the editing side bar, but does not load to the main website. Any advice?

1 Like
17

You’re a legend. Thank you.

18

Thanks, I had the same issue and your answer has helped me. It’s now working :grinning_face:

19

You nailed it! this should be pinned as the solution! Thank you so much!

20

I FIGURED IT OUT! with the help of youtube. You just replace “short” in the URL with “watch” - but then you have to put that into a browser and then recopy the link.