How to add my own video to an email WITHOUT YouTube or Vimeo in Dawn theme?

Store Design

Topic summary

A user wants to embed a video in an email newsletter without using YouTube or Vimeo.

Key Challenge: Most email clients (Gmail, Outlook, etc.) don’t support direct video playback within emails for security and compatibility reasons.

Recommended Workaround:

  • Upload the video file to a hosting platform (Shopify Files, Google Drive, Dropbox, or website)
  • Create a thumbnail image from a video frame with a play button overlay
  • Insert the thumbnail in the email and link it to the hosted video URL
  • When recipients click the thumbnail, they’re directed to view the video externally

Current Issue: The user uploaded their video to Shopify Files (Settings > Files) but the admin URL they copied isn’t working as a valid link in their email. The discussion remains open with this technical problem unresolved—they need the correct public-facing URL format rather than the Shopify admin link.

Summarized with AI on October 27. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Hello,

I’d like to send out an email newsletter and it contains a video. But I want to be albe to do this without having to use YouTube or Vimeo for a URL.

Is this possible?

Thank you!

Jenni

2

Hi @JCaloBC ,

It is technically possible. But you will need other video hosting platforms like Google drive and Dropbox. Platform like YouTube is still preferable because your customer will be able to watch the video with really good experience regardless where they are, either US or Europe. Hope this helps.

Kind regards,

FlashWombat

3

You need a public URL to your video file hosted somewhere online.

Simply put, Upload to Shopify:

Go to Settings > Files
Click Upload files
Upload your .mp4 video
Copy the file URL

Create a thumbnail image
You need an image that looks like a video player to insert into your email. So open your video on your computer and take a screenshot of a good frame.

(Use a free image editor to resize it to about 600px wide. Overlay a play button icon)

Save the image as video-thumbnail.jpg or .png.
Finally, Insert the thumbnail in your email.

  • Don’t forget to send yourself a test mail to see how your customers will interact with it.
4

Hi, But when they hit play it takes them to YouTube to view, why can’t it just play in the email? Is there a way?

Thanks!

5

Hi,

But if I insert the thumbnail that’s just a flat image, not a video? Where does the copy/paste of the URL go?

6

Hi @JCaloBC ,

There is no general way that play well with all email clients (for example, gmail, outlook etc). There may be some clients allowing this. But most of the major email clients don’t allow this. Your best bet is to generate a thumbnail to make your customers feel that they are playing email directly from the email.

7

Ok, thanks

8

You can send a video in your email newsletter without YouTube or Vimeo by adding a picture from the video. Link the picture to a place where the video is saved like your website or cloud storage.

9

Hi,

Ok, but I don’t understand how to do this? I’ve uploaded my video in Shopify. But when I take the URL (https://admin.shopify.com/store/bon-couer-home-wellness/content/files/53226786095389?start=MQ%3D%3D&selectedView=all) it says it’s not valid in the email where a link is required. And I’m not able to get a link from iCloud?