video does not play in the content section of the blog page

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

A user is unable to display an embedded YouTube video within a blog post created using the GEM theme on Shopify. The video insert does not appear in the content section despite being added in the admin editor.

A workaround solution was provided:

  • Extract the YouTube video thumbnail using the URL format: https://img.youtube.com/vi/VIDEO_ID/hqdefault.jpg
  • Upload the thumbnail as an image in the blog post editor
  • Link the image to the full YouTube video URL
  • When clicked, the image opens the video in a new tab

This method avoids editing Liquid template files and works across Shopify themes. The issue remains unresolved regarding native video embedding, but a functional alternative has been offered.

Summarized with AI on October 29. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

We are creating a blog using the GEM theme and the page fails to display an embed video from the company’s YouTube site that was added to the blog. I’ve included a screenshot of the admin page where the blog was created to show where the video insert should be appearing in the blog.

Video Blog.png
Video Blog.png1697×891 191 KB

1 Like
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Hello @DonnaLadan here’s the easiest non-code workaround that keeps your YouTube video functional and looking good without editing Liquid files:

Easy Method: Use YouTube Thumbnail as Image with Link

  1. Take a screenshot or grab the thumbnail from your YouTube video:

. Use this URL to get the video thumbnail:

bash

https://img.youtube.com/vi/VIDEO_ID/hqdefault.jpg

Replace VIDEO_ID with the last part of your YouTube link.

  1. Insert it into your blog post as an image:

. Click the image icon in the blog editor toolbar and upload it.

  1. Add a link to the image:

. Highlight the image

. Click the link icon

. Paste the full YouTube video link, e.g.,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID
  1. Done — clicking the image will open the video in a new tab. It mimics an embedded video experience and works in all Shopify themes without any Liquid code changes.

Thank you :blush: