Title: Embed YouTube Block – Fast Loading Videos, Shorts & Playlists
Author: Phi Phan
Published: November 23, 2022
Last modified: June 10, 2026
---
Search plugins
# Embed YouTube Block – Fast Loading Videos, Shorts & Playlists
By [Phi Phan](https://profiles.wordpress.org/mr2p/)
[Download](https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/better-youtube-embed-block.1.1.6.zip)
* [Details](https://wordpress.org/plugins/better-youtube-embed-block/#description)
* [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/plugins/better-youtube-embed-block/#reviews)
* [Installation](https://wordpress.org/plugins/better-youtube-embed-block/#installation)
* [Development](https://wordpress.org/plugins/better-youtube-embed-block/#developers)
[Support](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/better-youtube-embed-block/)
## Description
The default embed block for YouTube videos sucks. It slows down your site. The more
videos on the page the more it slow. This single-block plugin fixes that.
Why this block is better than the default one:
* Instead of loading the entire iframe, only the video thumbnail is loaded, resulting
in significant performance improvements
* Ability to play multiple different videos as a custom playlist or input a playlist
ID to play the whole playlist
* Ability to use a custom image as the video thumbnail
* Ability to set a custom aspect ratio value for displaying any kind of YouTube
videos
* Ability to loop continuously once it finishes playing
* Ability to show related videos from the same channel as the initial video
* Automatically load the video title as the caption
* The same UI as the default core/embed, and you can use the video title as the
caption of the block with one click
* It can be transformed from/to the core embed block.
* Automatically convert all default core embed YouTube blocks to this block with
one line of code.
This plugin also provides a PHP API for developers to render a YouTube video URL
as this block; or to automatically transform core/embed YouTube videos into this
block.
The simplest example is:
```
better_youtube_embed_block_render_block( ['url' => 'https://youtu.be/paSXmpHU9K4'] );
```
The example with all the parameters is:
```
better_youtube_embed_block_render_block(
[
'url' => 'https://youtu.be/paSXmpHU9K4',
'aspectRatio' => '16/9',
'isMaxResThumbnail' => false,
'thumbnailFormat' => 'jpg',
'caption' => 'My awesome video',
'caption_kses' => false,
'customThumbnail' => 'https://example.com/bg.jpg',
'settings' => ['loop' => 1, 'rel' => 0],
'echo' => false,
]
);
```
To automatically transform all core/embed YouTube videos on your site to this block,
you need to put the following code to the wp-config.php file or your theme/plugin:
```
define('BYEB_SPEED_UP_YOUTUBE_VIDEOS', true);
```
or
```
add_filter( 'byeb_speed_up_youtube_videos', '__return_true' );
```
On iOS, browsers like Safari and Chrome require two clicks to play videos. If you
want to allow users to play videos with a single click, you need to add the following
code to the wp-config.php file or your theme/plugin:
```
define('BYEB_FORCE_IFRAME_ON_UNSUPPORTED_BROWSERS', true);
```
Please check out this [page](https://contentblocksbuilder.com/video-tutorials/?utm_source=wp.org&utm_campaign=readme&utm_medium=link&utm_content=BYEB)
to see how fast it helps. The page contains around 30 embedded YouTube videos but
they don’t slow down the page.
If this plugin is useful for you, please do a quick review and [rate it](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/better-youtube-embed-block/reviews/#new-post)
on WordPress.org to help us spread the word. I would very much appreciate it.
Please check out my other plugins if you’re interested:
* **[Content Blocks Builder](https://wordpress.org/plugins/content-blocks-builder)**–
Build custom layouts and blocks visually in the Block Editor without needing
a code editor, using only core blocks and native Gutenberg features.
* **[Meta Field Block](https://wordpress.org/plugins/display-a-meta-field-as-block)**–
A single block to display custom fields in the Block Editor without coding. It
supports ACF, MetaBox, WooCommerce, meta, rest field, shortcode and more. Works
everywhere: in the Site Editor (FSE), the Block Editor, inside Query Loop, WooCommerce
Product Collection, Term Query blocks, and even in template files.
* **[SVG Block](https://wordpress.org/plugins/svg-block)** – A block to display
SVG images as blocks. Useful for images, icons, dividers, and buttons. It allows
you to upload SVG images and load them into the icon library.
* **[Icon separator](https://wordpress.org/plugins/icon-separator)** – A tiny block
just like the core/separator block but with the ability to add an icon.
* **[Breadcrumb Block](https://wordpress.org/plugins/breadcrumb-block)** – A simple
breadcrumb trail block that supports JSON-LD structured data and is compatible
with WooCommerce.
* **[Block Enhancements](https://wordpress.org/plugins/block-enhancements)** –
Adds practical features to blocks like icons, box shadows, transforms, etc.
* **[Counting Number Block](https://wordpress.org/plugins/counting-number-block)**–
A block to display numbers with a counting effect
The plugin is developed using @wordpress/create-block.
## Screenshots
[⌊Block edit screen⌉⌊Block edit screen⌉[
Block edit screen
[⌊Block settings⌉⌊Block settings⌉[
Block settings
## Blocks
This plugin provides 1 block.
* Embed YouTube Video Faster than the default YouTube embed. Supports videos,
shorts and playlists.
## Installation
1. Upload the plugin files to the `/wp-content/plugins` directory, or install the
plugin through the WordPress plugins screen directly.
2. Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ screen in WordPress
## FAQ
### What problem does this plugin solve?
It provides a better solution to embed YouTube videos than the default one.
### Who needs this plugin?
Anyone can use this plugin.
## Reviews
### [The best! The Super Best!!!](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/the-best-the-super-best/)
[madinfinity](https://profiles.wordpress.org/madinfinity/) November 28, 2025 1
reply
default embed block for YouTube videos sucks YouTube Block – A better way to embed
YouTube videos, shorts, playlists – Cool plugin
### [Very useful](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/very-useful-3655/)
[lineinthesand](https://profiles.wordpress.org/lineinthesand/) August 17, 2025
1 reply
Very easy to use and the php api function to add a block is great. I use it via
a custom shortcode.
### [The best support!](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/the-best-support-71/)
[Daniel Świderski](https://profiles.wordpress.org/swider8814/) May 23, 2025 1 reply
The plugin is great (lightweight and fast) but the quick support is just the best.
Thanks!
### [Simple and effective](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/simple-and-effective-1622/)
[efrap](https://profiles.wordpress.org/efrap/) March 23, 2025 1 reply
This one is essential if you have YouTube videos on your block site. Super simple
and effective.
### [Excellent plugin](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/excellent-plugin-9497/)
[andrearossonero](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andrearossonero/) March 4, 2025
1 reply
I’ve tried 10+ similar plugins to do similar things for youtube videos, but to put
it simply, by far and large this was the best one.
### [OMG !](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/omg-36/)
[revixi5](https://profiles.wordpress.org/revixi5/) November 26, 2024 1 reply
Your plugin is a little gem. You’re a genius. Thanks a lot.
[ Read all 16 reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/better-youtube-embed-block/reviews/)
## Contributors & Developers
“Embed YouTube Block – Fast Loading Videos, Shorts & Playlists” is open source software.
The following people have contributed to this plugin.
Contributors
* [ Phi Phan ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/mr2p/)
“Embed YouTube Block – Fast Loading Videos, Shorts & Playlists” has been translated
into 3 locales. Thank you to [the translators](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/better-youtube-embed-block/contributors)
for their contributions.
[Translate “Embed YouTube Block – Fast Loading Videos, Shorts & Playlists” into your language.](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/better-youtube-embed-block)
### Interested in development?
[Browse the code](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/better-youtube-embed-block/),
check out the [SVN repository](https://plugins.svn.wordpress.org/better-youtube-embed-block/),
or subscribe to the [development log](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/better-youtube-embed-block/)
by [RSS](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/better-youtube-embed-block/?limit=100&mode=stop_on_copy&format=rss).
## Changelog
#### 1.1.6
_Release Date – 10 June 2026_
* Added – Support for displaying overlay text on video thumbnails, such as a YouTube
cookie consent notice
#### 1.1.5
_Release Date – 06 May 2026_
* Added – `caption_kses` parameter to the helper function, allowing inline HTML
tags (``, ``, ``) in video captions when using the custom API
function.
* Added – New hook `better_youtube_embed_block_render_block_args` to modify the
helper function parameters.
* Improved – Updated setting controls for compatibility with WordPress 7.0
#### 1.1.4
_Release Date – 06 January 2026_
* Added – Block binding support for the url and caption attributes.
* Improved – Handling of the frontend script when hosts or cache plugins defer
or delay it.
#### 1.1.3
_Release Date – 21 July 2025_
* Added – Support for loading WebP thumbnails to reduce file size.
#### 1.1.2
_Release Date – 06 January 2025_
* Fixed – The captions of old YouTube videos are not converted to this block when
automatically transforming core/embed to this block.
* Updated – Requires at least WordPress version 6.5
#### 1.1.1
_Release Date – 09 November 2024_
* Fixed – a CSS conflict between the play button and button styles in some themes
#### 1.1.0
_Release Date – 23 August 2024_
* Added – Play multiple videos or the whole playlist
* Added – Loop continuously once it finishes playing
* Added – Show related videos from the same channel
* Added – Allow rendering embeded frame when browsers require click two times to
play videos
* Updated – Requires at least WordPress version 6.3
#### 1.0.5
_Release Date – 15 June 2024_
* Added – Support custom thumbnail for videos
* Added – Allow editing media settings in the contentOnly mode
* Updated – Change the ‘Requires at least’ to 6.0
* Added – Support clientNavigation interactivity
#### 1.0.4
_Release Date – 23 February 2024_
* Added – Add a PHP API for developers to render a YouTube video URL as this block
* Added – A new option to load high-resolution image
* Added – Add the ability to render all core/embed for YouTube videos as this block
#### 1.0.3
_Release Date – 05 January 2024_
* Added – Custom aspect ratio
* Added – Margin support feature
#### 1.0.2
_Release Date – 11 August 2023_
* DEV – Update to apiVersion 3
* DEV – Change i18 texts for translation
#### 1.0.1
_Release Date – 21 April 2023_
* DEV – Add keywords to the block
#### 1.0.0
* Release Date – 23 November 2022*
## Meta
* Version **1.1.6**
* Last updated **2 months ago**
* Active installations **6,000+**
* WordPress version ** 6.9 or higher **
* Tested up to **7.0.2**
* PHP version ** 7.0 or higher **
* Languages
* [English (US)](https://wordpress.org/plugins/better-youtube-embed-block/), [Korean](https://ko.wordpress.org/plugins/better-youtube-embed-block/),
[Spanish (Chile)](https://cl.wordpress.org/plugins/better-youtube-embed-block/),
and [Spanish (Spain)](https://es.wordpress.org/plugins/better-youtube-embed-block/).
* [Translate into your language](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/better-youtube-embed-block)
* Tags
* [block](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/block/)[embed](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/embed/)
[gutenberg](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/gutenberg/)[video](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/video/)
[youtube](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/youtube/)
* [Advanced View](https://wordpress.org/plugins/better-youtube-embed-block/advanced/)
## Ratings
5 out of 5 stars.
* [ 16 5-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/better-youtube-embed-block/reviews/?filter=5)
* [ 0 4-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/better-youtube-embed-block/reviews/?filter=4)
* [ 0 3-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/better-youtube-embed-block/reviews/?filter=3)
* [ 0 2-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/better-youtube-embed-block/reviews/?filter=2)
* [ 0 1-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/better-youtube-embed-block/reviews/?filter=1)
[Your review](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/better-youtube-embed-block/reviews/#new-post)
[See all reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/better-youtube-embed-block/reviews/)
## Contributors
* [ Phi Phan ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/mr2p/)
## Support
Issues resolved in last two months:
1 out of 1
[View support forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/better-youtube-embed-block/)
## Donate
Would you like to support the advancement of this plugin?
[ Donate to this plugin ](https://boldblocks.net/?utm_source=wp.org&utm_campaign=readme&utm_medium=link&utm_content=BYEB+Donate)