While most email clients don’t support true video playback inside emails, you can still feature videos using these two effective methods:
1. Use a Static Image Thumbnail with a Link
This is the most reliable and widely supported method.
Take a screenshot or thumbnail image from your video.
Add a play button icon to the center of the image so it looks clickable.
Insert this image into your email and hyperlink it to the video (YouTube, Vimeo, or your website).
When a reader clicks the image, the video will open in a new browser tab.
💡 Pro Tip: Choose an image that’s eye-catching and clearly tied to the content of the video.
2. Use an Animated GIF of the Video
GIFs add motion and can tease your video content without relying on video playback.
Insert the GIF into your email as an image.
Below the GIF, add a Call-To-Action (CTA) button that links to the full video.
This creates an engaging preview that increases click-through rates.