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Paste a YouTube video link into Add from a link (the link icon) in the editor’s media library, and Tella imports the video itself, with its sound, into your video. Use it as B-roll in a layout or as an overlay on top of your recording. Any link to a single public YouTube video works, including:
  • Watch links (youtube.com/watch?v=…)
  • Share links (youtu.be/…)
  • Shorts, live replays, embed links, and links from the YouTube mobile site or YouTube Music
Playlist, channel, and search links aren’t videos, so they can’t be imported. Paste the link to one video instead.

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Import a YouTube video into a layout

Use a media layout when the YouTube video should replace your screen recording for part of your video.
  1. Open your video and click Layout.
  2. Select a time range or layout section, then choose a Media layout. You can also open Customize layout and change Screen or Camera to Media.
  3. In the media library header, click Add from a link (the link icon).
  4. Under Add from socials or a website, paste the YouTube link into Paste a link.
  5. Click Add.
Tella adds a placeholder to the Video tab of the media library while it imports. When the import finishes, the video goes into the layout section you had selected.

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Import a YouTube video as an overlay

Use an overlay when the YouTube video should sit on top of your recording.
  1. Move the playhead to where the overlay should start, or select a time range.
  2. Click Overlay, find Media, then click Browse all.
  3. In the media library header, click Add from a link (the link icon).
  4. Under Add from socials or a website, paste the YouTube link into Paste a link.
  5. Click Add.
When the import finishes, Tella places the video on the canvas at the spot you picked when you started.

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How long does an import take?

An import can take a few minutes, longer for long videos. The placeholder stays in the Video tab until the video is ready, and you can keep editing while it imports. Imported videos come in at up to 1080p.

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Why can’t I import a YouTube video?

If an import fails, Tella shows Couldn’t import from YouTube with the reason. You can’t import:
  • Private videos
  • Age-restricted videos
  • Members-only videos
  • Live streams that haven’t ended yet. Import the replay once the stream is over
  • Videos that were removed or are otherwise unavailable on YouTube
  • Videos longer than 2 hours, or too large to import
If the reason is Couldn’t import this video from YouTube. Try again later., the download didn’t go through that time. Wait a few minutes and add the link again.
Only import videos you have the right to use in your own content.

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Reuse an imported video

Imported videos stay in the current video’s Video library, like other media you add. To trim, position, or style the clip after it’s placed, see Add media (B-roll) or Add media overlays. To capture a web page or a social post instead of a video, see Capture websites and social posts.
Last modified on October 15, 2026