> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.tella.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Import a YouTube video

> Paste a YouTube video link into Add from a link in the editor's media library and Tella imports the video itself, up to 2 hours long, as a clip for a layout or overlay.

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.

## Which YouTube links can I import?

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.

## 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.

## 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.

## 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.

## 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.

<Note>Only import videos you have the right to use in your own content.</Note>

## 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)](/docs/help/editing/use-media) or [Add media overlays](/docs/help/editing/media-overlays).

To capture a web page or a social post instead of a video, see [Capture websites and social posts](/docs/help/editing/capture-websites-and-social-posts).


## Related topics

- [Capture websites and social posts](/docs/help/editing/capture-websites-and-social-posts.md)
- [Publish to YouTube and YouTube Shorts](/docs/help/sharing/publish-to-youtube.md)
- [Copy chapters for YouTube](/docs/help/export-videos/youtube-chapters.md)
- [Publish Tella videos to YouTube with an agent skill](/docs/help/integrations/tella-to-youtube-agent-skill.md)
- [Why did my video fail to publish?](/docs/help/sharing/social-publishing-failed.md)


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