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How to Post a YouTube Video on Facebook: The Definitive Guide

So, you’ve poured your heart and soul into crafting a killer YouTube video, and now you want to share it with the world, starting with your Facebook audience? Excellent choice! Sharing your YouTube content on Facebook is a surefire way to boost visibility, drive traffic, and expand your reach. Let’s get down to brass tacks and explore the methods to seamlessly integrate your YouTube content into the Facebook ecosystem.

You can post a YouTube video on Facebook by simply copying the video’s YouTube link and pasting it directly into a new Facebook post. Facebook automatically generates a preview with the video thumbnail, title, and description, allowing your audience to click and watch the video either directly on Facebook (if enabled) or by being redirected to YouTube. Alternatively, you can manually upload the video file directly to Facebook, which allows for native playback within the platform.

Sharing a YouTube Video on Facebook: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s break down the simplest and most common method for sharing your YouTube masterpiece on Facebook:

Find Your YouTube Video: Navigate to the YouTube video you wish to share. This could be your own video or one you found interesting.
Copy the Video Link: Underneath the video, click the “Share” button. A pop-up will appear with various sharing options. The first option is the video link, displayed in a text box. Click the “Copy” button next to the link to copy it to your clipboard. You can also manually select and copy the URL in the address bar of your browser.
Head to Facebook: Open Facebook in a new tab or window and log in to your account.
Create a New Post: In the “What’s on your mind, [Your Name]?” box, begin creating a new post.
Paste the YouTube Link: Paste the copied YouTube link into the post box. As you paste, Facebook will automatically fetch the video’s metadata, including the thumbnail, title, and a short description. This process might take a few seconds.
Add Context (Optional but Recommended): Before posting, consider adding context to your post. Write a compelling caption that grabs attention. Tell your friends and followers why they should watch the video. Ask a question to spark engagement. Use relevant hashtags to increase discoverability. This is your chance to personalize the share and make it more appealing.
Choose Your Audience: Select the appropriate audience for your post (e.g., Public, Friends, Only Me).
Post!: Click the “Post” button. Your YouTube video, complete with a clickable preview, will now appear on your Facebook timeline.

Advantages of Sharing the Link

Simplicity: This is the easiest and fastest method.
Traffic Generation: Drives traffic back to your YouTube channel, which is crucial for growth.
Automatic Updates: If you make changes to the video title or description on YouTube, the preview on Facebook will update accordingly (though sometimes a manual refresh of the post is needed).

Considerations for Sharing Links

Facebook’s Algorithm: Facebook prioritizes content that keeps users on its platform. Linked content may not receive the same organic reach as natively uploaded videos.
Playback: Clicking the link might take users away from Facebook, which could lead to a slight decrease in engagement within the Facebook platform itself.
Customization: Limited customization options for the video preview on Facebook.

Manually Uploading the Video to Facebook

While linking is convenient, manually uploading the video to Facebook offers distinct advantages:

Download Your Video: From your YouTube Studio, download the video you want to share to Facebook. Ensure you download the highest resolution available for the best viewing experience.
Create a New Post on Facebook: As before, start a new post by clicking in the “What’s on your mind, [Your Name]?” section.
Upload the Video: Instead of pasting a link, click the “Photo/Video” button below the post box. Select the video file from your computer and upload it.
Add a Compelling Description: While the video uploads, write a captivating description. Be concise, engaging, and informative. Highlight the key takeaways of the video.
Optimize for Facebook: Facebook provides various optimization tools:
- Tags: Tag relevant people or pages.
- Topics: Categorize your video with relevant topics.
- Call to Action: Add a clear call to action (e.g., “Visit my YouTube channel,” “Subscribe now!”).
- Thumbnails: Choose a compelling thumbnail (or upload a custom one) to attract viewers.
- Captions: Add captions to make your video accessible and improve watch time.
Choose Your Audience and Post: Select your desired audience and click the “Post” button.

Advantages of Native Uploads

Increased Reach: Facebook prioritizes native video content, leading to potentially higher organic reach.
Native Playback: Users can watch the video directly within the Facebook platform, enhancing engagement.
Customization Options: Greater control over video settings, including thumbnails, captions, and call-to-action buttons.
Facebook Analytics: Access to comprehensive Facebook video analytics, providing valuable insights into audience behavior.

Considerations for Native Uploads

Time and Effort: Requires more time to download, upload, and optimize the video.
File Size Limits: Facebook has file size and length limitations for video uploads.
Dual Maintenance: You’ll need to manage the video on both YouTube and Facebook.

Choosing the Right Method

The best method depends on your goals:

Maximize YouTube Traffic: Sharing the link is the clear winner.
Maximize Facebook Engagement: Uploading the video natively is the better choice.
Balanced Approach: Consider using both methods strategically. For example, share the link first to drive initial traffic to YouTube and then upload the video natively later to boost engagement on Facebook.

FAQs: Mastering YouTube-to-Facebook Sharing

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to help you become a YouTube-to-Facebook sharing pro:

1. Can I schedule a YouTube video to be posted on Facebook?

Yes, you can schedule posts containing YouTube links directly on Facebook. When creating your post, instead of clicking “Post,” click the dropdown arrow next to the button and select “Schedule.” You can then choose the date and time you want the post to be published. For natively uploaded videos, you can also schedule the post directly.

2. How do I embed a YouTube video directly into a Facebook post?

Embedding a YouTube video into a Facebook post in the traditional sense (where the video plays directly within the post without clicking a link) isn’t directly supported by Facebook. You can only paste the link or upload the video file. Pasting the link creates a preview which, when clicked, either plays on Facebook (if possible) or redirects to YouTube.

3. Why is my YouTube video preview not showing up on Facebook?

There are several reasons why this might happen:

Facebook’s Fetcher Issues: Facebook’s scraper might be experiencing temporary issues. Try again later.
Video Privacy Settings: Ensure your YouTube video’s privacy settings are set to “Public” or “Unlisted.” If it’s set to “Private,” Facebook won’t be able to access the metadata.
Video Age Restrictions: Videos with age restrictions might not display a preview on Facebook.
URL Errors: Double-check that you’ve copied the correct and complete YouTube video URL.
Cache Issues: Clear your browser’s cache and cookies and try again.

4. Can I share a YouTube Live stream on Facebook?

Yes! Share the link to your YouTube Live stream on Facebook just like you would a regular YouTube video. Encourage your followers to tune in live. Facebook will show a notification that the linked video is currently live.

5. How can I promote my YouTube video on Facebook Ads?

You can create a Facebook ad campaign using either the YouTube video link or the natively uploaded video. For a link, the goal is usually driving traffic to your YouTube channel. For a native upload, the goal might be increasing video views and engagement on Facebook. Tailor your ad targeting, budget, and creative to achieve your specific objectives.

6. What are the best practices for writing compelling captions for YouTube videos shared on Facebook?

Keep it Concise: Facebook users often scroll quickly. Grab their attention immediately.
Highlight the Value: Tell viewers what they’ll gain from watching the video.
Ask a Question: Encourage engagement by posing a relevant question.
Use Relevant Hashtags: Increase discoverability by using relevant hashtags.
Include a Call to Action: Tell viewers what you want them to do (e.g., “Watch now,” “Subscribe,” “Comment”).

7. How can I track the performance of my YouTube videos shared on Facebook?

If you share a YouTube link, use YouTube Analytics to track traffic coming from Facebook. If you upload the video natively to Facebook, use Facebook Insights to monitor metrics like views, engagement, and reach.

8. Does Facebook favor native video uploads over YouTube links?

Yes, generally, Facebook’s algorithm prioritizes native video uploads over YouTube links. Native videos tend to receive higher organic reach and engagement.

9. What are the video file size and length limitations for Facebook uploads?

While subject to change, Facebook generally recommends videos be less than 4GB and under 240 minutes in length. However, shorter videos tend to perform better in terms of engagement.

10. How can I add captions to my YouTube videos shared on Facebook?

If you upload the video natively to Facebook, you can add captions directly within the Facebook video settings. You can upload a SRT file, write them manually, or use Facebook’s auto-generation feature.

11. Can I share a YouTube playlist on Facebook?

Yes, you can share a YouTube playlist on Facebook by copying the playlist’s URL and pasting it into a post, just like sharing a single video.

12. Should I use a custom thumbnail on Facebook when sharing a YouTube video?

For natively uploaded videos, absolutely! A custom thumbnail can significantly increase click-through rates. Choose a visually appealing thumbnail that accurately represents the video’s content and grabs attention. For YouTube links, the thumbnail is automatically fetched from YouTube. You can’t change it directly within the Facebook post.

By following these guidelines and understanding the nuances of sharing YouTube videos on Facebook, you can effectively leverage both platforms to maximize your reach, engagement, and ultimately, your success. Now get out there and start sharing!