Editor Guide: Adding a Video to a Page

August 10, 2026

YouTube videos can be added to a SiteMasonry CMS page using a two-step process. All voiced GMU videos must be closed captioned. 

Collect the YouTube video URL

Before adding the video to the media library, copy its URL from YouTube.

  • Go to video's YouTube page.
     
  • Click the  Share icon located to the right of the video's title.
     
  • In the share window, click the Copy icon next to the video URL. The URL should now be copied to the clipboard.

Add the Video to the Media Library

  • Select Content > Add Media > Video  from the Admin menu.
     
  • On the 'Add Video' Screen
     
    • Enter a descriptive name for the video.  Example: "Video - Spring 2026 Commencement Highlights."
       
    • Paste the video's URL into the 'Video URL' field.
       
    • Check the 'Save to my Media Library' checkbox.
       
  • Only use the 'Transcript' field to identify a video without voiced sound. 
     
  • Click the Save button.

The video is now available in the media library and ready to add to a page.


Embed the Video

  • Navigate to the desired page. Open an existing Basic Text Block component, or add a new Basic Text Block to the page.
     
  • Once the 'Configure Block' dialog box is open, place the cursor where the video should appear.
     
  • Click the 'Embed Media' icon in the toolbar to open the 'Add or select media' dialog box
     
  • Click the 'Video' tab to display video library items.
     
  • Select the video to embed by checking it's corresponding checkbox
     
  • Click the 'Insert Selected' button to embed the video and close the 'Add or select media' dialog box

The embedded video appears as a small box within the Basic Text Block's configuration box. Once the 'Update' button is clicked on the 'Configure Block' box, the video will display on the page.

  • Once returned to the 'Configure Block' box, click the 'Update' button to save the text block, or the 'Add Block' button if a new Basic Text Block is being added to the page.
     
  • Click the page's Save Layout to publish the update.

 

Verify Display

  • Click the page's 'View' tab.
     
  • Play the video to verify it loads and functions as expected.

 

Additional Resources