Email is still one of the most effective communication channels – but getting people to engage takes more than plain text. That’s why video is becoming a must-have in modern email strategy.

Embedding video in email isn’t as simple as dropping a file – but with smart techniques, you can get all the benefits of video without landing in the spam folder.

Can You Embed a Video Directly in Email?

Technically, yes – but not always.

While some email clients (like Apple Mail and Outlook for Mac) support embedded videos, the vast majority – including Gmail and Outlook on Windows – block them by default.

That means most recipients won’t see your video… unless you use the right method.

What Works in 2025: Smart Video Embeds

Here’s what top teams are doing instead of embedding raw video files:

1. Use a Clickable Thumbnail

Take a screenshot from your video, overlay a play button, and link it to your video.

• 📈 Click-to-open rates increase by up to 40% when emails include video thumbnails.
• 🔗 Works with every client
• ✅ No compatibility issues

2. Link to an Async Video Tool

With tools like Videolink, you don’t just link a video – you share a branded, trackable video experience that shows who watched and when.

• 🎥 Send large videos without compression
• 📬 Skip attachment issues
• 📊 Track engagement with viewer analytics

3. Embed in Supported Platforms

Some platforms (like AMP for Gmail) allow true video embeds – but setup is complex and support is still limited.

In most cases, you’re better off using a linked thumbnail or async video link.

Sending from Gmail or Outlook? Compare them head-to-head in Gmail vs Outlook: Best Way to Send Video Emails.

Why Use Video in Email? 📊 The Stats Say It All

• Emails with video can boost click rates by 65% and reduce unsubscribe rates by 26%.
• Including “video” in subject lines increases opens by 7–19%.
• Initial emails with video see a 96% CTR increase.
• A video thumbnail can boost click-to-open by up to 40%.
• Video emails deliver 300% higher ROI than plain text campaigns.
• 54% of recipients prefer emails that include video.
• 90% of customers say video helps them make buying decisions.
• People are 13% more likely to remember details from video emails.

Embedding isn’t always straightforward — but async video links with branded thumbnails work everywhere. Learn more in The Ultimate Guide to Video Email.

Final Thoughts: Make Video Emails That Actually Work

If you want your email to stand out, using video isn’t optional anymore – it’s expected.

Whether you're doing sales outreach, onboarding, or product announcements, linking a video (with a smart thumbnail) is the best way to drive replies, clicks, and conversions.

🎯 Want a simple way to embed video via link, track views, and scale across your team?

Try Videolink – no installs, no size limits →

📚 Sources:

1. https://www.virfice.com/email-marketing-statistics/
2. https://snov.io/blog/email-marketing-statistics/
3. https://mailtrap.io/blog/video-in-email-marketing/
4. https://instantly.ai/blog/video-email-marketing/

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