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The Complete Guide to Using Video on GitHub
Video is becoming an increasingly common way to explain code, report bugs, review pull requests, and share context in GitHub.
If you’ve ever tried to upload a video to GitHub, embed one in a README, or attach a video to an issue, you’ve probably noticed that it’s not always straightforward.
This guide explains:
- whether you can upload videos to GitHub
- how GitHub video uploads actually work
- how to embed video in GitHub content
- where GitHub has limitations
- and how teams typically work around them
This is a general guide – for specific use cases (PRs, READMEs, issues), we link to deeper articles.
Can You Upload Videos to GitHub?
Yes – GitHub supports video uploads, but with important limitations.
You can upload videos to GitHub in places like:
- issues
- pull request comments
- discussions
However:
- videos are not hosted like first-class media
- uploads can fail for size or format reasons
- embedding videos in READMEs or docs is limited
- there’s no built-in video collaboration layer
This is why many teams search for:
- “github video upload”
- “upload video github”
- “can you upload videos to github”
The answer is yes, but with caveats.
How GitHub Video Uploads Work (At a High Level)
When you upload a video to GitHub:
- the file is stored as an attachment
- playback works inline in some contexts
- there’s limited control over access or reuse
- videos are tied to a single issue or comment
This works for simple cases, but becomes restrictive when video is used regularly across a repo.
How to Upload a Video to GitHub
At a basic level, uploading a video to GitHub looks like this:
- Open an issue, pull request, or discussion
- Drag and drop a video file into the comment box
- Wait for GitHub to process the upload
- Publish the comment
That’s it – when it works.
Common problems teams run into:
- upload failures for larger files
- unclear limits on size and duration
- no way to reuse the same video elsewhere
- no visibility into who watched the video
👉 If uploads often fail, see the detailed guide:
How to Upload Videos to GitHub (and Why Uploads Often Fail)
How to Embed Video in GitHub
Embedding video in GitHub depends heavily on where you want it.
GitHub does not support full HTML embeds in most places, which is why searches like: “embed video github”, “github embed video”, “how to embed video in github” are so common.
What GitHub allows:
- direct video playback in issues and PR comments (uploaded files)
- linked videos (YouTube, external hosts)
- limited Markdown support
What GitHub does NOT allow:
- iframe embeds in READMEs
- reusable embedded video components
- interactive video collaboration
👉 For specifics, see:
Adding Video to GitHub Issues
Many teams want to add video to GitHub issues to avoid long text descriptions.
Video works especially well for:
- bug reproduction
- UI issues
- environment-specific problems
However, native uploads can be limiting when:
- contributors don’t have accounts
- videos need to be reused
- maintainers want clearer context up front
👉 Deep dive: Add Video to GitHub Issues for Faster Debugging
Video in Pull Requests and Code Reviews
Pull requests are another common place teams try to use video.
Typical use cases include:
- explaining complex changes
- showing behavior before/after
- giving reviewer context
GitHub allows video uploads in PR comments, but doesn’t support structured video reviews.
👉 See: How to Use Video for GitHub Code Reviews
GitHub READMEs, Wikis, and Pages
Embedding video in READMEs, GitHub Pages, Wikis comes with different constraints.
Markdown limits what you can embed directly, which leads teams to rely on external links or hosted videos.
👉 Detailed guide: How to Embed a Video on GitHub Pages or Wiki
Why Teams Go Beyond Native GitHub Video Uploads
As video becomes part of everyday workflows, teams often hit these limits:
- videos are tied to a single comment
- no easy way to request videos from contributors
- no shared video library
- no analytics or context
- no async collaboration layer
That’s when teams start looking for GitHub video integrations that work with GitHub rather than against it.
👉 Use the GitHub integration to record and attach videos directly
When to Use Native GitHub Video vs a GitHub Video Integration
Native GitHub uploads work for simple cases, but many teams eventually run into limitations:
- videos live in one comment only
- no easy way to request videos from contributors
- no visibility into who watched or understood the video
At this point, teams often use a GitHub video integration to keep their workflow inside GitHub while adding more structure around video.
For example, some teams use GitHub video integrations such as Videolink to…
- attach videos and GIFs directly to issues
- record and explain changes inside pull requests
- request short screen recordings from contributors
- keep video context alongside code and discussions
👉 Use the GitHub integration to record and attach videos directly
Where to Go Next
This page gives you the big picture.
Depending on what you’re trying to do, explore:
- Upload troubleshooting: https://govideolink.com/blog/how-to-upload-videos-to-github
- PRs: https://govideolink.com/blog/embed-video-github-pull-request
- READMEs: https://govideolink.com/blog/embed-video-github-readme
- Issues: https://www.govideolink.com/blog/add-video-github-issues
- Code reviews: https://govideolink.com/blog/video-for-github-code-reviews
Frequently Asked Questions About Video on GitHub
Can GitHub host videos?
GitHub allows video uploads in issues, pull request comments, and discussions. Videos are stored as attachments and play inline in some contexts, but GitHub does not offer full video hosting features like libraries, analytics, or reuse across repositories.
Why do GitHub video uploads fail?
GitHub video uploads can fail due to file size limits, unsupported formats, network issues, or timeouts during processing. Uploads are also less reliable for longer or higher-resolution videos.
Can you embed a video in a GitHub README?
GitHub does not support iframe or HTML video embeds in READMEs. You can link to external videos or use uploaded files in limited contexts, but full video embedding is restricted by Markdown support.
What’s the best way to share video context in GitHub?
For simple use cases, native video uploads in issues or pull requests can work. For teams that rely on video regularly, structured workflows and integrations help keep video context reusable and accessible across discussions.
Final Thoughts
GitHub does support video – but it wasn’t designed as a video-first collaboration platform.
Understanding how to upload video to GitHub, how embedding works, and where the limits are helps teams choose the right approach for their workflow.
For occasional use, native uploads may be enough.
For teams that rely on video daily, structured solutions often scale better.
Either way, this guide should give you clarity on what’s possible with video on GitHub – and what isn’t.
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