As a leading SaaS provider specializing in HTML email signatures for over 13 years, we often get asked if it’s possible to embed a video directly into an Outlook email signature. The short answer? No, Outlook and most other email clients do not support embedded videos due to security and compatibility restrictions.
Email security policies prevent video files from being embedded directly in signatures to protect recipients from potential malware, phishing attempts, and excessive email load times. Additionally, Outlook—like most email clients—strips out embedded media, JavaScript, and other advanced HTML elements that could interfere with message delivery.
However, there’s still a way to incorporate video into your email signature effectively. Instead of embedding a video, you can use a thumbnail image that links to a hosted video (such as YouTube, Vimeo, or a company webpage). This method provides a visually appealing way to encourage recipients to engage with your video while ensuring maximum compatibility across desktop, mobile, and web-based email clients.
In this guide, we’ll show you the best workaround for adding video to your Outlook email signature without breaking formatting or deliverability.
How to Add a Video Thumbnail in Your Outlook Signature
1. Create a Video Thumbnail
- Take a screenshot or generate a thumbnail of your video.
- Optionally, overlay a "play" button icon on the thumbnail to make it look like a clickable video.
- Use an image editing tool like Canva or Photoshop to create a professional thumbnail.
2. Host the Video Online
- Upload your video to a platform like:
- YouTube
- Vimeo
- Your Company Website
- Copy the public link to the video.
3. Add the Thumbnail to Your Outlook Signature
If using Email Signature Rescue, upload the thumbnail to your email signature and then link to your YouTube or other hosted video in the image options.
If not using Email Signature Rescue:
- Open Outlook Settings:
- In Outlook, go to File > Options > Mail > Signatures.
- Insert the Thumbnail:
- Click in the signature editor where you want to add the video thumbnail.
- Click the Image icon to upload your thumbnail.
- Hyperlink the Thumbnail:
- Highlight the image in the signature editor.
- Click the Hyperlink button.
- Paste the URL of your hosted video and click OK.
- Save and Test:
- Save the signature and send a test email to ensure the thumbnail is clickable and redirects to the video.
