Hey guys! Ever wanted to share that hilarious cat video or insightful documentary you found on YouTube with your friends via Gmail? It's super easy, and I'm here to walk you through a few simple methods to get it done. No need to send huge files or worry about compatibility issues – we're keeping it smooth and straightforward.

Method 1: Copying and Pasting the YouTube Link

This is the most basic and often the quickest way to share a YouTube video via Gmail. It’s perfect for when you want to send the video link directly to someone without embedding the video itself in the email. Let's dive into how to do it, step by step, ensuring even your grandma can follow along without a hitch.

First, head over to YouTube and find the video you want to share. Once you’ve got it open, look for the 'Share' button located right below the video player. Clicking this button will reveal several options, but the one we’re interested in right now is the direct link to the video. You should see a short URL that usually starts with https://youtu.be/ followed by a unique set of characters. Click the 'Copy' button next to this link. This action automatically copies the URL to your clipboard, ready for pasting.

Next, hop over to your Gmail account and compose a new email. Address it to whomever you wish to share the video with. In the body of your email, simply right-click and select 'Paste', or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on a Mac) to paste the YouTube link. You can add a little message before or after the link, like "Hey, check out this video!" or "I thought you might find this interesting." Adding a personal touch always makes the share feel more engaging. Remember, you can paste multiple links in one email, so if you've got a whole playlist of favorites, feel free to share them all at once!

One of the great things about this method is its simplicity. It requires no special tools or technical know-how. The recipient just clicks the link, and boom, they’re taken straight to the YouTube video. However, keep in mind that this method only sends the link, not the video itself. So, if the recipient is expecting to see the video embedded in the email, you might want to consider the other methods we'll discuss later. Also, be aware that some email clients might not automatically make the link clickable, so it’s always a good idea to test it out yourself before sending. Just paste the link into your own browser to make sure it works as expected. In summary, copying and pasting the YouTube link is a reliable and straightforward method for sharing videos, ideal for quick shares and viewers who prefer to watch videos directly on YouTube.

Method 2: Embedding the YouTube Video in Gmail

Want to make your email stand out and allow recipients to watch the YouTube video directly from their inbox? Embedding the video is the way to go! Embedding provides a richer, more interactive experience, as the recipient doesn't have to leave their email to watch. However, it’s important to note that not all email clients support embedded videos, so some recipients might still need to click a link to watch. Let’s break down how to embed a YouTube video in your Gmail.

Unfortunately, Gmail doesn't offer a direct 'embed video' button like some other platforms. However, there's a workaround that's almost as simple. First, follow the same initial steps as in Method 1: go to the YouTube video you want to share and click the 'Share' button below the video. This time, instead of copying the direct link, look for the 'Embed' option. Clicking 'Embed' will reveal a block of HTML code. This code is what allows the video to be displayed directly on a webpage or in an email.

Copy the entire HTML code provided. It usually starts with <iframe and includes various attributes specifying the video's size, source, and other settings. Once you've copied the embed code, head over to your Gmail compose window. Now, this is where it gets a little tricky, as Gmail doesn't directly allow you to paste HTML code into the email body. To get around this, you'll need to use a browser extension or a third-party tool that allows you to edit the HTML source of your email.

One popular option is to use a Chrome extension like 'HTML Editor for Gmail'. Install the extension, and you should see a new button or option in your Gmail compose window that lets you edit the HTML source. Click this button, and a window will pop up where you can paste the embed code you copied from YouTube. Paste the code into the HTML editor and click 'Update' or 'Apply'. This should insert the embedded video into your email. If you don't want to install any extensions, you can also use an online HTML editor to create the email content with the embedded video and then copy and paste the resulting HTML into Gmail using a similar method. Be careful of the security of 3rd party extensions.

Once the video is embedded, send a test email to yourself to make sure it displays correctly. As I mentioned earlier, not all email clients support embedded videos, so the video might appear as a static image with a play button, or simply as a link. If the recipient's email client doesn't support embedding, they'll still be able to click the link to watch the video on YouTube. Embedding YouTube videos in Gmail adds a touch of professionalism and convenience to your emails. It's perfect for sharing tutorials, promotional videos, or any content where you want to grab the recipient's attention right away. Just remember to test the email on different devices and email clients to ensure the best possible viewing experience for everyone.

Method 3: Sharing YouTube Videos as Attachments (Indirectly)

Okay, so you can't actually attach a YouTube video file directly to a Gmail email like you would with a document or image. YouTube videos are streamed online and not meant to be downloaded and sent as attachments. However, there are a couple of indirect ways to achieve a similar result, which I'll explain. These methods are useful when you want to give the impression of sending a file, or when you want to include the video in a collection of files.

The first approach involves creating a shortcut or a text file that contains the YouTube video link. Simply create a new text file (.txt) on your computer, paste the YouTube video link into the file, and save it with a descriptive name like "FunnyCatVideo.txt". You can then attach this text file to your Gmail email. When the recipient opens the text file, they'll find the YouTube link and can click it to watch the video. This method is simple and works reliably across all email clients and devices. It’s also a good way to organize multiple video links into separate text files, making it easier for the recipient to manage and access them.

Another approach, though less direct, is to download the YouTube video and then share it via a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. Download the YouTube video using a reputable online video downloader (be mindful of copyright restrictions and terms of service). Once the video is downloaded, upload it to your Google Drive. Then, in your Gmail email, insert a Google Drive link to the video. Make sure to set the sharing permissions on Google Drive so that anyone with the link can view the video. This way, the recipient can click the link in the email to access the video file stored on Google Drive. This method is useful when you want to share a video that might not be readily available on YouTube, or when you want to ensure that the recipient has a local copy of the video. However, it requires extra steps and involves downloading and uploading the video, so it's not as quick as the other methods.

While these methods don't involve attaching the YouTube video directly to the email, they provide workarounds that can be useful in specific situations. Whether you create a simple text file with the video link or share the video via cloud storage, you can effectively share YouTube content with your Gmail contacts in a way that suits your needs.

Method 4: Using Google Drive to Share YouTube Videos

Google Drive is a fantastic way to share files, and it works seamlessly with Gmail. This is particularly handy when you want to share a video with multiple people or ensure they have access to it even if the original YouTube video is removed. Using Google Drive provides control over sharing permissions and ensures that the recipient can easily access the video. Here’s how you can use Google Drive to share YouTube videos via Gmail.

First, you need to download the YouTube video that you want to share. As mentioned earlier, be mindful of copyright restrictions and terms of service when downloading videos. Use a reliable online video downloader to save the video to your computer. Once the video is downloaded, it’s time to upload it to your Google Drive. Go to your Google Drive account and click the 'New' button, then select 'File Upload'. Choose the video file from your computer and wait for it to upload to Google Drive. The upload time will depend on the size of the video and your internet speed.

Once the video is uploaded to Google Drive, you can now share it via Gmail. Go to your Gmail account and compose a new email. In the body of the email, click the Google Drive icon, which looks like a triangle, located in the toolbar at the bottom of the compose window. This will open the Google Drive file selection window. Find the video you just uploaded and select it. You'll have the option to insert the video as a Drive link or as an attachment. I recommend inserting it as a Drive link, as this avoids sending a large file as an attachment and allows you to manage sharing permissions more easily.

After selecting the video, you'll be prompted to choose the sharing permissions. You can choose to share the video with specific people by entering their email addresses, or you can choose to share it with anyone who has the link. If you choose the latter option, make sure to set the appropriate access level (e.g., 'Viewer' or 'Commenter') to control what the recipient can do with the video. Click 'Send' to insert the Google Drive link into your email and send it to your recipients. The recipient will receive an email with a link to the video stored on Google Drive. They can click the link to watch the video directly from Google Drive.

Using Google Drive to share YouTube videos offers several advantages. It allows you to share large video files without worrying about email attachment size limits. It provides control over sharing permissions, ensuring that only authorized people can access the video. And it integrates seamlessly with Gmail, making the sharing process quick and easy. Whether you're sharing a personal video, a tutorial, or a promotional video, Google Drive is a reliable and efficient way to get your YouTube content to your Gmail contacts.

Sharing YouTube videos via Gmail is a breeze once you know the different methods available. Whether you prefer the simplicity of copying and pasting the link, the engagement of embedding the video, or the control of sharing via Google Drive, there's a method that suits your needs. So go ahead, share those awesome videos with your friends and family!