Better Core Video Embeds
Faster video embeds for WordPress — without complexity
Improve site speed, Core Web Vitals, and visitor experience automatically
Better Core Video Embeds optimises how YouTube and Vimeo videos load on your WordPress site. Your pages stay fast, your videos still work perfectly, and you don’t have to change how you add content.
Free · Open‑source · Works automatically
👆This block uses Better Core Video Embeds!
Why video embeds slow down WordPress sites
Videos are a common causes of slow page loads. A standard YouTube or Vimeo embed can:
- Delay page rendering
- Hurt Google’s Core Web Vitals
- Load large scripts before visitors interact
- Affect mobile users on slower connections
Better Core Video Embeds fixes this automatically — without breaking embeds or adding complexity.
How Better Core Video Embeds works
You don’t need to learn anything new.
- Paste a YouTube or Vimeo link into WordPress as normal
- The plugin shows a lightweight video preview instead of loading the full player
- The real video loads only when a visitor clicks play
If a visitor never presses play, the video player is never downloaded — keeping your page fast.
The benefits for your site
Faster loading pages
Heavy video scripts are delayed until the user interacts, reducing initial page weight.
Better Core Web Vitals
Deferring video loading helps improve metrics like Largest Contentful Paint (LCP).
Better experience for visitors
Pages feel lighter and more responsive, especially on mobile devices.
Privacy‑friendly by default
Video platforms don’t load tracking scripts until the visitor chooses to play the video.
Works with WordPress
No shortcodes, no custom blocks, no complicated setup. It uses WordPress’s built‑in embed system.
Safe and future-proof
If the plugin is ever disabled or removed, your content stays exactly as it was.
Is this plugin right for you?
Better Core Video Embeds is ideal if you:
- Own or manage a WordPress website
- Use YouTube or Vimeo videos in posts or pages
- Care about site speed and SEO
- Want improvements that “just work”
If you value performance without technical hassle, this plugin fits naturally into your site.
Frequently asked questions
Will this break my existing videos?
No. Existing YouTube and Vimeo embeds continue to work normally. The plugin simply changes when the video player loads, not how it plays.
Do I need to configure anything?
No setup is required. Install the plugin and it works automatically.
Does it work with the Block Editor and Classic Editor?
This a block editor only plugin.
Will this affect SEO?
Positively. Faster loading pages and improved Core Web Vitals can help with search performance.
Is it compatible with caching and optimisation plugins?
Yes. The plugin is designed to work alongside common caching and performance tools.
Will my Youtube analytics still work?
Not with this plugin as the plugin uses the no cookie Youtube domain to maintain privacy.
Free and open‑source
Better Core Video Embeds is free to use and available on WordPress.org.
There are:
- No ads
- No tracking
- No upsells
Just a focused plugin designed to make WordPress video embeds faster and cleaner.
Support ongoing development
If Better Core Video Embeds improves your site or saves you time, you can support its continued development.
Donations help:
- Maintain compatibility with new WordPress versions
- Improve performance techniques
- Keep the plugin free and open‑source
Support is optional, but always appreciated.
Get started
Install Better Core Video Embeds from the WordPress plugin directory and start improving your video embeds today.
What people are saying about Better Core Video Embeds
This is an example of an excellent plugin. Just activate and get immediate enhancement when using the embed blocks from WordPress. If deactivated, everything still works as before, but then without the enhancement. No “lock in”
Knut Sparhell WordPress.org
The plugin does exactly what it says it does and works wonderfully. Rather than reinventing the wheel or requiring another block with duplicate functionality, it simply enhances the core block to make it better. It’s a pattern I hope other block developers follow in the future.
Patrick Boehner WordPress.org
Donate to this plugin
If you use Better Core Video Embeds and you are enjoying it, please consider making a donation to the plugin authors.
Support via Amazon gift card
You can send a digital Amazon gift card.
Click below, choose an amount, and in the “Recipient email” field enter:hello [at] highrise.digital