Webamator

YouTube iframe embeds often load many unnecessary resources, which slows down your page. YEP: Optimize YouTube Embeds is a lightweight WordPress plugin that replaces YouTube iframes with a clickable preview image. 
The actual video loads only when the user clicks the play button, improving page load times and reducing initial page size.
<h3>External services</h3>
This plugin uses the external YouTube thumbnail service (https://i.ytimg.com) to display preview images of YouTube videos. 
When a page with a YouTube embed is loaded, the plugin requests the thumbnail image directly from YouTube servers. 
No personal data is sent from your site to YouTube, only the video ID (already public in the YouTube URL).
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy 
Terms of Service: https://www.youtube.com/t/terms

YEP: Optimize YouTube Embeds

Short Description: Load YouTube videos faster by replacing iframes with a preview image; the video plays only when clicked play.

Freemius

Abu Hayat

bPlugins

shehabulislam

Md Noornabi Islam

<a href="https://bplugins.com/products/yt-player/" rel="nofollow ugc">YT Player</a> | <a href="https://bplugins.com/docs/yt-player" rel="nofollow ugc">Documentation</a> | <a href="https://bplugins.com/products/yt-player/pricing/" rel="nofollow ugc">Pricing</a> | <a href="https://bplugins.com/support/" rel="nofollow ugc">Support</a> | <a href="https://bplugins.com/products/yt-player/#demos" rel="nofollow ugc">Demo</a>
<a href="https://bplugins.com/products/yt-player/" rel="nofollow ugc">YT Player</a> is a modern, lightweight, and fully customizable YouTube video player built for WordPress. Whether you’re adding a single video or creating a video-rich experience across posts, pages, or widget areas, this plugin makes it easy to embed YouTube videos with a sleek, accessible interface powered by HTML5 and the Plyr framework.
Use a simple shortcode to embed YouTube videos without needing iframe codes. Ideal for bloggers, marketers, educators, and anyone looking to add YouTube video to WordPress effortlessly.
<h3>Key Features – Free Version</h3>
<ul>
<li>Easy YouTube Embed with Shortcode – Paste your YouTube URL inside [ytp]…[/ytp] and place it anywhere — posts, pages, sidebars, or custom templates. No embed code needed.</li>
<li>Works with YouTube Video ID or URL – Just add the full YouTube link to start playing — no extra setup required.</li>
<li>Fully Responsive Layout – The player adjusts automatically to fit any screen size — desktop, tablet, or mobile.</li>
<li>Fullscreen Support – Viewers can switch to full-screen mode, with support for both native and fallback options.</li>
<li>Fast & Lightweight – Optimized for speed — the player loads quickly and doesn’t slow down your page.</li>
<li>Shortcode Anywhere – Use the shortcode in posts, pages, widget areas, or custom post types to display your video wherever you want.</li>
<li>Toggle Player Controls – Choose which controls to show or hide, like play, pause, volume, or fullscreen — you’re in control.</li>
<li>Keyboard & Accessibility Support – Built with accessibility in mind, making navigation easier for all users.</li>
<li>Built with HTML5 and Plyr.js – Uses the modern HTML5 video standard and the Plyr framework for reliable, consistent playback.</li>
</ul>
<h3>YT Player Pro– Unlock Premium Features</h3>
The <a href="https://bplugins.com/products/yt-player/pricing/" rel="nofollow ugc">Pro version</a> offers more control over playback and appearance, giving you greater flexibility in how videos are displayed and customized.
<ul>
<li>Add a Brand Logo on Videos – Display your logo as an overlay on the video. You can adjust its position, size, and transparency.</li>
<li>Upload Custom Thumbnails – Replace the default YouTube preview with your own image to better match your content or branding.</li>
<li>Auto-Repeat Playback – Let your video loop automatically after it ends — ideal for promos or background video.</li>
<li>Show Thumbnail When Paused – When the video is paused, a thumbnail image appears instead of a blank screen.</li>
<li>Hide Controls on Pause – Create a cleaner look by hiding all controls when the video isn’t playing.</li>
<li>Floating Mini Player While Scrolling – Keep the video visible in a small corner player as visitors scroll down the page.</li>
<li>Muted – Starts video playback with audio turned off by default.</li>
<li>Auto Play – Automatically starts video playback when the page loads.</li>
<li>Seek Time – Defines the time interval (in seconds) to skip forward or backward during video playback.</li>
<li>Hide YouTube UI – Removes default YouTube player controls and branding for a cleaner, distraction-free viewing experience.</li>
<li>Save Preset Design – Allows users to save customized settings and styles as a preset for quick reuse across multiple layout.</li>
<li>Customize the Player’s Look – Fine-tune the player’s appearance — colors, controls, and layout — to match your website style.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://bplugins.com/products/yt-player/pricing/" rel="nofollow ugc">Try the Pro Version</a> – Unlock all premium features today!
<h3>How to Use YT Player – Quick Start Guide</h3>
Getting started is easy!
<iframe loading="lazy" title="How to Use YT Player Plugin | Play a YouTube video in WordPress" width="750" height="422" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NGvVtSXcZK4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<a href="https://bplugins.com/products/yt-player/#demos" rel="nofollow ugc">Live Demo</a> | <a href="https://bplugins.com/products/yt-player/pricing/" rel="nofollow ugc">Try the Pro</a>
<h3>This plugin is ideal for</h3>
<ul>
<li>Video bloggers and vloggers</li>
<li>Online courses and educators</li>
<li>Marketing landing pages</li>
<li>Portfolio sites</li>
<li>News & magazine layouts</li>
<li>Anyone who wants a custom YouTube embed player</li>
</ul>
<h3>Check out our other WordPress Plugins</h3>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://bplugins.com/products/html5-audio-player/" rel="nofollow ugc">HTML5 Audio Player</a> – Best audio player plugin for WordPress.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://bplugins.com/products/pdf-poster/" rel="nofollow ugc">PDF Poster</a> – A fully-featured PDF Viewer Plugin for WordPress.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://bplugins.com/products/streamcast-radio-player/" rel="nofollow ugc">StreamCast</a> – A fully-featured Radio Player Plugin for WordPress.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://bplugins.com/products/3d-viewer/" rel="nofollow ugc">3D Viewer</a> – Display interactive 3D models on the webs.
</li>
</ul>

YT Player – Embed and Customize Video Players

A modern, accessible, fully customizable & user-friendly YouTube Video Player for WordPress.

YEP: Optimize YouTube Embeds vs YT Player – Embed and Customize Video Players