YouTube videos in Canvas to Studio - 2025

How do I migrate embedded YouTube videos in Canvas to Studio content for distraction-free viewing?

To enable a distraction-free and uninterrupted learning experience, you can migrate embedded YouTube videos in Canvas into Studio content, whether it was added via embed code or the YouTube LTI.

Once the videos are migrated:

No ads will appear before or during playback.
All overlays during playback and upon pause will be removed. This includes recommendations, channel information, watch later button, etc.
You can access Studio-only capabilities (i.e. monitoring student viewing behavior across video segments).
Captions will be carried over.

You can migrate the embedded YouTube videos manually or via the migration tool.

If you use the YouTube Migration Tool, the videos are automatically added to Course Collections. If you manually migrate a YouTube video, it is automatically added to your Studio video library. This allows you to manage it in the My Library page, monitor student viewing behavior, embed quiz questions, and more.

For more information about migrating YouTube videos in Canvas to Studio content, visit the YouTube Player for Education FAQs resource document.

Migrate YouTube Videos via Migration Tool

Embed this Video

Enable YouTube Migration Tool

In Course Navigation, click the Settings link [1]. Then, click the Feature Options tab [1].

To locate the YouTube content migration feature option [3], you can either scroll the page or enter a keyword in the Search field [4]. Click the State icon [5] and select the Enabled option [6].

Note: If your admin enabled the YouTube content migration feature option at the account level, it may already display as enabled at the course level. For more information about feature options, visit the Canvas Feature Option Summary resource document.

Scan Embedded YouTube Videos

In Course Navigation, click the YouTube Migration link [1]. To filter embedded YouTube videos, click the Scan Course button [2].

A list displays the Canvas resources where the YouTube videos are embedded [3], the content type [4], and the number of YouTube content detected for each Canvas resource [5].

To migrate the videos into Studio content, click the Review button [6].

Migrate Videos

Click the Convert button [1]. Once migrated, the button displays as Converted [2].

To exit the window, click the Close button [3].

View Migrated Videos

The YouTube content is automatically saved to the Course Collections within the course where it was originally embedded.

Migrate YouTube Videos Manually

Locate Embedded YouTube Video

In Canvas, locate the embedded YouTube video you want to migrate.

To get the video URL, click the Watch on YouTube button [1] then copy the URL from the web address bar.

Click the Edit button [2].

Remove Embedded YouTube Video

Migrating Canvas YouTube Videos to Studio Content for Ad-Free ViewingThis guide outlines the process for migrating embedded YouTube videos in Canvas—whether added via embed code or the YouTube LTI—into Studio content, enabling an ad-free and uninterrupted learning experience. 1. PrerequisitesYour institution has an active Studio license2. BenefitsThe migration comes with multiple benefitsNo ads will appear before or during playback All overlays during playback and upon pause will be removedThis includes recommendations, channel information, watch later button etcAccess to Studio-only capabilities (i.e. monitoring student viewing behavior across video segments)Captions will be carried over, which is a new Studio feature for YouTube videos!3. Step-by-Step GuideStep 1: Identify the embedded YouTube videoIdentify the embedded YouTube media you want to migrate. You’ll need the URL of this video for Step 5. The easiest way to get it is by clicking the ‘Watch on YouTube’ button in the bottom-left corner that opens the video directly on YouTube. The URL can be copied from the browser's address bar.Step 2: Remove the embedded videoOpen the Canvas Page in Edit mode and remove the embedded YouTube content.Alternatively, you can remove the embed code directly in the HTML editor view.Step 3: Access Studio from the RCE toolbarStudio either has its own icon in the toolbar, or it is tucked under the LTI connector item.Step 4: Add media to your Studio video libraryClick on the ‘Create button’ in the top-right corner and select ‘Add Media’.Step 5: Paste the link from YouTubePaste the browser URL (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IitIl2C3Iy8) instead of the embed code and click on ‘Add Video’.Step 6: Confirm the video has been added to your Studio video libraryThe video will be immediately added to your library as the first item in the list. Click the video that you have just added.Step 7: Embed the YouTube video into the Canvas PageClick the ‘Embed Media’ button. If you want to specify a timestamp where you want the video to be started, you can seek in the video in this window and click on ‘Set current (x:xx)’.Step 8: Confirm the video has been embedded into the PageThe YouTube video is now embedded into the Page as a Studio content.4. TroubleshootingStudio does not offer me the Add YouTube Media optionIf you are not an Administrator, you will need to make sure that your Administrator enabled the Add media from YouTube permission under the Studio settings for your role. This is rarely disabled for educators.I have a sub-account level install with no access to the Studio Admin permissions from CanvasTo access this permission for sub-account level Studio installations, Administrators must access Studio via their standalone url via [institution domain].instructuremedia.com.The YouTube video I embedded is not supportedWith the new YouTube video experience in Studio, there are rare instances when you may see that it no longer supports a particular YouTube video. 18+ content or videos a creator chooses to exclude from embedded surfaces will also not be supported. In these cases, you must use the existing embed process, that will unfortunately display ads.5. ConclusionAs part of the content migration process, you automatically added the YouTube content to your Studio video library. This allows you to manage it in your personal library, monitor student viewing behavior, embed quiz questions into it and a lot more!

In the Rich Content Editor, highlight the video and then press the Backspace (PC) or Delete (Mac) key.

Remove Embedded Video in HTML Editor

To remove the embedded video in the HTML editor, click the HTML Editor icon [1]. Alternatively, click the View tab [2] and select the HTML Editor option [3].

In the HTML view, delete the embed code [4].

Open Canvas Studio from RCE Toolbar

Click the Studio icon [1]. Alternatively, you can click the App icon [2].

Note: If the Studio icon does not display in the toolbar, click the Options icon [3].

Add Media to Canvas Studio

Click the Create button [1] and select the Add Media option [2].

Add Video URL

In the YouTube or Vimeo Link field [1], enter the video URL. Then click the Add Video button [2].

Embed Media from Canvas Studio

To embed the media you uploaded, locate and click the media thumbnail.

Set Media Settings

When you embed a YouTube video, you can display or hide media tabs, set start time for the media, or resize the embedded media.

To embed the media, click the Embed Media button.

View Embedded Media

To preview your embedded video in the Rich Content Editor field, click the Play button.

Save Changes

To apply the changes, click the Save button.

Troubleshoooting

Studio does not offer me the Add YouTube Media option

If you are not an admin, make sure that your admin has enabled the Add media from YouTube permission under the Studio settings for your role.

I have a sub-account level install with no access to the Studio Admin permissions from Canvas

To access this permission for sub-account level Studio installations, admins must access Studio via their standalone URL: [institution domain].instructuremedia.com.

The YouTube video I embedded is not supported

With the new YouTube video experience in Studio, there are rare instances when it no longer supports a particular YouTube video. Age-restricted content or videos a creator chooses to exclude from embedded surfaces will also not be supported. In these cases, you must use the existing embed process that will display ads.