There are many places where you can embed web content in the Webex Events platform — either as an External Link or in Sponsor, Exhibitor, Speaker, and Custom List feature items and Custom Tabs. When you uncheck the 'Open in external browser' checkbox for an External Link or paste in a URL for a Content Provider selection, attendees using the Web App access the content inside your Event App instead of opening a new browser tab.

This article helps you troubleshoot common issues that can keep websites and videos from embedding in Webex Events.

If you tried to open a website inside the Web App and encountered a sad face icon, the website didn't embed properly. If you own the website or have a direct relationship with the website's owner, there's a chance you can get someone to make it embeddable for you!

If a website URL doesn't start with 'https', it may not be secured. However, some sites that only show 'http' may still be secure. If you're unsure, browsers such as Safari or Chrome show a lock icon in the URL bar as another indicator that the website is secured.

If the website is secured, then the problem could be the x-frame-options response or CSP headers. Keep reading to learn how to handle these situations.

Even if a website is secured, some websites prohibit embedding as a security measure. Use this website to check if the x-frame-options response header is present in the website.

Simply paste the website URL you want to embed and click Test Header. If the X-Frame-Options header isn't detected, that means this isn't the reason the website won't embed.

The Content-Security-Policy (CSP) directive shares some similarities with the X-Frame-Options header, and some IT professionals use it to fulfill some of the same functions. Use this CSP Evaluator to check for CSP headers in the website.

Simply paste the website URL you want to embed and click CHECK CSP. If the result is 'No CSP headers found', that means this isn't the reason the website isn't embedding.

If none of the problems above apply, there may still be steps you can take to embed the content.

If you don't own the website and don't have a direct relationship with the owner, then you're unlikely to get them to update what's needed to make the website embeddable. Most large websites like Facebook and Instagram won't change their policies around embedding. However, try reaching out to their support team to find out if there's an alternative. Odds are, you'll have to open the website externally.

If you're trying to embed a sponsor's website, you can likely work something out with them. Ask your contact with the sponsor to reach out to the person in charge of their website and have them check their SSL certificate, X-Frame-Options header, and CSP headers.

If it's your website, have your website admin check on these items.

Send your website admin this article along with the following links:

If you're trying to highlight a sponsor, exhibitor, speaker, or some other featured content, consider hosting and embedding a video or a PDF. These are great ways to offer attendees rich and compelling content.

Videos hosted on popular sites like YouTube, Vimeo, Wistia, Facebook, and Twitch all embed in Webex Events! However, with any video hosting site, there may be factors that prevent embedding. This section helps you figure out why a video isn't embedding in your Webex Event App.

Psst! Skip the hassle of embed URLs and sharing settings by using the Webex Events Video Center for simulive sessions, live stream recordings, sponsor video content, and more.

Many times, a video won't embed because the type of link you're using isn't formatted correctly for embedding.

For example, simply copying the link to a YouTube video from the URL bar likely won't work for embedding. You have to click Share, then Embed, and then copy the embed URL from the embed snippet. Review the hosting site's settings to find out if there's some sort of "buried" embed link.

It's not always that complicated, however. Let's take Wistia, for example. When you share a Wistia video, there are several options, some of which specifically mention embedding. Given the preceding YouTube example, you might consider extracting the embed URL from one of the embed options. However, Wistia's default share URL works great for embedding in Webex Events.

So how can you tell the difference? In some cases, you simply need to try it out. If the plain video URL or share link doesn't work, try finding an embed URL. Remember that embed URLs often hide inside i-frame snippets, like with YouTube. No matter which link you use, always test to make sure the video embeds properly!

Platforms like YouTube and Vimeo have customizable privacy settings for videos, and if those settings aren't configured correctly, videos may not embed in Webex Events. For example, Vimeo offers quite a few security tiers for video links, and only a couple of them support embedding. Vimeo also has a specific setting that controls video embedding.

When there's a combination of embed and security settings on your video hosting site, finding the correct settings configuration for the video link can be difficult. In general, use the most open security setting, with respect to your security needs.

Remember that Webex Events Simulive and Webex Events Video on Demand are fantastic for simulive streaming, session recordings, and sponsor videos! No need to worry about tweaking privacy and embed settings or finding the right link. 👍

If you must use a third-party site and you know the site can embed in Webex Events, yet nothing you try seems to be working, contact the hosting provider's support team for assistance.