How to Embed a Link on Vocal

The mystery of link embedding can be challenge to both conceptualize and manifest. I don't even really understand how it works, but certainly there was a time I couldn't have told you what "embed" actually does. How could a particular link could place a visual, clickable element right there on a webpage, when another would only paste the URL plainly?

I think I first saw the term on YouTube, in the "Share" option, with "embed link" included, and I was like "WTF is this? I just want to copy/paste the link to the video." And so, the mystery continued until I wanted to replicate what I saw elsewhere on the internet: Videos playing in the same frame as an article, or links to blogs looking so pretty and interesting as opposed to a string of letters, dots, and numbers.

This is not an article I planned to write, but it came to my attention that not everyone has had luck with embedding, and I wanted to help. If you are one of those people, let me show you! I find it simple, and hopefully I can alleviate any confusion and bring you around to finding it easy and even fun.

Step 1: Draft a Story.

As you write, you'll notice the + symbol on a blank line. If you click this, you'll see three tab options. From left to right, the options are "Upload Image," "Embed Link," and "Unsplash Image."

Upload Image

The "Upload Image" option will allow you to select a file from your computer. This could be a photo downloaded from the internet or one that you took yourself. But the format has to be for an image, so typically this means .jpg or .png.

Unsplash Image

You probably know what this one is all about! This is how Vocal creators tend to choose a featured image for our stories. Just click the tab and search for the subject you feel would best represent your poem, story, or article. The credit is automatically given in the caption, so this is super simple.

Embed Link

Now for what you came for!

An embedded link is a block of HTML code that is copied then pasted on another page, and renders an image of a social media post, video, form, or other kind of page. It can be engaged with by the user, making it different than a simple image. Embedded content is externally sourced and integrated with your webpage or post.

On Vocal, embedding is easy; you can copy a URL and it will generate the embed code that will automatically render. (If you're drafting and publishing on a different site, you may need to copy a specific embed code in order for it to render correctly.)

Depending on the goal of the creator, embedding can aid in aesthetic appeal for their audience (compared to a plainly pasted URL), be a way to promote their previous work, or be a way to share others' work with their readers.

Note: You can only embed when you're drafting. It doesn't work in comments.

Step 2: Copy/Paste Your Chosen Link

Find the article, webpage, video, or social media post you want to share, and copy the URL. This can be from the URL box or from a “share” button on the site itself.

Then, return to your draft and follow step 1 to find "embed link." Here, you will see a text box where you can paste that link.

Hit “enter” on your keyboard.

It might take a second or two, but you will see the link appear in all its glory. For a Vocal story, it will show title, subtitle, and featured image, all in an aesthetically pleasing card. (Other types of embedded material may look different.)

Note: You don't have a limit on how many links you can embed. Just follow these steps to replicate the process!

Conclusion

If you've been avoiding embedding links because it has been overwhelming or didn't work for you in the past, I hope this boosts your confidence. It certainly makes for an easy user experience once you get the hang of it.

Happy embedding, everyone!