> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.tella.com/docs/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Import a video from YouTube, X, Instagram, or TikTok > Paste a YouTube, X, Instagram, or TikTok video link into the editor's Add from a link box and Tella imports the video, up to 2 hours long. Paste a YouTube video link, or the link to an X, Instagram, or TikTok post with a video, into **Add from a link** (the link icon) in the editor's media library, and Tella imports the video itself, with its sound, into your video. Use it as B-roll in a layout or as an overlay on top of your recording. [https://www.tella.tv/video/vid\_cmvqs44on001p07jj1vr183ix/embed?b=0\&title=0\&a=1\&loop=0\&t=0\&muted=0\&wt=0](https://www.tella.tv/video/vid_cmvqs44on001p07jj1vr183ix/embed?b=0\&title=0\&a=1\&loop=0\&t=0\&muted=0\&wt=0) ## Which YouTube links can I import? Any link to a single public YouTube video works, including: * Watch links (`youtube.com/watch?v=…`) * Share links (`youtu.be/…`) * Shorts, live replays, embed links, and links from the YouTube mobile site or YouTube Music Playlist, channel, and search links aren't videos, so they can't be imported. Paste the link to one video instead. ## Which X, Instagram, and TikTok links can I import? Paste the link to a single public post that holds a video: * X posts (`x.com/…/status/…`) * Instagram posts and reels * TikTok videos Reels and TikTok links show **Import video** and **Import screenshot** right away. For X posts and Instagram posts, Tella first checks whether the post holds a video and shows **Checking the post for a video…** under the box. Posts with only text or photos keep the single **Add** button, which adds the post as a screenshot. See [Capture websites and social posts](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/capture-websites-and-social-posts.md). If a post has several videos, open the one you want and copy its link. ## Import a YouTube video into a layout Use a media layout when the YouTube video should replace your screen recording for part of your video. 1. Open your video and click **Layout**. 2. Select a time range or layout section, then choose a **Media** layout. You can also open **Customize layout** and change **Screen** or **Camera** to **Media**. 3. In the media library header, click **Add from a link** (the link icon). 4. Under **Add from socials or a website**, paste the video link into **Paste a link**. 5. Click **Add** for a YouTube link, or **Import video** for an X, Instagram, or TikTok post. Tella adds a placeholder under **In this video** in the media library while it imports. When the import finishes, the video goes into the layout section you had selected. ## Import a YouTube video as an overlay Use an overlay when the YouTube video should sit on top of your recording. 1. Move the playhead to where the overlay should start, or select a time range. 2. Click **Overlay**, find **Media**, then click **Browse all**. 3. In the media library header, click **Add from a link** (the link icon). 4. Under **Add from socials or a website**, paste the video link into **Paste a link**. 5. Click **Add** for a YouTube link, or **Import video** for an X, Instagram, or TikTok post. When the import finishes, Tella places the video on the canvas at the spot you picked when you started. ## How long does an import take? An import can take a few minutes, longer for long videos. The placeholder stays under **In this video** until the video is ready, and you can keep editing while it imports. Imported videos come in at up to 1080p. ## Why can't I import a video? If an import fails, Tella shows **Couldn't import the video** with the reason. You can't import: * Private videos * Age-restricted videos * Members-only videos * Live streams that haven't ended yet. Import the replay once the stream is over * Videos that were removed or are otherwise unavailable * Videos longer than 2 hours, or too large to import * Posts without a video. Add them as a screenshot instead If the reason is **Couldn't import this video. Try again later.**, the download didn't go through that time. Wait a few minutes and add the link again. > [!NOTE] > > Only import videos you have the right to use in your own content. ## Reuse an imported video Imported videos stay in the current video's library (**Personal** → **In this video**), like other media you add. To trim, position, or style the clip after it's placed, see [Add media (B-roll)](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/use-media.md) or [Add media overlays](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/media-overlays.md). To capture a web page or a social post instead of a video, see [Capture websites and social posts](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/capture-websites-and-social-posts.md). ## Related topics - [Capture websites and social posts](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/capture-websites-and-social-posts.md) - [Publish a video to social media](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/sharing/publish-to-social-media.md) - [Video requirements for each social platform](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/sharing/social-publishing-requirements.md) - [Media library API](https://www.tella.com/docs/media-library-api.md) - [Publish to social media with the API or MCP](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/integrations/publish-with-the-api-and-mcp.md) This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.