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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.
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. 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. If a post has several videos, open the one you want and copy its link.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
Only import videos you have the right to use in your own content.

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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) or Add media overlays. To capture a web page or a social post instead of a video, see Capture websites and social posts.
Last modified on October 28, 2026