Source: https://mindstamp.com/integrations/youtube Generated from the integration guide records: 2026-10-13 # Test interactive YouTube videos before you publish Video host guide · Updated: 2026-10-05 · For testing only. YouTube’s own player runs inside the Mindstamp video. Facts checked October 5, 2026. YouTube is for testing only in Mindstamp, which warns that YouTube videos can have playback failure and other issues at any time. Paste a YouTube watch link to try questions and branching while Mindstamp records each test answer, then upload your own file before you publish. ## Test with a watch link, publish from an upload | Option | Where in YouTube | What stays in YouTube | What Mindstamp adds | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Watch link, for testing only | The address of the watch page, with watch?v= and the video ID. | The video and its player, which runs inside the Mindstamp video. YouTube likely counts the view. | Questions, buttons, and branching for a test. No transcript or Download source. | | Short, Shorts, embed, or live link | A youtu.be share link, or an address with /shorts/, /embed/, or /live/. | Everything. | Nothing. Mindstamp shows “Not a video file”, because the address has no watch?v=. | | Upload your own file | Your original file, or your own video from YouTube Studio as an MP4 at 720p or 360p. | YouTube keeps the original. Mindstamp plays a separate copy. | A source fit for publishing, with a transcript. | ## Test with YouTube, then publish from an upload ### Try an idea with a watch link Mindstamp shows a testing notice each time you open the YouTube source. Use it for drafts that your team reviews. 1. On youtube.com, open the video and copy the address that contains watch?v=. 2. In Mindstamp, select **New video**, then **YouTube** under **Platforms**. 3. Read the notice and select **I understand and am only testing**, or select **Use another provider** to stop. 4. Paste the watch link, and select **Create Video** once **Link works** shows. 5. Add questions and branching, then review the draft with your team. [Can I use YouTube videos?](https://mindstamp.com/help/can-i-use-youtube-videos) ### Move the test to your own file 1. If you do not have the original file, select **Content** in YouTube Studio. 2. Point to the video and select **Download** from its menu. 3. In Mindstamp, go to the video’s **More** page and select **Replace source video**. 4. Select **Upload** and add the file. The questions and branches keep their times. 5. Play the video through and move any interaction that now falls at the wrong time. 6. Publish the video from **Share**. ## YouTube allows 10 quizzes per video and documents no branching ### YouTube features - Up to 10 quizzes per video in YouTube Studio. YouTube’s quiz help lists up to 4 answers and one correct answer. - You cannot edit a quiz after you save it, and YouTube documents no report of each viewer’s answers. - In Google Classroom, teachers can add questions to YouTube videos and see each student’s responses, on Education Plus or the Teaching and Learning Upgrade. - Up to 5 info cards, end screens in the last 5 to 20 seconds, and chapters. ### What Mindstamp adds - Branching, so an answer can change what the viewer sees next. - Questions, buttons, and hotspots that you can move or edit at any time. - Each reviewer’s test answers in Mindstamp reports. - Replace source video, which keeps every interaction when you move to your own file. ## Check these before you publish ### Not a video file You pasted a youtu.be, /shorts/, /embed/, or /live/ link. Open the video on youtube.com and copy the address with watch?v=. ### The video does not play Private videos, and videos that do not allow embedding, likely fail inside the YouTube frame. Upload your own file for the test instead. ### YouTube Studio download limits YouTube allows up to 5 downloads of a video per day, at 720p or 360p, and none for videos with a strike or a preapproved audio track. Use the original file when you have it. ## YouTube interactive video FAQ ### How do I make YouTube videos interactive? In Mindstamp, use YouTube only to test. Select **YouTube** on the **New video** page, select **I understand and am only testing**, paste the watch?v= address, and add questions or branching. Before anyone outside your team sees it, upload your own copy of the video with **Replace source video**, and your interactions move with it. ### Why is YouTube for testing only in Mindstamp? Mindstamp says YouTube is not supported for production use, and that YouTube videos may have playback failure and other issues at any time. The video plays in the YouTube player, and Mindstamp does not control how YouTube delivers it. A video that plays today can stop for your viewers without warning. ### Do I need a paid plan to test with YouTube? No Mindstamp plan blocks the YouTube source, so you can test during the free trial. When you upload the file to publish, the trial takes files up to 2 GB. Basic takes files up to 5 GB and Core up to 10 GB. Pro and higher have no file size limit. ### Does YouTube still count the views? Likely yes, during a test. Mindstamp plays the video through the YouTube player in a frame from youtube-nocookie.com, and YouTube Analytics reports plays in embedded players under External traffic. After you replace the source with an upload, YouTube is no longer involved. ### Can YouTube Studio quizzes do the same job? YouTube Studio adds up to 10 quizzes per video, and YouTube documents no branching. You cannot edit a quiz after you save it, and its help documents no report of each viewer’s answers. Mindstamp adds branching and answers by viewer, on a file you upload. See [Mindstamp vs YouTube](https://mindstamp.com/vs/youtube). ### How do I move a YouTube test to a published video? Use your original file, or download your own video from YouTube Studio. In Mindstamp, go to **More**, select **Replace source video**, and upload the file. Your interactions keep their times, and the share link and embed code do not change. See [how to replace the video file](https://mindstamp.com/help/replace-video-file). ## Read next - [What video can I use in Mindstamp?](https://mindstamp.com/help/what-kind-of-videos-can-i-use-in-mindstamp): Every source on the New video page, and when to use each one. - [Embed the interactive video](https://mindstamp.com/help/how-can-i-include-a-video-embed-on-my-website): Choose the Responsive, Popout, or Basic iframe code for your site. - [Mindstamp vs YouTube](https://mindstamp.com/vs/youtube): YouTube cards, end screens, and quizzes next to Mindstamp interactions. - [Replace the video file](https://mindstamp.com/help/replace-video-file): Swap the YouTube source for an upload and keep every interaction. - [Wistia](https://mindstamp.com/integrations/wistia): Paste a Wistia media or share link, add questions and branching, and see each viewer’s answers in Mindstamp. - [Interactive video in your LMS](https://mindstamp.com/integrations/lms): Embed the video in a course, or export SCORM for completion and a score. ## The documents behind this guide - [Quizzes in YouTube Studio](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/7124474?hl=en) (YouTube Help) - [Download your own YouTube videos](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/56100?hl=en) (YouTube Help) - [End screens](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6388789?hl=en) (YouTube Help) - [Traffic sources in YouTube Analytics](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/9314355?hl=en) (YouTube Help) Documents checked October 5, 2026. YouTube can change its product. Before you publish, play the interactive video once in a private window. --- [All integrations](https://mindstamp.com/integrations) · [Embed and SCORM support by LMS](https://mindstamp.com/integrations/lms) · [Help Center](https://mindstamp.com/help)