What Is an Embed Code and How Do You Add It to Your Website?

Updated September 30, 2022

An embed code is a short line of text that you can copy and paste from one website to another in HTML coding language. It includes the source link, height, and width of the content you are adding. Learning what an embedded code is and how to add it to your website is useful for maintaining and optimizing a personal or business website. In this article, we explain the meaning of embedding code, list the benefits of using one, outline how to add embed codes to a website, and explain how to embed content using a website builder.

What is an embed code?

Embed code is a third-party website's generated code for web developers to add third-party media, an application, or feed to the web developer's website. This saves the web developer time and effort from having to update the content by allowing for real-time updates. For example, if you have a social media account you want to feature on your website, instead of uploading each post onto your site, you can embed the code so that your new posts appear on your website automatically. You simply copy the code from your social media account's feed and embed it into your website.

Embedded code benefits

The purpose of using embedded codes on your website is to create a better user experience for visitors. It also keeps visitors from leaving your site, lengthens page visits, and encourages people to revisit your website. This code also makes it easier for the web developer to manage and maintain the website. Below is a list of its benefits:

You don't require web developer skills

Embedding code is easy to use and doesn't require advanced web developing skills. If you are using a simple CMS tool, you simply copy and paste the code from the third-party website into your CMS portal. Once you publish your page, the third-party content appears. If, at a later date, the content stops appearing, check the third-party website for any updates to the code, and then update your website with the new code.

Improves search engine optimization

Embedded code allows you to offer your visitors different types of content from multiple sources. This helps keep visitors on your website, which lowers your site's bounce rate and increases your score in search engine rankings. When you add the code, it's easier for search engine robots to scan your website, and this increases your search engine optimization (SEO). Having better SEO raises your website's position in organic search engine result pages for relevant searches.

Controls optimization of content

Within the code you embed on your website, there are details specifying the size and appearance of the content. By simply changing the dimensions of the code, you can optimize the element on your website by making it larger or smaller, depending on where you want to place it. For video content, you can even use the code to alter the frame size or the start time. This increases engagement as the video now shows only relevant content.

Saves time

Using embedded code not only saves time from having to figure out complicated coding, but it also saves time from having to develop new content. By using the code to embed a feed from another website, whenever the other website updates the content, this updated content instantly shows on your website. This is an incentive for visitors to return to your website and helps increase overall website traffic.

How to add embedded code to a website

Whether you're looking to optimize your blog or your retail store's website, embedded code is an easy and effective way to enhance it. Follow these steps to help you easily insert embedded code in your website:

1. Determine the third-party website

The first step is to determine what website you'd like to pull content from to place on your website. Check the website's terms and conditions to ensure you're legally able to share the content. Once you've verified permission, discover if the website generates the code. Also, determine the type of media you'd like to add, like a social post, application, or live feed.

2. Copy the embedded code

Many websites, including social media websites, make it easy for you to copy embedded code to your website. You can usually either choose to embed a certain post or embed the entire feed. Before copying the code, you can adjust the width or height of the content.

The process can vary on each platform, from social media platforms to other websites. Below is a list of the common platforms and how to generate the code for each:

Instagram: Create a new account or log in to your existing account on your desktop. Then find a post, click on the three dots, select “Embed,” choose the options you want, and then select “Copy Embed Code.”
Facebook: Create a new account or log in to your existing Facebook account on your desktop. Then find a post, select the three dots, select “Embed," select the options you want, and then select “Copy Code.”
YouTube: Create a new account or log in to your existing YouTube account on your desktop. Then find a video, click the “Share” button under the video, select “Embed,” select the options you want, and then choose “Copy.”
Pinterest: Create a new account or log in to your existing Pinterest account on your desktop. Then find a post, click the three dots, select “Get Pin embed code,” choose the options you want, and then copy the code.
SlideShare: Create a new account or log in to your existing SlideShare account on your desktop. Then select a presentation, select “Share” under the presentation, edit it to the desired proportions, and then select the code and copy it.
External websites: Locate the website, open the Notepad app on your desktop, and copy and paste the desired website's URL into the Notepad app code, replacing the URL found inside the quotation marks on the code. You can then edit the proportions in the code and copy it.

3. Paste the code into your website's CMS

Begin by finding the HTML editor location on your website's CMS. Then locate the page and section where you want the content to appear. Paste the code and publish the changes. The new content now appears on your website. If it doesn't appear as intended, you can adjust the proportions in the code, and then republish it on your website.

Depending on the CMS you're using, the process may vary. These are the steps for two common content management system providers:

WordPress: Log in to your WordPress account and locate the page where you want to add the embedded code. Select “Text” in the upper right-hand corner of the text editor and paste the code where you want the content to appear.
CMS Hub: Log in to your CMS Hub account, locate the page where you want to add the embedded code and select “Edit.” Then select where you want to place the content, click “Insert” on the options bar, then select “embed,” paste the code into the pop-up window, and select “Insert.”

How to embed content using a website builder

Website builders make building a website easy with numerous templates to choose from and drag-and-drop options. These website-building platforms also make it easy to embed third-party content. Through the website builder's apps, you can select how to display the content without using code. Here are some popular platforms and the steps to embed the code for each:

Squarespace

Start by selecting the page where you want to add the content. Then, select an insert point and choose which social media platform you want to add from the menu. Once you are in the block editor, select the “Account” tab and follow the steps to verify your account. Select the design tab and pick a design for how you want your feed to display. You can then customize the settings by choosing fonts, colours, and other display setting options. Finally, select "Apply" to save the changes, and then publish.

Wix

First, select the page where you want to add your content and then select the four-square button from the side menu bar to visit the Wix App Market. Then, type in the social media account you want to add to your website and select “Add to Site.” Verify your account, then choose your content's template and design options. Finally, select “Save” followed by “Publish” to have the changes take effect.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions, or organizations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

What Is an Embed Code and How Do You Add It to Your Website?