Video: popup section
The Video: popup section shows an image with a play button that opens a YouTube or Vimeo video in a popup in Highlight.
Applies to: Highlight 4.1.0 and later. Added in: Highlight 1.0.0. Last checked: 2026-10-13 against Highlight 4.1.0.
The Video: popup section shows an image with a large play button. When a customer selects it, the page area darkens and a YouTube or Vimeo video plays in place of the image.
Where to find it: Online Store → Themes → Customize → Add section → Video: popup (Media & galleries category).
Video and image
- Video URL is the address of the YouTube or Vimeo video. The section shows nothing while it is empty.
- Background image shows behind the play button, cropped to 16:9 around its focal point and slightly darkened. Without one, the section shows a placeholder.
- Heading shows a small title above the video. Default: "Video popup".
- Heading tag sets the HTML level of that title for search engines.
Adding a YouTube or Vimeo video
Copy the full video address
Open the video on YouTube or Vimeo and copy the address from the browser's address bar, for example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcJtL7QggTI.
Paste it in the section
Select the Video: popup section and paste the address in Video URL.
Add the background image
Upload a still of the video, or a matching photo, in Background image.
Test it
Save, open the page, and select the play button.
Use the complete video URL in this format: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcJtL7QggTI&t=6s. Do not use the share link format (https://youtu.be/xcJtL7QggTI) or extensions of this type: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcJtL7QggTI&t=6s&feature=youtu.be. The video may not load.
Why does my YouTube video not load?
The address is in a format Highlight cannot read. Paste the full address from the browser's address bar (youtube.com/watch?v=…), not the short share link (youtu.be/…) or an address with &feature=youtu.be. Also check that the video is public or unlisted and that its owner allows embedding.
Why does the video not autoplay?
The section never plays the video on page load; it starts when a customer selects the play button. Highlight then asks both YouTube and Vimeo to start playing at once. Some browsers, mostly on phones, still need a second tap on the player.
Can I upload my own video file instead?
Not in this section. For a video uploaded to Shopify, use the Video: background section, which plays it muted and in a loop behind your text.
All Video: popup settings
Every setting, with its type and default.
Heading (text field, default: "Video popup").
Video URL (video URL, default: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9VUPq3SxOc): Sets the YouTube or Vimeo video. Paste the full address from the browser's address bar. The section shows nothing while it is empty.
Background image (image): Sets the image behind the play button, cropped to 16:9 around its focal point and slightly darkened.
Video: popup section: SEO
Where to find it: Video: popup → SEO
Heading tag (dropdown, default: H2): Specify heading level to help search engines index the structure of your page. Options: H1, H2, H3, H4, span.
Related pages
- Video: background section: an uploaded video behind your text.
- Troubleshoot sections and blocks: videos that do not load or play.
- Sections: every section you can add.
Video: background
The Video: background section plays an uploaded video behind a heading, text and button in Highlight, with a fallback image for mobile.
Product page
The Product page template in Highlight: the Product information section with its gallery, product blocks, tabs, key features and extra images.