WordPress plugin
Video Thumbnails Reloaded Pro: From Embed to Featured Image
When you publish a post, Video Thumbnails Reloaded Pro looks for the first embedded video and retrieves a thumbnail provided by its source. The add-on can save the image to your media library and set it as the post’s featured image.
From video embed to post image
When you publish a post, Video Thumbnails Reloaded Pro looks for the first embedded video and retrieves a thumbnail provided by its source. The add-on can save the image to your media library and set it as the post’s featured image.
The video source determines which image is available. The add-on uses high-resolution widescreen thumbnails when offered; non-HD videos may provide fullscreen images. In the Pro settings, you can choose an aspect ratio to address unwanted black bars or a thumbnail that does not fit your site’s presentation.
Supported video sources
Supported providers include YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Vine, Twitch, Dailymotion, Metacafe, TED, VK, Blip, Google Drive, Funny or Die, CollegeHumor, MPORA, Livestream, Yahoo Screen, Wistia, Youku, Tudou, SAPO, and Rutube, along with other listed providers.
The plugin retrieves thumbnails supplied by supported video websites. It does not create thumbnails from self-hosted video documents or select a frame from a specific point in a video. Some video providers have their own utilities for choosing a thumbnail.
Custom content and featured images
Video Thumbnails Reloaded Pro supports custom post types and custom fields. If your theme or another plugin stores video information in a custom field, enter that field name on the Video Thumbnails settings page so the plugin can scan it.
Featured images require theme support for post thumbnails. If your theme does not support them, it may need a modification to enable Featured Images or the plugin’s custom functions. The plugin also provides functions you can use outside a standard loop.
Publishing and setup
- Embed a video from a supported site in a post.
- Publish the post so the plugin can find its first embedded video.
- Let the plugin retrieve the available thumbnail and save it to the media library.
- Use the saved image as the post’s featured image.
- Choose an aspect ratio in the Pro settings if the thumbnail needs adjustment for your site.
Install Video Thumbnails Reloaded Pro in WordPress and open its settings page. If the video is stored in a custom field, enter that field’s name there.
If a thumbnail is missing
Save the post changes, then use the Debugging page to test the video markup and image downloading. You can also try another supported source or review support threads for similar cases.

