Removing Black Bars from 16:9 Video

pcwestfield
Occasional Participant

Hi, we are posting a YouTube video in our email each week and when we use the YouTube link it puts in black bars above and below the video (even though our video is 16:9 natively and does not contain these). I know we could manually save a preview image and put a play button on top in use that instead, but it's much quicker to just use the YouTube link. Is there a reason you force the black bars above and below every video? It's really annoying and since it's 2019 it seems like this should be adjusted to accommodate 16:9 video. Thanks in advance for your help with this.

 

 

Top Answer
William_A
Moderator

Hello everyone,

 

The issue presented with the black bars is a 3rd party limitation, and not something we're able to resolve as the thumbnail info (including the black bars) is information being given to us by YouTube. If you do not like what thumbnail YT tells us to insert in regards to your video, the best workaround would be to generate your own thumbnail image to link the video to. Or you you can utilize text links or button links instead.

 

As there isn't an issue for us to troubleshoot or resolve in regards to this Help thread, we'll be closing the comments going forward to avoid further confusion around this topic.


11 REPLIES 11
Frankie_P
Moderator

Hi @pcwestfield 

 

Thank you for reaching out to the Community! I apologize this is happening with the video in your email. These black bars being added to the top and bottom of your video thumbnail is an experience we are continuing to troubleshoot further. While we do not have a time estimate for a resolution, as a workaround we suggest inserting a screenshot of your thumbnail rather than using the video link feature.


Frankie.P
Community & Social Media Support

Did I answer your question? If so, please mark my post as an "Accepted Solution" by clicking the Accept as Solution button in the bottom right hand corner of this post.

You're not alone on your email marketing journey. Connect with a Marketing Advisor to see how they can help you develop the right strategy for your business and get the most out of your Constant Contact experience.

This is issue is still happening for us. When will it be fixed?

Hello @SuzanneW42 ,

 

This is an issue our engineers are still investigating. I've attached the relevant service request to your case, and submitted to the engineers for further review. If and when they have an update, they'll make sure to notify you.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
William A
Community & Social Media Support
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did I answer your question? If so, please mark my post as an "Accepted Solution" by clicking the Accept as Solution button in the bottom right hand corner of this post.

Anyone can be a marketer! Visit our Blog & Resources page to brush up on the latest tips and tricks.

What is the point of inserting a video if you have to use a workaround? It needs a fix???

LaurieDonofrio
Occasional Participant

We would love to see this be resolved. Thank you! 

MikeL3029
Occasional Participant

Yes, still seeing black bars. Will there be a fix??  Looking at the dates of previous posts, probably not. Screen Shot 2021-05-26 at 10.14.55 AM.png

SabotCommunications
Participant

I am also looking for a fix for the black bars. I opened a YouTube account specifically because Constant Contact wasn't playing nice with Vimeo, and you still aren't delivering an acceptable experience.

TomM9537
Occasional Participant

Still having this problem too. Is there a fix?

TomM9537
Occasional Participant

I am having this problem too. Black bars at the top and bottom of the video, despite the resolution for the preview image being correct in YouTube. Screenshot attached. Has anyone found a solution?

Screen Shot 2022-04-07 at 1.52.48 PM.png

Claire_MacPherson
Frequent Participant

Nope I would like to see if the engineers have found a solution in the 3 years since its been raised.

William_A
Moderator

Hello everyone,

 

The issue presented with the black bars is a 3rd party limitation, and not something we're able to resolve as the thumbnail info (including the black bars) is information being given to us by YouTube. If you do not like what thumbnail YT tells us to insert in regards to your video, the best workaround would be to generate your own thumbnail image to link the video to. Or you you can utilize text links or button links instead.

 

As there isn't an issue for us to troubleshoot or resolve in regards to this Help thread, we'll be closing the comments going forward to avoid further confusion around this topic.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
William A
Community & Social Media Support
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did I answer your question? If so, please mark my post as an "Accepted Solution" by clicking the Accept as Solution button in the bottom right hand corner of this post.

Anyone can be a marketer! Visit our Blog & Resources page to brush up on the latest tips and tricks.
  • Avatar

    Support Tips

    Social Media

    "There's a multitude of ways to engage your audience through us using your social platforms - via ads, social post metrics, email links, and more! " - Will

    See Article
  • Avatar

    Support Tips

    Call-To-Action Links

    "Target your most engaged contacts by creating a segment. Create a special offer or show your appreciation!" - Caitlin

    See Article
  • Avatar

    Support Tips

    Welcome Your Audience

    "Greet new contacts with one or more automated Welcome Emails depending on their interests or your business goals." - Nick

    See Article