# Have links to YouTube been disabled? **URL:** \ **Category:** Site Feedback\ **Created:** [April 1, 2023, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958 "2023-04-01T01:35:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/263 "2024-01-20T14:26:28Z")
It worked, Yeah! But it would not let me edit it afterwords to say that it worked. Hmm, I can live with that. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/264 "2024-01-20T16:08:21Z")
Again, you CAN edit the post. The trick is to change the URL before you submit your completed edit such that it’s a different reference, but still results in the same video. YouTube doesn’t care if you tack extra parameters on the end of a url; it ignores whatever it doesn’t understand. If during your edit you changed the url to include extra BS parameters on the end, discourse would think its a different url and permit the save, while YouTube would think it’s the same url and deliver the same vid. The easy thing to to is just tack `&1` or `&2` or `&3` etc. onto the back. Your url is `https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hjVjYfLMjI` If during your edit you had changed that to `https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hjVjYfLMjI&1` it would have worked. If you need to edit again, you’ve now wasted the one shot at `&1` saving; It won’t save a second time. Instead the save will be inhibited. So change the `&1` to `&2` and click [save]. It’ll probably work. Because these previews are global to all SDMB posts, if you’re posting something other people may have previously posted, e.g. a Monty Python or Blazing Saddles clip, that somebody else may have already “used up” the basic url and the `&1` and the `&2` or `&a` or whatever. So you may have to try a few times to find an unused BS parameter. Or just go with a keyboard scribble like `&dfjkshfs`. Good bet anyone else’s scribble will be different from yours. It’s not difficult once you know the tricks; it’s just slightly tedious. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/265 "2024-01-24T19:35:40Z")
If you screw up several times, you can put in a larger number, like &10, and not worry about the actual count. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/266 "2024-01-24T20:07:02Z")
A good thing is that after clicking “ok” on the error message, you return to the edit window with the text cursor positioned right after the video link. So you only have to hit backspace and increment the last number. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/267 "2024-02-10T09:24:58Z")
We were talking about this bug over in the test thread and I posted this there. Don’t know if this was discussed here: @engineer_comp_geek made the initial post: > [@Test thread — to test things out. Do not lock!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-thread-to-test-things-out-do-not-lock/956736/503): > > It’s actually a bug in Discourse. It used to work properly, until it didn’t. Oh yeah right. I remember when it used to work, and then I also remember around the time it first broke. That was some time back. If I, or anyone else, can remember when that happened, that information would be very valuable to the Discourse developers in determining what code change(s) caused the break. I used to be a system test engineer, and that is some of the most tedious work: load SW v37.095 and test it. No… > [@Test thread — to test things out. Do not lock!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-thread-to-test-things-out-do-not-lock/956736/503): > > > [@Test thread — to test things out. Do not lock!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-thread-to-test-things-out-do-not-lock/956736/502): > > > > > [@Test thread — to test things out. Do not lock!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-thread-to-test-things-out-do-not-lock/956736/498): > > > > > > Discourse won’t let you, but it only knows if you’re posting a video if it has time to generate a preview of the post > > > > It’s actually a bug in Discourse. It used to work properly, until it didn’t. > > Oh yeah right. I remember when it used to work, and then I also remember around the time it first broke. That was some time back. > > **If I, or anyone else, can remember when that happened, that information would be very valuable to the Discourse developers in determining what code change(s) caused the break.** > > I used to be a system test engineer, and that is some of the most tedious work: load SW v37.095 and test it. No bug? OK, then load SW v37.096 and test it. No bug? OK, then load… > > Lather, rinse, repeat. It’s a PITA but sometimes it’s the only way. Especially for older bugs. > > Of course, the developers could also scrutinize the code to find the bug, but that too can be very tedious work. > > Yeah, it’s a PITA. If anyone remembers around when the bug first occurred, or ideally provide the link to the post when it first occurred, that would probably help the Discourse SW team. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/268 "2024-02-10T09:35:18Z")
I don’t think anyone at Discourse cares. The problem has persisted for about a year, and was supposedly escalated to their attention at least 8 months ago. It might be because the unique SDMB configuration is the only one in which the problem manifests. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/269 "2024-02-10T13:09:06Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > If anyone remembers around when the bug first occurred, or ideally provide the link to the post when it first occurred, that would probably help the Discourse SW team. Presumably it first occurred shortly before this thread was created. This thread was created in response to the bug. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/270 "2024-03-28T01:23:17Z")
never mind, go about your bizness ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/271 "2024-03-28T02:34:17Z")
I’m trying something different - I’m counting 5 seconds before posting. Has anyone else tried this? ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/272 "2024-03-28T09:47:50Z")
Well… does it work ? ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/273 "2024-03-28T13:56:30Z")
I’ve only done it once. It did work that time, but not enough data yet ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/274 "2024-03-28T14:41:46Z")
Extra waiting for five seconds makes no sense, as the problem is that Discourse produces a preview picture for the video some time after putting in the link, and the trick is to post as quickly as possible before that has happened. The best strategy still is to close the preview pane of the edit window, so you have all the time in the world before posting. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/275 "2024-03-28T14:50:00Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > The best strategy still is to close the preview pane of the edit window, so you have all the time in the world before posting. Or compose posts outside the browser (e.g.: in Notepad) and copy over when done. I do that when I want multiple links in the same post. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/276 "2024-03-28T14:58:45Z")
I wonder if Joe Biden had traveled on it many times himself… Too soon? 🤭 ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/277 "2024-03-28T19:49:45Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > The best strategy still is to close the preview pane of the edit window, so you have all the time in the world before posting. Yup. I do that and don’t have a problem (assuming Discourse is able to imbed the video at all, which isn’t always guaranteed). ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/278 "2024-03-29T20:25:08Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Or compose posts outside the browser (e.g.: in Notepad) and copy over when done. Only if it doesn’t ‘preview’ a thumbnail. The paste&quickpost is only to get the submission in before the preview completes. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/279 "2024-03-30T00:39:24Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > The paste&quickpost is only to get the submission in before the preview completes. Yes, that’s exactly why you do it. It’s just better to avoid the preview. Makes the process a heck of a lot easier. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/280 "2024-09-19T22:51:13Z")
Doesn’t work. I have no preview pane visible and I hit Reply the split second I paste in the link. I still get the error that I cannot embed media. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/281 "2024-09-19T22:52:48Z")
Then it’s likely to have already been posted by someone else. Try adding a &1, &2, etc. to the end. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2024, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958/282 "2024-09-19T22:53:01Z")
That worked! thanks! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-links-to-youtube-been-disabled/981958.md?page=15)