Have you ever seen a student hover over a video thumbnail in a Google search and have it start playing automatically? Not only is this annoying, but it can also be a huge distraction in the classroom. Thankfully, if you’re using Google Workspace (GSuite), there’s a quick way to prevent this from happening and help students stay focused while browsing the internet.
Steps to Turn Off Auto-Play Video Thumbnails
- Log into your Google Admin Console: Go to admin.google.com and sign in.
- Select an Organizational Unit (OU): Choose the group of students you want to apply this setting to.
- Locate URL Blocking Policy: In the search bar, type “URL blocking” and select the policy.
- Add the Blocked URL: Add this URL to block auto-play features:
- https://youtube.googleapis.com/embed/*
- Click Save: Hit save, and you’re done! Video thumbnails will no longer play automatically when students hover over them in search results.
Why It Matters
Adding this URL to the blocking policy helps to limit distractions while browsing in the classroom. Students can still watch videos on YouTube (if permission is enabled), but they’ll have to actively click to start the video. This solution is perfect if your school wants to prevent students from watching unapproved videos!
In Conclusion
By turning off auto-play for video thumbnails, you’re making it easier for students to stay focused while still having access to educational content. That means no more random video noises during class time!