How to Use Shortcodes in Presto Player

Shortcodes let you add Presto Player videos or audio in places where blocks are not available. They are useful when working with:

• Classic widgets
• Theme files
• Headers, footers, or sidebars
• Page builders or plugins that do not support blocks

Shortcodes are best used when media needs to be embedded outside the block editor or loaded dynamically.

Media Hub Shortcodes vs Original Shortcodes

Presto Player supports two types of shortcodes. Which one you use depends on where your media is managed.

Media Hub Shortcodes

Media Hub shortcodes are used for videos or audio that already exist in the Media Hub. These shortcodes:

• Use settings managed centrally in the Media Hub
• Automatically reflect changes made to the media
• Work best when media sync is enabled or when media was added through the Media Hub

If you update the media settings later, the shortcode output updates automatically. For more information about how media is managed, see the Media Hub documentation.

Original Shortcodes

Original shortcodes are used when the media is not stored in the Media Hub. They are useful when:

• You have a working direct media URL
• You want to embed external media while still using Presto Player
• Media is coming from a dynamic source, such as a custom field

These shortcodes give you flexibility but do not benefit from centralized Media Hub management.

Using Media Hub Shortcodes

To embed media from the Media Hub:

Step 1 – Go to Dashboard > Presto Player > Media Hub

Step 2 – Find the video or audio you want to embed

Step 3 – Copy its shortcode

Step 4 – Paste the shortcode where you want the media to appear

Example: Adding Media to a Sidebar

Step 1 – Go to Dashboard > Appearance > Widgets

Step 2 – Add a Shortcode widget to your sidebar

Step 3 – Paste the Media Hub shortcode

Step 4 – Save your changes

When to Use Shortcodes

Shortcodes are best used when:

• Blocks are not available
• You need to embed media inside widgets or third-party plugins
• Media needs to be loaded dynamically
• You are working with sliders, tabs, or accordions

For Gutenberg pages where blocks are supported, the Presto Player block is usually easier to manage and preview.

Conclusion

Shortcodes provide a flexible way to embed Presto Player media when blocks are not available or when media needs to be loaded dynamically. For most block-based pages, the Presto Player block is easier to use. Shortcodes are best reserved for layouts, plugins, or workflows where blocks are not supported.