# Protect a video

> Sell classes and recordings from YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook or your own player as protected videos that only paying buyers can watch.
>
> Source: https://docs.bcl.my/protected-content-video/

A protected video plays on a BCL page that only buyers can open after a one-time code. The video itself stays on YouTube, Vimeo or Facebook, or in any player you can embed. Use it for online classes, webinar recordings and members-only videos.

## Add the video

Upload the video to your video host first and copy its link. Then:

1. Go to **Protected Content** and click **New Content**, or click **Edit** on an existing content. Fill in **Title**.
2. On the **Content Settings** tab, set **Content Type** to **Video**.
3. Choose a **Video Type** and paste the link:

   | Video Type | Paste | Example |
   |---|---|---|
   | **YouTube** | **YouTube URL**: a watch, youtu.be, live or shorts link | `https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...` |
   | **Vimeo** | **Vimeo URL** | `https://vimeo.com/123456789` |
   | **Facebook** | **Facebook Video URL** | `https://www.facebook.com/username/videos/123456789` |
   | **Embed Code** | The iframe or script code from any video host | `<iframe src="...">` |
   | **YouTube (Stream Player)** | **YouTube URL**, played in BCL's own stream player | For live events: see [Sell a pay-per-view live stream](/ppv-live-stream/) |

   *(Screenshot: Content Type set to Video, with the Video Type and YouTube URL fields highlighted)*

   For **Embed Code**, paste the code into the **Embed Code** box that appears.

   *(Screenshot: The Embed Code box shown when Video Type is Embed Code)*

4. Set the access rules under **Access Control**. See [Control who can open your content](/protected-content-access-control/).
5. Click **Create Protected Content**, or **Save Changes** on an existing content.

Every protected video also has an **Ad/Break Video** box. Leave its **Video Type** empty for recorded classes. It is for switching to a second video during a live stream: see [Control a live stream](/ppv-live-control/).

*(Screenshot: The Ad/Break Video box with its Video Type field)*

## Check what buyers see

Click **Preview** at the top of the content's edit page.

*(Screenshot: The Edit Protected Content page with the Preview button highlighted)*

The preview shows the title, your description and the video. Browser protections are off in the preview so you can inspect the page; click **Preview with protections** to see it exactly as buyers do.

*(Screenshot: The preview of a protected video with the Preview Mode notice and the Preview with protections link highlighted)*

## How the video is protected

On a protected video page, BCL:

- Asks for a one-time code the first time a buyer opens their link on a browser.
- Blocks right-click, double-click selection, copy, cut, dragging and shortcuts such as save, view source, print and developer tools.
- Limits how many devices can watch at the same time, if you set **Maximum Devices**.
- Shows a notice asking buyers not to share, record or distribute the video.

The video link never appears on the receipt or in emails, only the buyer's own access link.

## Tips

Two things make video delivery smoother:

- **Upload to YouTube as Unlisted.** Private YouTube videos will not play on the page, and public ones can be found without paying.
- **One content per course is easier to manage.** If you have many lessons, put them in a YouTube playlist or a Vimeo showcase and use its embed code, rather than a separate content for each lesson.

## Common issues

### Should my YouTube video be public, unlisted or private?

Use Unlisted. A private YouTube video does not play inside BCL, and a public one can be found on YouTube by anyone. Unlisted videos only play for people who have the link, and in BCL only buyers see the page.

### Can buyers download or screen-record the video?

BCL blocks right-click, copying, dragging and common save and developer shortcuts on the video page, and every buyer needs a one-time code. No website can fully stop screen recording, so the page also asks buyers not to record or share it.

### My video is on Google Drive. Can I use it?

Use Embed Code and paste the embed code your video host gives you. For the smoothest playback, host the video on YouTube (unlisted) or Vimeo.