YouTube Integration Usage Guide

Overview

This guide explains how to use the YouTube integration elements created for Minimal 3DP.

Files Created

1. /content/_templates/youtube-description.txt - Template for YouTube video descriptions
2. /layouts/partials/youtube-subscribe-cta.html - Full CTA box for blog posts
3. /layouts/partials/watch-on-youtube.html - Compact badge for tutorials

1. YouTube Video Description Template

Location: /content/_templates/youtube-description.txt

Usage:

1. Copy the template content
2. Replace [page-url] with the actual blog post URL
3. Add your timestamps
4. Add product affiliate links if applicable
5. Paste into YouTube video description

Example:

🎯 Learn how to calibrate pressure advance in Klipper for perfect prints

📖 FULL WRITTEN GUIDE: https://minimal3dp.com/klipper-calibration/pressure-advance/

Get step-by-step instructions, additional tips, and downloadable resources on the website.

[... rest of template ...]

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

0:00 - Introduction
1:30 - Finding your printer's settings
3:45 - Running the test
6:20 - Analyzing results
8:15 - Final calibration

2. YouTube Subscribe CTA (Full Box)

Location: /layouts/partials/youtube-subscribe-cta.html

When to Use:

• At the end of blog posts
• After tutorials
• In “About” pages
• Anywhere you want maximum visibility

Usage in Markdown:

{{ partial "youtube-subscribe-cta.html" . }}

What it looks like:

• Red gradient background box
• YouTube icon
• “Watch on YouTube” heading
• Subscriber count (from hugo.toml)
• Large “Subscribe Now” button
• GA4 tracking included

Requirements:

• youtube_channel_id must be set in hugo.toml
• Optional: youtube_subscribers for display

3. Watch on YouTube Badge (Compact)

Location: /layouts/partials/watch-on-youtube.html

When to Use:

• At the top of tutorials
• Quick links to video versions
• Compact alternative to full CTA

Usage in Markdown:

{{ partial "watch-on-youtube.html" (dict "videoId" "VIDEO_ID" "title" "Watch Tutorial") }}

Parameters:

• videoId (required): The YouTube video ID (e.g., “DJZnYB0IVCY”)
• title (optional): Custom link text (default: “Watch on YouTube”)

Example:

{{ partial "watch-on-youtube.html" (dict "videoId" "DJZnYB0IVCY" "title" "Watch Full Tutorial") }}

What it looks like:

• Compact red badge
• YouTube icon
• Video title as link
• GA4 tracking included

4. YouTube Embed Shortcode (Already Created)

Location: /layouts/shortcodes/youtube-embed.html

Usage in Markdown:

  
    ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube
  

What it includes:

• Responsive 16:9 iframe
• YouTube nocookie domain (privacy-friendly)
• Automatic subscribe button below video
• GA4 tracking

Example:

      
      

        
      
    





  
    ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube
  

Recommended Content Structure

For Tutorial Posts (with video):

---
title: "Tutorial: Klipper Pressure Advance Calibration"
---

<!-- Top of post: Link to full video -->
{{ partial "watch-on-youtube.html" (dict "videoId" "ABC123" "title" "Watch Full Tutorial") }}

## Introduction
[Your tutorial content...]

## Step 1: Setup
[Content...]

<!-- Mid-post: Embed the actual video -->










  
    ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube
  






## Step 2: Running the Test
[Content...]

## Conclusion
[Content...]

<!-- End of post: Subscribe CTA -->
{{ partial "youtube-subscribe-cta.html" . }}

For Blog Posts (without video):

---
title: "The Ultimate 3D Printing Filament Guide (2025)"
---

## Introduction
[Your content...]

## Main Content
[Content...]

## Conclusion
[Content...]

<!-- End of post: Encourage YouTube subscription -->
{{ partial "youtube-subscribe-cta.html" . }}

GA4 Event Tracking

All YouTube integration elements include automatic GA4 tracking:

Events Tracked:

1. youtube_subscribe_click

   • Category: YouTube
   • Label: Source (e.g., “blog-cta”, “embed”)
   • Value: 1

2. youtube_video_click

   • Category: YouTube
   • Label: Video title
   • video_id: YouTube video ID
   • Value: 1

View in GA4:

• Go to Reports → Engagement → Events
• Look for youtube_subscribe_click and youtube_video_click

Homepage Integration

The homepage (content/_index.md) already includes:

• YouTube subscribe button in the hero section
• YouTube channel link in the features section
• Popular videos section

No additional changes needed for homepage.

Best Practices

1. Always Link to Written Content

• Every YouTube video should have a corresponding blog post
• Include the blog post URL in video description
• This drives traffic back to your site

2. Use CTAs Strategically

• Top of tutorial: Use compact badge (watch-on-youtube.html)
• Middle of post: Embed full video (youtube-embed shortcode)
• End of post: Use full CTA box (youtube-subscribe-cta.html)

3. Update Video Descriptions

• Use the template for consistency
• Always include:
  • Link to written guide
  • Link to tools
  • Timestamps
  • Hashtags

4. Track Performance

• Monitor GA4 events weekly
• Check which CTAs drive most subscriptions
• Adjust placement based on data

Quick Reference

Testing

After implementing, test:

1. ✅ Build site: hugo --gc --minify
2. ✅ Check GA4 events fire (use browser console)
3. ✅ Test subscribe buttons redirect correctly
4. ✅ Verify video embeds load on mobile
5. ✅ Check hover effects on CTA buttons

Future Enhancements

Potential additions:

• YouTube playlist embed shortcode
• Latest videos widget for sidebar
• Video gallery page
• Automated video thumbnail generation
• Shorts integration

Last Updated: November 13, 2025
Maintained by: Minimal 3DP