Video Posts with Auto Thumbnail(Like in Facebook) in Tumblr.com

Question

I\'d like to find out how Tumblr retrieves video thumbnails.

Normal video posts (not using API) when viewed from the dashboard or /tagged/ filters,

Answer 1

You must use Fully SSL iframes and never display intrusive or invasive ads/popups in the video (safer to serve NO ADS/POPUPS, or you may be blocked from loading inline permanently).

You must be desktop and mobile compatible, and declare meta tags such as the thumbnail and the url to load the video using various methods (study the iframe content of those who already load inline, ex: og:video).

WHY: Since Tumblr uses SSL in the dashboard and on many blogs, all iframes or videos must be SSL too. If you load any non-ssl content (HTTP), on a page that is using SSL (HTTPS), the content will not load, and usually just appears blank, or incomplete. This is why tumblr links in a new window, when videos aren't being pull from a URL that provides full ssl video embeds.

Using a subdomain that forces ssl, and deals with content that isn't SSL (your own pop open window), will allow your site to load inline with the Tumblr Dashboard.

If you fail to be fully compliant and Tumblr will revoke any future inline videos from your URL. That's why it would be good to load videos from a subdomain that forces ssl only, and redirects non ssl to the ssl page.