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# How to Download Video from YouTube Directly in Descript
- URL: https://cotovan.com/post/how-to-download-video-from-youtube-directly-in-descript/
- Published: 2024-06-20T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-03T17:15:40.000Z
- Author: Cristi Cotovan
- Tags: Descript Articles

**Update: Descript has now disabled this feature due to various YouTube problems, unreliability of connection, etc. Not to mention, it's technically against YouTube's terms of use.**

[Descript](https://cotovan.com/descript) lets you import videos directly from YouTube without downloading them separately first. This is useful when you want to edit reaction videos, reference clips, or repurpose your own published content.

## How to Import a YouTube Video

1. Open your **Descript project** or create a new one
2. Click the **Import** button or use the **\+ Add media** option
3. Select **Import from URL**
4. Paste the **YouTube video link** into the URL field
5. Click **Add file** — Descript downloads and transcribes the video automatically

![The Import from URL dialog in Descript where you paste a YouTube or GIPHY link](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5b/aa/5baa4306-14e9-442c-8242-49463a36912f/content/images/2026/02/frame_020-5.jpg)

The Import from URL dialog in Descript where you paste a YouTube or GIPHY link

## What Happens After Import

- Descript **downloads the video** and adds it to your project files
- The video is **automatically transcribed** — you can edit it like a text document
- You can use the imported video in any composition alongside your own recordings
- This also works with **GIPHY links** for importing animated GIFs

## Tips

- Make sure you have the **rights to use** any YouTube video you import — respect copyright
- The video quality depends on what YouTube makes available
- This feature uses your **transcription minutes**, so keep that in mind if you're on a limited plan

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