Spotlighting participants' videos

Spotlight video puts up to 9 participants as the primary active speakers for all participants, and participants will only see these speakers. Spotlighting can also be done during screen sharing. This feature is often used to spotlight a keynote speaker. 

This article covers spotlighting videos on the Zoom desktop client and Zoom mobile app, but you can also spotlight videos in Zoom Rooms. 

Alternatively, you can pin up to 9 participants' videos, which will make them the primary speaker on your device only. Other participants will still have Active Speaker. 

Note: Cloud recordings will recognize and record up to 9 spotlighted participants in the Gallery View recording layout.

Prerequisites for spotlighting

In a Meeting

In a Webinar

Note: Spotlighting is not available while in the webinar backstage area, if using Webinar Backstage.

How to spotlight participants

Windows | macOS
  1. Start a meeting or webinar as the host, or join and be assigned co-host.
  2. Hover over the video of the participant you want to spotlight and click the ellipsis icon .
    Additional options for that participant are displayed.
  3. Click Spotlight for Everyone.
  4. (Optional) To spotlight additional participants (up to 9 total), follow steps 2 and 3 again as needed, clicking on Add Spotlight instead.

To cancel a Spotlight

  1. Click Remove Spotlight in the upper-left corner of the video area.

    This will return the meeting to Speaker or Gallery view.

Spotlight when I speak

To ensure that you are automatically shown on on your own screen when you are in Speaker view and are talking, you will want to enable this automatic self-spotlight feature. This can be particularly useful if you are recording locally.

To enabled this setting:

  1. Sign in to the desktop client
  2. Click your profile picture then click Settings.
  3. Click the Video tab.
  4. Check See myself as the active speaker while speaking.
Linux
  1. Start a meeting or webinar as the host, or join and be assigned co-host.
  2. Right-click the participant you want to spotlight.
    Additional options for that participant are displayed.
  3. Click Spotlight for Everyone.

To cancel a Spotlight

  1. Click Cancel the Spotlight Video in the upper-left corner of the video area.

    This will return the meeting to Speaker view.
iOS
  1. Start a meeting or webinar as the host, or join and be assigned co-host.
  2. Tap Participants .
    This will be at the top of your screen on an iPad and the bottom of your screen on an iPhone.
  3. Tap the name of the participant you want to spotlight.
    Additional options for that participant are displayed.
  4. Tap Spotlight Video.

To cancel a Spotlight

  1. Tap Participants .
    This will be at the top of your screen on an iPad and the bottom of your screen on an iPhone.
  2. Tap the participants' name.
  3. Tap Cancel Spotlight Video.
Android
  1. Start a meeting or webinar as the host, or join and be assigned co-host. 
  2. Tap Participants .
  3. Tap the name of the participant you want to spotlight.
    Additional options for that participant are displayed. 
  4. Tap Spotlight Video.

To cancel a Spotlight

  1. Tap Participants.
  2. Tap the participants' name.
  3. Tap Cancel Spotlight Video.