Spotlighting participants' videos

The spotlight video feature allows the host or co-host to place up to 9 participants as the primary active speakers for all participants, and participants will see these speakers in the primary speaker view. The rest of the participants will remain visible to other participants at the top of the meeting window. This feature is often used to spotlight a keynote speaker. Spotlighting can also be done during screen sharing.  

This article covers spotlighting videos on the Zoom Workplace desktop and 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.

Requirements for spotlighting participants' videos during a Zoom meeting or webinar

In a meeting

In a webinar

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

Table of Contents

How to spotlight participants

Windows | macOS | Linux

Start a spotlight

  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.

Cancel a spotlight

If only one participant is spotlighted, in the top-left corner of their video, click Remove spotlight.

If multiple participants are spotlighted and you want to remove them all, do the following:

  1. In the top-right corner of the meeting window, click View .
  2. Click Remove all spotlights.
    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 Zoom desktop app.
  2. Click your profile picture, then click Settings.
  3. Click the Meetings & webinars tab.
  4. Under My video, enable the Show me as an active speaker when I talk toggle.
Android | iOS

Start a spotlight

  1. Start a meeting or webinar as the host, or join and be assigned co-host or host privileges.
  2. In the meeting controls toolbar, tap More , then tap Participants .
  3. Tap the name of the participant you want to spotlight.
    Additional options for that participant are displayed.
  4. Tap Spotlight for everyone.
  5. (Optional) To spotlight additional participants (up to 9 total), tap the name of the participant you want to spotlight, then tap Add spotlight. Repeat as needed for each participant you want to spotlight.

Cancel a spotlight

  1. In the meeting controls toolbar, tap More , then tap Participants .
  2. Tap the participant's name.
  3. Tap Remove spotlight.
  4. (Optional) Repeat these steps to remove the spotlight for each additional participant as needed.