Frequently asked questions
Provider access is included in Free. Pro adds workflow tools. AI provider usage is billed separately.
Answers about Product Videos for WooCommerce, free BYOK generation, providers, storage, pricing, and support.
General
What is VidFlow AI?
VidFlow AI helps you create videos from prompts or images and embed them in WordPress posts and pages. Pro adds AI-generated product videos for WooCommerce, plus Projects, Batch Runs, and Merged Videos. You use your own AI provider account.
What does BYOK mean?
BYOK means “bring your own key.” You connect your own Hailuo / MiniMax or Google account, and your WordPress site sends generation requests directly to that provider. Provider credits, billing, rate limits, and policies stay between you and the provider.
Do I pay VidFlow AI for video generations?
No. VidFlow AI does not sell or include provider generation credits. The bundled provider integrations are included in the free plugin, and you pay the AI provider directly through your own account.
What is included in the free plugin?
Free includes Hailuo / MiniMax and Google provider access, Create Video, Video Library, Gutenberg sidebar support, the embed block, shortcode embeds, background polling, settings and connection tests, completion audio, downloads, optional Media Library storage, protected local playback, signed embed refresh, YouTube publishing, and browser thumbnail fallbacks.
Does Pro add more AI providers?
No. Provider integrations are included in Free. Pro adds Product Videos for WooCommerce, Projects, Batch Runs, Merged Videos, and additional creation and library tools.
Providers
Which AI video providers are supported?
Free supports Hailuo AI / MiniMax and Google.
How do I connect a provider?
Open VidFlow AI -> Settings -> Connections, enter and save your provider credentials. Hailuo / MiniMax offers a connection test. Hailuo / MiniMax uses an API Key. Google uses your Google API key. Saving that key does not verify Google access; check billing, model access and quota in your Google account.
Can I use multiple providers at once?
Yes. You can save credentials for Hailuo / MiniMax and Google at the same time, then choose the provider for each generation from the Create Video workflow.
What provider settings can I choose?
Hailuo / MiniMax supports model, resolution, duration, Prompt Optimizer, and supported start/end frame rules. Google supports model, aspect ratio, resolution, duration and an optional Start Frame; An optional End Frame requires a Start Frame in Single or ordinary Batch; Product-bound drafts do not offer End Frame. Google generates native audio and requires protected local storage. Some settings depend on the selected model.
Is YouTube an AI video provider?
No. YouTube is a publishing destination, not a generation provider. VidFlow AI can connect a YouTube channel with Google OAuth and publish completed videos when you enable it.
Storage/Embeds
Where are my videos stored?
Free stores Hailuo job records in WordPress; completed clips stay provider-hosted by default. Optional Media Library storage creates protected local copies with signed playback. Google requires a protected local copy before a job can complete, so it uses server disk space.
Do generated videos use my server disk space?
Hailuo clips are provider-hosted by default. The default per-video WordPress download cap is 128 MB when no valid limit was saved; saved positive limits remain. Browser uploads and host limits are separate. Local imports and thumbnails use disk space. Google always needs protected local video storage; Pro opening images and merged outputs also use local storage.
Can I free storage after publishing a merged video?
For a completed Pro merged video, open its gear menu and choose Delete website copy when offered after a successful YouTube publication. Save a backup and check the published video first. VidFlow keeps the merged record, source clips, poster and embeds using YouTube, and blocks cleanup while a managed workflow or saved sequence needs the file. Local downloads and direct WordPress file links stop working. Read the storage-saving steps.
Can I download videos without storing them in WordPress?
For Hailuo clips, download actions can use a valid provider-hosted URL without storing a WordPress copy. Google requires protected local import before completion, so its original download uses the local copy.
When are signed playback URLs used?
Signed VidFlow playback and download URLs are used for videos stored locally through Media Library storage. Provider-hosted videos use the media URL returned by the selected provider unless a published destination is selected for playback.
Do I need cache exclusions for embedded videos?
Only if you use locally stored Media Library videos with signed VidFlow playback and a cache, CDN, firewall cache, or JavaScript optimization plugin. Exclude /vidflow-video/*, /wp-json/vidflow/v1/public-video-url*, and ?rest_route=/vidflow/v1/public-video-url*, and do not delay assets/js/embed-refresh.js.
How are thumbnails created?
VidFlow AI can create browser thumbnails from same-origin start-frame images. If no usable start frame exists, it can use a local video or proxy the provider-hosted video through WordPress long enough for the browser to capture a frame. Thumbnail images are saved as small media attachments.
Does this work with Classic Editor?
Yes. Use the [vidflow id="123"] shortcode in Classic Editor or any shortcode-capable area. Block editor users can use the VidFlow embed block. We recommend publishing completed videos to YouTube before embedding and selecting its published player to reduce video bandwidth and playback load on your WordPress hosting.
Product Videos
Can VidFlow add videos to WooCommerce products?
Yes. VidFlow AI Pro can add and order up to 20 videos per product from completed VidFlow jobs, compatible Media Library videos, or a new Hailuo or Google generation.
How does Auto prepare scenes and opening images?
Auto Product Video planning prepares opening images before normal Single or Batch video review. Check native scene durations, approve the complete story and confirm the video cost separately. A failed local save or unknown paid outcome should be recovered before starting a new charged request.
Where do product videos appear?
Use the global default or choose First, Last, or Off for an individual product. VidFlow integrates with supported classic and block-based WooCommerce galleries.
Will Product Videos work with my WooCommerce theme?
Classic and block-based WooCommerce galleries are supported. Themes that keep WooCommerce’s normal product summary hook receive an inline fallback. A theme that removes that hook may need a small custom integration.
What product data is sent to an AI provider?
In the Pro, Auto planning sends the current product title, full/short descriptions and selected style guidance to the configured text provider, including unsaved editor text. Prices, categories, tags and images are not separate fields in that text request. Image preparation can send the selected reference and opening-image prompt; video submission sends the reviewed prompt, Start Frame and supported video settings. Each operation can incur a separate provider charge. Opening the editor or assigning an existing clip does not submit generation.
Pro
What does VidFlow AI Pro include?
Pro adds Product Videos for WooCommerce with Product Video styles, Auto scenes and Gemini opening images, Projects and reusable assets, Batch Runs, and Merged Videos. It also includes prompt templates, generation history, supported camera motion, favorites, and advanced library filters.
How does video merging work? Do I need FFmpeg?
Pro merges compatible clips in your browser using the Mediabunny JavaScript library. VidFlow’s merge workflow does not use FFmpeg, so there is no FFmpeg installation to manage on your server or computer. Keep the tab open until merging and uploading finish. The finished MP4 is saved to your WordPress site.
Can Pro embed merged videos?
Yes. Pro extends the VidFlow embed block with a merged-video source so completed merged videos from Projects can be selected and embedded. We recommend publishing completed videos to YouTube before embedding and selecting its published player to reduce video bandwidth and playback load on your WordPress hosting.
How does licensing work?
Pro costs $40/year for one site, $80/year for three sites, or $200/year for Agency (15 sites). All plans include the same tools. Freemius handles Pro checkout and licensing.
Monthly equivalents: 1 site $3.33 · 3 sites $6.67 · Agency (15 sites) $16.67
Billed annually
What’s your refund policy?
Your first purchase of VidFlow AI Pro includes a 14-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee. Email support@vidflow-ai.com within 14 days of that purchase to request a full refund of the VidFlow AI Pro purchase price, for any reason, even if you have downloaded or used the plugin. You do not need to report a defect or complete troubleshooting to qualify. This voluntary guarantee applies once per customer and does not cover renewals or subsequent purchases. AI provider credits and usage charges are paid to your provider separately and cannot be refunded by VidFlow AI. This policy does not limit any refund, withdrawal or other consumer right that applicable law makes mandatory. Read the refund and cancellation terms.
What happens when my license expires?
Cancel automatic renewal through your Freemius customer account to stop future renewal charges. Cancellation keeps your paid access active until the end of the current term and does not itself refund that term. After expiry, starting new Pro workflows, Pro updates and Pro support require renewal; Free remains available. Expiry does not by itself delete your saved records or media. Existing playback remains subject to the saved source, site settings and destination availability.
Technical
What WordPress and PHP versions are required?
VidFlow AI requires WordPress 7.0+ and a patched PHP branch: 8.2.35+, 8.3.36+, 8.4.27+ or 8.5.12+. Earlier patch levels are blocked at startup or activation. Check the WordPress.org listing for the current tested WordPress version. WordPress-managed AI connections can require newer WordPress/provider packages.
How does background polling work?
VidFlow AI polls in the admin UI while you are watching a job, and also schedules background polling after generation starts. Background polling uses Action Scheduler when available and uses WP-Cron, or a real server cron calling WordPress cron, as the scheduling trigger needed to keep those jobs moving.
Why is my video still processing?
The provider may still be generating, your site may be waiting for background polling, or Action Scheduler/background tasks may not be running reliably. Check provider credentials, provider credits/rate limits, selected model rules, WordPress background tasks, and the Video Library retry/error details.
What if generation fails?
Failed jobs retain their title, prompt and settings. Inspect the error and recover any saved provider result before retrying a known failure; another generation request may incur a new charge. Check credentials, credits, model settings and background tasks first. Read the generation troubleshooting guide.
Is my API key stored securely?
Provider credentials are stored on your WordPress site under administrator control. Secret fields are encrypted where the plugin’s crypto support is available and shown as masked placeholders in the UI. You should still limit admin access, secure backups, and follow normal WordPress security practices.
What data leaves my WordPress site?
When you generate, your site sends the prompt, selected provider settings, reference image data or URL when supplied, task IDs during polling, and your provider credentials to the selected provider. If you connect YouTube, your site sends OAuth and upload data to Google/YouTube. Provider-hosted media URLs may be fetched for preview, download, proxying, thumbnails, or optional Media Library import.
Still have questions?
Our support team is here to help. Check the documentation or reach out directly.