> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.segmnt.cloud/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Playback links

> Playback links are signed for one video and one domain. A link used on another website stops working. Here is what that check does and does not stop.

Every protected video plays with a signed link. The link names the video, the
time it expires and your verified domain. We check it on every request.

## What we decided

* Every protected video needs a link signed for that video.
* A link works until it expires. The default life is **4 hours**. You can set
  it from 60 seconds to 24 hours when you create the link.
* A link works only on a verified domain. A request from another website gets
  **403**.

## Why

* Someone who can play a video already has its link. The check protects the
  video from the common case: another website puts your video on its page.
* A short life would stop long videos in the middle. The life must be longer
  than the video.
* A link signed for one video cannot play a different video.

## What it does not stop

* A person who copies a link and sends their own request headers can still
  play the video until the link expires. The domain check is a browser rule.
  It is not a lock on the file.
* A viewer who can play the video can record it. See [No DRM](https://docs.segmnt.cloud/how-it-works/no-drm.md).
* Link sharing is a separate topic. See [How playback protection works](https://docs.segmnt.cloud/playback-protection.md).

## What it means for you

* Create the link on your server. Do not put your API key in a page. See
  [Playback tokens](https://docs.segmnt.cloud/playback-tokens.md).
* Verify your domain before you test. Without a verified domain, the video
  does not play.


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