Public Notion pages with multiple embed blocks can load slowly, causing visitors to wait several seconds before seeing content. Each embed block loads an external resource such as a video, map, or document, and Notion renders them sequentially by default. This article explains how to reduce load times by using lazy loading, choosing lightweight embed sources, and restructuring your page layout for faster rendering.
Key Takeaways: Optimizing Embed Performance on Public Notion Pages
- Toggle block type to “Open in page”: Converts large embeds to a clickable link, preventing automatic loading of heavy content.
- Use lightweight embed sources: Replace full web pages with static images or text links to reduce the number of HTTP requests per embed.
- Limit embeds per page to 5 or fewer: Reduces render queue length and improves initial page load speed for visitors.
Why Embed Blocks Slow Down Public Notion Pages
Every embed block in Notion creates an iframe that loads content from an external domain. When a public page contains more than three or four embeds, the browser must fetch each resource separately. Notion does not load all embeds simultaneously; it processes them in order, so a slow third-party server can delay the entire page. Additionally, embeds from services like YouTube, Google Maps, or Figma often include their own JavaScript and CSS files, adding extra weight to the page load. The result is a poor user experience, especially on mobile devices or slower internet connections.
Steps to Optimize Embed Block Performance
- Replace heavy embeds with toggle blocks
Highlight the embed block, then click the six-dot handle on the left. Select “Turn into” and choose “Toggle.” This converts the embed into a collapsible section that loads only when the visitor clicks the toggle. Use this for videos, large spreadsheets, or interactive maps that are not essential for the initial view. - Use static images instead of live embeds
Take a screenshot of the content you wanted to embed. Upload the image directly to Notion as a file or image block. Add a hyperlink below the image pointing to the original source. Images load faster than iframes and do not block other page elements from rendering. - Limit the number of embeds per page
Keep embed blocks to a maximum of five on any public page. If you need more external content, split it across multiple subpages. Use Notion’s “Linked database” feature to create a table of contents that links to separate pages, each containing one or two embeds. - Choose lightweight embed services
When embedding from a platform that offers multiple formats, pick the smallest option. For example, use YouTube’s privacy-enhanced embed URL (youtube-nocookie.com) instead of the standard URL. For Google Maps, use the static map image URL instead of the interactive embed. These alternatives reduce the number of scripts loaded. - Place embeds below the fold
Structure your page so that the first screen of content contains only text and images. Move all embed blocks to the lower half of the page. Visitors see the main content immediately while embeds load in the background as they scroll down. - Use Notion’s “Open in page” option for large embeds
Click the embed block, then select the gear icon in the top-right corner of the block. In the block menu, toggle “Open in page” to on. This changes the embed to a clickable link that opens the content in a new browser tab. The public page does not load the iframe at all, which drastically reduces load time. - Remove unused or duplicate embeds
Review your public page for embed blocks that are no longer relevant. Duplicate embeds of the same URL are common when copying and pasting sections. Delete any extra copies. Each duplicate embed makes an identical HTTP request, wasting bandwidth and slowing the page.
If Notion Embeds Still Cause Slow Loading
Embed shows a loading spinner indefinitely
This usually happens when the embed source has a strict content security policy that blocks Notion’s iframe. Replace the embed with a direct link or a static image. For example, if a Google Drive document does not load, download the file as a PDF and upload it to Notion as a file block.
Page times out when opening on mobile
Mobile browsers have less memory and slower processors. Reduce the number of embeds to two or fewer. Enable “Open in page” for all remaining embeds so they become links instead of iframes. Test the page using Chrome’s mobile emulation tool before publishing.
Embed content does not update after source changes
Notion caches embed content for a period. If you update the source file, the embed may still show the old version. Delete the embed block and re-add it from the updated URL. This forces Notion to fetch the latest content.
Embed Types and Their Impact on Page Load Speed
| Embed Type | Typical Load Impact | Recommended Optimization |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube video | High — loads player scripts and video metadata | Use privacy-enhanced URL or turn into toggle |
| Google Maps interactive | High — loads map tiles and JavaScript API | Replace with static map image URL |
| Figma design file | Medium — loads embedded viewer | Use toggle block or “Open in page” |
| PDF document | Low — loads as a simple iframe | Keep as is, but limit to one per page |
| Twitter tweet | Medium — loads Twitter widgets.js | Replace with screenshot and link |
| CodePen snippet | Medium — loads CodePen embed script | Use toggle block or “Open in page” |
The table shows that video and interactive map embeds have the highest impact. PDFs and static images have the lowest. Prioritize replacing high-impact embeds first to achieve the greatest performance gain.
After applying these optimizations, your public Notion pages will load faster and provide a smoother experience for visitors. Start by converting the heaviest embeds to toggle blocks or links using the “Open in page” option. For a next step, review your page analytics to see which embeds visitors interact with most and keep only those. An advanced tip: use Notion’s database feature to create a library of embed URLs with performance notes, then reuse only the fastest sources across your workspace.