Source: https://mindstamp.com/help/personalization-variables-arent-replacing-in-my-video-why
Generated from the Help Center records: 2026-10-06

# Why aren’t my personalization variables being replaced?

Topic: [Interactions and logic](https://mindstamp.com/help/interactions) · Updated: 2026-09-25

## Short answer

Look at what the viewer sees. If the placeholder itself shows, such as {{first-name}}, the syntax is wrong. If the space is blank, the variable has no value at that moment. Always test in **Preview** or on the share link, because the editor does not set variables.

## Steps

1. Open **Preview** or the share link in a private window. The editor never fills in variables.
2. If you see the braces on screen, fix the placeholder: two braces on each side and only letters, numbers, and underscores in the name. Change {{first-name}} to {{first_name}}.
3. If you see a blank, check where the value comes from and that it is set before the interaction appears.
4. Test with a known value in the link, for example ?name=Test.
5. Check that each value in the link is URL-encoded. A + becomes a space, so write an email such as ana+demo@example.com as ana%2Bdemo%40example.com.
6. Check that your plan includes personalization variables (Core and higher).

## What does not cause the problem

- Capital letters: {{NAME}}, {{Name}}, and {{name}} are the same variable.
- Spaces inside the braces: {{ name }} works.
- The address bar: the player removes link parameters after it reads them.

## Empty values are ignored

A parameter with no value, such as ?name=, does not set the variable. An empty answer does not clear a value that was set earlier.

## Which value wins

When several sources set the same variable, the last one wins. When the video loads, a personalized link is read first, then the remembered viewer, then the link parameters. During playback, each answer, click, or navigation replaces the value again. Use one source for each variable when you can.

## Values from an embed

For an embedded video, the parameters must be on the iframe src, not on your page’s address. See [How do I pass URL parameters into an embedded video?](https://mindstamp.com/help/pass-url-parameters-into-an-embed).

## Give missing values a fallback

Links are forwarded and viewers skip optional fields. Write copy that still reads well without the value, or show it only when the variable **Exists**.

## Go further

- [Variables tutorial](https://mindstamp.com/tutorials/variables)

## Related answers

- [How do I personalize a video with variables?](https://mindstamp.com/help/how-do-i-use-personalization-and-dynamic-variables-on-mindstamp)
- [How do I personalize video text with viewer information?](https://mindstamp.com/help/how-to-add-text-based-personalization-to-your-videos-using-viewer-info-capture-in-settings)
- [How do I pass URL parameters from my page into an embedded video?](https://mindstamp.com/help/pass-url-parameters-into-an-embed)
- [How do I personalize video links from my CRM or website?](https://mindstamp.com/help/personalize-video-links-from-crm)

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