After exhaustive research, I found a website that automatically generates an “optimized” YouTube embed code that replaces the IFRAME tagged code with a “DIV” tagged code.

https://techbrij.com/tools/youtube-video-embed-code-generator.php

Changing from IFRAME to DIV keeps all those heavy JavaScript files from being loaded onto the website. And, it replaces the actual video with a thumbnail image and a “round” PLAY button. None of the videos on the webpage will be rendered during page load. Only after a visitor chooses a video and clicks the PLAY button will the YouTube player render and load the video.

Want to see how it’s done? Then, check out the next page.