Zoom’s Spotlight Feature: Shining a Light on Presenters

In the virtual meeting world, Zoom has become synonymous with connectivity and communication. Among its array of features, the spotlight function stands out as a powerful tool for hosts and co-hosts to manage the visual focus of a meeting. Whether it’s a large conference, a classroom setting, or a panel discussion, the spotlight feature ensures that all participants’ attention is directed to the designated speaker or speakers.

What is the Spotlight Feature?
The spotlight feature in Zoom allows the meeting host or co-host to highlight a specific participant’s video feed for all meeting participants to see. When a participant is spotlighted, their video stream becomes the primary focus and remains prominently displayed on everyone’s screens. This is particularly useful when you want to emphasize a keynote speaker, a performer, or a panelist during a presentation.

How to Use the Spotlight Feature
Using the spotlight feature is straightforward. As a host or co-host, you can spotlight a participant by clicking on the button in the top right of their video and selecting ‘Spotlight Video’. Alternatively, you can click the participants icon, click ‘More’ next to the participant’s name, and select ‘Spotlight Video’. If you need to spotlight quickly, perhaps during a performance or a sequence of speakers, you can use the ‘Replace Spotlight’ button found in the participant list to switch the spotlight to a new user.

Benefits of Spotlighting
Spotlighting can enhance the meeting experience in several ways:

• Focus: It directs the attention of all participants to the spotlighted individual, making it clear who is the main presenter or speaker at any given time.
• Control: It gives the host or co-host control over the meeting’s visual layout, ensuring that the spotlighted video feeds are what participants see, rather than the active speaker view which changes with audio cues.
• Professionalism: For events, webinars, or panel discussions, spotlighting can add a level of professionalism, akin to focusing a camera on a speaker in a live broadcast.

Spotlighting vs. Pinning
It’s important to note the difference between spotlighting and pinning. Pinning allows you to make a participant the primary speaker on your device only, without affecting what other participants see. In contrast, spotlighting changes the view for all participants, making it an essential feature for hosts who want to manage the meeting’s flow and focus.

Recording with Spotlight
When recording a Zoom meeting, the spotlight feature plays a crucial role. Cloud recordings will recognize and record up to 9 spotlighted participants in the Gallery View recording layout, ensuring that the focus remains on the selected individuals even in the recorded session.

Creative Uses of Spotlighting
Beyond the standard use in meetings and webinars, the spotlight feature can be creatively used in various scenarios:

• Educational Settings: Teachers can spotlight students during presentations or when they’re answering questions, making the virtual classroom experience more interactive.
• Musical Performances: During virtual concerts or recitals, spotlighting can shift focus between soloists and ensembles smoothly.
• Fitness Classes: Instructors can spotlight themselves during demonstrations and then spotlight participants to correct form or encourage them.

In conclusion, Zoom’s spotlight feature is a versatile and invaluable tool that enhances the structure and professionalism of virtual meetings. By understanding and utilizing this feature, hosts can create a more engaging and focused online event experience for all participants.