Categories
DEEP DIVE ARTICLE TIPS & TRICKS YOUTUBE YOUTUBE TUTORIALS

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them]

What are YouTube Cards?

YouTube cards – info cards and end screens – are interactive links you can use to promote other videos, playlists, channels, and external sites while your video is playing. It’s a method of keeping a viewer hooked on your content, or if you want, directing them to someone else’s.

It’s like having your own digital traffic cop to direct people where you would like them to go once they have finished watching one of your videos. Because, if you’re holding someone’s attention, isn’t it best to direct them to more of your content when your video ends?

There are four types of cards you can use in your videos.

  • Video
  • Playlist
  • Channel
  • Link

At one time you had the option of running a poll from a card too, but this type of card is no longer available.

The cards don’t automatically show when you add them to a video. The viewer instead has to click a small grey info bar which appears in the top right-hand corner.  You can set when they appear in your YouTube Studio.  Here is how the info-bar looks.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them]

When a viewer clicks on the info-bar, the card displays, the viewer can then click on the card to follow the link.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 1

Cards display in both desktop and mobile versions of YouTube and replace the older annotation system, which only displayed on the YouTube desktop site.

The four types of cards all have a similar appearance, so let’s take a look at each type and how you might use them.

The Four Types of Cards and How You Can Use Them.

You can place cards up to five times per video and can add them in at any point you like. Card placement, though, should be done strategically.

Card placement must always be done with a purpose in mind.  Think about how the YouTube algorithm operates. YouTube’s main aim is to keep its users watching content and viewing more advertisements – it’s how they make money.

YouTube attempts to keep viewers tuned-in by suggesting high-quality videos for them to watch next. Have you ever found yourself thinking, ‘I’ll should be doing something else, I just watch one more video’?  That’s YouTube’s ranking algorithm in action.

YouTube has perfected guessing what content will keep its audience engaged, and is an expert at recommending good videos.  Now, YouTube can’t watch all of the videos uploaded on the site to see which are good – there are far too many of them.

YouTube has to work out video quality automatically. One of the main factors YouTube uses to decide video quality is watch time. Watch time is calculated as the average time viewers spend watching a video.

Video Watch time is Important.

YouTube knows that most videos aren’t watched all the way through, but reasons that the longer viewers keep watching, the better the video must be. To succeed on YouTube, you need to keep your audience tuned into your videos for as long as possible.

So, if you were to add cards linking away from your video at the start, then you are potentially harming your video’s chance of getting an excellent watch time average.  As a result, your video may be suggested less frequently by YouTube for others to watch.

Aim to add cards into your video later on, preferably in the second half of your video.

Mention the YouTube Cards in Your Video.

A second factor is that card links are not very noticeable, so for maximum effectiveness you should mention them in your video. This requires planning and scripting in advance, so approach card placement with a well thought out strategy.

Let’s take a look at how you might use each card type in your videos.

YouTube Video Card Example.

This card links to a video and displays a thumbnail. As you can see in the example below, I have added the text ‘Video Card’.  The customisable text helps you to sell the link a bit more, and I’ll cover how to do this later on in this article.

The video card is commonly used to link to other content you have made.  It might be a video which covers a subject in more detail that you are only mentioning briefly, or it could be the next video in a series you are making.

Alternatively, you can also link to another video on YouTube – it doesn’t have to be your content.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 2

YouTube Playlist Card Example.

Similar to the video card but this time a collection of videos. Again, it can be any playlist and not necessarily one you have created.

So if you want to link out to your favourite music or draw attention to your own curated collection of content, the playlist card is the one you should choose.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 4

YouTube Channel Card Example.

Sometimes it’s useful to direct a viewer to your channel page.  They can access all of your content quickly, or you may be trying to grow your community tab.

An easy way to link to your channel is occasionally useful.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 3

YouTube Link Card Example.

While the cards discussed so far are open to anyone with a YouTube account, the link card is only available to those who are part of the YouTube Partner Program. The link card permits users to link away from the YouTube site, which being outside of YouTube’s control, is only offered to established channels.   It helps YouTube to cut down on link-spam.

The link card is ideal for those that have a website as a central part of their business and want to attract traffic using YouTube.  With the link card, it’s easy to raise awareness and pre-sell your service in a video, then direct viewers over to your website to buy.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 5

How To Add Cards to YouTube Videos.

You add cards to your video via YouTube Studio.  Go to the main window, and from the menu on the left select ‘Videos’.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 7

Then from the list of your videos, select the one you want to add cards to and click the edit icon.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 6

In the video details screen towards the bottom of the page on the right, select the cards option.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 8

This will open the window with which you assign cards to a video.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 9

If I wanted to add a playlist to this video, the first step is to select the playlist option.  In the next window, you can either choose a playlist you have created or search for any other playlist.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 10

In this example, I’ll use one of my playlists.  Simply click on the thumbnail, which returns you to the previous window to add further details.

You can set the time for the card to appear using either the timestamp or by moving the blue slider at the foot of the screen.

You can also add a Custom Message and some Teaser Text.  The teaser text is the wording which displays in the info-bar in the corner of your video.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 11

The custom message displays in the card that is shown when a viewer clicks the info-bar.  Hit the save button when you are happy with the wording and timing.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 12

To add further cards to your video (up to five maximum), open up the card’s window again and select the blue plus symbol to add another.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 13

Simply rinse-and-repeat until you have added the cards you want.

Displaying Cards on the End Screen of YouTube Videos.

If you have ever wondered how Youtubers add thumbnails to their other content at the end of a video, this section covers how to do that.  Known as an End Screen, it enables you to show links to other content and also lets you display a clickable subscribe button.

The End Screen differs from the standard cards in that you can only display them during the last 20 seconds of your video. To set your end cards, navigate to your video details page and select the ‘End screen’ menu option on the right-hand side of the screen.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 14

The End Screens window gives some measure of customisation, but YouTube has some basic requirements. You must have at least one video or playlist card in your end screen, and the maximum number of elements you can display is four.

You can control the layout in the end screen editor, as long as the cards are arranged within the white shaded box overlaying your video.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 15

The end screen also gives you an additional card to choose from – the subscribe card. In the picture below, you can see an end card displaying two video cards plus the subscribe card.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 16

The end screen editor also allows you to choose the timings for your end screen elements.

You can display all elements for the full 20 seconds or only the final five seconds if you prefer.  You also don’t have to show all of the cards at the same time.  Once your elements are selected, you can choose appearance times by sliding the element display bar, as shown below.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 17

End screens are a powerful tool. They give you a virtual billboard to try and keep viewers watching your content before YouTube suggests to them someone else’s content, giving you the chance to deliver a call to action during a video.

Your best chance of retaining viewer attention will come when you combine a pre-scripted suggestion with an end card.   Tell a viewer which video you think they should watch next then flash up an end card linking directly to the video.

Tips for Placing Cards.

As mentioned earlier, cards should be used with a purpose in mind rather than randomly scattered throughout your content.

Verbal cues are the obvious way to draw attention to your cards, and pre-scripting these should increase in the number of times they are clicked.

Use your Analytics.

Another strategic use of cards involves using the analytics of your existing content.  View the audience retention graph for one of your videos and look for the moment you are losing the most people, as they click away to find another video.

If the average viewer navigates away at this point, flashing a card on the video just before this point can help you direct some of those leaving to alternative content of yours.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 18

Choose Custom Text Wisely.

Don’t be boring when you write the teaser text; you need to use words that give viewers an incentive to click the info bar. Use wording that communicates a benefit, something of value.

Look at the two examples below, which one would you click?

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 19

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 20

Similarly, use the custom message to reassure the viewer that the content you are promoting is relevant to them too. In the example below, the term ‘related video’ should impress in the viewer’s mind that the video will be beneficial to them.

YouTube Cards [What They Are and How To Use Them] 21

Conclusion

With the number of content creators on YouTube growing every day, you need to use all the tools at your disposal to retain the viewers watching your content. Interactive cards are an excellent way to build traffic funnels and direct viewers where you want them to go.

You are not restricted to promoting only your content either.  You can use cards and end screens to direct viewers to friends channels, or even some of the big Youtubers if you like.  As long as the content is on YouTube, you can steer them there.

Make the best use of end screens too; never let your video end without suggesting more of your content to watch.

Once you are a member of the Partner Program, you also get the ability to link to content outside of YouTube.

This can be powerful for those whose primary business is off YouTube, and you can use YouTube as part of your sales funnel to help grow your business.

Affiliate marketing is a powerful tool that makes me a large income online and it can for you too. Need help understanding affiliate marketing then check out my affiliate marketing for beginners deep dive blog.

Categories
TIPS & TRICKS VIDEO YOUTUBE

How To Add Info Cards On YouTube

How To Add Info Cards On YouTube // How To Add Mobile Info Cards to Videos on YouTube Explained. Info Cards and End Screens are powerful tools that can help grow your YouTube channel, boost video watch time, increase audience retention and session watch time and help you rank better in YouTube search algorithms.

How To Add Cards To YouTube Videos — You can use cards to add interactivity to your videos. Cards can point viewers to a specific URL (from a list of eligible sites) and show customized images, titles, and calls to action, depending on the card type. All about cards on YouTube.

#YouTubeTips #YouTubeTutorials #Tutorials #YouTube #FAQs #YouTuberProblems #StartCreating #HowTo #VEDA #SSSVEDA

YOUTUBE TIPS — FACEBOOK SUPPORT COMMUNITY GROUP — https://www.facebook.com/groups/1887378077953745/

► SUBSCRIBE FOR REGULAR YOUTUBE TIPS & TRICKS — https://goo.gl/oeZvZr ◄

▶️ YouTube Tips 2018 Playlist — Kickstart your YouTube Channel in 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbBZyPIsG-k&list=PL09mwoOn57VRPECEJr_77vWzbTyzps58p

▶️ 10 MUST SEE Tutorials for New YouTubers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NETFLYKZ7Eg&list=PL09mwoOn57VRenAaRqFwtWZJKbEYNcVhZ

▶️ How To Get More Subscribers in 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZn7BMXfN3Y&list=PL09mwoOn57VR68oJH8vVKK38t-ymTIVoc

✅ FREE YOUTUBE TIPS eBOOK/PDF — https://goo.gl/E1LC43
▶️ Suggested YouTube Equipment — http://amzn.to/2sBAs2Q
▶️ Rank Better & More Views with TubeBuddy — www.alanspicer.com/tubebuddy
🔴 Want to go Pro? Need my help? Try YouTube Coaching! — https://goo.gl/ibQuk9

Alan Spicer YouTube Tips Channel — YouTube Tricks, YouTube Tips & YouTube Hacks to Help Grow Your YouTube Channel. I make YouTube Training Tutorials based on my personal experience on How To Increase YouTube Views, How To Gain YouTube Subscribers and How To Grow A YouTube Brand Online.

I have been on YouTube since 2013 growing an Entertainment and News Channel, MrHairyBrit. Within that time I have made many mistakes but have also learnt many YouTube Hacks that I want to share with you to help you Rank Your YouTube Videos On YouTube, Grow Your YouTube Channel and Get Your Brand Noticed On YouTube.

I also have a background in Social Media Marketing, Search Engine Optimisation, and Web Design & Development.

We can grow together, We can learn together… Start Creating!

NEED HELP GET IN TOUCH — Alan@HD1WebDesign.com

► THANKS FOR WATCHING PLEASE REMEMBER TO LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE — https://goo.gl/oeZvZr ◄

Note — Some of my links will be affiliate marketing links. These links do not affect the price of the products or services referred to but may offer commissions that are used to help me to fund the free YouTube video tutorials on this channel — thank you for your support.

Categories
SEO SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS & TRICKS VIDEO WEB DESIGN YOUTUBE

How To Add YouTube End Screens and Mobile Cards

Increase Video Engagement with YouTube End Screens and Cards

Over the last 10 years mobile browsing has seen a huge shift towards mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. New websites are now built with Responsive Website Design in mind to maximise the traffic engagement you can get from mobile smart device users. YouTube has also seen a massive boost in smartphone and tablet views and now you can add YouTube End Screens and YouTube Mobile Cards (YouTube Cards) to grab mobile viewers and get them to interact. This blog is here to help you get the most out of YouTube End Screens and Cards!

Need some help with your YouTube Channel? Talk to us about YouTube Coaching! >>

How to Add YouTube End Screens

Do your favorite YouTube creators have a fancy closing screen that encourages you to keep watching their videos? For example, here’s one from Saturday Night Live:

youtube, youtube card, youtube cards, youtube coach, youtube coaching, youtube consultancy, youtube consultant, youtube end card, youtube end screen, youtube end screens, youtube hacks, youtube mobile cards, youtube mobile end screen, youtube seo, youtube tips, youtube training, youtube tricks, youtube views

You can create a customized end screen, too. They help keep viewers on your channel by suggesting other videos and sites they can check out. Here’s how to do it:

Navigate to your Video Manager, tap “Edit,” and select “End screen & Annotations” from the drop-down menu:

youtube, youtube card, youtube cards, youtube coach, youtube coaching, youtube consultancy, youtube consultant, youtube end card, youtube end screen, youtube end screens, youtube hacks, youtube mobile cards, youtube mobile end screen, youtube seo, youtube tips, youtube training, youtube tricks, youtube views

From there, you’re taken to the End screen creator studio, where you can play around with different templates and background to determine how you want your end screen to appear. Then, click the “Add element” menu to decide where you want to send viewers from your end screen.

youtube, youtube card, youtube cards, youtube coach, youtube coaching, youtube consultancy, youtube consultant, youtube end card, youtube end screen, youtube end screens, youtube hacks, youtube mobile cards, youtube mobile end screen, youtube seo, youtube tips, youtube training, youtube tricks, youtube views

Any YouTube creators can add an end screen to customize their channels. Here’s an explainer article with more details and inspiration ideas.

How to Add a YouTube Mobile Card (YouTube Cards)

You can use cards to advertise products used in your videos or links on your website you want to market on YouTube. If viewers tap the “i” in the upper-right hand corner of a video, the cards expand, as in the example below:

 

To add a card to a YouTube video, head to your Video Manager, tap “Edit,” and select “Cards” from the drop-down menu.

Then, choose where in the video you want cards to appear, and tap the “Add card” drop-down menu to choose what you want the card to promote. From there, customize the content that will appear to viewers when they tap the “i” while viewing your video:

youtube, youtube card, youtube cards, youtube coach, youtube coaching, youtube consultancy, youtube consultant, youtube end card, youtube end screen, youtube end screens, youtube hacks, youtube mobile cards, youtube mobile end screen, youtube seo, youtube tips, youtube training, youtube tricks, youtube views

Want more help? Need more hands on assistance? Get in touch we do YouTube Coaching >>

Other Useful YouTube Blog Posts