top of page

End Screens

What Is a YouTube End Screen?

A YouTube End Screen is a feature that overlays the last 5 to 20 seconds of a video.

 

It can contain various elements such as links to other videos or playlists, a 'Subscribe' button, promotions for merchandise, and external website links. The end screen's purpose is to direct viewers to take specific actions after watching a video.

Are YouTube End Screens Important?

Absolutely. While they are only one of many factors that contribute to the overall health of a channel, YouTube End Screens are important for several reasons.

​

  1. User Retention: They help retain viewers by guiding them to more of your content, preventing them from drifting to other videos or channels.

  2. Enhanced Engagement: By presenting options directly related to the content they've just viewed, it enhances user engagement and can lead to increased watch time.

  3. Mobile-Friendly: Unlike the older 'annotations' feature, end screens are mobile-friendly, catering to a significant portion of the YouTube audience.

  4. Strategic Marketing: They act as an effective marketing tool by directing viewers to take specific actions, be it subscribing, visiting an external site, or purchasing merchandise.

How to Make a YouTube End Screen

Adding End Screens to your video is a fairly straightforward process.

​

  1. Sign into your YouTube account.

  2. Click on your account icon in the top right corner.

  3. Select 'Creator Studio'.

  4. From the left menu, select 'Video manager' then 'Videos'.

  5. Choose the video you wish to add an end screen to and click 'Edit'.

  6. Select the 'End screen & Annotations' tab.

  7. Unpublish any annotations (if they exist) on the selected video.

  8. Click on 'Add Element' on the right-hand side.

  9. Choose from the elements: Video/Playlist, Subscribe, Channel, and Link.

  10. After selecting each element, fill in the required information, and click 'Create Element'.

  11. Adjust the display time of each element using the timeline below.

  12. Save changes and optionally preview the video to check the end screen.

Benefits of YouTube End Screens

There are several key advantages to adding end screens to each of your videos:

​

  1. Increased Traffic and Views: End screens can direct viewers to other content on your channel, thus increasing overall views.

  2. Audience Retention: By suggesting more of your content, viewers are likely to stay on your channel longer.

  3. Enhanced Subscriber Growth: By providing a clear 'Subscribe' option, end screens can help increase your subscriber count.

  4. Promotions and Sales: For those selling merchandise or services, end screens can direct viewers to purchase or learn more.

  5. Holistic Content Approach: End screens can be used to interlink videos, creating a comprehensive viewing experience for the audience.

Tips For End Screens

Here are helpful tips for making the most out of your End Screens on YouTube:

​

  1. Clear Labels: Use terms like 'Watch Next' to guide viewers on what action to take.

  2. Add Audio: Reinforce your call-to-action with an audio message during the end screen.

  3. Simplicity is Key: An uncluttered end screen helps viewers focus on the most important elements.

  4. Promote Playlists: Consider featuring a playlist instead of a single video to ensure continuous viewing and more engagement.

​

Remember, the end goal of the end screen is to re-engage your audience, guiding them to take further action, whether that's watching more content, subscribing, or visiting an external link.

Back to Glossary

bottom of page