YouTube Cards

What are YouTube Cards?

YouTube Cards are interactive elements that can be added to your YouTube videos. They appear in the upper right corner of the video and serve as clickable call-to-action (CTA) prompts. When a viewer clicks on a card, it expands to show additional content like links, other videos, playlists, or even other YouTube channels.

Why are YouTube Cards Important?

YouTube Cards are important for several reasons:

• Audience Retention: They can guide viewers to other relevant videos, keeping them engaged on your channel.

• Drive Traffic: You can use cards to send viewers to external websites, encouraging conversions and lead generation.

• Enhanced CTA: Unlike static descriptions, cards are interactive and can capture viewer attention more effectively.

• Versatility: They can promote a wide variety of content, from videos and playlists to external links and other channels.

How Do You Use YouTube Cards?

To add YouTube cards to your video:

1. Find the Video: Log into your YouTube account and go to YouTube Studio. Locate the video to which you want to add a card.

2. Pick the Card: In the video details section, click on "Cards" to open the card editor. Pick the type of card you want to add by hitting the plus sign next to your choice.

3. Add Details: Attach the corresponding asset (like a video, playlist, or link) and fill in the card details like timing, teaser text, and custom message.

4. Save: Once everything looks good, hit the "Save" button. Your card is now live.

What Are the Benefits of YouTube Cards?

• Increased Engagement: Encourage viewers to interact more with your videos and channel.

• Better CTR: Interactive elements typically have better click-through rates than static links.

• Traffic Diversification: Direct traffic to different videos, playlists, external websites, or other channels.

• Marketing Utility: Can be used for various marketing objectives like lead generation, sales promotion, or brand building.

What Is the Difference Between YouTube Cards and End Screens?

When it comes to enhancing viewer engagement and channel performance, both YouTube Cards and end screens offer unique advantages, but they differ in several key areas.

First, the placement of these features varies considerably: Cards can appear at any time during the video, giving creators greater flexibility in timing their calls to action. In contrast, end screens are limited to the final 5-20 seconds, making them more suited for last-minute reminders or next-step directives. Cards also offer more versatility in the types of content they can promote, including links to external websites, playlists, other videos, and even different channels.

End screens, however, are primarily designed to promote videos and encourage viewers to subscribe. In terms of visibility, Cards are generally less intrusive, appearing as a small "i" icon in the corner of the video and only expanding when clicked on by the viewer.

End screens are more conspicuous, taking up a significant portion of the screen, which may or may not align with the creator's desired viewer experience. Lastly, interactivity is a significant factor; Cards are interactive from the moment they appear, directly inviting viewers to click for more information. End screens, on the other hand, remain static until clicked on, offering a less immediate invitation for viewer interaction.

Understanding these distinctions can help creators choose the most effective tools for their specific goals and content strategy.