Cards and End Screens are interactive elements on YouTube that creators use to boost engagement, promote other content, and encourage viewers to take specific actions. They act as powerful tools within a video to guide viewers to their next destination.
What are YouTube Cards?
YouTube Cards are small, interactive pop-ups that appear during a video. They provide timely, relevant information or calls to action without significantly interrupting the viewing experience. Viewers can click on a small "i" icon or the card itself to expand it and reveal more details.
Key Features of Cards:
- Appearance: They can pop up at any point during a video, selected by the creator.
- Discreet: Initially, only a small notification (e.g., a text snippet or an 'i' icon) appears, which expands when clicked.
- Versatility: Cards can be used to promote various types of content and actions.
Types of Cards:
- Video Cards: Link to another video on your channel or another channel.
- Playlist Cards: Direct viewers to a specific playlist, encouraging them to binge-watch.
- Channel Cards: Promote another YouTube channel, often used for collaborations or sister channels.
- Link Cards: Send viewers to an approved external website (e.g., a creator's merchandise store, blog, or crowdfunding page). Requires participation in the YouTube Partner Program.
- Poll Cards: Engage viewers by asking a question with multiple-choice answers, providing instant feedback.
Why Use Cards?
- Increase Watch Time: Direct viewers to related videos, keeping them on your channel longer.
- Promote New Content: Announce a new video or series while viewers are engaged with current content.
- Drive Traffic: Send viewers to external sites to support your brand or business.
- Boost Engagement: Use poll cards to interact directly with your audience.
What are YouTube End Screens?
YouTube End Screens (also known as End Cards or End Slates) are interactive calls to action that appear during the final 5 to 20 seconds of a video. Essentially, an End Screen is an interactive call to action designed to keep viewers engaged with your content or direct them to other valuable resources as the video concludes.
Key Features of End Screens:
- Timing: Always appear in the last 5-20 seconds of a video.
- Visual: They are overlaid directly onto the video content or on a dedicated outro screen.
- Interactive: Viewers can click directly on elements within the end screen.
Types of Elements You Can Include in an End Screen:
- Video: Promote one of your best performing videos, the latest upload, or a video chosen specifically for the viewer.
- Playlist: Encourage viewers to watch a series of videos by linking to a playlist.
- Subscribe Button: A prominent button to encourage viewers to subscribe to your channel.
- Channel: Promote another YouTube channel.
- Link: Direct viewers to an approved external website, such as a merchandise store, a social media profile, or a crowdfunding page. Requires participation in the YouTube Partner Program.
Why Use End Screens?
- Viewer Retention: Guide viewers to watch another video on your channel, extending their session.
- Subscriber Growth: Make it easy for engaged viewers to subscribe.
- Monetization: Drive traffic to your website, merchandise store, or Patreon.
- Channel Branding: Reinforce your channel's identity and content offerings.
Cards vs. End Screens: A Comparison
| Feature | YouTube Cards | YouTube End Screens |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | During the video (anytime after the first few seconds) | Last 5-20 seconds of the video |
| Visibility | Small 'i' icon or text snippet, expands on click | Full-screen overlay, often with larger elements |
| Purpose | Contextual information, mid-video promotion | Final call to action, post-video navigation |
| Interruption | Minimal, discreet | More prominent, signals video conclusion |
| Placement | Flexible, multiple per video allowed | Fixed at the end, up to four elements |
| Goal | Mid-journey engagement, contextual links | Next step in viewer journey (subscribe, next video, external site) |
Best Practices for Using Cards and End Screens
To maximize the effectiveness of these tools, consider the following:
- Strategic Placement: For cards, place them at natural breaks in your content or when mentioning a related topic. For end screens, ensure your video has a dedicated outro segment for them.
- Clear Call to Action: Make it obvious what you want the viewer to do (e.g., "Watch Next," "Subscribe Now").
- Relevant Content: Link to videos, playlists, or external sites that are highly relevant to what the viewer just watched.
- Design Consistency: Ensure your end screen design aligns with your channel's branding.
- Analytics: Monitor your YouTube Analytics to see which cards and end screens perform best and optimize accordingly.
By strategically using both cards and end screens, creators can significantly enhance viewer engagement, drive traffic, and grow their YouTube presence.
