A Comprehensive Guide to YouTube Annotations, Cards, and End ScreensTable of ContentsIntroductionWhat Were YouTube Annotations?What Are YouTube Cards?What Is a YouTube End Screen?How to Add YouTube CardsHow to Add a YouTube End ScreenYouTube Cards and End Screen Best PracticesBeyond the Video: Leverage YouTube Cards and End ScreensFAQIntroductionRemember the early days of YouTube when videos had clickable annotations that provided added commentary or direction? They were game-changers for audience interaction. While annotations are now a relic of the past, a new suite of tools—YouTube Cards and End Screens—has emerged, providing creators with modern, mobile-friendly ways to engage viewers. Whether you're a seasoned content creator or new to the platform, understanding these tools can significantly enhance your videos' interactivity and viewer retention. By the end of this article, you'll be equipped with everything you need to effectively use YouTube Cards and End Screens to elevate your video content.What Were YouTube Annotations?YouTube Annotations, introduced in 2008 and discontinued in 2017, allowed creators to embed text and links directly onto their videos. Viewers could click on these annotations to navigate to related content, subscription pages, social media, or external websites. They were versatile, allowing for speech bubbles, notes, titles, labels, and spotlights, making videos more interactive and engaging.However, annotations had limitations. They were primarily desktop-focused and didn't work well on mobile devices, which contributed to their eventual phase-out. Instead, YouTube introduced Cards and End Screens, designed to be more mobile-friendly and less intrusive, thereby improving the overall viewer experience.What Are YouTube Cards?YouTube Cards, or info cards, are clickable elements that can be added to your videos to prompt specific actions from viewers. These actions can include watching another video, subscribing to a channel, participating in polls, and more. Cards can be placed at any point during the video, usually appearing in the upper right corner of the screen.Types of YouTube CardsVideo or Playlist Cards: Promote related video content.Channel Cards: Direct viewers to another channel.Poll Cards: Engage viewers with questions and gather feedback.Link Cards: Provide a link to an external site (available to YouTube Partner Program members).Benefits of YouTube CardsMobile-Friendly: Unlike annotations, Cards are optimized for mobile devices.Non-Intrusive: They occupy only a small portion of the screen.Versatile: Multiple types allow for varied interactions.What Is a YouTube End Screen?YouTube End Screens appear in the last 5-20 seconds of your video and can include a variety of interactive elements, such as links to other videos, subscription buttons, and external websites. End Screens help retain viewers by directing them to other content or encouraging them to subscribe.Types of End Screen ElementsVideo or Playlist: Promote additional videos or playlists.Subscribe Button: Encourage viewers to subscribe to your channel.Channel: Feature another channel.Link to External Sites: Direct traffic to external websites (for YouTube Partners).Benefits of YouTube End ScreensStructured and Defined: Can only appear at the end, offering a timely call to action.Mobile-Friendly: Designed to be viewable on all devices.Focused Engagement: Allows for targeted CTAs without disrupting the viewing experience.How to Add YouTube CardsStep-By-Step GuideLog in to YouTube Studio: Access YouTube Studio from your account profile.Prepare Your Video: Whether uploading a new video or editing an existing one, navigate to the Content section and select the video to which you want to add cards.Choose the Type of Card: Click on the Cards option and select the type of card you want to add.Customize Content: Add your teaser text and custom message. Use the timeline to position the card at the desired point in the video.Preview and Save: Preview how the card will appear and click Save to finalize.How to Add a YouTube End ScreenStep-By-Step GuideLog in to YouTube Studio: Similar to adding Cards, start by logging into YouTube Studio.Prepare Your Video: Select or upload the video you want to edit.Choose End Screen Option: Click on the End screen option.Select Elements: Choose from templates or create a custom End Screen by adding elements like videos, playlists, subscription buttons, or external links.Preview and Save: Adjust the placement and timing, then click Save. YouTube Cards and End Screen Best PracticesConceptualize During Pre-ProductionPlanning your Cards and End Screens early ensures they align seamlessly with the content. This can improve your calls to action's effectiveness, leading to better viewer retention and engagement.Timing Is KeyPlace Cards in the latter half of your videos to avoid premature viewer abandonment. Viewers who have watched more than half your video are more likely to engage with additional content.Design PrinciplesEnsure your Cards and End Screens follow basic design principles:Clarity: Make sure text is readable and relevant.Contrast: Use colors that stand out against the video background.Size: Ensure clickable elements are large enough to be easily tapped on mobile devices.Strategic CTAsLimit the number of CTAs on End Screens to reduce decision fatigue. Highlight the primary action you want viewers to take, whether it's subscribing, watching another video, or visiting a website.Physical CuesUse visual cues, like pointing to where the End Screen elements will appear. This can enhance viewer interaction and improve conversion rates.Beyond the Video: Leverage YouTube Cards and End ScreensEffectively utilizing YouTube Cards and End Screens can significantly enhance your channel's performance by boosting viewer retention and encouraging specific actions. By integrating these tools thoughtfully, monitoring your analytics, and iterating based on performance, you can create a more engaging and productive YouTube channel.Final ThoughtsYouTube Cards and End Screens are indispensable tools for any content creator looking to maximize their video’s impact. Strategically employing these features can keep viewers engaged longer, drive traffic to related content, and ultimately grow your channel's subscriber base. Start experimenting with these tips today and watch your YouTube channel thrive.FAQWhy Did YouTube Discontinue Annotations?YouTube discontinued annotations mainly because they were not mobile-friendly. With the rising dominance of mobile viewership, YouTube shifted towards more mobile-optimized features like Cards and End Screens.How Many Cards Can I Add to a Single Video?You can add up to five cards in a single video. This allows you to link to multiple related videos, playlists, or other relevant content.Can I Add Both Cards and End Screens to the Same Video?Absolutely. Using both features in tandem can provide continuous viewer engagement throughout the video and a consolidated call to action at the end.Do Cards and End Screens Affect Video Performance?Yes, strategically placed Cards and End Screens can enhance video performance by increasing watch time, boosting engagement, and driving specific viewer actions, such as subscriptions or external link visits.How Can I Track the Performance of Cards and End Screens?YouTube Analytics provides detailed insights into how viewers interact with your Cards and End Screens. Metrics such as click-through rates and viewer retention can help you assess and optimize the effectiveness of these tools.Explore these features and watch your YouTube channel transform. Happy creating!