How can you make clickable videos: video hotspots, links, and more

Jul 21, 2022

Video content can be used to tell stories, showcase the products, and create more immersion experiences. Brands and creators of video clicking on links is a wonderful way to add an important level of interactivity that can increase engagement.

In-video links differ from the standard description link that is used across the majority of video platforms. Clickable links in video exists inside the video, they could take the form of traditional text link, hotspot overlay as well as chapter titles.

The clickable link can increase its value to viewers and by extension the value for your business.

In this article

1. Add a contact form

As the name suggests, contact forms were designed to capture your visitors' email addresses. Based on the details you provide the form will appear before, during or after a video ends.

There is the possibility to display the form in any part of the video. You can gate content in the form so that you can gather information about users to help with the lead generation process.

Extra suggestion: You can consider allowing viewers to skip the contact form -- since there's no reason to force them to provide your contact information, in the event that you've secured your information.

Contact forms can be added to your video:

  1. Go to go to the Interactive tools tab in your settings for video. Scroll down until you can select the Contact form..
  2. Choose the time you'd like to allow the contact form.
  3. Connect the form directly to one of your email marketing partner platforms by clicking the link button located in the section titled Email Providers section.
  4. Accept the conditions of use and they will show the following time. After that, you can log in to your email program to connect the program to .
  5. Pick at least one mailing list that you want to transfer your information and then click apply to save the adjustments.
 contact form example

2. Card Addition

Another kind of video links that are accessible is known as cards. These are notifications-style links that are visible for a limited duration, usually 6 minutes. It is possible to keep them simple by adding the headline, or flesh them with details, hyperlinks, or a thumbnails, like in the case.

 video with cards example

Add card to the video

  1. Click on the Tools to interact tab of your settings for video then scroll to the bottom until you select Card from the during video dropdown menu.
  2. Complete the required fields for the purpose of completing the card. It is necessary to have a title as well as a timestamp to be able to present your card. This is a must at the very least.
  3. Press the "Add" button after you've finished and then press Save.

Be aware that it's possible to increase the number of cards by additional cards per second.

3. Add-end screens

Screens that stop the video will appear at the end of the video. There's a myriad of options to customize these hyperlinks within your video.

  • Use clickable backgrounds to add images
  • Add social share icons
  • Present a contact form
  • Integrate the CTA button
  • Send viewers to another video
 end screens

For adding an end screen on your video

  1. Select the Interactive tools tab of the settings for your video and scroll down the page, and select the option that follows your video.
  2. Pick from the End screen Dropdown menu and choose your option right now.
  3. Pick the screen you want to finish on and then click Add after which you can choose Save.

4. Chapters can be added

Chapters are ideal for lengthy video clips. They can be used to split the video making it easier to move between various segments, skim over content and even rewatch the most important parts.

  1. Click on the Tools to interact tab of your setting for video. Scroll down to the chapter section, and click "+New" to add a brand new chapter.
  2. The title should be entered for your chapter (up of 50 characters) as well as the year to decide the time it will appear on screen.
  3. Press Save when you've finished adding and editing chapters.
 advanced editing tools UI - add chapters to videos

Similar to cards, you are able to include one chapter every second of your video. Any video can feature more than 100 chapters.

5. Include video hotspots

Choose from creating static hotspots that occupy an exact position within the video or sticky hotspots that move along alongside objects or people in the video.

For adding a hotspot your video:

  1. You can play your video until you choose the person or object that you wish to join a hotspot with.
  2. In the Hotspot section, click on the (+) icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen once you've decided where to add the hotspot.
  3. Pick your design to host your hotspot from our template gallery or design your own unique layout.
  4. The hotspot's position is set with respect to the subject or the person to whom it is placed on.
  5. Turn to turn the stick to object option to turn off or on in accordance with whether you'd prefer an active or sticky hotspot.
 Interactive example of how to create video hotspots

6. Create interactive overlays

You can add any type of images, text, videos, calls to motion and animations to your overlay.

To add an overlay your video:

  1. Upload your video. Choose the time stamp you want to use for creating an overlay.
  2. Style and position the style of the.
  3. Select from the overlay options like links, info panels, and more.
  4. Check out the preview and click save.

Next, let's talk about linking to video clips on YouTube. Here are some options:

An ideal place to include email addresses is in your YouTube video's description. By adding a hyperlink to the description of your video, it makes it simpler for users to locate your product as well as your website's subscription or affiliate links.

A description for your YouTube video will appear just below the video title:

Image example of Youtube video descriptions with clickable links.

To ensure viewers don't miss the hyperlink, incorporate it into the start of the description so that people can easily see it without having to click "see more."

example of a link at the beginning of a video description

To add a hyperlink YouTube's description: YouTube description of your video:

  1. Visit YouTube Studio by using the top-right edge of the Dashboard.
  2. When the next page is displayed, choose Videos from the sidebar, and pick the one you would like to alter.
  3. Edit your video's description in the box that describes the video. Then, insert the URL you want to add.
  4. Click to Save. YouTube transforms the link into an easily clickable URL.

2. Cards to add

Another approach to creating videos that are clickable by using YouTube is to use info cards.

The pop-ups appear at set intervals in your videos -and then changing to an lowercase "i" when they appear in the upper right corner of the screen. This way viewers can move their cursor on the "i" to choose it whenever they like.

It is possible to include at least five information cards with your video. These connect viewers with related videos, (public) playlists, YouTube channels or hyperlinks.

Screenshot of a youtube video and card with link

Remember that you can only use clickable cards if you're a part of the YouTube Partner Program. You can't also use clickable cards in videos made for children to view.

To add card to videos on YouTube:

  1. Connect to YouTube Studio. YouTube Studio and choose Content from the menu left.
  2. Choose the video you want to edit, then click Editor at the top.
  3. Select Information cards here. After that, begin making cards.
  4. Alter the time of start below the video of each card you choose to include. For the cards leading to a channel (aka channels) it's also important to provide teaser messages and a personal message explaining why the link is there. Teaser text can be added on different cards.
  5. Save. Select "Save".

To share a link on an email, it's crucial that you follow the YouTube Community Guidelines as well as the terms of service. If you're not complying it is possible that the search engine will eliminate the link in the page, or deactivate your account completely.

3. Make an ending screen

End screen also known as end cards or the end slateare like information cards. They appear within the final five to 20 minutes of YouTube video.

By using an end screen , it's feasible to guide users to a playlist or video, and add a link to an external website, like your store online.

Image of Youtube end screen

For adding end screens to your video

  1. Sign in to YouTube Studio and select Content from the menu left.
  2. Pick the video that you would like to edit and then select editor on the menu drop-down.
  3. Choose the screens that end and select the component you'd like to add.
  4. Save. Simply click to save.

At this point you'll have the ability to incorporate elements (content that you can add to your final display) Apply template, video or playlist, and Channel product, and hyperlink.

If you are adding links, make certain to include links that align with YouTube's policies in order to prevent screens being removed or accounts being deleted.

You can't also add end screens to videos set as content for children, 360 videos as well as mobile web videos inside the YouTube music application. Furthermore, only those videos that are minimum 25 seconds length may be seen that have an end-screen.

Here's the thing! If you're willing to go for it, you can try out your uploads of videos to make engaging, interactive and clickable videos that catch the attention of your viewers.

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