How do you create clickable videos: video links, hotspots and much more

Video content can create a narrative, showcase a product, and create more immersive experiences. Brands and creators of videos Clickable links provide an important layer of interactivity to increase the engagement.

An in-video link differs from the typical description link that is found on all video platforms. Links that can be clicked in video are in the video itself and could be in the form of traditional text link, hotspot overlay, or chapter titles as well.

The clickable link can increase the contents' value to the viewers and, consequently the value for your business.

In this article

•    How to add clickable links to videos
•    How to add hyperlinks that can be clicked in YouTube YouTube clips

How can you include clickable hyperlinks to video clips

1. Add a contact form

The name of the form suggests that contact forms help you capture the details of viewers. Based on the information you provide, a contact form can be displayed prior to, during or after a video ends.

You have the option to display the form during any point in the video. It is possible to block content within the contact page to collect user info as part of an approach to lead generation.

Bonus tip: You can consider giving viewers the option of not using the contact form -- after all, there's no point in forcing them to provide the details of their contacts unless you've gated the content.

To add contact form in your video:

1. Visit the Interactive tools tab of your settings for video, and scroll down to select Contact Form.
2. Decide when you'd like to activate the contact form.
3. Simply connect the form directly with one or more of your partner email marketing platforms using your Connect button located under the section titled Email Providers section.
4. Accept the terms and conditions you see next. Log in to your email account to join the account .
5. Pick at least one mailer list that you want to sync your data gathered and click apply to save the changes.

2. Cards to add

Another in-video link flavor is called cards. These are links with a notification style that are visible for a limited amount of time, typically 6 seconds. It is possible to keep the cards easy by adding an introduction or make them more elaborate by adding descriptions, links, as well as a thumbnail like in this example.

For adding the cards you want to add in your videos

1. Go to the Tools for interaction tab in the settings for your video and scroll down until you select Card from the during video drop-down menu.
2. Input the information in order to complete the card. It is necessary to have a title as well as a timestamp for when to show the card , at a minimum.
3. Click the the Add button once you're done and then press "Save".

Remember: you can add as many cards per second.

3. Add end screens

End screens show up after the completion of the video. You can choose from several choices to personalize these links within your video.

• Use clickable backgrounds to add images
• Share icons for social media.
• Present a contact form
• Insert a CTA button
• Send viewers to a second video

Add an end-screen to the video you are watching:

1. Visit the Interactive tools tab in the settings of your video and scroll back to choose after video
2. Choose the End screen dropdown menu right now.
3. Pick the screen you want to end on and choose Add and then Saving.

4. Chapters can be added

Chapters are perfect for long videos. They permit you to separate videos, which makes it simpler to navigate and skip sections, skim content, and even rewatch key moments.

1. Go to the Tools for interaction tab in the settings for your video, scroll down until you reach the Chapters section and then click "+New to create a new chapter.
2. Input the title of the chapter (up up to 50 characters) along with the time stamp for when it'll show in the video.
3. Click Save after you're done making and editing chapters.

As with cards, you can include one chapter every second of your video. Every video has the ability to have as many as 100 chapters.

5. Create hotspots for video

Create static hotspots which occupy some specific position in the video, or sticky hotspots that move with people or objects in the video.

For adding a hotspot your video:

1. You can play your video until you select the object or person that you wish to connect a hotspot to.
2. In the Hotspot section, click on the (+) icon in the highest right-hand corner on the screen, once you've found which hotspot to put in.
3. Select your hotspot design from 's ready-to-use template gallery or create your custom design.
4. The hotspot's location can be adjusted relative to the object/person you add it to.
5. Toggle on the option to turn the Stick-to-Object option off or on depending on whether you want an active or sticky hotspot.

6. Add interactive overlays

You are able to add any type of the text, images video, or calls, to action and animations in your overlay.

For overlays to your video:

1. upload your video and pick the timestamp to add an overlay.
2. Style and position the overlay.

1. Choose from overlay actions like links, information panels, and many more.
2. Check out the preview and click the Save button..

How do you add clickable links in YouTube videos?

Next, let's talk about adding links to videos on YouTube. There are a few options to consider:

1. Include links in your video description

A popular place to add the clickable URL is the YouTube description. The addition of a link in your video's description makes the process easier for users to locate your product, website, subscription link and affiliate hyperlinks.

The YouTube description of your video shows just below the video's title.

To ensure viewers aren't missing the link, work it into the start of the description text , so that viewers can see it even without clicking "see further."

Add a hyperlink to your YouTube video description:

1. Head to YouTube Studio from the upper right-hand edge of the dashboard.
2. The new screen that appears, click Videos from the side bar and then select the video that you wish to modify.
3. Edit the video's description in the box that describes the video, then copy paste the link you wish to include.
4. Press Save. YouTube will automatically turn the URL into a clickable URL.

2. Add cards

Another method to make a clickable video on YouTube is by using information cards.

These pop up at predetermined intervals in your videos -changing into an lowercase "i" when they appear on the right-hand side of a screen on a computer. This way, viewers can hover their cursor over the "i" to click the card whenever they want.

It is possible to add as many as five information cards in your video which take viewers to related videos, (public) playlists, YouTube channels, or even links.

Remember that it is only possible to add card clickable if you're a member of YouTube's Partners Program. Plus, you can't add cards to videos set for kids.

For adding cards to YouTube videos:

1. Log into the YouTube Studio and select Content from the menu left.
2. Select the video you wish to edit and hit Editor on the left.
3. Select Information cards here and begin adding cards.
4. Alter the time of start below the video of every card you create. If you are adding cards that lead to a channel (aka channel cards) You also have to include teaser texts and a custom message to explain what it is that the link will lead to. Teaser text can be added for other cards.
5. Save. Click "Save".

To share a link on cards, you must to follow the YouTube's Community Guidelines as well as the Conditions of Service. If you don't an adherent, YouTube can take the link off your video or terminate your account altogether.

3. Create to the screen at the end

End screen, sometimes referred to as an end card or slateare similar to information cards. They show up in the last 5-20 seconds of a YouTube video.

By using an end screen you could direct viewers to a playlist or video, or add a link to an external website such as your online store.

Add end screen to your video

1. Log in to YouTube Studio and select Content from the left menu.
2. Choose the video you'd like to edit and select editor from the drop-down menu.
3. Pick End screens and select the component you want to add.
4. Save. Click to save.

You'll be able to include elements (content that you can add to your end screen): apply templates, videos, playlists, subscribe, channel product and link.

If you are you add links, make sure to include links that are in line with YouTube's policies to save you from screen deletion at the end or account deletion.

Also, you can't include end screens in videos that are set to be content created for children, 360 videos as well as mobile web and within the YouTube music app. Furthermore, only those videos with a minimum of 25 seconds long can feature the end of the video.

There you have it! If you're ready to go for it, you can try out the upload of your videos to make captivating, engaging, and clickable videos that grab your viewers' attention.