"The Key to Successful Video Engagement Adding Interactive Elements via YouTube Annotations for 2024"
The Key to Successful Video Engagement: Adding Interactive Elements via YouTube Annotations
How to Add YouTube Annotations and Cards?
Richard Bennett
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
Update: YouTube has replaced annotation with end screen. You can find the latest informaiton about YouTube screen and YouTube cards here.
YouTube Cards and Annotations are very useful if you want to encourage your viewrs to take an action, like Subscribe, go to another video or associated website, etc. Today, we’re going to show you the differences between cards and annotations, and how to add them in YouTube videos.
Do you want to make your YouTube video more attractive? Wondershare Filmora is a such video editing software designed for YouTube creator. It not only allows you cut, trim, crop, zoom, reverse, rotate the video clips, but also makes the advanced features like green screen, PIP, tilt-shift and mosaic easy like a piece of cake. With Wondershare Filmora, you can ignite your YouTube videos with over 300 effects like Fashion, Beauty, Block Buster, Travel, etc.
Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )
The main difference between annotation and cards is their outlook. Cards are more graphical whereas annotations are text based. The cards slide in once you click the small “i” button on the video where as the annotation is there based on the timings set by the user. Moreover the main differences between the two are:
1. YouTube Cards are small and unobtrusive, unless a viewer chooses to click on them, which is why they are the better option when you are trying to get views on other videos. Irritating a few people with a big annotation might be worth it if you also draw other people’s attention to your cause or website, but it is not a good way to endear yourself to people you are trying to get views and subscriptions from. When a card is clicked a thumbnail will appear with a link to your additional content. YouTube Cards are often better than annotations for adding links to your videos because they look much tidier. Also, unlike annotations, cards will be visible to people watching your videos on their mobile devices.
2. You cannot use Cards just to insert notes into your videos, though, and you cannot adjust their size like you can with annotations. So, if you do need a link to be large and extremely noticeable, annotations might still be your best option. Cards and annotations can even be used in combination sometimes.
How to add YouTube Cards
YouTube Cards are similar to annotations but more interactive. They allow the owner of the video to add images and other links. A small box appears, clicking on which will activate the cards.
- Click on the “Video Manager” tab
- Click “Edit” tab under the video screen shot you want to add the card on
- Click on the “Cards” tab
- On the right panel click on “Add Card” drop down menu and select the type of card you want to add
- Click on the create button which will open the corresponding video
- Once you finish the subsequent information required click create card
- Select the timeline for the playhead to appear which leads to the card slide
- Apply changes and exit
How to add YouTube annotations
YouTube Annotation is addition of a text layer, link or hotspots over your video. They add interactive boxes which link to other websites or videos (any link you want).
- Click on the video manager tab
- Click edit tab under the video screen shot you want to add the annotation on
- Click on the “End screen & Annotation” tab
- On the right panel click on “+ Add Element” and select the kind of annotation you want to add
- Adjust the position of Annotation, you can drag the rectangle to locate it at any position of the video, move the slide to set the start and end time of the annotation
- Apply changes
The types of YouTube annotations:
1. Speech Bubbles
Speech Bubbles: look like the dialogue box in a comic strip. There is a tail which you can adjust so it looks like one of the people in your video is saying what is written in the annotation. Speech bubbles are great for adding in funny comments.
2. Notes
Notes: come in a limited selection of colors and can be adjusted to take up a maximum of 30% of your player screen. Sometimes you need a huge annotation to get an important point across, but using huge note annotations too often – especially near the beginnings of your videos – will annoy viewers. If you need a large note annotation make sure to place it later in your video, when a viewer will already be invested in what they are watching and less likely to click away.
3. Titles
Titles: are large pieces of text that go either at the beginning of your video or in-between different topics within your video. YouTube’s titles are not very nice to look at, but they are a decent option if you do not have access to video editing software.
4. Spotlights
Spotlights: have a subtle border and are completely clear inside. Your text only appears when a user hovers over the spotlight. Spotlights are great for turning elements within your video into links.
5. Labels
Labels: are completely transparent, like spotlights, but the user does not have to hover over them for your text to be visible.
6. Pauses
Pauses: are no longer available to add to your videos, although Pause Annotations added before they were removed still work. Pause Annotations used to stop your video for a set period of time when your annotation appeared.
If somebody watches your video and gets to the end then that means they enjoyed it and will probably be open to checking out more of your content. Rather than hoping that your other videos show up in the ‘Suggested Videos’ YouTube will show after yours has finished playing you should always include an outro, or ending card, after your video to recommend your own work. Annotations are used in a lot of successful YouTuber’s ending cards.
One form this takes is small Note annotations in the bottom corners of the screen, one linking to your previous video and one to the next. Sometimes your viewers might not necessarily get the most enjoyment out of your videos by watching them in order, though. Sometimes you want to link viewers to the videos that are most related to the one they just watched.
The best outros also include a subscribe button, which can be created using annotations. These annotations work best when combined with a verbal call to action. Make sure your outro lasts long enough for people to make the decision to subscribe or click another video.
No matter what kind of annotations you are using, you should never use more than two of them at a time anywhere except for your outro. You should also never place annotations at the very top of your screen, or in the middle at the bottom. If your video is embedding on a separate website then the player will cover annotations at the top of the screen, and ads might cover annotations placed in the bottom-middle of the screen. Keep in mind when using annotations that they will not be visible to users watching your videos on mobile devices. If mobile traffic is very important to you then consider using YouTube Cards.
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Also read:
- Unlock 6 Free YouTube Endings for Pros, In 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, 15 Best Funny YouTube Channels to Watch When You're Bored
- [New] Streamlining Short-Form Content Leading Edits for iOS/Android
- [Updated] Transforming Viewership Engaging End Screens Tutorials
- [New] In 2024, Choosing the Right Platform A Look at Vimeo, YouTube & DailyMotion
- [New] Best Practices for Boosting Views on FreeFire Gaming Channels for 2024
- The Ultimate Youtube Editing Guide for Content Creators of All Levels for 2024
- [Updated] Exploring the Essence of YouTube Live Imagery Language for 2024
- [Updated] Streamlining Revenue AdSense Tips for YouTubers
- [Updated] Comparative Assessment YouTube Vs. DailyMention for 2024
- YouTube's Pinnacle Tools Studio Vs. Next-Gen Beta for 2024
- [Updated] 2024 Approved A Comprehensive Tour YouTube Creator Suite
- [Updated] Mastering the Art of Choosing Winning Video Thumbnails
- Perfecting Your YouTube Video Blueprint for 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, Elevate Your Content with Insightful Channel Descriptions
- [New] In 2024, Closing with Panache Free YouTube's #1 Six
- [Updated] Navigate to 8 Online Vaults for Free Green Screen Backdrop Archives
- [Updated] Expert Advice for Staying Copyright Compliant Online for 2024
- [New] In 2024, Earning Through Online Beauty Networks
- [Updated] Strategies to Secure Best YouTube Collaborative Pairs
- [New] The 5 Best Ways to Make Money on YouTube Shorts Today
- 2024 Approved YouTube Earnings per Watch Average Income Breakdown
- [Updated] In 2024, Adding Impact Strategies for Youtubes' Last Impressions
- [Updated] The Ultimate Setup for Championship Streaming
- [New] Banner Bliss Savor Your Complimentary Set of Designs!
- [New] Your Smartphone as an Artist’s Canvas Producing Quality YouTube Video Content
- [Updated] Dailymotion vs YouTube Who Earns More From Video Content, In 2024
- [New] In 2024, Elevate Your Filming Flair with Free Green Screen Insights From 4 YouTube Authorities
- [New] Syncing Your YouTube Watchlist with Instagram Feed
- [New] 2024 Approved Enhancing Viewer Engagement with Smart End Screen Techniques
- In 2024, Vimeo and YouTube Analyzing Their Unique Features
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Elevate Video Engagement Top 7 Free Thumbnail Design Tools
- [Updated] In 2024, Creating Memorable YouTube Shorts - 10 Must-Do Tips
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Beyond Borders Blurring Techniques for Global Audienes
- Reverse Engineering a YouTube Ban for 2024
- [New] Prime Tips for Soundless Videography for 2024
- [New] 2024 Approved Top Font Fabrication Services for Discord Channels (iOS/Android)
- In 2024, How does the stardust trade cost In pokemon go On Sony Xperia 5 V? | Dr.fone
- In 2024, 2 Ways to Transfer Text Messages from Samsung Galaxy S23+ to iPhone 15/14/13/12/11/X/8/ | Dr.fone
- [Updated] Virtual Escapades You Can't Afford to Miss
- New In 2024, Top 8 Text-to-Video AI Generators to Produce Video Easily
- Updated 2024 Approved VN Video Editor on Mac A Review and Comparison with Alternative Editors
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Becoming an Instagram Editor Extraordinaire
- Updated Trim and Split Divx Videos with These Free Tools
- 2024 Approved Expert Guide to Sierra's Cloud Documentation & Drive Integration
- [Updated] In 2024, Loom's Legacy Unveiling the Art of Capturing Life
- How To Repair iPhone 13 Pro System Issues? | Dr.fone
- Title: "The Key to Successful Video Engagement Adding Interactive Elements via YouTube Annotations for 2024"
- Author: Kenneth
- Created at : 2024-06-05 10:23:03
- Updated at : 2024-06-06 10:23:03
- Link: https://facebook-video-footage.techidaily.com/the-key-to-successful-video-engagement-adding-interactive-elements-via-youtube-annotations-for-2024/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.