YouTube Cards: The Definitive Guide

January 18, 2022
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Do you know what YouTube cards are? Look at the screenshot above; after the end of the video, the cards pop up, showcasing various videos of the same channel. These are YouTube cards!

The main intention behind using YouTube cards is to direct people where to go next. That way, viewers keep watching your videos. Increased watch time means your channel grows. So, if you haven't started using cards on YouTube videos, this is your sign.

What are YouTube Cards?

YouTube cards are interactive cards that creators can add to their videos. These cards contain links to relevant content such as other videos, playlists, and channels.

They also allow viewers to access external sites quickly and efficiently while the video is running. YouTube cards are a great way for creators to keep viewers engaged and hooked on their content. You can use cards to do various things, such as:

  • You can promote your channel
  • You can redirect your viewers to your other videos and playlists.
  • You can encourage them to take a poll
  • You can direct them to an offsite page with a specific and relevant landing page.- e.g., your e-commerce website.

Types of YouTube Cards

YouTube cards are a type of CTA (Call to action) that guides your viewers into the next part of your plan for them. You can use cards that suit your CTA. Below we have mentioned it all.

Channel cards

YouTube channel cards

In the image above, you can see the cards. At the end of Jaby's video, the cards pop up. But it isn't of his YouTube channel, but JordIndian. You can use channel cards when you have a second channel that you want your audience to check out or collaborated with another YouTuber in a video.

Link cards

YouTube link cards

Like adding channels in your cards, you can also add links. Link cards have a catch: you can only use them if you have a YouTube partner program account. 

You can add links to blogs, other e-commerce sites, or crowdfunding sites. Include a link to your blog, your friend's Kickstarter project, or your e-commerce store.

Channel and video cards

Link your viewers to any available videos you have on YouTube. You can do this by linking to a specific time in a video or sharing a playlist. Offer a complimentary video or playlist to make your current video even better. 

GrowwithJo has added her Torch in 10 playlists to the video, as well as a Quick HIIT workout video card. This kind of initiative taken by you can increase viewership.

How to add YouTube cards to your videos?

Now that you know what type of cards you can add to your YouTube video, it is time to learn how to add YouTube cards. The process is straightforward and hassle-free. Here is how you can do it:

  • Open your YouTube channel homepage
  • Click on Manage Videos and b nit will direct you to the YouTube Studio dashboard.
  • Click on the Content section on the left side of the screen, under the Dashboard option.
  • Choose the YouTube video you want to add the card to by clicking on the pencil icon, as shown in the image below.
Adding Cards to YouTube videos
  • On the next page, scroll down, and on the left side, you will see the Cards option. Click on Cards.
Youtube cards option
  • Then, you will be able to add various types of cards, as shown below in the image. ‘Add card’ drop-down menu and select whichever card you want to add to your videos. You can add up to 5 cards to a YouTube video.
  • YouTube playlist cards/YouTube video card: You can click on Create beside the Video or Playlists options from the Add card drop-down options. You can add relevant videos or playlists in the chosen video, and it will be shown as suggested content. So, carefully select the videos you want to showcase in cards. You can either select one from uploads or add a playlist.
Video or Playlist Cards
  • You can add a “Custom Message,” which displays by the video in default mode, and “Teaser Text,” which will show up instead of the video title when it pops up. These can be up to 30 characters.
  • Channel cards: YYou need to click on the Channel option for adding channel cards for adding channel cards. Then you can add the channel username or YouTube channel URL that you want to link. In the same way, you did for video cards, you can also add a custom message and teaser text to the cards.
Create card to link to another YouTube channel
  • Link cards: Adding a link card is slightly different than the rest. To add a link card,
Entering a custom message in a youtube card
  • Click on “Link” in the top left or the “create” sign
  • Select the Link you want.
  • Drag the bookmark to the place in the timeline where you want the card to display.
  • Or type a specific time into the time box where you want it to show.
  • Click Save.

NOTE: You can only add card links to your videos if you have a YouTube partner program.

The thing about YouTube cards is you can set a time for when your cards will appear, and these cards won't just appear at the end of the video as they primarily appear. But if you are referring to the following video, you can add the cards anywhere in the video.

How to set the start time of YouTube cards?

YouTube Cards start time

When creating a YouTube card, you can set the time to appear in two ways.

  • You can set the time for the card to appear using either the timestamp. You can use the ^ icon beside the time stamp to set the time of when you want the YouTube cards to appear
  • By moving the blue slider at the foot of the screen, you can set the card's appearance manually.

How to add more YouTube cards to my video?

You can add up to 5 cards to a YouTube video as we have already mentioned. If you want to add more cards, then all you have to do is.

  • Open up the card’s window again and select the blue plus symbol to add another.
  • Repeat the process of adding cards, whether you want them to appear simultaneously or at different time intervals through the video.
How to add more YouTube Cards

How to add YouTube cards at the end screen?

There are many ways YouTubers can monetize their content. One way is by adding an End Screen to the end of videos that lets viewers see other content and showcase a subscribe button. You can use the End Screen to display links to additional content and subscribe buttons. 

During the last 20 seconds of your video, it will appear as an overlay that includes your preferred buttons. This screen differs from standard cards in that you can only display them during this time.

To set your End Screen, follow these steps:

  • Navigate to your video details page and select the ‘End screen’ menu option on the right-hand side of the screen.


YouTube Cards
  • YouTube provides some basic customization for End Screens. You must have at least one video or playlist card on your end screen, and you can have up to four elements.
  • You can control the layout of the cards in the editor simply by arranging them within a white box on top of your video. You also get an additional card to choose from with the end screen – the subscribe card. 
End screen elements


Your end screen is your last chance to grab your viewer's attention. YouTube's end screen requirements, however, are pretty straightforward. You must have at least one video or playlist card on your end screen, and the maximum number of elements you can display is four. 

To adjust the layout in the end screen editor, make sure that all cards are within the white shaded box overlaying your video.

Best Tips for YouTube Cards

YouTube cards can be why someone spends more time on your channel or makes a purchase from you. It is YouTube's way of giving you an excellent way to sign off from your video. 

You can either lead it to the next video or use it to add links. To make your job a lot easier, we have shared a few tips:

Use Relevant Cards

Do not use cards just for the sake of using them. A related video card or link card can do a better job at retaining viewers. Cards must be relevant. When shooting or editing, you can add targeting cards to ensure that they are relevant to the video. 

In other words, your cards should help your audience find more meaningful content or lead them to take action. If a card is irrelevant, people will bounce off, and you won’t reach your target audience. It’s better not to incentivize them with a card.

Increase Audience retention with YouTube cards

Cards are also a great way to reuse old content in new ways and retain your audience. For example, view the analytics of one of your videos and pay close attention to when viewers are clicking away from your video to find something else. That is the moment you are losing the most people. 

If this happens frequently, flash a card just before they click away to keep them on your video. You not only retain the viewers but also increase watch time.

Leverage the Custom Messages

YouTube is a great place to find similar videos. The custom messages on cards should attract the viewers to click. When writing a video teaser, use the wording that communicates to the viewer an incentive to click. 

Use words that convey possible benefits and appeal to the viewer’s needs. In the example below, the term ‘From Madfit’ should impress in the viewer’s mind that the content it is promoting will be just as relevant to the current search.

Verbal prompts can be effective

Those YouTube cards can be easy to miss. To maximize your audience’s chances of clicking on the card, tell them to click on it with a scripted verbal call-to-action. It’s not hard to plan for this. You could add a CTA in the script and present the cards simultaneously. 

In the example below, GrowwithJo prompts the audience to follow her cool-down workout(that's displayed as a card) after the abs workout. You can also edit your video accordingly to show the cards at the right moment. 

Wrapping it up

Now that you know everything about YouTube cards, you can easily use them. If you want to create videos for social media, try out Offeo Video maker

You can create impressive videos that convert. Do you want to make catchy intros for your YouTube videos? Try out Offeo Intro maker. Create instant videos to hook the viewers in.

Do you have more questions about Offeo? You can join our community and learn more about Offeo. We would be happy to have you.

Written By
Ankita

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