How do you create clickable videos: video links, hotspots

Videos can help create a narrative, showcase the product and help create more immersive experiences. Brands and creators of videos clicking links are a great way to add the necessary layer of interaction to deepen the engagement.

An in-video link differs from the standard in-description links that is found on all video platforms. Clickable links in video exists in the video itself and can take the form of a conventional text hyperlink, hotspot overlay or even chapter titles.

Links that can be clicked increase the content's value for the viewer as well as, in turn, for your business.

In this article

•    How can you include clickable hyperlinks to video
•    How can you include hyperlinks that can be clicked in YouTube YouTube clips

How to add clickable hyperlinks to video clips

1. Add a contact form

As its name suggests, a contact form helps capture the contact details of your viewers. Depending on what you specify it can surface before, during, or after a video ends.

It is possible to display the form at any moment during the video. The content can be locked in the form and gather information from users in an approach to lead generation.

Bonus tip Consider giving viewers the option of not using the contact form -- after all, there's no need forcing them to share your contact information unless you've secured the content.

To add contact form in your video:

1. Visit the Interaction tools tab in your video settings and then scroll to the bottom of the page, selecting Contact Form..
2. Select the time you wish to activate the contact form.
3. Simply connect the form directly with any of your partners' email marketing platforms by clicking the connect button in the section titled Email Providers section.
4. You must agree to the conditions of use which will appear next. Log in to your email account to join it to .
5. Pick at least one mailer list to sync the collected information with and hit apply to save the changes.

2. Cards to add

Another type of video link that is available is called cards. They are notifications-like links that are visible for a limited amount of time, typically six seconds. You can keep these cards easy by adding an introduction or fill them with an explanation, link as well as a thumbnail like in the example.

To add the cards you want to add in your videos

1. Visit the Interaction tools tab in your video settings and scroll down to choose the card on the During video dropdown 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 minimum.
3. Press the the Add button when you're done and then press save.

Be aware that you can add up to one card per second.

3. Add-end screens

Screens that end the video appear towards the end of your video. You can choose from several choices to personalize these links within your video.

• Add background images that can be clicked
• Include social share icons
• Present a contact form
• Incorporate a CTA button
• Direct viewers to a different video

Add an end-screen to your video:

1. Go to the Interaction tools tab of your video settings and scroll back to choose After video
2. Select the Screen End dropdown menu right now.
3. Pick the screen you want to end on and select Add and then Save.

4. Add chapters

Chapters are perfect for long video clips. They let you segment video content, making it simpler to navigate and move between segments, skim through content and rewatch important moments.

1. Visit the Tools for interaction tab in your settings for video. Scroll through to the Chapters section, then select "+New to create a new chapter.
2. Enter the new chapter's title (up up to 50 characters) and include the date that will show when it appears in the video.
3. Hit Save when you've finished creating or editing chapters.

As with cards, you can create a chapter for every second in the video. Every video has the ability to have up to 100 chapters.

5. Include video hotspots

Create static hotspots which occupy an exact position within the video, or sticky hotspots that move along with individuals or objects within the video.

In order to add a hotspot your video:

1. Play your video to select the object or person that you wish to connect a hotspot to.
2. In the Hotspot section, tap the (+) icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen once you've identified where you can add the hotspot.
3. Choose your preferred hotspot's design from 's ready-to-use template gallery or design your own custom layout.
4. Adjust the hotspot's position with respect to the subject or person the hotspot is added to.
5. Toggle to turn the Stick to object option to off or on depending on whether you'd like a sticky or static hotspot.

6. Create interactive overlays

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

For overlays to your video:

1. upload your video select the appropriate timestamp and add an overlay.
2. Place and style the overlay.

1. Choose from overlay actions including hyperlinks, info panels and much more.
2. Preview and hit save.

How to add clickable hyperlinks to 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 description of the video

A popular place to add the clickable URL is your YouTube video description. The addition of a link in the video's description can make it easier for viewers to locate your product such as your website, subscription link and affiliate hyperlinks.

The YouTube description of your video shows up right below your video title:

To ensure users don't miss out on the hyperlink, incorporate it into the start of the description so that people can view it without having to click "see for more."

Add a hyperlink to the YouTube description of your video:

1. Visit YouTube Studio via the top-right corner of the dashboard.
2. From the new page that opens up, select Videos on the sidebar and then select the video that you'd like to change.
3. Edit the video's description in the video description box and paste in the URL you want to add.
4. Hit save. YouTube transforms the URL into an able-to-click URL.

2. Cards to add

Another way to create a clickable video using YouTube is to make use of information cards.

These pop up at predetermined intervals in your videos -changing into the lowercase "i" after showing up on the right-hand side of a computer screen. In this way, the viewer can hover their cursor over the "i" to select it whenever they like.

You may add at least five information cards with your video. These will direct viewers to similar video clips, (public) playlists, YouTube channels, or even links.

Remember that you're only able to use card clickable if you're a participant in YouTube's Partner Program. Additionally, you cannot make cards available in video clips made for children.

To add cards to YouTube videos:

1. Log into the YouTube Studio and choose 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 then begin making cards.
4. Alter the time of start below the video on each card you include. When you add cards to a channel (aka channels), you also need to add teaser text and personal message explaining what the link leads to. Teaser text can be added for all other cards.
5. Select to save.

For sharing a link in cards, you must to adhere to the YouTube's guidelines for community members as well as the Conditions of Service. If you don't, the video search engine will delete the link in your video or terminate your account altogether.

3. Include an end screen

End screen, also known as an end card, or slateare similar to information cards. They appear during the last five to 20 seconds of a YouTube video.

With an end-screen, you could direct viewers to a particular playlist or video or even add a hyperlink to an external site , such like your shop.

Add end screen to your video

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

In this stage, you'll be able to add additional elements (content that you can add to your final screen) use template, video, playlist Subscribe, channel or link, and merchandise.

When you add links, make sure to include links that are in line with YouTube's guidelines to protect your account from ending screen removal or account deletion.

Additionally, it is not possible to add end screens to videos set as content made specifically for children, 360 video as well as mobile web and within the YouTube music app. Furthermore, only those videos that are at least 25 seconds long are eligible to have an end card.

You've got it! If you're feeling ready, try experimenting with your uploads of videos in order to create engaging, immersive, and clickable videos that grab the attention of your viewers.