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

Jul 21, 2022

Video content can tell a story, introduce products, and provide greater immersion experiences. For video creators and brands clicking links are a great way to add an important layer of interactivity to deepen engagement.

In-video links differ from the typical description link used on the majority of video platforms. Clickable links in video exists inside the video, and could be in the form of traditional text link, hotspot overlay, or even chapter titles.

The clickable link can increase the content's value for the viewer and, by extension the value for your business.

In this article

1. Add a contact form

Like its name implies, contact forms are designed to collect your viewers' contact information. Based on the information you provide the form will surface before, during, or after a video ends.

There is the possibility to show the form at any time of the video. You can gate content in the form in order to get user information as part of a lead generation strategy.

Extra tip: You can consider allowing viewers to skip the contact form -- after all, there's no need in forcing them to provide their contact details unless you've secured your content.

For adding contact forms to your video:

  1. Head to the Interactive tools tab within your settings for video, and scroll down to select Contact Form..
  2. Decide when you'd like to allow the contact form.
  3. Connect the form directly to one of your email marketing partner platforms via your connect button in the section titled Email Providers section.
  4. Accept the conditions of use which will appear the next time. Then, log into your email program to connect it to .
  5. Select at least one mailing list that you want to sync your data gathered and click Apply to save the changes.
contact form example

2. Card Addition

Another type of video link that is available is called cards. Cards are notification-style links that are visible for a limited duration, usually 6 seconds. You can keep these cards basic by simply adding the headline, or flesh them out with descriptions, links, and thumbnail , as shown in the case.

video with cards example

Add card to the video:

  1. Click on the Tools for interaction tab of your video settings and scroll down until you select Card from the during video dropdown menu.
  2. Fill in the fields in order to complete the card. You need a title and timestamp for when to show your card. This is a must at least.
  3. Press the Add button when you're done and press Save.

Be aware that it is possible to add more than one card per second.

3. Add-end screens

Screens that end the video appear at the end of the video. There are a variety of options to customize these links within your video.

  • Include clickable background images
  • Add social share icons
  • Present a contact form
  • Incorporate the CTA button
  • Direct viewers to a different video
end screens

To add an end screen in your video

  1. Click on the Interactive tools tab in your video settings and scroll to the bottom of the page to choose the option after your video.
  2. Select from the End screen dropdown menu right now.
  3. Pick the screen you want to end on and choose Add, followed by Saving.

4. Add chapters

Chapters are ideal for lengthy video clips. They let you segment the video, making it much easier to navigate, jump to different segments, skim through content and even rewatch key moments.

  1. Go to the Tools for interaction tab of your settings for video. Scroll down to the Chapters section, and click "+New" to add a brand new chapter.
  2. Input the title of the chapter (up of 50 characters) and include the date to determine when it will be shown on the screen.
  3. Press Save when you've finished adding and editing chapters.
advanced editing tools UI - add chapters to videos

Like with cards, you can include one chapter every second of your video. Any video can feature up to 100 chapters.

5. Add video hotspots

Choose from creating static hotspots that occupy an exact position within the video or sticky hotspots that move along with individuals or objects within the video.

For adding a hotspot your video:

  1. Play your video to select the object or person that you wish to connect a hotspot to.
  2. Under the Hotspot section, tap the (+) icon in the highest right-hand corner on the screen after you've determined where to add the hotspot.
  3. Pick your design for your hotspot from  our template gallery or design your own custom layout.
  4. Set the hotspot's positioning with respect to the subject or person the hotspot is added to.
  5. Switch the stick to objects option on or off depending on whether you want a sticky or static hotspot.
Interactive example of how to create video hotspots

6. Add interactive overlays

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

In order to add an overlay your video:

  1. Upload your video, choose the time stamp to create an overlay.
  2. Position and style the style of the.
  1. Select from the overlay options like hyperlinks, info panels and much more.
  2. Preview and hit Save.

Next, let's talk about adding links to videos on YouTube. These are the options available:

A popular place to add an e-mail link is within your YouTube video description. By adding a hyperlink to your video's description makes it easier for viewers to discover your items or website's subscription links or affiliate link.

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

Image example of Youtube video descriptions with clickable links.

To make sure viewers don't miss the hyperlink, incorporate it into the start of the description text so viewers are able to see it without having to click "see further."

example of a link at the beginning of a video description

For adding a hyperlink to the YouTube description of your video:

  1. Head to YouTube Studio from the top-right edge of the dashboard.
  2. On the next page that opens up, select Videos on the sidebar and select the video you wish to modify.
  3. Make edits to the video's description within the video description box and paste in the URL you want to add.
  4. Hit Save. YouTube converts the hyperlink into a clickable URL.

2. Cards to add

Another method to make a clickable video using YouTube is to use info cards.

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

You may add up to five info cards with your video. These connect viewers with related content, (public) playlists, YouTube channels, or links.

Screenshot of a youtube video and card with link

Keep in mind: you're only able to use clickable cards if you're a part of the YouTube Partner Program. Additionally, you cannot include cards in videos made to be viewed by children.

To add cards to YouTube videos:

  1. Connect to the YouTube Studio and choose Content from the menu left.
  2. Choose the video you want to edit and hit Editor on the left.
  3. Select Info cards here, and then begin making cards.
  4. Alter the time of start below the video of each card you include. For the cards leading to a channel (aka channels) it is also necessary to include teaser texts and a personal message explaining why the link is there. Teaser text can be added on other cards.
  5. Save. Click "Save".

For sharing a link in a card, it's essential that you adhere to YouTube's Community Guidelines as well as the the Terms of Service. If you don't in compliance, the search engine could take the link off the video, or even deactivate your account completely.

3. Create an end screen

End screen, also known as end card or end slateare similar to information cards. They appear within the final 5-20 minutes of YouTube videos.

By using an end screen it is possible to direct users to a playlist or video and also add a link to an external site such as your online store.

Image of Youtube end screen

To add end screens in your video:

  1. Sign in to YouTube Studio and select Content from the menu left.
  2. Pick the video that you want to edit and select Editor from the drop-down menu.
  3. Pick End screens and choose the element you want to add.
  4. Save. Click to save.

In this stage, you'll be able to include elements (content to add to your final screen) Apply template, video, playlist Subscribe, channel product and link.

When adding links, be sure to add ones that align with YouTube's policies to save yourself from end screen removal or account deletion.

Also, you can't include end screens in videos that are set to be content created for kids, 360 videos, mobile web, and within the YouTube music app. Furthermore, only those videos of at least 25 seconds in length can be viewed with an end screen.

Here's the thing! If you're ready to go for it, you can try out your uploads of videos in order to create exciting, immersive and clickable videos that grab the attention of your viewers.