Guide to Supercharged Video Engagement with YouTube Notes

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.

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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.

Part 1: How to Add YouTube Cards
Part 2: How to Add YouTube Annotations

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

Designing a Simple YouTube Subscriber Shortcut

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Building a YouTube channel isn’t a walk-in-the-park. As a content creator, you go toiling several processes to ensure its success. More so, you are probably building a brand and want people to know about your product or services. What about one easy way to remember the URL and share it with your potential subscribers? Besides sending such links to people, you’ll be reminding them to subscribe with just a click. And that’s YouTube auto-subscribe link. It is a more effective way than asking or directing to check your YouTube channel. They’ll probably not find it easy, maneuvering around numbers of other channels that bear names close to your channel. A visitor will quickly give up. You can save them the crap and engage more effectively.

Using a phone

First, open the YouTube app. Look for it on your phone’s home screen or search through apps.
Then sign in to your “Google” account for you to be able to subscribe to YouTube channels.
Next, locate the channel that you want to subscribe to. You can either subscribe from the channel home page or watch the channel video.
Tap on the “Subscribe” button. The text on the “Subscribe” button will immediately change to “Subscribed” once you hit the subscribe tab.
Finally, hit the “Subscriptions” tab to manage your channel subscriptions. You’ll also manage to see other latest updates from your subscription.
You can now easily manage your notifications. You now start to receive notifications of other new channels by default. It is possible to modify this by choosing “All,” “None,” or “Personalized” to determine how to get notifications.

Using a computer

First, visit the YouTube web page https://www.youtube.com in a web browser. The YouTube website will then be open.
Then sign in to your YT account. Remember, you must also be signed in to a Google account to subscribe to YouTube channels.
Browse for a channel and find what’s trending in the left-side panel of the screen.
Hit the “Subscribe” button to subscribe to a channel. Once you are subscribed, the Subscribe text button will turn grey and change to “Subscribed.”
View subscriptions by clicking the “three horizontal lines” found at the top-left corner of YouTube. You can also adjust your notification preferences to receive more or fewer updates from a channel.

1. Links will auto-prompt visitors to subscribe to your YouTube channel.

2. You can use the link anywhere and reach very many visitors.

3. It works automatically to boost your subscriber count.

Here are the steps to create YouTube auto subscribers’ links on your computer and mobile device.

Step 1. First, go to your YouTube Channel URL.
Step 2. Press on your “Profile,” then click on the “Settings” option in the drop-down menu.
Step 3. Next, click on the “Profile” picture and copy the URL link.
Step 4. Add your “YouTube” channel URL with an “Auto Subscribe Tag.” “YouTube channel URL + ?sub_confirmation=1 Then remove the Plus Sign in between to get a YouTube subscribe link.

Step 1. Launch the YouTube app on your mobile phone, then click on the “Profile” icon.
Step 2. Then go to the “Menu” tab and click on the “Your Channel” option.
Step 3. Select the “Share” option from the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Next, click on the “Copy link” of your YouTube Channel.
Step 5. Finally, add your “YouTube” channel URL with the Auto Subscribe Tag.

How to locate your YouTube Channel URL

Unfortunately, many people don’t know their YouTube Channel URL. Check out how to locate your URL.

Click on your “Profile” icon in the top-right corner of the YouTube page.
Choose the “Settings” option from the drop-down menu.
Next, hit the “Advanced” tab below your name.
Boom! You get your link.
Finally, combine your channel URL with the “Auto Subscribe” Tag.

● The formula: YouTube channel URL + “?sub_confirmation=1.” Remember to remove the parenthesis to get your auto-subscribe link.

As a content creator, you need to do more to add YouTube auto subscribers to your channel.

Use closed captions to improve accessibility

Including subtitles or closed captions can drive a larger audience to access your content. Some YouTube users have challenges, for example, the deaf or those with hearing problems. Creating a video and not considering this may limit such users from getting to your channel as they may not get all the needed information. Follow these steps to create subtitles or closed captions.

Sign in to YouTube Studio.
Then select the “Subtitles” option from the left menu.
Click on the video that you wish to edit.
Next, click on the “Add Language” button and select your language.
Go to the “Subtitles” section and select the “Add” button.
Finally, enter your captions as the video plays. It will enable viewers who find it challenging to understand your video in detail and probably hit the subscribe button.

Translate your video descriptions

YouTube is accessed worldwide and not necessarily by those who speak your language. You can increase the chances of subscribers by translating your video titles and descriptions to make them understandable to people from across the world. It will make your videos more discoverable and show that you care about those from other regions. Check out how to add translations to YouTube videos.

First, sign in to YouTube Studio.
Then go to the left menu and select the “Subtitles” option.
Choose the video in which you want to add the translations.
It would be best if you choose a language for your video. Click the “Confirm” button.
Then select the “Add language” option and choose the language you wish to translate your video into
Go to “Titles & descriptions” and select the “Add” tab.
Lastly, enter the translated description and hit the “Publish” button.

Use end screens for extra content promotion

An end screen call-to-action is essential in every video that you post on YouTube. They appear in the last 10 seconds and are useful in directing viewers to your chosen destination. Use them to direct a viewer to visit another channel, subscribe to your channel, or play another video. Here’s how to do it:

Firstly, sign in to YouTube Studio.
Then go to the “Videos” page and select a video to use.
Select the “Editor” tab from the left menu.
Next, choose the “Add an end screen” option to direct viewers appropriately.

Add a comment to your feed

This functionality is essential if many commenters repeatedly ask the same question. Besides, it will help you to boost engagement with a question.

Here are the simple steps on how to pin a comment to the top of your feed.

Go to your “Community” tab.
Then choose the comment that you wish to pin.
Click on the “More” tab > “Pin” option.

It is not necessarily true that YouTube auto-subscribe will subscribe to a new channel. However, some reasons may contribute to that. You may have realized that YouTube just subscribed you to random channels without asking you. Here are the possible reasons for that.

• Spinoff Channel
A content creator may decide to come up with a Spinoff channel. In this case, they may automatically subscribe you to their new channel. In most cases, such content creators want to promote their new channel.

• Check your extensions
One of your browsers may be playing tricks on your YouTube account. Extensions may change your browser’s settings and make the “Unsubscribe” option unavailable. Try disabling all of your browser extensions, then check back if YouTube still subscribes you to channels unknown to you. If so, solve the issue by uninstalling the specific extensions. These could be ad blockers or free VPN extensions.

• Someone else can hit the button
Do you share your computer with other fellows? The chances are that someone hit the “Subscribe” button without your consent. Just unsubscribe and keep watching next time.

Conclusion

● The internet arena is very competitive. It would be best if you did everything right to drive as many YouTube auto-subscribers as possible to your channel. And creating a YouTube auto-subscribe link is the first step to making things easier for your potential subscribers. We have covered how to create a YouTube subscribe link and shown other tricks to help you keep your viewers locked.

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