YouTube End Screens and Cards: How to Use Them to Keep Viewers Watching

End screens vs. cards

* Link elements and link cards are available to channels in the YouTube Partner Program.

How to add an end screen

1. Open YouTube Studio, go to Content and select the video.
2. From the left menu, select Editor and open the end screen option.
3. Add elements — a template, an element from another video, or each element one by one — and place them over the last seconds of the video.
4. Set when each element appears on the timeline, then save.

Good defaults: one video element set to "best for viewer" or your most relevant next video, plus the subscribe element. Leave the rest of the screen clear so viewers can see what you're pointing at.

How to add info cards

1. In the same Editor, open the info cards option.
2. Choose the card type — video, playlist, channel or link — and the content it points to.
3. Add an optional message and teaser text (channel cards need both), set the start time and save.

Viewers first see a short teaser at the time you chose; they open the card from the info icon.

Plan the last 20 seconds in the edit

End screens appear over your video, so the most effective ones are planned before you export:

• Leave space. Keep the last 5–20 seconds visually simple — a background, b-roll or you talking — so elements don't cover anything important.
• Say why to click. "If you want to fix the audio problem we talked about, watch this one next" works far better than "check out my other videos".
• Point to one clear next step. One strong video recommendation usually beats four competing elements.
• Don't signal "the end" too early. Long goodbyes before the end screen give people a reason to leave first.

Using cards without annoying viewers

• Add a card where viewers need more — when you mention a related tutorial, a full review or a previous part of a series.
• Check your retention graph. If many viewers leave at a certain point, a card to a more relevant video just before that moment can keep them on your channel instead of leaving YouTube. See how to get more watch hours.
• Use a few, not five. Cards that pop up constantly feel like interruptions.

Why your end screen or cards aren't showing

• The video is set as made for kids — end screens and cards aren't available.
• The video is shorter than 25 seconds (end screens).
• The viewer is on a surface that doesn't show end screens, such as the YouTube Music app, mobile web or 360° video.
• You chose a link element but the channel isn't in the YouTube Partner Program yet.

Frequently asked questions