How to make clickable video Hotspots, video links

Video content can tell a story, introduce a product, and create greater immersion experiences. For video creators and brands Clickable links provide an important layer of interactivity for a deeper the engagement.

In-video links differ from a typical in-description link that is found on all video platforms. The clickable link in video is within the video and may be in the form of traditional text link, hotspot, overlay or chapter titles as well.

Clickable links multiply the video quality for viewers and, by extension the value for your business.

In this article

•    How can you include clickable links to videos
•    How can you include hyperlinks that can be clicked to YouTube videos

How can you include clickable links to videos

1. Add a contact form

The name of the form suggests that a contact form helps capture the details of viewers. According to what you have specified it can surface before, during, or even after the end of a film.

It is possible to display the form during any point in the video. The content can be locked in the form and gather information from users to help with a lead generation strategy.

Bonus tip: You can consider giving viewers the option of not using the contact form -- after all, there's no need making them share their contact details unless you've fenced the content.

To add contact form in your video:

1. Go to the Interaction tools tab within the settings for your video and scroll down to select Contact Form..
2. Select the time you wish to enable the contact form.
3. Simply connect the form directly with one of your partner email marketing platforms using the Connect button in the Email providers section.
4. You must agree to the terms and conditions that show up in the following. Now log in to your email account to join the account .
5. Select at least one mailing list that you want to sync your details collected and then click apply to save any changes.

2. Cards to add

Another in-video link flavor is called cards. These are links with a notification style that are visible for a limited amount of time, typically about six seconds. It is possible to keep the cards simple by including an introduction or make them more elaborate by adding descriptions, links, as well as a thumbnail like in the case.

To add card to the video

1. Visit the Tools for interaction tab within the settings for your video and scroll down until you choose Card on the During video drop-down menu.
2. Fill in the fields to flesh out the card. It is necessary to have a title as well as a timestamp for when to show your card. This is a must at least.
3. Hit Add button when you're done and press Save.

Remember: you can add more than one card per second.

3. Screens to end the Addend

End screens show up at the end of the video. You can choose from several options to customize these links on your video.

• Add background images that can be clicked
• Include social share icons
• Present a contact form
• Slip in the CTA button
• Send viewers to a second video

Add an end-screen in the video you are watching:

1. Go to the Interaction tools tab of 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. Choose your screen's end type and click Add after which click Save.

4. Chapters can be added

Chapters work well for long videos. They allow you to segment video content, making it much easier to navigate, move between sections, skip content and rewatch important moments.

1. Click on the Interaction tools tab within your settings for video. Scroll down until you reach the Chapters section, then select +New to create a new chapter.
2. The title of the chapter should be entered (up up to 50 characters) and include the date for when it'll show in the video.
3. Hit Save once you're finished adding and editing chapters.

Like with cards, you can include one chapter every second in the video. Each video may have as many as 100 chapters.

5. Create hotspots for video

Choose from creating static hotspots that occupy a determined position in the video, or hotspots with sticky properties that move with people or objects in the video.

For adding a hotspot your video:

1. Watch your video and select the object or person you want to add to a hotspot.
2. Under the Hotspot section, tap the (+) icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen, once you've found where you can add the hotspot.
3. Pick your design for your hotspot from  the template gallery that is ready to use or design your own custom layout.
4. Adjust the hotspot's position relative to the object/person you add it to.
5. Toggle to turn the Stick to object option to off or on depending on whether you'd like an active or sticky hotspot.

6. Create interactive overlays

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

For overlays to your video:

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

1. Pick from actions that overlay such as links, information panels, and many more.
2. Review and then hit save.

How can you include clickable hyperlinks to YouTube videos?

Let's discuss adding links to videos on YouTube. These are the options available:

1. Link to the description of your video

The most popular location to place an e-mail link is within your YouTube video description. Adding a link to your video's description makes the process easier for users to discover your items, website, subscription link or affiliate links.

A YouTube video description shows up right below your video's title.

To make sure viewers don't miss the link, work it into the start of the description text , so viewers are able to see the link even without clicking "see more."

Add a hyperlink to the YouTube description of your video:

1. Go to YouTube Studio from the top-right edge on your screen.
2. On the next page that appears, click Videos from the left-hand sidebar and then select the video that you wish to modify.
3. Make edits to the video's description within the box that describes the video, then paste in the URL you wish to include.
4. Hit Save. YouTube converts the URL into a clickable URL.

2. Card Addition

Another way to create a clickable video using YouTube is to use info cards.

These pop up at predetermined time intervals within your videochanging into an lowercase "i" when they appear in the upper right corner of the computer's screen. In this way, the viewer can hover their cursor over the "i" and click on to play the game whenever they wish.

You can include at least five information cards to your video that will direct viewers to similar content, (public) playlists, YouTube channels, or links.

Keep in mind: you're only able to use card clickable if you're a part of YouTube's Partner Program. Plus, you can't make cards available in video clips made for kids.

To add cards to your YouTube video:

1. Connect to the YouTube Studio and choose Content from the menu left.
2. Select the video you wish to edit, and then hit Editor on the left.
3. Select the Info card here, and then begin by adding cards.
4. Alter the time of start below the video of every card you create. If you are adding cards that lead to channels (aka channels), you also need to include teaser texts and a custom message to explain what the link leads to. The addition of teaser text is not required for other cards.
5. Save. Click Save.

For sharing a link in an email, it's important to follow the YouTube's Community Guidelines and the Terms of Service. If you aren't, the video search engine could remove the link from your video or cancel the account entirely.

3. Add an end screen

End screen, also known as end card or end slate, are like info cards. They show up in the last 5-20 seconds of a YouTube video.

Using an end screen, you can direct viewers to a particular playlist or video and also add a link to an external site , such as your online store.

Add end screen to your video

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio and select Content from the menu left.
2. Choose the video you'd like to edit and select editor from the drop-down menu.
3. Select the screens that end and select the component you'd like to add.
4. Click "Save".

You'll be able to include elements (content that you can add to the end of your screen) Apply templates, videos, playlists and subscribe. You can also add channels, merchandise and link.

Again, when adding links, be sure to add ones that align with YouTube's guidelines to protect you from screen deletion at the end or account termination.

Also, you can't make end-screens for videos which are categorized as content for kids, 360 videos, mobile web, and within the YouTube music application. In addition, only videos that are at least 25 seconds long are eligible to have the end of the video.

You've got it! If you're feeling ready, try experimenting with the upload of your videos to make captivating, engaging, and clickable video clips that catch your viewers' attention.