How to Make A YouTube Intro Video [2 Ways]

2024 | How to Make a YouTube Intro Video？

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Be it YouTube or any other streaming channel, or even for selling your videos on any e-commerce website, intros play a vital role in your brand promotion, and creating them is not as complicated as it sounds either.

The following sections describe in detail how to make a YouTube intro with Wondershare Filmora video editor, and keep it safe so it can be re-used easily in all your creations to maintain consistency and to give your brand a unique identity.

Part 1: How to Make a YouTube Intro Video with Filmora

With Wondershare Filmora, you can create your custom intros from scratch, i.e., even if you don’t have an existing image or footage to start with. You can follow the method given below to learn how to make YouTube intro with Filmora:

Step 1: Add Intro Background to Filmora

Launch Wondershare Filmora, go to Media tab at the top, select the Sample Colors category from the left pane.

Notice all the existing solid and gradient colors in the Media library in the right, hover the mouse over the tile of the color you want to use as a background, and click the + icon that appears in the center to add it to the timeline.

Note: The default duration of such solids is 5 seconds. You can increase or decrease this time by dragging the right handle of track in the timeline.

Alternatively, you can also use your own background image or video clip by selecting the Project Media category from the left pane, clicking anywhere inside the Media window, and then importing your favorite media file to Filmora. After importing, you can follow the procedure given above to add it to the timeline.

Step 2: Select and Add Audio/Sound Effect to YouTube Intro

With audio in the YouTube intro, your video will be more recognizable. If you have watched PewDiePie ‘s video, you’ll find that even though he changed the images on the intro often, he keeps the music and sound the same in the intro.

In Filmora, you can use the music and sound effect in the inbuilt audio library, double click the audio thumbnail from the library to listen to the soundtrack.

Repeat the process until you find the background music or sound effect that you can use in the intro. Once found, drag and drop it to the audio track below the video.

Note: You should keep the background and the audio at the same duration. For more details about audio editing in Filmora, please check this guide about how to edit audio .

Step 3: Add Text/Logo to Intro Video

In the intro video, you can add your channel name, company name, or other branding elements for brand awareness consideration.

Click Titles tab, hover the mouse over the tile with the text you want to use, and then drag and drop it to the track above the video.

To customize, double-click the title track in the timeline, use the new window that appears in the upper-left area of the interface to change, format, and animate the text as needed, and click OK from the bottom-right corner of the library.

Also, you need to adjust the position and duration of the title to get a better view.

In the intro video, it is recommended to add your logo or slogan as well. To add your logo, drag and drop it to the track above the video, and adjust its position and size. For more details, you can check the guide about How to Add Photo or Video to Watermark .

Step 4: Add Effects to YouTube Intro

Go to Effects tab, choose a category from the top-left pane, and click and drag your preferred effect from the Effects library to the timeline.

Adjust the playback duration by dragging the right handle of the track in the timeline as explained above. Optionally, double-click the Effects track to customize the appearance as needed.

Step 5: Export the Intro and Add to Shared Media

Once you are done creating your YouTube intro with all the required ingredients, click EXPORT from the top-center area of the interface, go to the Local tab on the Export box, choose your preferred output format from the left pane (the most common and widely used is MP4), adjust other preferences like destination location, resolution, framerate, etc. from the right pane of the box, and click EXPORT to export the YouTube intro.

Once exported, back on the main interface, select Media again from the standard toolbar, select the Shared Media container from the left pane, click anywhere inside the Media library, and import the YouTube intro video you just created to Shared Media so it can be reused every time you create a new video for the series.

Also, you can save the project, and then revise the element, effects or text to make a YouTube intro vibration.

You can find there are many video tutorials about how to use Filmora to make a YouTube intro, and below is one for you to have a quick glance.

Part 2: How to Make YouTube Intros with Templates

If the turnaround time of your project is about to end, and you need to hustle up, you can always use pre-built templates that not only expedite your creation process, they also look more professional because they are designed by the experts who already have decades of experience in the industry.

Besides the pre-programmed templates and effects in Filmora, you can find more visual effect packs in the effect store Filmstock .

You can learn how to make YouTube intro video in Filmora with a template downloaded from Filmstock.

Step 1: Visit Filmora Effects Page on Filmstock

Visit https://filmstock.wondershare.com/ and log in with the same WSID that you used on Filmora, and then click EFFECTS from the top of the webpage. Since Filmstock also provides templates for After Effects, you should select Filmora Effects to access the entire Filmora Effects library.

You can search the effects that you want in the Search bar, here, since I’m looking for effects for YouTube intro, I just enter “intro”. The effects related to intro will be displayed like below.

Step 2: Download Video Effect Packs for Filmora

Click your preferred intro effect template, click Download Now and follow the on-screen instructions to obtain and download the template.

After downloading, you will see these them in red circles under titles, transitions, or filters, based on the elements included in this effect pack. You can then add this downloaded titles or transitions to the intro video.

Looking for an online solution? Check the list of Top 10 Free Online YouTube Intro Makers .

Part 3: Creative Intro Makers Made with Filmora (Video Tutorial Included)

Both the above processes on how to make YouTube intro video are helpful as long as you use effective titles, decent effects, and extremely appealing color combinations. While the first method gives you full control over the creation as you can use all your imaginations to prepare one, the second method saves your time and yet lets you come up with a professionally-looking intro clip.

Below is a video tutorial from YouTuber Nash. He demonstrated how to create a YouTube Intro with the Sample Colors, Titles, filters and sound effects.

FAQs About YouTube Intro Video Making

• 1. What is a YouTube Intro Video?

A YouTube intro video is 5 seconds to 7 seconds short motion clip that comprises your company name and logo. Such intros help in your brand promotion and give any film or episode that follows them a unique identity. This allows audiences to recognize your organization, and with regular appearances, you can establish strong goodwill among your customers.

• 2. What Should I Put in a YouTube Intro Video?

A YouTube intro video should have your YouTube channel name, an effective and well-formatted text, brand logo, background music, effects, and a slight and simple animation.

Conclusion

To learn how to make a YouTube intro is easy, and things can get even simpler if you are using an efficient and robust post-production software like Wondershare Filmora, which not only allows you to create such clips from the scratch, it also enables you to access Filmstock’ online library to download more fantastic templates in order to expedite your workflow.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Be it YouTube or any other streaming channel, or even for selling your videos on any e-commerce website, intros play a vital role in your brand promotion, and creating them is not as complicated as it sounds either.

The following sections describe in detail how to make a YouTube intro with Wondershare Filmora video editor, and keep it safe so it can be re-used easily in all your creations to maintain consistency and to give your brand a unique identity.

Part 1: How to Make a YouTube Intro Video with Filmora

With Wondershare Filmora, you can create your custom intros from scratch, i.e., even if you don’t have an existing image or footage to start with. You can follow the method given below to learn how to make YouTube intro with Filmora:

Step 1: Add Intro Background to Filmora

Launch Wondershare Filmora, go to Media tab at the top, select the Sample Colors category from the left pane.

Notice all the existing solid and gradient colors in the Media library in the right, hover the mouse over the tile of the color you want to use as a background, and click the + icon that appears in the center to add it to the timeline.

Note: The default duration of such solids is 5 seconds. You can increase or decrease this time by dragging the right handle of track in the timeline.

Alternatively, you can also use your own background image or video clip by selecting the Project Media category from the left pane, clicking anywhere inside the Media window, and then importing your favorite media file to Filmora. After importing, you can follow the procedure given above to add it to the timeline.

Step 2: Select and Add Audio/Sound Effect to YouTube Intro

With audio in the YouTube intro, your video will be more recognizable. If you have watched PewDiePie ‘s video, you’ll find that even though he changed the images on the intro often, he keeps the music and sound the same in the intro.

In Filmora, you can use the music and sound effect in the inbuilt audio library, double click the audio thumbnail from the library to listen to the soundtrack.

Repeat the process until you find the background music or sound effect that you can use in the intro. Once found, drag and drop it to the audio track below the video.

Note: You should keep the background and the audio at the same duration. For more details about audio editing in Filmora, please check this guide about how to edit audio .

Step 3: Add Text/Logo to Intro Video

In the intro video, you can add your channel name, company name, or other branding elements for brand awareness consideration.

Click Titles tab, hover the mouse over the tile with the text you want to use, and then drag and drop it to the track above the video.

To customize, double-click the title track in the timeline, use the new window that appears in the upper-left area of the interface to change, format, and animate the text as needed, and click OK from the bottom-right corner of the library.

Also, you need to adjust the position and duration of the title to get a better view.

In the intro video, it is recommended to add your logo or slogan as well. To add your logo, drag and drop it to the track above the video, and adjust its position and size. For more details, you can check the guide about How to Add Photo or Video to Watermark .

Step 4: Add Effects to YouTube Intro

Go to Effects tab, choose a category from the top-left pane, and click and drag your preferred effect from the Effects library to the timeline.

Adjust the playback duration by dragging the right handle of the track in the timeline as explained above. Optionally, double-click the Effects track to customize the appearance as needed.

Step 5: Export the Intro and Add to Shared Media

Once you are done creating your YouTube intro with all the required ingredients, click EXPORT from the top-center area of the interface, go to the Local tab on the Export box, choose your preferred output format from the left pane (the most common and widely used is MP4), adjust other preferences like destination location, resolution, framerate, etc. from the right pane of the box, and click EXPORT to export the YouTube intro.

Once exported, back on the main interface, select Media again from the standard toolbar, select the Shared Media container from the left pane, click anywhere inside the Media library, and import the YouTube intro video you just created to Shared Media so it can be reused every time you create a new video for the series.

Also, you can save the project, and then revise the element, effects or text to make a YouTube intro vibration.

You can find there are many video tutorials about how to use Filmora to make a YouTube intro, and below is one for you to have a quick glance.

Part 2: How to Make YouTube Intros with Templates

If the turnaround time of your project is about to end, and you need to hustle up, you can always use pre-built templates that not only expedite your creation process, they also look more professional because they are designed by the experts who already have decades of experience in the industry.

Besides the pre-programmed templates and effects in Filmora, you can find more visual effect packs in the effect store Filmstock .

You can learn how to make YouTube intro video in Filmora with a template downloaded from Filmstock.

Step 1: Visit Filmora Effects Page on Filmstock

Visit https://filmstock.wondershare.com/ and log in with the same WSID that you used on Filmora, and then click EFFECTS from the top of the webpage. Since Filmstock also provides templates for After Effects, you should select Filmora Effects to access the entire Filmora Effects library.

You can search the effects that you want in the Search bar, here, since I’m looking for effects for YouTube intro, I just enter “intro”. The effects related to intro will be displayed like below.

Step 2: Download Video Effect Packs for Filmora

Click your preferred intro effect template, click Download Now and follow the on-screen instructions to obtain and download the template.

After downloading, you will see these them in red circles under titles, transitions, or filters, based on the elements included in this effect pack. You can then add this downloaded titles or transitions to the intro video.

Looking for an online solution? Check the list of Top 10 Free Online YouTube Intro Makers .

Part 3: Creative Intro Makers Made with Filmora (Video Tutorial Included)

Both the above processes on how to make YouTube intro video are helpful as long as you use effective titles, decent effects, and extremely appealing color combinations. While the first method gives you full control over the creation as you can use all your imaginations to prepare one, the second method saves your time and yet lets you come up with a professionally-looking intro clip.

Below is a video tutorial from YouTuber Nash. He demonstrated how to create a YouTube Intro with the Sample Colors, Titles, filters and sound effects.

FAQs About YouTube Intro Video Making

• 1. What is a YouTube Intro Video?

A YouTube intro video is 5 seconds to 7 seconds short motion clip that comprises your company name and logo. Such intros help in your brand promotion and give any film or episode that follows them a unique identity. This allows audiences to recognize your organization, and with regular appearances, you can establish strong goodwill among your customers.

• 2. What Should I Put in a YouTube Intro Video?

A YouTube intro video should have your YouTube channel name, an effective and well-formatted text, brand logo, background music, effects, and a slight and simple animation.

Conclusion

To learn how to make a YouTube intro is easy, and things can get even simpler if you are using an efficient and robust post-production software like Wondershare Filmora, which not only allows you to create such clips from the scratch, it also enables you to access Filmstock’ online library to download more fantastic templates in order to expedite your workflow.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Be it YouTube or any other streaming channel, or even for selling your videos on any e-commerce website, intros play a vital role in your brand promotion, and creating them is not as complicated as it sounds either.

The following sections describe in detail how to make a YouTube intro with Wondershare Filmora video editor, and keep it safe so it can be re-used easily in all your creations to maintain consistency and to give your brand a unique identity.

Part 1: How to Make a YouTube Intro Video with Filmora

With Wondershare Filmora, you can create your custom intros from scratch, i.e., even if you don’t have an existing image or footage to start with. You can follow the method given below to learn how to make YouTube intro with Filmora:

Step 1: Add Intro Background to Filmora

Launch Wondershare Filmora, go to Media tab at the top, select the Sample Colors category from the left pane.

Notice all the existing solid and gradient colors in the Media library in the right, hover the mouse over the tile of the color you want to use as a background, and click the + icon that appears in the center to add it to the timeline.

Note: The default duration of such solids is 5 seconds. You can increase or decrease this time by dragging the right handle of track in the timeline.

Alternatively, you can also use your own background image or video clip by selecting the Project Media category from the left pane, clicking anywhere inside the Media window, and then importing your favorite media file to Filmora. After importing, you can follow the procedure given above to add it to the timeline.

Step 2: Select and Add Audio/Sound Effect to YouTube Intro

With audio in the YouTube intro, your video will be more recognizable. If you have watched PewDiePie ‘s video, you’ll find that even though he changed the images on the intro often, he keeps the music and sound the same in the intro.

In Filmora, you can use the music and sound effect in the inbuilt audio library, double click the audio thumbnail from the library to listen to the soundtrack.

Repeat the process until you find the background music or sound effect that you can use in the intro. Once found, drag and drop it to the audio track below the video.

Note: You should keep the background and the audio at the same duration. For more details about audio editing in Filmora, please check this guide about how to edit audio .

Step 3: Add Text/Logo to Intro Video

In the intro video, you can add your channel name, company name, or other branding elements for brand awareness consideration.

Click Titles tab, hover the mouse over the tile with the text you want to use, and then drag and drop it to the track above the video.

To customize, double-click the title track in the timeline, use the new window that appears in the upper-left area of the interface to change, format, and animate the text as needed, and click OK from the bottom-right corner of the library.

Also, you need to adjust the position and duration of the title to get a better view.

In the intro video, it is recommended to add your logo or slogan as well. To add your logo, drag and drop it to the track above the video, and adjust its position and size. For more details, you can check the guide about How to Add Photo or Video to Watermark .

Step 4: Add Effects to YouTube Intro

Go to Effects tab, choose a category from the top-left pane, and click and drag your preferred effect from the Effects library to the timeline.

Adjust the playback duration by dragging the right handle of the track in the timeline as explained above. Optionally, double-click the Effects track to customize the appearance as needed.

Step 5: Export the Intro and Add to Shared Media

Once you are done creating your YouTube intro with all the required ingredients, click EXPORT from the top-center area of the interface, go to the Local tab on the Export box, choose your preferred output format from the left pane (the most common and widely used is MP4), adjust other preferences like destination location, resolution, framerate, etc. from the right pane of the box, and click EXPORT to export the YouTube intro.

Once exported, back on the main interface, select Media again from the standard toolbar, select the Shared Media container from the left pane, click anywhere inside the Media library, and import the YouTube intro video you just created to Shared Media so it can be reused every time you create a new video for the series.

Also, you can save the project, and then revise the element, effects or text to make a YouTube intro vibration.

You can find there are many video tutorials about how to use Filmora to make a YouTube intro, and below is one for you to have a quick glance.

Part 2: How to Make YouTube Intros with Templates

If the turnaround time of your project is about to end, and you need to hustle up, you can always use pre-built templates that not only expedite your creation process, they also look more professional because they are designed by the experts who already have decades of experience in the industry.

Besides the pre-programmed templates and effects in Filmora, you can find more visual effect packs in the effect store Filmstock .

You can learn how to make YouTube intro video in Filmora with a template downloaded from Filmstock.

Step 1: Visit Filmora Effects Page on Filmstock

Visit https://filmstock.wondershare.com/ and log in with the same WSID that you used on Filmora, and then click EFFECTS from the top of the webpage. Since Filmstock also provides templates for After Effects, you should select Filmora Effects to access the entire Filmora Effects library.

You can search the effects that you want in the Search bar, here, since I’m looking for effects for YouTube intro, I just enter “intro”. The effects related to intro will be displayed like below.

Step 2: Download Video Effect Packs for Filmora

Click your preferred intro effect template, click Download Now and follow the on-screen instructions to obtain and download the template.

After downloading, you will see these them in red circles under titles, transitions, or filters, based on the elements included in this effect pack. You can then add this downloaded titles or transitions to the intro video.

Looking for an online solution? Check the list of Top 10 Free Online YouTube Intro Makers .

Part 3: Creative Intro Makers Made with Filmora (Video Tutorial Included)

Both the above processes on how to make YouTube intro video are helpful as long as you use effective titles, decent effects, and extremely appealing color combinations. While the first method gives you full control over the creation as you can use all your imaginations to prepare one, the second method saves your time and yet lets you come up with a professionally-looking intro clip.

Below is a video tutorial from YouTuber Nash. He demonstrated how to create a YouTube Intro with the Sample Colors, Titles, filters and sound effects.

FAQs About YouTube Intro Video Making

• 1. What is a YouTube Intro Video?

A YouTube intro video is 5 seconds to 7 seconds short motion clip that comprises your company name and logo. Such intros help in your brand promotion and give any film or episode that follows them a unique identity. This allows audiences to recognize your organization, and with regular appearances, you can establish strong goodwill among your customers.

• 2. What Should I Put in a YouTube Intro Video?

A YouTube intro video should have your YouTube channel name, an effective and well-formatted text, brand logo, background music, effects, and a slight and simple animation.

Conclusion

To learn how to make a YouTube intro is easy, and things can get even simpler if you are using an efficient and robust post-production software like Wondershare Filmora, which not only allows you to create such clips from the scratch, it also enables you to access Filmstock’ online library to download more fantastic templates in order to expedite your workflow.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Be it YouTube or any other streaming channel, or even for selling your videos on any e-commerce website, intros play a vital role in your brand promotion, and creating them is not as complicated as it sounds either.

The following sections describe in detail how to make a YouTube intro with Wondershare Filmora video editor, and keep it safe so it can be re-used easily in all your creations to maintain consistency and to give your brand a unique identity.

Part 1: How to Make a YouTube Intro Video with Filmora

With Wondershare Filmora, you can create your custom intros from scratch, i.e., even if you don’t have an existing image or footage to start with. You can follow the method given below to learn how to make YouTube intro with Filmora:

Step 1: Add Intro Background to Filmora

Launch Wondershare Filmora, go to Media tab at the top, select the Sample Colors category from the left pane.

Notice all the existing solid and gradient colors in the Media library in the right, hover the mouse over the tile of the color you want to use as a background, and click the + icon that appears in the center to add it to the timeline.

Note: The default duration of such solids is 5 seconds. You can increase or decrease this time by dragging the right handle of track in the timeline.

Alternatively, you can also use your own background image or video clip by selecting the Project Media category from the left pane, clicking anywhere inside the Media window, and then importing your favorite media file to Filmora. After importing, you can follow the procedure given above to add it to the timeline.

Step 2: Select and Add Audio/Sound Effect to YouTube Intro

With audio in the YouTube intro, your video will be more recognizable. If you have watched PewDiePie ‘s video, you’ll find that even though he changed the images on the intro often, he keeps the music and sound the same in the intro.

In Filmora, you can use the music and sound effect in the inbuilt audio library, double click the audio thumbnail from the library to listen to the soundtrack.

Repeat the process until you find the background music or sound effect that you can use in the intro. Once found, drag and drop it to the audio track below the video.

Note: You should keep the background and the audio at the same duration. For more details about audio editing in Filmora, please check this guide about how to edit audio .

Step 3: Add Text/Logo to Intro Video

In the intro video, you can add your channel name, company name, or other branding elements for brand awareness consideration.

Click Titles tab, hover the mouse over the tile with the text you want to use, and then drag and drop it to the track above the video.

To customize, double-click the title track in the timeline, use the new window that appears in the upper-left area of the interface to change, format, and animate the text as needed, and click OK from the bottom-right corner of the library.

Also, you need to adjust the position and duration of the title to get a better view.

In the intro video, it is recommended to add your logo or slogan as well. To add your logo, drag and drop it to the track above the video, and adjust its position and size. For more details, you can check the guide about How to Add Photo or Video to Watermark .

Step 4: Add Effects to YouTube Intro

Go to Effects tab, choose a category from the top-left pane, and click and drag your preferred effect from the Effects library to the timeline.

Adjust the playback duration by dragging the right handle of the track in the timeline as explained above. Optionally, double-click the Effects track to customize the appearance as needed.

Step 5: Export the Intro and Add to Shared Media

Once you are done creating your YouTube intro with all the required ingredients, click EXPORT from the top-center area of the interface, go to the Local tab on the Export box, choose your preferred output format from the left pane (the most common and widely used is MP4), adjust other preferences like destination location, resolution, framerate, etc. from the right pane of the box, and click EXPORT to export the YouTube intro.

Once exported, back on the main interface, select Media again from the standard toolbar, select the Shared Media container from the left pane, click anywhere inside the Media library, and import the YouTube intro video you just created to Shared Media so it can be reused every time you create a new video for the series.

Also, you can save the project, and then revise the element, effects or text to make a YouTube intro vibration.

You can find there are many video tutorials about how to use Filmora to make a YouTube intro, and below is one for you to have a quick glance.

Part 2: How to Make YouTube Intros with Templates

If the turnaround time of your project is about to end, and you need to hustle up, you can always use pre-built templates that not only expedite your creation process, they also look more professional because they are designed by the experts who already have decades of experience in the industry.

Besides the pre-programmed templates and effects in Filmora, you can find more visual effect packs in the effect store Filmstock .

You can learn how to make YouTube intro video in Filmora with a template downloaded from Filmstock.

Step 1: Visit Filmora Effects Page on Filmstock

Visit https://filmstock.wondershare.com/ and log in with the same WSID that you used on Filmora, and then click EFFECTS from the top of the webpage. Since Filmstock also provides templates for After Effects, you should select Filmora Effects to access the entire Filmora Effects library.

You can search the effects that you want in the Search bar, here, since I’m looking for effects for YouTube intro, I just enter “intro”. The effects related to intro will be displayed like below.

Step 2: Download Video Effect Packs for Filmora

Click your preferred intro effect template, click Download Now and follow the on-screen instructions to obtain and download the template.

After downloading, you will see these them in red circles under titles, transitions, or filters, based on the elements included in this effect pack. You can then add this downloaded titles or transitions to the intro video.

Looking for an online solution? Check the list of Top 10 Free Online YouTube Intro Makers .

Part 3: Creative Intro Makers Made with Filmora (Video Tutorial Included)

Both the above processes on how to make YouTube intro video are helpful as long as you use effective titles, decent effects, and extremely appealing color combinations. While the first method gives you full control over the creation as you can use all your imaginations to prepare one, the second method saves your time and yet lets you come up with a professionally-looking intro clip.

Below is a video tutorial from YouTuber Nash. He demonstrated how to create a YouTube Intro with the Sample Colors, Titles, filters and sound effects.

FAQs About YouTube Intro Video Making

• 1. What is a YouTube Intro Video?

A YouTube intro video is 5 seconds to 7 seconds short motion clip that comprises your company name and logo. Such intros help in your brand promotion and give any film or episode that follows them a unique identity. This allows audiences to recognize your organization, and with regular appearances, you can establish strong goodwill among your customers.

• 2. What Should I Put in a YouTube Intro Video?

A YouTube intro video should have your YouTube channel name, an effective and well-formatted text, brand logo, background music, effects, and a slight and simple animation.

Conclusion

To learn how to make a YouTube intro is easy, and things can get even simpler if you are using an efficient and robust post-production software like Wondershare Filmora, which not only allows you to create such clips from the scratch, it also enables you to access Filmstock’ online library to download more fantastic templates in order to expedite your workflow.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

How to Create Impactful Video Elements: Cards/Annotations

How to Use YouTube Cards and Annotations?

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

YouTube Annotations and Cards are both tools for linking viewers to your other videos or to off-YouTube webpages. Two of the major differences between them are:

Annotations are not clickable on mobile devices.

You cannot choose the size or positioning of Cards.

This article will teach you about both Cards and Annotations and discuss the best uses for each of them.

Part 1: Annotations

Annotations are messages that float overtop of your videos in the YouTube player. Usually, annotations are clickable and take users to other content created by you.

Section 1: Types of Annotations

There are five types of YouTube annotations:

Notes are colored boxes placed over the top of your videos.

Speech Bubbles look like dialogue boxes in a comic strip. They have tails that you can adjust so it looks like one of the people in your video is saying what is written in the annotation.

Spotlights have a subtle border and are completely clear inside. Your text only appears when a viewer’s cursor hovers over top of these annotations.

Labels are like spotlights except that viewers do not have to hover over them for your text to be visible.

Any of these annotations can be used to link viewers to other videos, or as subscribe links. You can also add a simple Title to your video through the Annotations menu.

Section 2: How to Use Annotations

*Note: the above video mentions Pause annotations, which are no longer available.

Here are two of the best uses for annotations:

Clickable End Cards / Outros

One of the best ways you can use spotlight annotations is to create clickable end cards for your videos.

When your video finishes playing the YouTube player will display a selection of suggested videos that might direct viewers away from your channel. You can keep more of these viewers watching your content by creating your own ‘suggested videos’ card and putting it at the end of your videos.

Put thumbnails of two or three of your other videos on your end card, or use ‘picture-in-picture’ to actually imbed footage from them. Then, after you upload your video, go in and place clickable spotlight annotations over top of your video thumbnails.

This is one use for annotations that cannot be duplicated with cards.

Promoting Your Videos

You should not wait until the end of your video to start linking viewers to other content. Many viewers will click away before they see your end card because your video is not exactly what they were looking for. By placing note or speech bubble annotations occasionally throughout your videos you can catch some of these people before they click off of your channel.

This works especially well if you link to videos on similar subjects to the one you are annotating.

Instead of just linking to another video of yours, try to link to that video on a playlist. Once a viewer is on a playlist your videos will auto-play after each other, which is good for both your view count and watch time.

You can also use the newer YouTube Cards for this, but Annotations might still be a better choice because viewers only need to click once vs. twice for Cards.

Try both and see which performs best for your channel. It might be in your best interest to keep on using both as they target different audiences – Cards are clickable on mobile devices, for example, but Annotations are not.

Part 2: YouTube Cards

YouTube Cards are newer than annotations and a lot of people believe they will one day replace Annotations. While there are benefits to Cards – like embedding images to represent your links – you cannot choose the shape, size, or placement of them. This means they have limited uses.

When viewers click on a Card they are shown additional information and a thumbnail representing the page they will be taken to if they choose to click again. This extra step could be either help viewers decide to click your links or give them a second chance to decide they would rather not.

Section 1: When to Use Cards

A linked Annotation is simply a call to action viewers can click on. A Card is a call to action as well, but instead of taking the viewer directly to where its link leads when it is clicked a Card opens up into a larger version of itself with a thumbnail image.

Crowdfunding pages (Patreon is a great choice for video creators), charity fundraising pages, and merchandise stores are all examples of links that benefit from the format of YouTube Cards.

When you link a viewer to a non-YouTube page you break up their session time, which negatively impacts your watch time and SEO ranking. You want to make sure that the viewers you are directing away from YouTube are the ones most likely to convert after they leave. By ‘convert’ we mean to contribute to your Patreon campaign, donate to the charity you are promoting, or buy some of your merchandise.

Giving viewers more information and a thumbnail through a Card can help ensure the most interested viewers are the ones clicking your links.

If you want to find a video editing solution that empowers your imagination and creativity yet takes less effort, please try this robust and user-friendly video editing software Filmora, which is equipped with its own footage stock Wondershare Filmstock and will definitely enhance your productivity and helps you to make money by making videos much easier.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

YouTube Annotations and Cards are both tools for linking viewers to your other videos or to off-YouTube webpages. Two of the major differences between them are:

Annotations are not clickable on mobile devices.

You cannot choose the size or positioning of Cards.

This article will teach you about both Cards and Annotations and discuss the best uses for each of them.

Part 1: Annotations

Annotations are messages that float overtop of your videos in the YouTube player. Usually, annotations are clickable and take users to other content created by you.

Section 1: Types of Annotations

There are five types of YouTube annotations:

Notes are colored boxes placed over the top of your videos.

Speech Bubbles look like dialogue boxes in a comic strip. They have tails that you can adjust so it looks like one of the people in your video is saying what is written in the annotation.

Spotlights have a subtle border and are completely clear inside. Your text only appears when a viewer’s cursor hovers over top of these annotations.

Labels are like spotlights except that viewers do not have to hover over them for your text to be visible.

Any of these annotations can be used to link viewers to other videos, or as subscribe links. You can also add a simple Title to your video through the Annotations menu.

Section 2: How to Use Annotations

*Note: the above video mentions Pause annotations, which are no longer available.

Here are two of the best uses for annotations:

Clickable End Cards / Outros

One of the best ways you can use spotlight annotations is to create clickable end cards for your videos.

When your video finishes playing the YouTube player will display a selection of suggested videos that might direct viewers away from your channel. You can keep more of these viewers watching your content by creating your own ‘suggested videos’ card and putting it at the end of your videos.

Put thumbnails of two or three of your other videos on your end card, or use ‘picture-in-picture’ to actually imbed footage from them. Then, after you upload your video, go in and place clickable spotlight annotations over top of your video thumbnails.

This is one use for annotations that cannot be duplicated with cards.

Promoting Your Videos

You should not wait until the end of your video to start linking viewers to other content. Many viewers will click away before they see your end card because your video is not exactly what they were looking for. By placing note or speech bubble annotations occasionally throughout your videos you can catch some of these people before they click off of your channel.

This works especially well if you link to videos on similar subjects to the one you are annotating.

Instead of just linking to another video of yours, try to link to that video on a playlist. Once a viewer is on a playlist your videos will auto-play after each other, which is good for both your view count and watch time.

You can also use the newer YouTube Cards for this, but Annotations might still be a better choice because viewers only need to click once vs. twice for Cards.

Try both and see which performs best for your channel. It might be in your best interest to keep on using both as they target different audiences – Cards are clickable on mobile devices, for example, but Annotations are not.

Part 2: YouTube Cards

YouTube Cards are newer than annotations and a lot of people believe they will one day replace Annotations. While there are benefits to Cards – like embedding images to represent your links – you cannot choose the shape, size, or placement of them. This means they have limited uses.

When viewers click on a Card they are shown additional information and a thumbnail representing the page they will be taken to if they choose to click again. This extra step could be either help viewers decide to click your links or give them a second chance to decide they would rather not.

Section 1: When to Use Cards

A linked Annotation is simply a call to action viewers can click on. A Card is a call to action as well, but instead of taking the viewer directly to where its link leads when it is clicked a Card opens up into a larger version of itself with a thumbnail image.

Crowdfunding pages (Patreon is a great choice for video creators), charity fundraising pages, and merchandise stores are all examples of links that benefit from the format of YouTube Cards.

When you link a viewer to a non-YouTube page you break up their session time, which negatively impacts your watch time and SEO ranking. You want to make sure that the viewers you are directing away from YouTube are the ones most likely to convert after they leave. By ‘convert’ we mean to contribute to your Patreon campaign, donate to the charity you are promoting, or buy some of your merchandise.

Giving viewers more information and a thumbnail through a Card can help ensure the most interested viewers are the ones clicking your links.

If you want to find a video editing solution that empowers your imagination and creativity yet takes less effort, please try this robust and user-friendly video editing software Filmora, which is equipped with its own footage stock Wondershare Filmstock and will definitely enhance your productivity and helps you to make money by making videos much easier.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

YouTube Annotations and Cards are both tools for linking viewers to your other videos or to off-YouTube webpages. Two of the major differences between them are:

Annotations are not clickable on mobile devices.

You cannot choose the size or positioning of Cards.

This article will teach you about both Cards and Annotations and discuss the best uses for each of them.

Part 1: Annotations

Annotations are messages that float overtop of your videos in the YouTube player. Usually, annotations are clickable and take users to other content created by you.

Section 1: Types of Annotations

There are five types of YouTube annotations:

Notes are colored boxes placed over the top of your videos.

Speech Bubbles look like dialogue boxes in a comic strip. They have tails that you can adjust so it looks like one of the people in your video is saying what is written in the annotation.

Spotlights have a subtle border and are completely clear inside. Your text only appears when a viewer’s cursor hovers over top of these annotations.

Labels are like spotlights except that viewers do not have to hover over them for your text to be visible.

Any of these annotations can be used to link viewers to other videos, or as subscribe links. You can also add a simple Title to your video through the Annotations menu.

Section 2: How to Use Annotations

*Note: the above video mentions Pause annotations, which are no longer available.

Here are two of the best uses for annotations:

Clickable End Cards / Outros

One of the best ways you can use spotlight annotations is to create clickable end cards for your videos.

When your video finishes playing the YouTube player will display a selection of suggested videos that might direct viewers away from your channel. You can keep more of these viewers watching your content by creating your own ‘suggested videos’ card and putting it at the end of your videos.

Put thumbnails of two or three of your other videos on your end card, or use ‘picture-in-picture’ to actually imbed footage from them. Then, after you upload your video, go in and place clickable spotlight annotations over top of your video thumbnails.

This is one use for annotations that cannot be duplicated with cards.

Promoting Your Videos

You should not wait until the end of your video to start linking viewers to other content. Many viewers will click away before they see your end card because your video is not exactly what they were looking for. By placing note or speech bubble annotations occasionally throughout your videos you can catch some of these people before they click off of your channel.

This works especially well if you link to videos on similar subjects to the one you are annotating.

Instead of just linking to another video of yours, try to link to that video on a playlist. Once a viewer is on a playlist your videos will auto-play after each other, which is good for both your view count and watch time.

You can also use the newer YouTube Cards for this, but Annotations might still be a better choice because viewers only need to click once vs. twice for Cards.

Try both and see which performs best for your channel. It might be in your best interest to keep on using both as they target different audiences – Cards are clickable on mobile devices, for example, but Annotations are not.

Part 2: YouTube Cards

YouTube Cards are newer than annotations and a lot of people believe they will one day replace Annotations. While there are benefits to Cards – like embedding images to represent your links – you cannot choose the shape, size, or placement of them. This means they have limited uses.

When viewers click on a Card they are shown additional information and a thumbnail representing the page they will be taken to if they choose to click again. This extra step could be either help viewers decide to click your links or give them a second chance to decide they would rather not.

Section 1: When to Use Cards

A linked Annotation is simply a call to action viewers can click on. A Card is a call to action as well, but instead of taking the viewer directly to where its link leads when it is clicked a Card opens up into a larger version of itself with a thumbnail image.

Crowdfunding pages (Patreon is a great choice for video creators), charity fundraising pages, and merchandise stores are all examples of links that benefit from the format of YouTube Cards.

When you link a viewer to a non-YouTube page you break up their session time, which negatively impacts your watch time and SEO ranking. You want to make sure that the viewers you are directing away from YouTube are the ones most likely to convert after they leave. By ‘convert’ we mean to contribute to your Patreon campaign, donate to the charity you are promoting, or buy some of your merchandise.

Giving viewers more information and a thumbnail through a Card can help ensure the most interested viewers are the ones clicking your links.

If you want to find a video editing solution that empowers your imagination and creativity yet takes less effort, please try this robust and user-friendly video editing software Filmora, which is equipped with its own footage stock Wondershare Filmstock and will definitely enhance your productivity and helps you to make money by making videos much easier.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

YouTube Annotations and Cards are both tools for linking viewers to your other videos or to off-YouTube webpages. Two of the major differences between them are:

Annotations are not clickable on mobile devices.

You cannot choose the size or positioning of Cards.

This article will teach you about both Cards and Annotations and discuss the best uses for each of them.

Part 1: Annotations

Annotations are messages that float overtop of your videos in the YouTube player. Usually, annotations are clickable and take users to other content created by you.

Section 1: Types of Annotations

There are five types of YouTube annotations:

Notes are colored boxes placed over the top of your videos.

Speech Bubbles look like dialogue boxes in a comic strip. They have tails that you can adjust so it looks like one of the people in your video is saying what is written in the annotation.

Spotlights have a subtle border and are completely clear inside. Your text only appears when a viewer’s cursor hovers over top of these annotations.

Labels are like spotlights except that viewers do not have to hover over them for your text to be visible.

Any of these annotations can be used to link viewers to other videos, or as subscribe links. You can also add a simple Title to your video through the Annotations menu.

Section 2: How to Use Annotations

*Note: the above video mentions Pause annotations, which are no longer available.

Here are two of the best uses for annotations:

Clickable End Cards / Outros

One of the best ways you can use spotlight annotations is to create clickable end cards for your videos.

When your video finishes playing the YouTube player will display a selection of suggested videos that might direct viewers away from your channel. You can keep more of these viewers watching your content by creating your own ‘suggested videos’ card and putting it at the end of your videos.

Put thumbnails of two or three of your other videos on your end card, or use ‘picture-in-picture’ to actually imbed footage from them. Then, after you upload your video, go in and place clickable spotlight annotations over top of your video thumbnails.

This is one use for annotations that cannot be duplicated with cards.

Promoting Your Videos

You should not wait until the end of your video to start linking viewers to other content. Many viewers will click away before they see your end card because your video is not exactly what they were looking for. By placing note or speech bubble annotations occasionally throughout your videos you can catch some of these people before they click off of your channel.

This works especially well if you link to videos on similar subjects to the one you are annotating.

Instead of just linking to another video of yours, try to link to that video on a playlist. Once a viewer is on a playlist your videos will auto-play after each other, which is good for both your view count and watch time.

You can also use the newer YouTube Cards for this, but Annotations might still be a better choice because viewers only need to click once vs. twice for Cards.

Try both and see which performs best for your channel. It might be in your best interest to keep on using both as they target different audiences – Cards are clickable on mobile devices, for example, but Annotations are not.

Part 2: YouTube Cards

YouTube Cards are newer than annotations and a lot of people believe they will one day replace Annotations. While there are benefits to Cards – like embedding images to represent your links – you cannot choose the shape, size, or placement of them. This means they have limited uses.

When viewers click on a Card they are shown additional information and a thumbnail representing the page they will be taken to if they choose to click again. This extra step could be either help viewers decide to click your links or give them a second chance to decide they would rather not.

Section 1: When to Use Cards

A linked Annotation is simply a call to action viewers can click on. A Card is a call to action as well, but instead of taking the viewer directly to where its link leads when it is clicked a Card opens up into a larger version of itself with a thumbnail image.

Crowdfunding pages (Patreon is a great choice for video creators), charity fundraising pages, and merchandise stores are all examples of links that benefit from the format of YouTube Cards.

When you link a viewer to a non-YouTube page you break up their session time, which negatively impacts your watch time and SEO ranking. You want to make sure that the viewers you are directing away from YouTube are the ones most likely to convert after they leave. By ‘convert’ we mean to contribute to your Patreon campaign, donate to the charity you are promoting, or buy some of your merchandise.

Giving viewers more information and a thumbnail through a Card can help ensure the most interested viewers are the ones clicking your links.

If you want to find a video editing solution that empowers your imagination and creativity yet takes less effort, please try this robust and user-friendly video editing software Filmora, which is equipped with its own footage stock Wondershare Filmstock and will definitely enhance your productivity and helps you to make money by making videos much easier.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett