No Paywalls Here! Learn How To Record and Save Your YouTube Experience For Free

How To Record Screencast From YouTube For Free

Max Wales

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Screencasting is a simple task anyone can do it with ease. All that you need to do is download a software program, press the record button and soon all movements on your device screen video will be recorded. Crazy video gamers do the same thing to share their interesting game videos on YouTube channels.

There is a wide range of software tools that can assists you with screencasting needs. Even YouTube itself has the ability to capture device screens without the need for additional software tool. If you are interested to know how it can be done, simply go through the details below.

Note: We resolutely oppose all forms of copyright-infringing downloads. This tutorial is only for downloading YouTube videos/audio materials from your own channel.

The All-in-One Screen Recorder & Video Editor

• Record desktop screen, voiceover, and webcam simultaneously
• Edit recorded clips quickly with a wide range of professional tools
• Built-in plentiful templates and effects
• Export to MP4, MOV, MKV, GIF and multiple formats

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Secure Download

Recording Screencast Video with YouTube

Step 1: Open YouTube on your computer and sign by using your Google Account. On the top left corner, you will find the Upload button, press it and go to live streaming section and choose events from the drop-down menu. When you are doing this for the very first time, YouTube will ask your phone number to verify the streaming process. You can also click here to get to the Livestreaming page directly.

Step 2: On the create an event page, add a title for your screencast video; set privacy terms and then hit “Go Live Now” option.

Step 3: The Hangout on Air page will get opened. It will allow you to select-deselect webcam recording as well as mic recording.

Step 4: Hit the screen share button from the left toolbox and choose the desktop window that you wish to record. Now press start the Broadcast button to start screen recording. Note that it is a private session that cannot be watched by anyone else.

Step 5: When your video is ready to go to YouTube video dashboard and choose your recent screencast video. Download it to Google Drive and share it with the world.

A better way to record Screencast and Upload to YouTube

For those who are interested in capturing screencast with high-quality videos and need an easy to use the built-in editor to customize these videos; it is good to look for some dedicated screencast tools. Experts recommend using Wondershare Filmora due to its advanced features and interactive software platform.

Top Features

• Filmora is one of the most interactive software tools that works perfectly on Windows and Mac platforms.
• It supports more than 50 media file formats.
• Filmora allows users to record with Webcam and PC simultaneously.
• It is possible to record audio from mic input and internal computer audio as well.
• With Filmora users can record high paced videos at 120fps.
• Add markers to important frames during recording.

There are so many benefits of using Filmora for YouTube screencast video recordings. The biggest trouble with YouTube based recording is that when you try it for the very first time, YouTube will take 24 hours to verify your account for the live streaming. But by using Filmora, you can do this task instantly at any hour of the day. Another great news is that Fillmore Scrn comes with a built-in video editor that allows users to customize videos with ease. Once your videos are ready, you can share them directly to social media platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Vimeo etc.

Let’s watch the video below to check how to record your screen with Filmora and upload the recorded video to YouTube.

Conclusion

With all impressive features, there is no doubt to say that Filmora can serve your screencasting needs in the best possible manner. Whether you are a crazy gamer interested to share your adventure videos with the world or want to create useful tutorials for your audience, Filmora is your best companion for all your needs.

Max Wales

Max Wales is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Max Wales

Max Wales

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Screencasting is a simple task anyone can do it with ease. All that you need to do is download a software program, press the record button and soon all movements on your device screen video will be recorded. Crazy video gamers do the same thing to share their interesting game videos on YouTube channels.

There is a wide range of software tools that can assists you with screencasting needs. Even YouTube itself has the ability to capture device screens without the need for additional software tool. If you are interested to know how it can be done, simply go through the details below.

Note: We resolutely oppose all forms of copyright-infringing downloads. This tutorial is only for downloading YouTube videos/audio materials from your own channel.

The All-in-One Screen Recorder & Video Editor

• Record desktop screen, voiceover, and webcam simultaneously
• Edit recorded clips quickly with a wide range of professional tools
• Built-in plentiful templates and effects
• Export to MP4, MOV, MKV, GIF and multiple formats

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Secure Download

Recording Screencast Video with YouTube

Step 1: Open YouTube on your computer and sign by using your Google Account. On the top left corner, you will find the Upload button, press it and go to live streaming section and choose events from the drop-down menu. When you are doing this for the very first time, YouTube will ask your phone number to verify the streaming process. You can also click here to get to the Livestreaming page directly.

Step 2: On the create an event page, add a title for your screencast video; set privacy terms and then hit “Go Live Now” option.

Step 3: The Hangout on Air page will get opened. It will allow you to select-deselect webcam recording as well as mic recording.

Step 4: Hit the screen share button from the left toolbox and choose the desktop window that you wish to record. Now press start the Broadcast button to start screen recording. Note that it is a private session that cannot be watched by anyone else.

Step 5: When your video is ready to go to YouTube video dashboard and choose your recent screencast video. Download it to Google Drive and share it with the world.

A better way to record Screencast and Upload to YouTube

For those who are interested in capturing screencast with high-quality videos and need an easy to use the built-in editor to customize these videos; it is good to look for some dedicated screencast tools. Experts recommend using Wondershare Filmora due to its advanced features and interactive software platform.

Top Features

• Filmora is one of the most interactive software tools that works perfectly on Windows and Mac platforms.
• It supports more than 50 media file formats.
• Filmora allows users to record with Webcam and PC simultaneously.
• It is possible to record audio from mic input and internal computer audio as well.
• With Filmora users can record high paced videos at 120fps.
• Add markers to important frames during recording.

There are so many benefits of using Filmora for YouTube screencast video recordings. The biggest trouble with YouTube based recording is that when you try it for the very first time, YouTube will take 24 hours to verify your account for the live streaming. But by using Filmora, you can do this task instantly at any hour of the day. Another great news is that Fillmore Scrn comes with a built-in video editor that allows users to customize videos with ease. Once your videos are ready, you can share them directly to social media platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Vimeo etc.

Let’s watch the video below to check how to record your screen with Filmora and upload the recorded video to YouTube.

Conclusion

With all impressive features, there is no doubt to say that Filmora can serve your screencasting needs in the best possible manner. Whether you are a crazy gamer interested to share your adventure videos with the world or want to create useful tutorials for your audience, Filmora is your best companion for all your needs.

Max Wales

Max Wales is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Max Wales

Max Wales

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Screencasting is a simple task anyone can do it with ease. All that you need to do is download a software program, press the record button and soon all movements on your device screen video will be recorded. Crazy video gamers do the same thing to share their interesting game videos on YouTube channels.

There is a wide range of software tools that can assists you with screencasting needs. Even YouTube itself has the ability to capture device screens without the need for additional software tool. If you are interested to know how it can be done, simply go through the details below.

Note: We resolutely oppose all forms of copyright-infringing downloads. This tutorial is only for downloading YouTube videos/audio materials from your own channel.

The All-in-One Screen Recorder & Video Editor

• Record desktop screen, voiceover, and webcam simultaneously
• Edit recorded clips quickly with a wide range of professional tools
• Built-in plentiful templates and effects
• Export to MP4, MOV, MKV, GIF and multiple formats

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Secure Download

Recording Screencast Video with YouTube

Step 1: Open YouTube on your computer and sign by using your Google Account. On the top left corner, you will find the Upload button, press it and go to live streaming section and choose events from the drop-down menu. When you are doing this for the very first time, YouTube will ask your phone number to verify the streaming process. You can also click here to get to the Livestreaming page directly.

Step 2: On the create an event page, add a title for your screencast video; set privacy terms and then hit “Go Live Now” option.

Step 3: The Hangout on Air page will get opened. It will allow you to select-deselect webcam recording as well as mic recording.

Step 4: Hit the screen share button from the left toolbox and choose the desktop window that you wish to record. Now press start the Broadcast button to start screen recording. Note that it is a private session that cannot be watched by anyone else.

Step 5: When your video is ready to go to YouTube video dashboard and choose your recent screencast video. Download it to Google Drive and share it with the world.

A better way to record Screencast and Upload to YouTube

For those who are interested in capturing screencast with high-quality videos and need an easy to use the built-in editor to customize these videos; it is good to look for some dedicated screencast tools. Experts recommend using Wondershare Filmora due to its advanced features and interactive software platform.

Top Features

• Filmora is one of the most interactive software tools that works perfectly on Windows and Mac platforms.
• It supports more than 50 media file formats.
• Filmora allows users to record with Webcam and PC simultaneously.
• It is possible to record audio from mic input and internal computer audio as well.
• With Filmora users can record high paced videos at 120fps.
• Add markers to important frames during recording.

There are so many benefits of using Filmora for YouTube screencast video recordings. The biggest trouble with YouTube based recording is that when you try it for the very first time, YouTube will take 24 hours to verify your account for the live streaming. But by using Filmora, you can do this task instantly at any hour of the day. Another great news is that Fillmore Scrn comes with a built-in video editor that allows users to customize videos with ease. Once your videos are ready, you can share them directly to social media platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Vimeo etc.

Let’s watch the video below to check how to record your screen with Filmora and upload the recorded video to YouTube.

Conclusion

With all impressive features, there is no doubt to say that Filmora can serve your screencasting needs in the best possible manner. Whether you are a crazy gamer interested to share your adventure videos with the world or want to create useful tutorials for your audience, Filmora is your best companion for all your needs.

Max Wales

Max Wales is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Max Wales

Max Wales

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Screencasting is a simple task anyone can do it with ease. All that you need to do is download a software program, press the record button and soon all movements on your device screen video will be recorded. Crazy video gamers do the same thing to share their interesting game videos on YouTube channels.

There is a wide range of software tools that can assists you with screencasting needs. Even YouTube itself has the ability to capture device screens without the need for additional software tool. If you are interested to know how it can be done, simply go through the details below.

Note: We resolutely oppose all forms of copyright-infringing downloads. This tutorial is only for downloading YouTube videos/audio materials from your own channel.

The All-in-One Screen Recorder & Video Editor

• Record desktop screen, voiceover, and webcam simultaneously
• Edit recorded clips quickly with a wide range of professional tools
• Built-in plentiful templates and effects
• Export to MP4, MOV, MKV, GIF and multiple formats

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Secure Download

Recording Screencast Video with YouTube

Step 1: Open YouTube on your computer and sign by using your Google Account. On the top left corner, you will find the Upload button, press it and go to live streaming section and choose events from the drop-down menu. When you are doing this for the very first time, YouTube will ask your phone number to verify the streaming process. You can also click here to get to the Livestreaming page directly.

Step 2: On the create an event page, add a title for your screencast video; set privacy terms and then hit “Go Live Now” option.

Step 3: The Hangout on Air page will get opened. It will allow you to select-deselect webcam recording as well as mic recording.

Step 4: Hit the screen share button from the left toolbox and choose the desktop window that you wish to record. Now press start the Broadcast button to start screen recording. Note that it is a private session that cannot be watched by anyone else.

Step 5: When your video is ready to go to YouTube video dashboard and choose your recent screencast video. Download it to Google Drive and share it with the world.

A better way to record Screencast and Upload to YouTube

For those who are interested in capturing screencast with high-quality videos and need an easy to use the built-in editor to customize these videos; it is good to look for some dedicated screencast tools. Experts recommend using Wondershare Filmora due to its advanced features and interactive software platform.

Top Features

• Filmora is one of the most interactive software tools that works perfectly on Windows and Mac platforms.
• It supports more than 50 media file formats.
• Filmora allows users to record with Webcam and PC simultaneously.
• It is possible to record audio from mic input and internal computer audio as well.
• With Filmora users can record high paced videos at 120fps.
• Add markers to important frames during recording.

There are so many benefits of using Filmora for YouTube screencast video recordings. The biggest trouble with YouTube based recording is that when you try it for the very first time, YouTube will take 24 hours to verify your account for the live streaming. But by using Filmora, you can do this task instantly at any hour of the day. Another great news is that Fillmore Scrn comes with a built-in video editor that allows users to customize videos with ease. Once your videos are ready, you can share them directly to social media platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Vimeo etc.

Let’s watch the video below to check how to record your screen with Filmora and upload the recorded video to YouTube.

Conclusion

With all impressive features, there is no doubt to say that Filmora can serve your screencasting needs in the best possible manner. Whether you are a crazy gamer interested to share your adventure videos with the world or want to create useful tutorials for your audience, Filmora is your best companion for all your needs.

Max Wales

Max Wales is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Max Wales

Mastering YouTube Cards & Markup Tips

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

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