How do I create a clickable video hotspots, videos, hotspots and much more

Jul 21, 2022

Videos are a great way to create a narrative, showcase the product and help create greater immersion experiences. For video creators and brands clicking links are a great way to add an element of interactivity for a deeper engagement.

A video-in-video hyperlink differs from the standard in-description links that is found on all video platforms. Links that can be clicked in video are in the video itself and can appear as a conventional text link, hotspot overlay or chapter title as well.

Links that can be clicked increase the contents' value to the viewers and, consequently to your company.

In this article

1. Include a contact page

The name of the form suggests that a contact form helps capture the details of viewers. Based on the information you provide the form will be displayed prior to, during or after a video ends.

It is possible to show the form at any point in the video. The content can be locked in the form in order to gather information from users in an approach to lead generation.

Extra tip: You can consider allowing viewers to skip the contact form -- after all, there's no point making them share the details of their contacts unless you've gated the content.

To add contact form in your video:

  1. Visit the Interactive tools tab of your settings for video, and then scroll to the bottom of the page, selecting Contact Form.
  2. Select the time you wish to enable the contact form.
  3. Directly connect the form to any of your email marketing partner platforms using the Connect button in the Email providers section.
  4. Accept the conditions and terms that show up in the following. Then, log into your email account to join the account .
  5. Choose at least one mailing list that you want to sync your data gathered and click Apply to save the changes.
 contact form example

2. Card Addition

Another in-video link flavor is cards. These are links with a notification style that appear for a short duration, usually six seconds. They can be kept simple by including the headline, or flesh them out with an explanation, link and thumbnail , as shown in this example.

 video with cards example

For adding card to the video

  1. Go to the Interaction tools tab in the settings for your video and scroll down until you select the card in the During video drop-down menu.
  2. Input the information in order to complete the card. It is necessary to have a title as well as a time stamp to indicate when you should show your card. This is a must at least.
  3. Hit the Add button once you're done and then press save.

Be aware that You can stack as many cards every second.

3. Screens to end the Addend

End screens appear at the end of the video. There are a variety of choices to personalize these links within your video.

  • Add background images that can be clicked
  • Add social share icons
  • Present a contact form
  • Slip in a CTA button
  • Lead viewers to another video
 end screens

Add an end-screen in your video

  1. Visit the Interaction tools tab of the video settings, and scroll to the bottom of the page to choose the option after your video.
  2. Click on the Screen End dropdown menu and then.
  3. Choose your screen's end type and click Add after which click Save.

4. Chapters can be added

Chapters are perfect for long video clips. They let you segment the video, making it easier to navigate and move between sections, skip content as well as rewatch the most important parts.

  1. Go to the Interaction tools tab in your settings for video. Scroll down until you reach the chapter section and then select +New to start a new chapter.
  2. The title of the chapter should be entered (up up to 50 characters) along with the time stamp that will show when it appears on the screen.
  3. Press Save when you've finished making or editing chapters.
 advanced editing tools UI - add chapters to videos

As with cards, you are able to include one chapter every second of the video. Every video has the ability to have as many as 100 chapters.

5. Add video hotspots

Create static hotspots that occupy an exact position within the video or hotspots with sticky properties that move with people or objects in the video.

To add a hotspot to your video:

  1. Play your video to select the object or person you want to add to a hotspot.
  2. Under the Hotspot section, tap the (+) icon in the highest right-hand corner on the screen once you've identified where to add the hotspot.
  3. Select your hotspot design from  the template gallery that is ready to use or create your custom design.
  4. Set the hotspot's positioning with respect to the subject or person that you are adding it to.
  5. Toggle to turn the option to turn the Stick-to-Object option on or off depending on whether or not you need the hotspot to be static or sticky.
 Interactive example of how to create video hotspots

6. Include interactive overlays

You are able to add any type of images, text video, or calls, to actions and animations within your overlay.

For overlays to your video:

  1. upload your video and pick the timestamp to create an overlay.
  2. Position and style the overlay.
  1. Pick from actions that overlay such as hyperlinks, info panels and many more.
  2. Preview and hit the Save button..

Let's discuss linking to video clips on YouTube. Here are your options:

An ideal place to include the clickable URL is the description of your YouTube video. The addition of a link in the video's description can make it simpler for viewers to find your products, website, subscription link or affiliate link.

The YouTube description of your video shows just below the video title:

Image example of Youtube video descriptions with clickable links.

To ensure viewers aren't missing the link, work it into the start of the description so that viewers can see it even without clicking "see for more."

example of a link at the beginning of a video description

Add a hyperlink in your YouTube video's description:

  1. Head to YouTube Studio by clicking on the upper right-hand corner of the dashboard.
  2. On the next page which opens, choose Videos from the left-hand sidebar and then select the video that you wish to modify.
  3. Make edits to the video's description within the video description box and add the link that you'd like to insert.
  4. Press Save. YouTube converts the hyperlink into an actionable URL.

2. Cards to add

Another option to create a clickable video using YouTube is to make use of information cards.

These pop up at predetermined intervals in your videos -and then changing to a lowercase "i" after showing up in the upper right corner of a computer screen. So, users can hover their cursor over the "i" to select it whenever they like.

It is possible to add as many as five information cards to your video that take viewers to related video clips, (public) playlists, YouTube channels, or links.

Screenshot of a youtube video and card with link

Remember that you can only add clickable cards if you're a part of YouTube's Partner Program. You can't also make cards available in video clips made for kids.

For adding cards to your YouTube video:

  1. Log into YouTube Studio. YouTube Studio and choose Content from the left menu.
  2. Choose the video you want to edit and hit Editor from the left side.
  3. Choose the Info card here and begin making cards.
  4. Alter the time of start below the video on each card that you add. If you are adding cards that lead to channels (aka channel cards), you also need to insert teaser text as well as a personal message explaining what the link leads to. The addition of teaser text is not required on other cards.
  5. Select to save.

When sharing links in an email, it's important that you adhere to the YouTube's Community Guidelines as well as the Conditions of Service. If you don't an adherent, YouTube could delete the link in your video or cancel the account entirely.

3. Include to the screen at the end

End screen, also known as an end card, or slateare similar to information cards. They appear in the last 5-20 minutes of YouTube videos.

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

Image of Youtube end screen

To add end screens in your video:

  1. Sign in to YouTube Studio and select Content from the left menu.
  2. Select the video you'd like to edit, and then select Editor from the left.
  3. Choose the screens that end and choose the element you wish to include.
  4. Click to save.

You'll be able to add elements (content to add to your end screen) use template, video, playlist and subscribe. You can also add channels, merchandise and link.

When you add links, make sure to include links that are in line with YouTube's guidelines to protect your account from ending screen removal or account deletion.

Also, you can't make end-screens for videos which are categorized as content for children, 360 videos, mobile web, and on the YouTube music app. Furthermore, only those videos of at least 25 seconds in length can be viewed with the end of the video.

Here's the thing! If you're ready experiment with the upload of your videos to make captivating, engaging, and clickable video clips that catch your viewers' attention.