How to create clickable video hotspots, videos, hotspots

Jul 21, 2022

Videos are a great way to create a narrative, showcase products, and provide greater immersion experiences. Brands and creators of videos Clickable links provide the necessary layer of interaction to increase engagement.

In-video links differ from a typical in-description link found on most video platforms. The clickable link in video is inside the video, and can take the form of a conventional text link, hotspot, overlay or chapter title as well.

Clickable links multiply the video content's value for the viewer and, by extension to your company.

In this article

1. Create a contact form

Like its name implies, contact forms help you capture the details of viewers. Depending on what you specify the form will be displayed prior to, during or even after the end of a film.

There is the possibility to display the form at any moment during the video. It is possible to block content within the contact page and get user information in an approach to lead generation.

Bonus tip: You can consider making it possible for viewers to avoid the contact form. After all, there's nothing to gain by in forcing them to provide the details of their contacts unless you've secured the information.

Contact form to be added in your video:

  1. Go to the Interactive tools tab of your settings for video, and then scroll to the bottom of the page, selecting Contact Form..
  2. Decide when you'd like to allow the contact form.
  3. Simply connect the form directly with one of your email marketing partner platforms via your Connect button located under the email providers section.
  4. Agree to the terms and conditions you see in the following. Log in to your email program to connect the account .
  5. Select at least one mailing list to sync the data gathered and click apply to save the changes.
 contact form example

2. Cards to add

Another in-video link flavor is cards. These are links with a notification style which are displayed for a brief amount of time, typically 6 seconds. They can be kept basic by simply adding a headline or fill them with a description, link, as well as a thumbnail like in the case.

 video with cards example

For adding cards to your video:

  1. Go to the Interaction tools tab within your video settings and scroll down until you select Card from the Video during drop-down menu.
  2. Complete the required fields to flesh out the card. It is necessary to have a title as well as a datestamp to determine when to display the card , at a minimum.
  3. Press the Add button after you're finished and then press "Save".

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

3. Add end screens

Screens that end the video appear after the completion of the video. You can choose from several options to customize these links within your video.

  • Include clickable background images
  • Share icons for social media.
  • Present a contact form
  • Incorporate an CTA button
  • Direct viewers to a different video
 end screens

For adding a screen at the end to the video you are watching:

  1. Go to the Tools for interaction tab in the settings of your video and scroll to the bottom of the page to choose After video
  2. Choose the end screen dropdown menu right now.
  3. Select your end screen type and click Add, followed by Saving.

4. Chapters can be added

Chapters are perfect for long video clips. They permit you to separate video content, making it simpler to navigate and move between sections, skim content, and rewatch important moments.

  1. Click on the Tools for interaction tab of the settings for your video, scroll down until you reach the chapter section, then click "+New to add a brand new chapter.
  2. The title of the chapter should be entered (up of 50 characters) with the timestamp for when it'll show within the movie.
  3. Hit Save after you're done making or editing chapters.
 advanced editing tools UI - add chapters to videos

Like with cards, you are able to add one chapter per second in your video. Each video may have up to 100 chapters.

5. Add video hotspots

You can create static hotspots that occupy an exact position within the video, or hotspots with sticky properties that move with individuals or objects within the video.

To add a hotspot to your video:

  1. You can play your video until you choose the person or object you want to add to a hotspot.
  2. In the Hotspot section, click the (+) icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, once you've found where to add the hotspot.
  3. Select your hotspot design from 's ready-to-use template gallery or make your own design.
  4. Adjust the hotspot's position relative to the object/person the hotspot is added to.
  5. Switch to turn the stick to objects option on or off depending on whether you want a sticky or static hotspot.
 Interactive example of how to create video hotspots

6. Add interactive overlays

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

For overlays to your video:

  1. upload your video choose the time stamp to create an overlay.
  2. Place and style the overlay.
  1. Choose from overlay actions including links, information panels, and more.
  2. Review and then hit save.

Let's discuss the addition of links to YouTube videos. YouTube. There are a few options to consider:

An ideal place to include an e-mail link is within your YouTube video description. The addition of a link in the description of your video makes it simpler for viewers to locate your product, website, subscription link or affiliate links.

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

Image example of Youtube video descriptions with clickable links.

In order to ensure that viewers aren't missing the link, insert it into the description so that people can view it without having to click "see more."

example of a link at the beginning of a video description

For adding a hyperlink to the YouTube description of your video:

  1. Visit YouTube Studio from the top-right side of the dashboard.
  2. From the new page which opens, choose Videos on the sidebar and then select the video that you want to edit.
  3. Modify the description of the video in the box that describes the video, then add the link that you want to add.
  4. Click Save. YouTube will automatically turn the hyperlink into an actionable URL.

2. Card Addition

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

The cards appear in predetermined times in your video -changing into an lowercase "i" when they appear in the upper right corner of the computer's screen. So, users can hover their cursor over the "i" and click on to play the game whenever they wish.

It is possible to add at least five information cards in your video which connect viewers with related content, (public) playlists, YouTube channels or hyperlinks.

Screenshot of a youtube video and card with link

Keep in mind: you can only add card clickable if you're a participant in the YouTube Partner Program. Additionally, you cannot make cards available in video clips made for kids.

Add cards to your YouTube video:

  1. Log into YouTube Studio. YouTube Studio and then select Content from the left menu.
  2. Select the movie you would like to edit and hit Editor on the left.
  3. Select the Info card here and begin by adding cards.
  4. Change the start time below the video of each card you include. For the cards leading to a channel (aka channels), you also need to insert teaser text as well as a an individual message that explains why the link is there. Adding teaser text is optional for all other cards.
  5. Select Save.

To share a link on cards, you must to follow YouTube's guidelines for community members and Conditions of Service. If you don't an adherent, YouTube could remove the link from your video or cancel your account completely.

3. Include to the screen at the end

End screen, also referred to as end card or end slates, are similar to info cards. They show up in the last 5-20 seconds of videos on YouTube.

By using an end screen it is possible to direct users to a playlist or video and also add a link to an external site , such as your store.

Image of Youtube end screen

Add end screen to your video

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

In this stage, you'll have the option to add elements (content to add to your end screen) Apply templates, videos, playlists Subscribe, channel, merchandise and link.

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

Also, you can't include end screens in videos which are categorized as content for children, 360 videos as well as mobile web and on the YouTube music application. Furthermore, only those videos that are at least 25 seconds long can feature an end card.

Here's the thing! If you're up for it to go for it, you can try out the upload of your videos to make captivating, engaging, and clickable video clips that catch your viewers' attention.