Cards are the easiest engagement tool YouTube gives you, and most creators either ignore them or spam them. Used well, they nudge viewers to the next video at the exact moment they are curious. Here is how to do it right.
What a YouTube card actually is
A card is a small prompt that slides in from the top-right corner during playback. Viewers tap the little 'i' icon to expand it. Cards can link to:
- Another video or playlist on your channel.
- Your channel or a channel you want to shout out.
- A poll to drive engagement.
- An approved link (for eligible channels in the Partner Program).
How to add cards
- In YouTube Studio, open a video and click Editor (or the Cards option in Details).
- Choose Add card and pick the type (video, playlist, poll, channel, link).
- Drag the card marker on the timeline to the exact moment it should appear.
- Write a short teaser text, then Save.
Cards vs end screens
| Cards | End screens | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Any point during the video | Last 5–20 seconds |
| Size | Small teaser, top-right | Large clickable tiles |
| Best for | Mid-video curiosity | Sending viewers onward at the end |
They are complementary, not interchangeable. Most strong videos use a card or two during the runtime and a proper end screen to close.
Where to place them
Timing is everything. Drop a card at the moment you mention a related topic — 'I covered this in another video' — not at a random timestamp. A relevant card at the right second feels helpful; a random one feels like an ad. Link to a video that genuinely continues the viewer's journey to protect watch time and session length, which the algorithm rewards.
Keep viewers in your world
Tubely helps you connect your videos so one view turns into a binge, not a bounce.