How to Use YouTube End Screens

Use a YouTube end screen to give viewers a relevant next step as a video finishes. Choose an appropriate video, playlist, or subscription prompt, leave clear space for the elements, and preview the final seconds before publishing.

An end screen is useful when the next action follows naturally from the video. It should continue the viewer's journey, not distract from the conclusion or send them to an unrelated destination.

Quick rule: Pick the next step that best matches what the viewer just watched. Add extra elements only when they have a clear purpose.

What do YouTube end screens do?

End screens display clickable elements near the end of an eligible video. YouTube says they can promote a video or playlist, encourage subscriptions, and feature other channels. An external website link is available only when the channel meets YouTube's stated requirements.

YouTube's current end screen help guide says creators can add end screens during the final 5 to 20 seconds. The video must be at least 25 seconds long, and the maximum number of elements depends on the video's aspect ratio.

The feature is not shown in every viewing context. YouTube notes that availability can vary by video type and viewing surface, and viewers can hide end screens. Treat the screen as a helpful option, not as a guaranteed impression or click.

Which end screen element should you choose?

Choose the element that continues the video's topic or serves the viewer's next likely need. The best destination depends on what the video covers and what useful content you already have.

Element	Use it when	Check before choosing
Specific video	There is one clear follow-up that answers the next question	The video is current, relevant, and available to the intended audience
Best for viewer video	You want YouTube to select a video it considers suitable for the viewer	Your channel has a relevant library to draw from
Playlist	The viewer would benefit from a sequence of related videos	The playlist has a clear order and is public
Subscribe	The video has introduced a channel with more useful related material	Your channel promise is clear enough to make the invitation meaningful
Another channel	You have a specific, relevant channel to recommend	The recommendation is useful and accurately described
External link	You have an eligible channel and a relevant off-platform destination	Confirm current eligibility, destination, and platform policies

Do not add a subscription prompt just because there is room. If the video solves a focused problem, a related follow-up may be a more useful next step than asking for a general subscription.

A playlist can work well when the next lesson is already organized. The guide on organizing YouTube videos into playlists covers how to group related videos and give viewers a sensible order.

How should you plan the last seconds of a video?

Plan the ending while editing the video, not as an afterthought. Leave enough visual room and time for the elements, and make the spoken or on-screen call to action fit the destination.

Build the ending around one clear sequence:

Finish the main point: Give the viewer the answer or conclusion they came for.
Introduce the next step: Explain why the selected video, playlist, or subscription is relevant.
Leave visual space: Keep important text, faces, demonstrations, and product details clear of the end screen elements.
Hold the ending: Avoid an abrupt cut while viewers are deciding whether to continue.
Match the destination: If you mention a specific follow-up, make sure the end screen leads to that exact item.

The final edit should still make sense if a viewer hides or does not see the end screen. Keep the main answer in the video itself rather than saving essential information for a clickable element.

How do you add an end screen to a video?

Use the video editor in YouTube Studio and select the end screen elements for that video. YouTube's help steps may change, so check the current instructions before making a batch of edits.

Open the video in YouTube Studio.
Choose the editor from the video's editing options.
Open the end screen controls and add a template or the elements you want.
Choose the video, playlist, channel, subscription prompt, or eligible external destination.
Set timing and placement for each element.
Preview the end screen in context and save the changes.

YouTube's official setup instructions include templates, element choices, timing, placement, and preview controls. The interface and available options can differ by account, video, and current platform settings.

How should you place and time end screen elements?

Keep the elements readable and out of the way of important visual information. Their placement should feel like part of the ending, not an obstruction over the key moment.

Use a simple layout: Avoid crowding the screen with competing choices.
Check the safe areas: Place elements where they do not cover a face, caption, product detail, or essential text.
Set timing deliberately: Elements can appear at different times. Let the main conclusion land before inviting another action.
Coordinate the call to action: If you say “watch the next lesson,” make the related video easy to identify.
Preview the motion: Watch the ending at normal speed to catch abrupt transitions or overlaps.
Check different formats: Aspect ratio can affect how many elements fit, so inspect the video you are editing rather than relying on one template for every upload.

If the next destination is a specific YouTube video, choose one that makes the sequence clear. A Short or long video can both be a useful next step when its format suits the viewer's question.

When should you use a card instead?

Use an info card when a relevant resource belongs during the video; use an end screen when the next step belongs at the close. Cards can point viewers to a video, playlist, channel, or an eligible external site while they are watching.

YouTube's info card guide describes cards as interactive additions that complement a video. Avoid interrupting a key explanation with a prompt. Place the card where a viewer has enough context to understand why it is relevant.

How do you preview and measure an end screen?

Preview the complete ending and review the available end screen analytics after publication. Check both the user experience and the destination, not only whether an element has been added.

Before saving, confirm that:

The linked video or playlist is the intended one and opens correctly.
The element does not cover essential visuals or captions.
The spoken call to action matches the element and destination.
The video ending remains complete without interaction.
The layout is suitable for the video's dimensions and intended viewing contexts.

YouTube says end screen performance can be reviewed in YouTube Analytics, including an end screen element click rate for a video. Read the metric alongside the video's purpose and the viewer journey. A click by itself does not show whether the next video answered the viewer's need.

Change one part of the ending at a time when practical. Record the video, destination, edit, and review period so you know what changed before comparing results.

What end screen mistakes should you avoid?

Promoting an unrelated video: A next step should continue the topic or solve a natural follow-up question.
Adding too many choices: A crowded end screen can make the main action hard to recognize.
Covering important visuals: Keep faces, captions, product details, and key demonstrations visible.
Relying on the end screen for the answer: Viewers may hide it or watch in a context where it is unavailable.
Using a stale destination: Review the linked video, playlist, and channel after content changes.
Reading clicks as guaranteed success: Check whether the next content fits the viewer's reason for watching.

Frequently asked questions

How long can a YouTube end screen be?

YouTube's current help guide says an end screen can be added during the final 5 to 20 seconds of a video. Check the current guide in case platform requirements change.

How long does a video need to be for an end screen?

YouTube currently says a video must be at least 25 seconds long. Some video types and viewing contexts do not show end screens.

How many elements can I add to an end screen?

The maximum depends on the video's aspect ratio. YouTube's help guide currently says up to four elements for a standard 16:9 video, with a lower limit possible for other ratios.

Can I link from an end screen to my website?

YouTube lists an external website link for eligible channels. Check current program requirements and make sure the destination follows platform policies.

Can I use an end screen on a video set as made for kids?

YouTube says end screens are not available on videos set as made for kids. Review its current guidance for other restrictions.

Where can I see end screen click data?

YouTube says end screen performance is available in YouTube Analytics. The available report and labels may change, so check the current Analytics interface.

Bottom line

A useful YouTube end screen makes the next step obvious and relevant. Plan it during editing, leave room for the elements, preview the ending, and review clicks in the context of the viewer's journey.

Before promoting a video or channel, check the current service descriptions and the terms that apply to your chosen option.