Add cards to videos
You can use cards to add interactivity to your videos. Cards can point viewers to a specific URL (from a list of eligible sites) and show customized images, titles, and calls to action, depending on the card type.
This feature is available to viewers on computers, Android devices running version 10.09 and up, as well as iOS versions 10.07 and higher.
Add cards to a video
You can add up to 5 cards to one video. Note: Your account needs to be in good standing to display cards on your video.
- On a computer signed into your account, go to your Video Manager.
- Find the video you want to add cards to and select Edit.
- In the tab bar at the top, select Cards.
- Select Add card and choose what type of card you want. Channel cards
Donation cards
Link to a channel that you'd like to call out to your viewers. For example, you can use this type of card to thank the channel for their contribution to your video or for a general recommendation.
Fan fundingCreators in the United States who want to fundraise for a U.S. nonprofit organization can raise funds by putting YouTube donation cards on their videos.
Follow these instructions to add donation cards on your videos so that viewers can make donations directly to a U.S. nonprofit organization of your choosing.
Link cardsLet your fans show their appreciation for your videos by making a monetary contribution directly on the video page. Make sure your video is eligible, then follow the instructions to turn on Fan Funding for your channel.
Poll cardsAssociated website cards
Link directly to your associated website from your video. You need to add an associated website to your account to use this card.
Crowdfunding cards
Link viewers directly to your creative projects on one of these approved crowdfunding URLs.
Merchandise cards
Promote licensed merchandise directly from your video. Since iTunes isn't supported on Android devices, merchandise cards linking to iTunes won't be shown on Android devices. Make sure your URL is on the list of approved retailer URLs.
Video or playlist cardsEngage with your viewers by presenting them with a poll and let them vote on different options. Learn how to use cards to poll your viewers.
Link to another public YouTube video or playlist that viewers might be interested in. You can also link to a specific time in a video or to an individual video in a playlist by entering a video or playlist URL directly.
- Next to the type of card you want to add, select Create.
- If you haven't done so previously, for some link types select Enable first to accept the Terms & Conditions.
- Enter the URL where you want viewers to be sent from the card.
- Upload an image or select one of the suggestions from the site if applicable. Uploads need to be in .jpg, .gif, or .png format and no larger than 5MB. Keep in mind that this image will be cropped to be square.
- If applicable, edit the title, call to action, and any other applicable text to fit in the allowed character count. You can adjust the start time for the card teaser in the timeline below the video.
- Select Create card.
If you need to edit your cards in the future, just go to the Cards tab and select Edit next to the card you want to change.
Check card performance
You can use the Cards Report in YouTube Analytics to get performance reporting for cards.
How viewers interact with cards
Cards are designed to complement videos and enhance the viewer experience with contextually relevant information. As the system evolves, we plan to optimize it to surface the most relevant teasers and cards based on performance, viewer behavior and the device they are using.
How viewers get to cards
- When a viewer is watching your video, they'll see a teaser for the time that you designate.
- When the teaser isn't showing, viewers can hover over the player on desktop or whenever the player controls are showing on mobile and see the card icon
.
- When they click the teaser or the icon, they'll be able to browse all of the cards on the video.
How cards show on videos
Cards are shown on the right-hand side of the video on desktop and below the video on mobile. If there are multiple cards on a video, viewers can scroll through them while the video is playing.
How cards can change your content
- If you have a featured video or playlist in your video, it will be hidden on videos that use cards.
- If your video has been claimed by Content ID and the content owner has set up a campaign, any cards set up by the creator won't be displayed on the video. Learn more about Content ID.
- Videos displaying cards will not show a Call-to-Action overlay.