On January 15th, 2019, the YouTube Video Annotation feature was supposed to be eliminated and de-activated. That brought everyone joy because it meant YouTube would remove the pop-up click boxes full of texts that appeared during playbacks from all the videos.
But were they? Were YouTube Annotations Entirely Removed!
The Annotations Narrative
Annotations were already entirely outdated; launched in 2008, the YouTube Annotation Editor was designed long before the world went mobile. It was an excellent tactic for free ads, new edit additions, or missed content inclusion.
But they were only accessible to desktop users. So when 60 percent of YouTube users started watching videos on Mobile, the existing annotations became even more redundant because they weren’t reaching most of those viewers who were watching.
Henceforth, the annotation editor was de-activated in May 2017 to stop their inclusion from all Videos. However, they decided to remove them altogether in January 2019.
Annotations were sloppy and didn’t work on mobile. So, having them de-activated was YouTube’s best alternative to get back on track with their standards.
YouTube Annotations Eliminated!
Well, No. We can say Annotations were not “Removed.” They were just replaced with two successors named “End Screens” and “Cards or Slates” So, even though the annotations were de-activated, the two Successors could continue the Annotations’ legacy, experience, and motive after its sunset turn.
End Screens and Cards
To use End Screens and Cards or Slates are exceptionally advantageous. The essential significance might be replacing the unfashionable and improper Annotations, which is undoubtedly an excellent pointer, but they offer many other advantages.
End Screens and Slates provide the most dominant factor for Annotations removal; they are accessible on desktop and mobile. Unlike Annotations, they work both on mobile and desktop; the two additions give you maximum viewer focus and experience; since 60 percent of users work on mobile rather than desktop.
Moreover, they allow for faster implementation within the videos, which was not a feature for Annotations. End Screens and Slates are actually ten times quicker and simpler to apply; you can import them easily from one video to the next or use overlays to save time and effort on each video.
Additionally, End Screens and Cards traffic seven times more clicks from users than Annotations. Based on statistics, on average, a YouTube viewer used to close 12 Annotations before considering clicking on one of them, and some chose to never click on Annotations at all.
By adding these new features, it’s a golden chance to share and enhance your content’s capabilities through resharing ads, collaborating with other Channels or YouTubers, or promoting older, less viewed videos.
It’s an option that could be used as free ads bulletin. Since it is within your channel and embedded in your information and content, any mention of your site, social media, and channels is without cost.
So, if you are looking for YouTube Annotations, don’t. Its successors are a better alternative, and, in this article, we will show you Why And How To use them effectively.
Why Include End Screens and Cards?
End Screens and Cards are a great tool to include in videos. It appears in the last 5 to 20 Seconds of a video. Their built-in Features include:
- Donation Choices,
- Crowdfunding Campaigns,
- Voluntarily Campaigns,
- Embedded Polls,
- Other Videos,
- Playlists,
- YouTube Channels,
- Subscribing to a Channel,
- Merchandise,
- External Websites,
- Links or Site,
- Media Platform mentions, and
- External Promotions.
These all can create an interactively effective content that could drive viewers to your YouTube Channel and your external platforms.
You would have to extend your video with a 25 Second End Screen content to allow for its appearance. Now, let’s see How?
How to Apply; YouTube End Screens?
The steps to adding YouTube End Screens are as follows:
1. Go to the Videos Page in your YouTube Studio.
2. Select a Video.
3. From the menu on the left, select Editor.
4. Select “Add an End Screen.”
5. Now, Customize your End Screen.
6. Through Customization of elements, you can apply:
a. Apply a Templet
b. Add new End Screen Elements
c. Change Element Types
d. Change Element Timing
e. Change Element Placement
7. And Finally, Preview your End Screen by selecting the “Play” Icon on the Video Player.
How to Apply; YouTube Slates?
You may use Cards or Slates in your videos to make it more interactive. Just keep in mind that you only can include a maximum of 5 by using the steps below:
1. Sign in to your “YouTube Studio,”
2. From the menu on the left, select “Videos,”
3. Tap the Video the needs to be Edited,
4. Tap the “Cards” box,
5. Select the type of Card that you’d want to be added,
6. Choose the Video, Playlist, Channel, or Link.
7. Now, Change the Start Time for the Card under the Video.
8. You may also enter an optional message or teaser about the video. Just Note: If you have selected Channel, a Message or a Teaser Text is necessary.
9. Finally, Click Save.
In Conclusion
Consequently, now that you know how to include End Screens and Cards to your Videos, you can rest assured. Trust that even though YouTube Annotations are no more, its legacy holder will serve a much better purpose for your YouTube Channel, Business, and Market.
So, YouTube Annotations may be no more, but YouTube’s new additions are far better than Annotations ever were.
