YouTube Cards: When to Use Them (And When Not To)

I'm going to teach you everything about YouTube cards and how to use them strategically to grow your channel and business. Most creators don't understand when and how to implement these information cards effectively, so I'll show you both the technical setup in YouTube Studio and the strategic thinking behind using them.

The key is understanding your primary goal. If you're only focused on growing subscribers and watch time, you'll use cards differently than if you're building a business off your channel. Once you reach 1,000 subscribers and join the YouTube Partner Program, you can link cards to external landing pages to collect emails and build an audience you actually own. This is crucial because if your channel disappeared tomorrow, you'd still have those email relationships to continue serving your audience and offering your products or services.

Key Takeaways

• YouTube cards can link to other videos, playlists, or external websites once you're in the Partner Program with 1,000 subscribers
• Strategically place cards in the first 5-10 seconds to offer relevant free resources without dramatically impacting watch time
• Building an email list through card click-outs creates a business asset you own beyond YouTube's platform

Understanding YouTube Cards

Purpose and Benefits

I use cards very strategically in my videos. The idea behind this stage is trying to enhance your user experience. If you're talking about something that you've already created a video for, you can link out to that other video and just say, "Hey, I will link up that video now." A card will appear in the top right hand screen and people can click onto that and watch another video.

You have to realize something important. YouTube is all about watch time. The danger is if you click out to another video or even to a web page using a link, YouTube is not going to like you for that because you're diverting eyeballs away from YouTube.

If your goal is to try and retain those eyeballs and trying to grow that user or subscription base, then either linking out to another video or playlist is a good idea. However, I see growing a business off the back of your YouTube channel as more important than just growing a subscriber base.

Once you reach that 1,000 subscriber mark, then you have the option to link out to other landing pages. This is what I would recommend you do if you wanted to collect emails, offer something for free. This is what I do in all of my videos to then grow an email list and then you can offer your products and services.

If your YouTube channel got shut down tomorrow, then you would still have a list of emails that you can have that relationship with over time and then you can sell your products and services and serve them at a deeper level.

Types of Cards Available

For YouTube Partner Program Members:

If you are a YouTube partner, if you're involved with the partner program, you can link out. You can use a card to link out to your main website or a landing page or an email opt-in page.

For Non-Partner Program Members:

If you're not part of the YouTube partner program, if you haven't got those 1,000 subscribers yet, you can just not add the link, but you can add:

• A video
• A playlist
• Another channel if you wish

Accessing and Navigating YouTube Studio

Locating the Card Editor

I navigate to my YouTube Studio and click on content on the left-hand side. From there, I select the video I want to add cards to.

Once I'm inside the content editor, I look at the right-hand side where I see the cards option. This is where I can manage all the cards for that specific video.

The editor displays a time bar at the bottom that shows my video timeline. I use this to determine exactly when I want each card to appear during playback.

Adding Cards to Videos

I click on the cards section in the editor to start adding cards. The options available to me depend on whether I'm part of the YouTube Partner Program.

Available card types include:

• Video
• Playlist
• Channel
• Link (only available if I'm a YouTube Partner)

If I'm a YouTube Partner with over 1,000 subscribers, I can link out to my main website, landing page, or email opt-in page. If I haven't reached 1,000 subscribers yet, I can only add videos, playlists, or channels.

I decide when I want the card to appear by positioning it on the timeline. For me personally, I place cards in the first 5, 10, or 15 seconds to passively signpost something of interest. I can also add multiple cards throughout the video at different timestamps.

When I create a card, I upload a logo by clicking on the upload option. I then enter the card title text that viewers will see. For example, I might write "online revenue workshop" if that's what the card links to.

I include a call to action text, such as "learn more," to encourage clicks. I make sure the card is relevant to the video content rather than pitching something unrelated.

I can collapse cards to manage multiple ones in a single video. When I want to add another card, I click the card button, select the type (such as video), and choose which video I want to link to from my content.

If I have the TubeBuddy plugin, I can apply templates to save time. I apply these templates to automatically add my standard cards, like a click-out card in the first 5 to 10 seconds that links to my landing page.

Strategic Use for Channel Growth

Enhancing Viewer Experience

I use cards to link to videos I've already created when I'm talking about a topic I've covered before. I tell viewers I'm linking up that video, and a card appears in the top right corner of the screen so they can click and watch it.

You need to understand that YouTube prioritizes watch time. If you link out to another video or a web page, you're diverting eyeballs away from YouTube. YouTube won't like that.

Linking options for enhanced experience:

• Video links to related content
• Playlist links for series
• Channel links if relevant

If your goal is retaining eyeballs and growing your subscription base, linking out to another video or playlist works well. I'm okay with taking the hit from people clicking away from a video because I want to train people and teach how to do certain things on my channel.

When I talk about other trainings I've done, I add multiple video cards at certain stages. I select the video I want to link out to, and people consuming the content can learn more about specific topics like creating thumbnails or AB split testing.

You might not want to use any click-out cards if you want people to watch all the way to the end. You might see them as a distraction that affects your average view duration. If you don't want to grow a business and just want to live off ad revenue, having too many click-out cards probably isn't a good strategy. You want people viewing your content all the way to the end, then you can link to another video to increase binge-able series watch hours.

Driving Traffic for Business Objectives

I see growing a business off the back of a YouTube channel as more important than just growing a subscriber base. Once you reach that 1,000 subscriber mark and join the YouTube Partner Program, you have the option to link out to other landing pages.

What you can link to as a Partner:

• Main website
• Landing pages
• Email opt-in pages

This is what I recommend you do if you want to collect emails and offer something for free. I do this in all my videos to grow an email list, then I can offer my products and services. If your YouTube channel got shut down tomorrow, you would still have a list of emails where you can maintain that relationship over time and sell your products and services at a deeper level.

I link out to my website homepage and landing pages in my videos. I've got a workshop landing page that explains my entire business model. People can click on the card to access it, and I also put this in the end screen.

In the first 5, 10, 15 seconds, I passively signpost something of interest to people if they want to learn more from me. It's either going to be a free downloadable guide or more training that links out to my website and offers them access for free. All they have to do is pay with their email.

I make sure cards are relevant by having a relatable card for the viewer's next obvious step. Don't try to pitch something totally unrelated to the video you're talking about. People find you on YouTube, consume your content, and if you're signposting them to something completely irrelevant, you're not going to get that conversion.

I use cards and end screens for all my videos. I apply templates to save time when I'm talking about my online revenue workshop or other offers, applying the click-out card in the first 5 to 10 seconds and offering it again at the end in an end screen.

Optimizing Card Placement

Choosing the Right Timing

I determine when cards appear using the time bar at the bottom of the video editor. For my videos, I place cards in the first 5, 10, or 15 seconds to passively signpost something of interest to viewers who want to learn more from me.

In my "35 things you must do after uploading to YouTube" video, I've added multiple cards at different stages. The first card appears at the 5-second mark, linking to my free opt-in product. Then I've added three more video cards at certain stages throughout the content.

Card timing options:

• Early placement (5-15 seconds): For primary offers like workshops or free downloads
• Mid-video placement: For related training videos when mentioning specific topics
• Strategic intervals: Based on when you reference other content

I can collapse cards in the editor to manage multiple placements. When I talk about other trainings I've done, I add video cards at those specific moments so viewers can access content about YouTube thumbnails or AB split testing right when it's relevant.

Aligning Cards With Content

I make sure to have a relatable card for the viewer's next obvious step. I don't try and pitch something that's totally unrelated to the video I'm talking about because ultimately people find you on YouTube, consume your content, and if you're trying to signpost them to something completely irrelevant, you're not going to get that conversion.

For my online revenue workshop video, I use a card titled "online revenue workshop" because it's pertinent to that specific video. I include a call to action that says "learn more" along with the workshop title.

What I include on each card:

• Upload a logo
• Write a card title relevant to the video topic
• Add a call to action
• Link to the appropriate destination

When I'm talking about specific topics I've already created videos for, I link out to those other videos and say "Hey, I will link up that video now." A card appears in the top right hand screen and people can click onto that and watch another video.

I try and get an understanding of the customer journey when selecting which cards to use. If I'm offering my online revenue workshop, I apply a template that adds the click-out card in the first 5 to 10 seconds, then I offer that same option at the end of the video in an end screen.

Best Practices for Card Relevance

Ensuring Contextual Consistency

You need to make your card relatable to the viewer's next obvious step. Don't try to pitch something that's totally unrelated to the video you're talking about.

People find you on YouTube and consume your content. If you're trying to signpost them to something completely irrelevant, you're not going to get that conversion.

Key principles for card relevance:

• Match the card offer to the video topic
• Consider the viewer's journey and what they need next
• Avoid distracting viewers with unrelated content

I make sure my cards are relevant and try to get an understanding of the customer journey. When I'm talking about certain trainings I've done, I add videos at specific stages that relate to what I'm discussing.

For example, if people are consuming content about YouTube optimization and want to learn more about creating thumbnails or AB split testing, I signpost them from the current video to those specific resources.

Effective Call to Action Techniques

I put a call to action within the card itself. For my online revenue workshop card, I use "learn more" as the call to action text.

The card setup includes several components:

I passively signpost something of interest to people in the first 5, 10, 15 seconds if they want to learn more from me. It's either going to be a free downloadable guide or some more training that links out to my website and offers them access for free.

All they have to do is pay with their email. The card title needs to clearly communicate what the viewer will get, making it specific to that particular video.

Balancing Audience Retention and Click-Throughs

Managing Watch Time Impact

YouTube prioritizes watch time above everything else. When you add cards that link to another video or a webpage, you're diverting eyeballs away from the current content, and YouTube doesn't like that.

I'm okay with taking the hit from people clicking away from my videos because my priority is training and teaching people. If viewers want to go deeper with my content, I offer them the click-out card to my landing page.

Watch time considerations:

• Too many click-out cards can reduce your average view duration
• Excessive linking may hurt your channel if you rely solely on ad revenue
• Strategic placement matters more than quantity

You might see cards as a distraction that affects your average view duration. If you don't want to grow a business and just want to live off ad revenue, having too many click-out cards is not a good strategy. You want people viewing your content all the way to the end.

If your goal is to retain eyeballs and grow your subscriber base, linking out to another video or playlist is a good idea. This approach helps increase that binge-able series of video watch hours.

Deciding When to Link Out

I use cards very strategically in my videos. In the first 5, 10, or 15 seconds, I passively signpost something of interest to people if they want to learn more from me.

I see growing a business off the back of your YouTube channel as more important than just growing a subscriber base. Once you reach that 1,000 subscriber mark and join the YouTube partner program, you have the option to link out to other landing pages.

My linking strategy:

I use these cards to collect emails and offer something for free. If your YouTube channel got shut down tomorrow, you would still have a list of emails for maintaining that relationship over time. You can then sell your products and services and serve them at a deeper level.

When I'm talking about other trainings I've done, I add video cards at certain stages. I select the specific video I want to link out to at the relevant moment in my content.

Key principles for linking out:

• Have a relatable card for the viewer's next obvious step
• Don't pitch something totally unrelated to your video content
• People won't convert if you signpost them to something completely irrelevant
• Make sure your cards are relevant to the customer journey

You need to decide whether you want to use these cards in your videos and when to use them. Have a think about the strategy you want to employ in your YouTube journey.

Tools and Advanced Tactics

Using Templates for Card Efficiency

I use TubeBuddy's plugin feature to save significant time when adding cards to my videos. The template function allows me to apply pre-configured card settings with a single click.

When I apply a template, it automatically inserts the card at my preferred timing, typically within the first 5 to 10 seconds. For example, if I'm promoting my online revenue workshop, I can apply that specific template and it adds the click-out card automatically.

This approach eliminates the need to manually configure each card for every video. I create templates for my most commonly used cards and apply them as needed based on the video content.

Integrating With End Screens

I use both cards and end screens together in all of my videos to create a comprehensive viewer journey. The card appears early in the video, while the end screen provides another opportunity at the conclusion.

For my workshop promotion, I include the same offer in both the card at the beginning and the end screen at the video's conclusion. This gives viewers multiple touchpoints to take action.

The integration ensures that whether someone is interested early in the video or decides to take action after watching the full content, they have a clear path forward. I make sure both elements are relevant to the video topic and align with where the viewer is in their journey.

Resources for Reaching Key Milestones

Access to YouTube cards depends on your channel's milestone achievements. If you're part of the YouTube Partner Program, you can link out to your main website, landing page, or email opt-in page. If you haven't reached 1,000 subscribers yet, you cannot add external links but can still add videos, playlists, and other channels.

The YouTube Partner Program milestone unlocks strategic business-building capabilities. Once you reach that 1,000 subscriber mark, you gain the option to link out to landing pages for collecting emails and offering free resources. This allows you to build an email list that exists independently of your YouTube channel.

Card Types Available by Status:

I use TubeBuddy's plugin to save time with card implementation. This tool allows me to apply templates for cards. If I'm promoting my online revenue workshop, I can apply a template that automatically places the click-out card in the first 5 to 10 seconds, and then I offer it again at the end of the video in an end screen.

For those still working toward their first 1,000 subscribers, I offer a free jump start guide. You can access this guide at timpeakman.com/youtube. The guide covers the main steps to accelerate up to and past 1,000 subscribers.

I use cards and end screens for all of my videos. I make sure they're relevant and try to understand the customer journey. The combination of cards and end screens creates multiple touchpoints throughout the video for viewer engagement and conversion opportunities.