To add cards to a YouTube video, open YouTube Studio, go to Content, click the video, choose Editor, then Info cards. Pick a video, playlist, channel or link card, set the time it appears and save. You can add up to 5 cards per video, but not on videos made for kids.
Cards are the small teasers that slide in at the top corner of a video, pointing viewers to something else you want them to watch. They're one of the easiest ways to keep people on your channel, because you can drop them in at the exact moment a viewer might want more. They take about two minutes to set up once you know where YouTube has hidden them, and you can add them to old videos as well as new ones, which makes them a quick win for any back catalogue.
Steps to add cards to a YouTube video
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Content.
- Click the video you want to edit.
- From the left menu, select Editor.
- Choose Info cards, then pick the type of card you want.
- Drag or type the start time so the card appears at the right moment.
- Add a message and teaser text if you want them (they're required for channel cards).
- Click Save.
The 4 types of YouTube cards
| Card type | What it links to | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Video | A public YouTube video | Pointing to a part 2 or a deeper explainer |
| Playlist | A public YouTube playlist | Sending viewers into a binge-worthy series |
| Channel | Another YouTube channel | Thanking a collaborator or recommending a friend |
| Link | An approved external site | Only available to channels that qualify for link cards |
Most channels will use the video and playlist cards. Link cards are restricted, so if you don't see that option, your channel isn't eligible for it yet.
The limits most creators miss
- 5 cards per video, maximum. Pick your moments rather than scattering them every minute.
- No cards on made for kids videos. If a video is set as made for kids, the Info cards option won't work.
- Content ID can hide them. YouTube says cards won't show if your video has been claimed by Content ID and the owner has set up a campaign.
- Cards replace call-to-action overlays. A video showing cards won't also show a call-to-action overlay.
What viewers see on screen
When the start time you chose arrives, viewers see a short teaser. If they miss it, they can hover over the player on a computer and click the card icon to browse every card on the video. On mobile, the card icon is there whenever the player controls are showing. YouTube also lists cards below the video description, and if there are several, viewers can scroll through them while the video keeps playing.
Where to place cards so people click
This is where the craft comes in. A card is only useful if it lands at the moment the viewer wants it. A few placements that work:
- When you mention another video out loud. Say "I covered that in detail here" and time the card to appear on that sentence.
- Just before a natural drop-off point, such as the end of a key section, so viewers have somewhere to go instead of leaving.
- Near the end, pointing to the next logical video. Pair it with an end screen for a double nudge.
Avoid the opening moments unless you're rescuing someone who clicked the wrong video. Early cards pull people away before they've decided to stay.
A simple card plan for every upload
If you're not sure where to start, use the same plan on every video until you've got data to tweak it:
- Card 1, around the middle: a related video that goes deeper on the point you're making.
- Card 2, at your last main point: a playlist of similar videos, so one click becomes a binge.
- Card 3, near the end: your best-performing video on the same topic.
Then check your analytics after a few weeks. Studio shows how often card teasers were shown and clicked, so you can see which placements pull their weight and move the rest. Teaser text matters too. A short, specific promise such as "The 3 settings I change first" beats a vague "Watch this next" every time.
Cards vs end screens
Cards can appear at any point in the video and stay small. End screens only appear in the final seconds and take over more of the screen. Use cards for mid-video nudges and end screens for the final call to action. Cards and end screens both compete with autoplay, which pulls viewers to whatever YouTube picks next. It's worth knowing how viewers can stop YouTube autoplay, because many of your most engaged viewers already have.
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Why your YouTube cards aren't showing
- The video is set as made for kids.
- A Content ID claim with a campaign is overriding them.
- The viewer is watching on a device or player that doesn't display cards, such as some embedded or TV players.
- You didn't click Save in the editor, so the changes never went live.
If Studio won't load in your browser, start with how to open YouTube Studio in Chrome.
My verdict
Cards are free, quick and underused. Add 2 or 3 to every video, timed to the moments you mention other content, and point them at playlists where you can. It's one of the simplest ways to turn one view into several.
Related guides live in the YouTube Help: 30 Guides to Channels, Subscribers, Monetisation, Thumbnails and Fixes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add cards to a YouTube video?
In YouTube Studio go to Content, click the video, select Editor, then Info cards. Choose the card type, set the time and click Save.
How many cards can you add to a YouTube video?
Up to 5 cards per video.
Why can't I add cards to my YouTube video?
Cards aren't available on videos set as made for kids. Link cards are also only available to eligible channels.
What's the difference between cards and end screens?
Cards can appear at any point in a video. End screens only show in the final seconds and are bigger.
