YouTube Call to Action: What is it?

YouTube Call-to-Action

What is a Call to Action on YouTube?

A YouTube call to action (CTA) is a prompt that encourages viewers to take a specific action after or during a video. Whether it’s subscribing to your channel, watching another video, visiting your website, or leaving a comment, CTAs are essential for guiding viewers to engage further with your content.

On YouTube, CTAs can be verbal prompts, visual cues, or interactive elements designed to keep viewers engaged, increase channel growth, or drive traffic to other platforms.

For creators, leveraging effective CTAs is a strategic way to boost metrics like watch time, subscriber count, and engagement—all critical factors in YouTube’s algorithm.

What Are Call to Action YouTube Cards?

Call to Action YouTube cards are interactive, clickable elements that appear during a video to guide viewers toward taking a specific action. These cards can pop up as annotations in the top corner of a video and are customizable to link viewers to other videos, playlists, or external sites (if the creator is eligible).

YouTube cards are powerful tools for:

Directing viewers to related content, boosting watch time.
Promoting merchandise or external resources.
Encouraging specific actions, like signing up for a newsletter or exploring a playlist.

Cards are unobtrusive yet effective, allowing creators to enhance viewer engagement without disrupting the viewing experience.

How to Do Call to Actions on YouTube Videos (+ Examples)

Implementing a call to action on YouTube requires creativity and strategy. Here are a few examples and methods to integrate CTAs into your videos:

1. Verbal CTAs:

At the end of a video: “If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like and subscribe for more content like this!”
During the video: “Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!”
When introducing a playlist: “Check out the playlist linked here for more tips and tricks!”

2. Visual CTAs:

End Screens: Use end screens to prompt viewers to subscribe, watch related videos, or visit a playlist. For example, add a subscribe button and two video suggestions tailored to your audience’s interests.
Banners or Text Overlays: Highlight a CTA like “Hit the like button if you agree!” with an animated overlay during key moments.

3. Interactive CTAs:

Cards: Insert a YouTube card suggesting a related video or playlist when discussing a specific topic. For instance, if you’re demonstrating a product, link to another video reviewing the product in-depth.
Pinned Comments: Pin a comment asking viewers to share their thoughts or answer a specific question related to the video.

4. Creative CTAs:

Encourage engagement by inviting viewers to vote in a poll or enter a giveaway. For example, “Click the link in the description to vote for next week’s topic!”
Use a short teaser: “Want to know more? Watch my next video for all the details!”

5. External Links:

Direct viewers to a website: “Visit my site for exclusive content—link in the description!”
Promote merchandise: “Check out my merch store linked below!”