How to Add Links on a YouTube Video and Drive Real Traffic

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When you're ready to get serious about YouTube, you'll quickly realize it's about more than just uploading videos. Learning how to strategically add links is one of the most crucial skills you can develop. It’s the secret sauce for turning someone who just stumbled upon your video into a loyal subscriber, a customer, or a dedicated member of your community.

Think of it this way: a well-placed link is the bridge that connects a passive viewer to your world. Each linking method—from the description box to a pinned comment—serves a unique purpose in this journey.

Why Smart Link Placement Is a YouTube Game Changer

Your video description can act as a permanent library of resources for your audience, while a pinned comment is perfect for grabbing immediate attention for a limited-time offer. These modern tools are a massive upgrade from the old YouTube annotations, which were officially sunsetted back in January 2019.

Today's integrated features are far more powerful. For creators looking to really level up, using a dedicated link management tool can be a game-changer for tracking what works and what doesn't.

Evolving from Views to Value

With more than 500 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every single minute, just getting views isn't the finish line. The real challenge is capturing that attention and channeling it somewhere meaningful. A viewer might absolutely love your content, but if you don't give them a clear next step, their journey with you ends the second the video stops playing.

A smart linking strategy is that next step. It's the difference between a viewer thinking, "That was cool," and actually clicking to buy your product, join your email list, or binge-watch the next video in your playlist. This is where real channel growth happens—when you shift people from simply watching to actively engaging.

Given that YouTube has over 2.5 billion monthly active users, even tiny improvements in your linking strategy can send thousands of new visitors your way. Small tweaks to your call-to-action or link placement can have an outsized impact on your results. To stay ahead of the curve, it's worth checking out the latest video marketing trends for 2026 on visla.us. Getting these details right is how you stand out from the noise.

4 Proven Ways to Add Links to Your YouTube Videos

Knowing where and how to add links to your YouTube videos is the key to turning casual viewers into subscribers, customers, or dedicated fans. YouTube gives you four distinct tools to do this, and each one serves a different purpose. Once you understand how they work together, you can build a seamless path that guides your audience exactly where you want them to go.

This decision tree gives you a quick visual guide for choosing the right linking method. It all comes down to your main goal: are you trying to keep people watching on YouTube, or are you sending them somewhere else?

As you can see, if you want more views and longer watch times, Cards and End Screens are your best bet. But if your goal is to drive sales, email sign-ups, or website traffic, the Description and Pinned Comment are where you'll get the most traction.

YouTube Link Placement Methods Compared

To help you decide which method to use and when, here’s a quick breakdown of the four main options.

Method	Best For	Placement	Key Advantage
Video Description	Evergreen resources, affiliate links, and detailed information.	Below the video player.	Can hold multiple links and detailed context without interrupting the video.
Pinned Comment	Urgent calls-to-action, promotions, and community engagement.	Top of the comments section.	High visibility right where the viewer conversation is happening.
YouTube Cards	Promoting related videos, playlists, or your channel mid-watch.	Top-right corner of the video player (timed).	A subtle, non-disruptive way to suggest content to viewers while they're engaged.
End Screens	Converting highly engaged viewers into subscribers or leads.	The last 5-20 seconds of the video.	Captures the attention of your most interested viewers with a strong, visual CTA.

Each of these placements has a unique role. Using them strategically—sometimes all in the same video—ensures you never miss an opportunity to connect with your audience.

1. Maximize Clicks in Your Video Description

Think of your video description as prime real estate. It's the only place you can pack in multiple links and add context without interrupting the viewer. The trick is to put your most important link right at the top, within the first one or two lines, so it's visible before anyone has to click "Show more."

For instance, if you're a tech reviewer talking about the latest smartphone, that affiliate link should be the very first thing people see. Any other links—like to a full written review on your blog or to other related videos—can go below in a nicely organized "Resources" section. Just remember to use the full https:// prefix to make sure your links are clickable.

2. Grab Attention with a Pinned Comment

While the description is a must, the pinned comment is your secret weapon for high-impact calls to action. When you pin your own comment, it sticks to the very top of the comment section, making it impossible to miss for anyone who scrolls down to join the conversation.

This is absolutely perfect for time-sensitive offers. Imagine you're promoting a 24-hour flash sale on a product. A pinned comment like, "🔥 FLASH SALE: Get 50% off for the next 24 hours! Click here: [your link]" creates genuine urgency and puts the link right in the middle of the action. This approach often drives a much higher click-through rate than a link that's tucked away in the description.

3. Engage Viewers Mid-Video with YouTube Cards

YouTube Cards are the small, interactive pop-ups that appear in the top-right corner of the video player. You set the exact time they appear, making them a subtle yet effective way to nudge viewers toward other content without being overly disruptive.

The timing here is everything. Cards work best when placed in the first 20% to 60% of a video, which is where audience retention is usually highest. This is especially important when you consider that a surprising 69% of people watch videos in public with the sound off. A visual cue like a card is often far more effective than a verbal call-out they might not even hear.

4. Convert Your Most Engaged Viewers with End Screens

Finally, we have End Screens. These appear in the last 5 to 20 seconds of your video and are your final chance to guide your most dedicated viewers—the ones who stuck around until the very end. These are your most valuable viewers, so this is the perfect time for a strong call to action.

Let's say you're an online coach and you just finished a video on "5 Tips for Better Public Speaking." You could use an end screen to link directly to a free webinar you're hosting on the same topic. This move capitalizes on their interest at its peak and gives them a clear, valuable next step, effectively turning a passive viewer into a potential lead.

Building a Strategy That Actually Gets Clicks

Okay, so you know the technical steps for adding links to a YouTube video. That’s the easy part. The real game is getting people to actually click on them. It’s less about the "how" and more about the "why"—creating a strategy that turns a passive viewer into an active participant.

This is where a little bit of psychology and some clear, direct communication come into play. You need to transform that simple link from just another line of text into a genuine solution or a can't-miss opportunity.

It all starts with your call-to-action (CTA). You absolutely have to say it out loud in your video and then back it up with text. A lazy "link in description" just doesn't cut it anymore. People are banner-blind to that kind of language. A powerful CTA, on the other hand, makes someone curious and clearly shows them what’s in it for them.

Create a Consistent Linking System

Consistency is your secret weapon. When your audience knows exactly where to find your links in every single video, you remove all the guesswork. They’re far more likely to click if they don’t have to hunt for it.

Try establishing a simple, repeatable pattern. For instance:

Top of Description: This is prime real estate. Put your single most important link here, right at the top so it’s visible before they have to click "Show more."

Pinned Comment: I like to use this spot for something timely—a special offer, a workshop sign-up, or even just a question to get the conversation started.

End Screen: Save this powerful spot to send viewers deeper into your content. Link to another one of your videos or a relevant playlist to keep them on your channel longer.

This kind of predictability builds a subconscious habit in your viewers. They’ll learn that your videos always provide extra value in the same, easy-to-find places.

The Art of a Compelling Call to Action

Your CTA has one job: to give the viewer a compelling reason to stop watching and start clicking. Instead of just pointing them to a link, you need to frame it as the next logical step.

Let's look at the difference.

Weak CTA: "Check out my guide below."

Strong CTA: "Ready to write headlines that actually convert? I put together a free one-page checklist for you. Grab it—it’s the very first link in the description."

See the difference? The second one is specific, it promises a tangible benefit, and it makes the click feel like a natural extension of the video they just watched. If you want to get even better at this, diving into how to truly hone your messaging by mastering copywriting skills can give you a serious advantage.

Use Branded Links for Trust and Tracking

Nobody wants to click on a long, messy URL filled with random numbers and letters. It just looks spammy, especially if you're doing any kind of affiliate marketing. This is where branded, shortened links are a must. A custom short link doesn't just look cleaner; it reinforces your brand and feels much more trustworthy.

More importantly, you need to know what's working. To see which links are actually driving traffic, you have to track them properly. Using UTM parameters is the professional way to do this. Check out a practical guide to Google Analytics UTM parameters to get started. This data is gold—it shows you exactly which videos and CTAs are resonating with your audience so you can do more of what works.

Making Your Links Work for Shorts and Mobile

Let's face it, the game changes completely when you're dealing with vertical video. The old playbook for adding links to a standard YouTube video gets tossed out the window with Shorts. With most people watching on their phones and Shorts racking up insane view counts, you can't just use the same linking strategy and hope for the best.

The whole point of Shorts is to be quick and clean. That means YouTube stripped away features like Cards and End Screens for this format. So, what does that leave you with? Your two most powerful tools are now the pinned comment and the link on your channel page. Getting viewers to those links is all about being direct and grabbing their attention in the few seconds you have.

Driving Clicks in a 60-Second World

Since you don't have clickable pop-ups to do the heavy lifting, your verbal call-to-action has to be crystal clear. I mean, you literally need to tell people exactly what to do and where to go.

There's no room for subtlety here. Simple, direct phrases work best. Think along the lines of, "Grab the full guide using the link in my bio!" or "I'll drop the discount code in a pinned comment right now." You have to be explicit, because you're competing for attention in a fast-scrolling feed.

This high-volume environment also creates a massive headache for link management. Imagine you post several Shorts a day promoting a specific product, and then the link changes. Going back to edit every single video is a nightmare. This is exactly why a flexible link management platform is a lifesaver—it lets you update the destination URL without touching the old videos.

The Undeniable Power of Short-Form Video

The sheer scale of YouTube Shorts is staggering. We're talking about 2 billion monthly viewers and engagement rates that hover around 5.9%. It's no wonder that 41% of marketers say short-form video gives them the best ROI of any format.

Even with a conservative click-through rate of 0.5%–1.5% on your links, a decent-sized channel can easily drive tens of thousands of clicks every single month.

To really tap into that potential, your links need to look professional and trustworthy, especially on a tiny phone screen. A clean, branded URL builds confidence. On the other hand, a long, jumbled URL full of random characters just screams "spam" and will kill your click-through rate. For creators serious about growing with this format, diving into advanced strategies for YouTube Shorts can give you a real advantage in turning that massive audience into traffic. In the world of Shorts, your linking strategy has to be just as quick and agile as your content.

Running Into Trouble? Fixing Common YouTube Linking Issues

Even the most seasoned creators hit a snag now and then. You’ve followed all the steps, but your link just isn’t working. It can be incredibly frustrating when an end screen goes missing or a link in your description is dead, but don't worry—the fix is usually pretty simple. Let's walk through the most common headaches and get your links back on track.

Why Your Links Aren't Clickable (Or Aren't Showing Up at All)

The number one problem I see is a simple one: a link in the video description that you can't click. Nine times out of ten, this is just a formatting error. YouTube needs the full URL to make it active.

Typing yourwebsite.com into the description box won't cut it. It has to start with http:// or https:// to become a live, clickable link. A quick copy and paste from your browser's address bar is the easiest way to get it right every time.

But what if the issue is bigger than formatting? Sometimes, it’s about YouTube’s own rules.

For instance, if you're trying to add a link to your website on a YouTube Card or End Screen and the option is grayed out, your channel probably isn't in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). This is a built-in safety measure; YouTube wants to ensure a channel is established and verified before allowing it to send viewers off the platform.

Here are a few other common culprits and their quick fixes:

My End Screen is missing! Is your video marked as "Made for Kids"? To comply with child privacy laws (like COPPA), YouTube disables features like end screens and cards on content made for children.

YouTube blocked my shortened link. The platform is very suspicious of generic link shorteners from public sites. Spammers use them all the time, so YouTube's algorithm can be quick to block them.

Sidestepping Common Linking Mistakes

Another issue I see pop up is an end screen that vanishes before its time is up. You get 20 seconds to display it, but sometimes it doesn't last that long. This usually happens when another on-screen element, like your channel watermark, is blocking its designated space. Head into the YouTube Studio editor and try shifting the timing or placement of your other elements to clear the way.

Finally, don't forget that YouTube Shorts are a completely different beast. You don't have Cards or End Screens to work with, which means your pinned comment and your main channel page link are your most valuable real estate.

A huge mistake creators make is assuming viewers will find these links on their own. They won't. You need to tell them exactly where to go with a clear, verbal call-to-action in the Short itself. A simple "Check the pinned comment for the full guide!" can make all the difference.

By keeping these quick fixes in mind, you can make sure every link you add is doing its job and driving traffic exactly where you want it to go.

Answering Your Top Questions About YouTube Links

As you get more strategic with your YouTube content, you'll naturally have questions about the best ways to use links. Getting the details right not only keeps you in line with YouTube's rules but also helps you get the most out of every click. Let's tackle some of the most common questions creators run into.

Can I Put Affiliate Links in My YouTube Videos?

Yes, you absolutely can! Affiliate marketing is a fantastic way for creators to earn an income from their content. The most important thing to remember is transparency. You need to let your viewers know you might earn a commission from their clicks.

A simple disclosure at the top of your description, like "Heads up: Some links below are affiliate links," does the trick.

For maximum impact, place your most important affiliate links right at the top of your video description and in a pinned comment. I'd also highly recommend using a link management service to create branded short links. A clean, custom link looks way more professional and trustworthy than a long, messy affiliate URL, which can really help your click-through rates. Plus, it makes tracking what's working so much easier.

Why Can’t I Add a Link to My Website on a Card or End Screen?

This is a classic creator problem, and the answer is almost always the same: your channel isn't in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) yet. This is a hard requirement from YouTube for adding external links (like to your own site or a store) via Cards and End Screens.

To get into the YPP, you have to hit a couple of key milestones:

Get at least 1,000 subscribers

And either 4,000 watch hours in the past year or 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days

YouTube put this rule in place to curb spam and make sure creators have built a real community before they start sending viewers off the platform.

What’s the Best Way to Manage Links Across Hundreds of Videos?

Once you have a big library of videos, link management can turn into a real nightmare. Imagine a product you've recommended in 50 different videos gets discontinued, or a promo link expires. Going back to manually edit every single video description is just not realistic.

This is where a dedicated link management platform becomes a lifesaver.

Instead of pasting the raw destination URL everywhere, you use a single branded short link. If that destination ever changes, you just update it once in your link management dashboard. Instantly, that short link redirects to the new page across every single video you've ever posted it in. This approach saves a massive amount of time, stops you from losing money on broken links, and even lets you test different landing pages without touching your old YouTube videos.

For creators who need a simple, powerful way to keep their links in check, AliasLinks provides all the tools to prevent lost clicks and broken links. You can create, manage, and track everything without the headache. Start your 7-day free trial of AliasLinks today!