End screens are interactive elements that appear during the last 5-20 seconds of a YouTube video. They allow creators to promote other videos, playlists, channels, and encourage subscriptions, helping to extend viewer sessions and improve watch time across the channel.
Why End Screens Matter
End screens are one of the most effective tools for increasing channel performance. When viewers reach the end of your video, they're engaged and primed for more content.
End Screen Benefits
- Increase session time: Keep viewers watching more of your content
- Boost watch time: More views across videos means more accumulated minutes
- Drive subscriptions: Convert engaged viewers into subscribers
- Improve discovery: Extended sessions signal quality to the algorithm
- Promote playlists: Encourage binge-watching behavior
- Cross-promote channels: Support collaborator channels
End Screen Elements
You can add up to 4 elements to each end screen. Choose based on your goals:
Video Element
Link to a specific video, your latest upload, or let YouTube choose the "best for viewer"
Playlist Element
Link to a playlist to encourage sequential watching and extended sessions
Subscribe Button
Circular channel icon that prompts viewers to subscribe
Channel Element
Promote another channel (great for collaborations or second channels)
External Link
Link to external websites (requires YouTube Partner Program membership)
Video Element Options
When adding a video element, you have three choices:
1. Best for Viewer (Recommended)
YouTube's algorithm selects which of your videos to show based on each viewer's interests and watch history. This typically has the highest click-through rate because it's personalized.
2. Specific Video
Choose a specific video to promote. Best for:
- Part 2 of a series
- A related deep-dive video
- Your best-performing video
- A video that converts viewers to subscribers
3. Most Recent Upload
Automatically shows your latest video. Good for channels with regular uploads where recency matters.
End Screen Requirements
- Video must be at least 25 seconds long
- End screens last 5-20 seconds
- Maximum of 4 elements per end screen
- Elements cannot overlap with ads in the last 20 seconds
- Not available for videos set as "made for kids"
- Not available for 360/VR videos
End Screen Best Practices
Design Your Outro for End Screens
- Plan your layout: Create dedicated space for end screen elements
- Use template backgrounds: Design an outro with placeholder areas
- Keep it simple: Don't clutter the screen with text under element areas
- Consistent placement: Put elements in the same spot across videos
- Leave breathing room: Don't place elements too close to edges
Verbal Call-to-Action
End screens work best when combined with verbal prompts:
- "Watch this next video where I show you..."
- "Click here for Part 2..."
- "If you found this helpful, subscribe for more..."
- "Check out this playlist to master [topic]..."
Strategic Element Placement
- Two videos: Most common layout; give viewers options
- Video + Subscribe: Balance growth with engagement
- Video + Playlist: Great for tutorial or series content
- Single video: For focused promotion of specific content
Effective End Screen Combinations
- Tutorial videos: "Best for viewer" + playlist of tutorials + subscribe
- Series content: Next episode (specific) + subscribe + channel trailer
- Entertainment: "Best for viewer" + "Most recent" + subscribe
- Educational: Related deep-dive (specific) + topic playlist
Measuring End Screen Performance
Track end screen effectiveness in YouTube Studio under Analytics > Engagement > End screen:
Key Metrics
- End screen element shown: How many viewers see your end screen
- End screen element clicks: How many viewers click elements
- End screen element CTR: Click rate (clicks/impressions)
- Clicks per element: Performance of each specific element
Optimization Based on Data
- Low impressions? Viewers may be leaving before the end screen appears
- Low CTR? Try different element combinations or verbal CTAs
- One element underperforming? Replace or reposition it
- Compare performance across videos to find winning formats
End Screen Mistakes to Avoid
- Covering important content: Don't place elements over key visuals
- No verbal CTA: Viewers need prompting to click
- Ending too abruptly: Give viewers time to see and click elements
- Wrong video choice: Promoting irrelevant content reduces clicks
- Forgetting to add them: End screens must be added manually to each video
- Too many elements: Can overwhelm viewers; sometimes less is more
End Screens vs. Cards
Both are interactive elements but serve different purposes:
- End Screens: Last 5-20 seconds, multiple elements, best for driving next action
- Cards: Appear anytime during video, single element pop-up, best for contextual links
Use both strategically: cards during the video for relevant references, end screens for the final call-to-action.
Creating an End Screen Template
Save time by creating a reusable outro:
- Design a 15-20 second outro animation or static background
- Include placeholder areas for 2-4 end screen elements
- Add your channel branding
- Include background music that fits your brand
- Use this template at the end of every video
Optimize Your Video Performance
Learn more strategies to increase watch time and subscriber growth.
Read Growth Guide