As a YouTuber, you are constantly trying to improve your video content and increase views. One way to do this is by adding time links in your YouTube video description. Time links are clickable hyperlinks that take viewers to specific times in your video. By using time links, you can help your audience navigate your video and find the specific information they are looking for. In this blog, we will describe several methods for adding time links in your YouTube video description.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed:
Before you begin adding time links to your YouTube video description, you will need a few things:
1. A YouTube account.
2. A video uploaded to YouTube.
3. A YouTube video description where you want to add time links.
4. Timestamps for the specific times you want to link to in your video.
What Should I Pay Attention to?
Before you start adding time links, there are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Always include a brief description of the content at each timestamp you link to.
2. Make sure the timestamps are accurate and link to the correct time in the video.
3. Be concise and clear in your description and avoid using click-bait or misleading text.
4. Check your links before publishing your video to make sure they are functioning properly.
Method 1: Using YouTube’s Video Manager
1. From your YouTube account, navigate to the Video Manager.
2. Select the video you want to add time links to, and click on the Edit button.
3. Scroll down to the Description section of the video editor.
4. Use the format MM:SS to represent the timestamps you want to link to in your video. For example, 1:32 would represent 1 minute and 32 seconds into your video.
5. Add a brief description of the content at each timestamp you link to. For example, "At 1:32 we cover the advantages of using time links on YouTube."
6. Highlight the timestamp and content description, and click on the Insert/edit link button.
7. In the URL field, copy and paste the link to the specific time in your video.
8. Click on the Save button to apply the changes.
Pros
– Simple and quick method for adding time links.
– Allows for easy editing of time links in the Video Manager.
Cons
– Limited formatting options for text in the description section.
– May not be the most efficient method for adding multiple time links to a video.
Method 2: Using a Third-Party Tool
1. Select a third-party tool that offers time link capabilities, such as Link My YouTube Video or Video Time Machine.
2. Upload your video to the tool and follow the instructions to create time links.
3. Once your time links are created, copy and paste them into your YouTube description.
4. Edit and format the text descriptions as needed.
5. Save and publish your video.
Pros
– Third-party tools may offer additional features beyond just time links.
– Can be useful for adding time links to multiple videos at once.
Cons
– Some third-party tools may be unreliable or not work with YouTube.
– May require extra time and effort to learn how to use the tool effectively.
Method 3: Manually Adding Links to Timestamps
1. While editing your video, take note of where each timestamp occurs.
2. Copy the URL of your video and add the following code to the end: ?t=XXmYYs
3. Replace XX with the number of minutes and YY with the number of seconds for the time you want to link to. For example, to link to 1 minute and 32 seconds into the video, add ?t=1m32s to the end of the URL.
4. Write a brief description of the content at each timestamp you link to.
5. Highlight the timestamp and content description, and click on the Insert/edit link button.
6. Paste the modified URL into the URL field.
7. Save and publish your video.
Pros
– Provides complete control over the formatting and style of the description.
– Can be more efficient for adding multiple time links to a video.
Cons
– Requires manual formatting of the timestamp URLs.
– May be time-consuming if you have many timestamps to add.
Method 4: Using YouTube’s Automatic Timestamps
1. Enable automatic timestamps by adding the following to your video description: 00:00 – Description of the first segment
2. Continue adding timestamps and descriptions for each segment of your video.
3. Once your timestamps are added, publish your video.
Pros
– Automatically creates time links for each segment of your video.
– Time-efficient if you plan ahead and add timestamps while recording.
Cons
– May create too many unnecessary timestamps.
– Doesn’t offer as much control over the description as other methods.
Why Can’t I Add Time Links on YouTube?
1. You may not have the proper permissions to edit the video description.
2. There may be an issue with your YouTube account or video.
3. You may not be using the proper formatting for the timestamp URLs.
Fixes
1. Check to make sure you have the proper permissions to edit the video description.
2. Contact YouTube support for assistance with any issues related to your account or video.
3. Double-check the formatting of your timestamp URLs to make sure they are correct.
FAQs
Q: Can I add time links to live streams?
A: Yes, you can add time links to live streams after they are complete and have been uploaded to YouTube.
Q: Can I edit my time links after my video has been published?
A: Yes, you can edit your time links from the Video Manager by clicking on the Edit button for your video.
Q: How many time links can I include in my video description?
A: There is no limit to the number of time links you can include in your video description, but it’s important to keep your descriptions concise and easy to understand.
Q: Can time links increase my video’s views?
A: By making it easier for viewers to find the information they are looking for, time links can help increase engagement and viewer retention, which can in turn boost your video’s views.
Q: Should I include clickable links in my time descriptions?
A: It’s not necessary to include clickable links in your time descriptions, but if you do choose to, be sure to use concise and accurate anchor text that describes the content at that timestamp.
Conclusion
Adding time links to your YouTube video description can be a simple and effective way to help your audience navigate your content and increase engagement. Whether you choose to use YouTube’s Video Manager, a third-party tool, manual formatting, or automatic timestamps, it’s important to always include accurate and descriptive content at each timestamp. By following these methods and tips, you can make your videos more engaging and accessible to your audience.