Chapters and end screens, done properly

01

What chapters do

Chapters split a video into labelled sections on the progress bar, like "Pricing", "Setup" and "Common mistakes". Viewers can jump to the part they need. That might sound like it reduces watch time, but in practice it often keeps people who would otherwise leave because they could not find their answer.

Chapters can also appear in Google search results, linking directly to a section of your video.

02

How to add chapters

Chapters are created from timestamps in the video description. The list starts at 0:00, and each line is a timestamp followed by a title. YouTube has required a minimum number of timestamps and a minimum length for each chapter; check the current rules in YouTube Help. There is also an automatic chapters option, but writing your own gives clearer titles.

Use titles people would search for, not vague labels like "Part 2".

Your editor can list the timestamps when delivering the video, so uploading takes a minute.

03

Structure the video for chapters

Chapters work best when the video has a clear structure in the first place. Plan sections before filming, and in the edit, mark each one with a short title card or on-screen heading. Viewers who jump to a chapter should land at a clean start, not mid-sentence.

Good structure also helps viewers who watch straight through. Clear sections, each opening with a short summary of what is coming, make a long video feel organised rather than rambling, and that keeps more people watching to the end.

04

What end screens do

End screens are clickable elements in the last few seconds of a video: another video, a playlist, a subscribe button or, for eligible channels, a link to your website. They are your chance to keep a viewer who has just finished watching. Pointing to one specific, related next video usually works better than generic "latest upload".

05

Leave room in the edit

End screens sit on top of the last seconds of the video, so the edit needs space for them: a simple background, music, and perhaps a line like "Watch this next", without important visuals or text that would be covered. YouTube allows end screens in the final seconds of the video; check the current maximum length. Build the ending with that layout in mind.

06

Cards in the middle

Cards are small prompts that appear during the video, linking to another video, playlist or, for eligible channels, a website. Use them where they are relevant: when you mention another topic covered in a separate video, add a card at that moment. A few well-placed cards are useful; many become clutter.

Playlists support all of this. Group related videos into playlists with clear names, such as "Getting started" or "Pricing questions", and point end screens and cards at the playlist rather than a single video when it makes sense. A viewer who starts a playlist often watches several videos in a row, because the next one plays automatically.

Think in series, not single videos

Chapters, end screens and cards all work better when your videos connect to each other. A series of videos on related topics, with each one pointing to the next, turns single views into sessions. That matters for how YouTube recommends your channel.

Every video should tell the viewer what to watch next.

When planning a month of content, decide which video each one will point to at the end. Your editor can then build the right ending for each.

How do I add chapters to a YouTube video?

Add a list of timestamps with titles to the video description, starting at 0:00. YouTube has minimum requirements for the number and length of chapters; check YouTube Help for current rules.

What should an end screen link to?

Usually one specific related video or playlist, plus a subscribe element. A clear, relevant next video keeps viewers on your channel better than a generic option.

Do chapters reduce watch time?

They can let people skip, but they often keep viewers who would otherwise leave because they could not find what they needed. For tutorial and informational videos, they generally help.