Endscreens

End screens, also known as endscreens, are interactive overlays that appear in the final seconds of a video to promote additional content, subscribe actions, or direct viewers to external sites. They are a common feature on online video platforms such as YouTube and are designed to guide viewer navigation without interrupting the main content. The visible duration typically spans the last five to twenty seconds of a video, depending on platform rules.

End screens are built from configurable elements. Creators can place up to four elements at once, including a video or playlist to watch next, a channel to subscribe to, or a link to an approved website. Availability and exact options may vary by platform, audience eligibility, and regional policies.

Implementation: In most platforms, end screens are created in the editor, such as YouTube Studio. They can be added during upload or edited after publication. The editor provides a drag‑and‑drop interface to position elements within the end‑screen area, ensuring the video content remains partially visible behind the overlays.

Impact and best practices: End screens aim to increase watch time, viewer retention, and cross‑promotion. Best practices include selecting relevant, clearly labeled elements; avoiding clutter; ensuring legibility of text; and using analytics to assess impressions and click‑through rates to optimize future end screens.