Google Creator Playbook Version 4 - Manual (Page 39)

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Annotations
Annotations are clickable text overlays on YouTube
videos. Annotations are used to boost engagement,
give more information, and aid in navigation. Be
inventive! Producers are consistently finding new,
creative uses for annotations.
Common Uses
• Ask viewers to like, favorite or share a video.
• Ask a specific question to enhance viewer
engagement.
• Make it easy for viewers to subscribe right from
your videos.
• Create a table of contents for long-form videos.
• Link to related videos or content you reference in
the video.
• Link to other videos in the series.
• Link to other videos, playlists, channels or full versions
of shorter video clips.
• Make areas of your video clickable and interactive.
• Highlight your dot com or merchandise store.
• Link to your social media presence.
• Direct viewers of older videos to newly uploaded
content.
• Place hidden “Easter eggs” or interactive games in
your videos.
• Add text clarification to a specific part of the video.
Controlling the text, placement, timing
and link URLs are all in your hands. Get creative and
optimize for the highest engagement!