Create effective video outros with compelling calls-to-action. Get end screen suggestions and subscribe prompts tailored to your niche and goals.
Every great outro follows this proven structure for maximum impact.
Your outro is your best opportunity to convert viewers into subscribers and fans.
Design your outro video to accommodate these clickable elements.
Different CTAs work for different goals. Here are proven examples.
Expert strategies to maximize your outro effectiveness.
Choose your content category. This helps tailor the outro tone and language to match your audience expectations.
Select what actions you want viewers to take - subscribe, watch more, like, comment, share, or visit external links.
Receive a customized outro script with CTA suggestions and end screen layout recommendations. Copy and adapt to your style.
The ideal outro length is 10-20 seconds. YouTube's end screen elements can display for up to 20 seconds, so design your outro to match. Keep your verbal CTA brief (5-10 seconds) and let the end screen elements do their work. Longer outros cause viewers to click away before taking action.
An effective outro should include: 1) A brief value summary or thank you, 2) One clear call-to-action (subscribe, watch next, etc.), 3) Visual space for end screen elements, 4) Consistent branding (music, graphics), and 5) Pointing/gesturing to where clickable elements appear.
In YouTube Studio, open your video and click the "End screen" tab. You can add elements like videos, playlists, subscribe buttons, channels, and links (if eligible). Elements can display for 5-20 seconds in the last portion of your video. Design your outro video to leave space where these elements will appear.
Partially yes. Having a consistent outro template (same music, style, branding) builds recognition. However, you should customize the video suggestions and verbal CTA for each video. Suggest relevant next videos and adjust your message based on the content viewers just watched.
The most effective subscribe CTAs give a specific reason: "Subscribe for weekly cooking tutorials" beats "please subscribe." Also effective: tell them what they'll miss if they don't subscribe, use social proof ("join 100,000+ subscribers"), and create urgency ("new videos every Tuesday").
Choose ONE primary action. Asking for too many things overwhelms viewers and reduces action on all of them. If you must include multiple CTAs, clearly prioritize one ("Most importantly, subscribe") and briefly mention others. Better to get one action than zero because you asked for five.
Yes, indirectly. When viewers click your end screen to watch another video, it increases your channel's session time - a key metric YouTube values. Channels that keep viewers on the platform longer get better recommendations. Effective outros directly improve your channel's algorithmic performance.
Use upbeat, recognizable music that matches your channel's vibe. Keep it consistent across videos so viewers recognize your outro. Use royalty-free music from YouTube's Audio Library or licensed sources. The music should enhance, not overpower, your verbal CTA.
Most creators place elements on the right side or center-right of the frame. If you're speaking on camera, stay on the left and point to elements on the right. For non-face content, centered elements work well. Test different positions and check analytics to see what gets the most clicks.
In YouTube Studio Analytics, go to Engagement > End screen elements. You'll see click rates for each element type. Also check Audience Retention to see if viewers watch through your outro or drop off. Compare videos with different outro styles to identify what works best for your audience.
You can add external links if you're in the YouTube Partner Program. You can link to your associated website, approved merchandise sites, and crowdfunding platforms. Links appear as end screen elements. Use these strategically - most viewers prefer staying on YouTube, so video/playlist links often perform better.
Keep goodbyes brief or skip them. "Thanks for watching, I'll see you in the next one" is fine, but don't dwell on it. Your focus should be on the CTA. Some creators end with their CTA as the final word, keeping the momentum toward action rather than closure. Test what works for your audience.
Complete your video optimization toolkit.