YouTube Shorts Update - Add a Related Video NOW!
Starting this month September 2023, YouTube doesn't allow any more clickable links in the comments or descriptions of Shorts.
However, viewers can still see the URL and copy-paste it easily if they're using a computer. See an example below:
Viewers can also see the link on the phone. Then they can go to their browser and type it manually but I believe not many people will do it, especially if the link is as hard as you can see in the example above.
Related Video
On the positive side, YouTube has a new feature for Shorts.
Nowadays you can add a Related video that people can watch next. See an example below:
People will see it on the bottom of your Shorts and after clicking that, they will see your Related video. Optimally, you'll want to add a long-form video there.
How to Add a Related Video?
You'll go to edit your short (Details).
See in the photo below where you can add a Related video.
3 Benefits of Adding Related Videos
If you have YouTube Shorts, I highly recommend adding a Related video to all of them.
When people click on your related video, it will bring you several benefits:
- Your viewers will be much more likely to convert after watching a long-form video if you're selling something because you'll have more time to spend with them.
- YouTube will promote your Shorts more because they see that after watching them, your viewers tend to spend more time on YouTube.
- YouTube will promote your Related video more because it will keep on getting more views.
Do People Click on a Related Video?
Yes, they do.
Below is an example from the Analytics of one of my videos.
This long-form video seems to be getting a majority of its views nowadays from related Shorts that I have created.
So, go out there and add a Related Video to ALL of your Shorts!
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Do you publish YouTube Shorts or other short-form content?
Share with us in the comments below!
Recent Comments
35
aaaahhhrghh YouTube must be female, changing her mind the whole time haha! Just kidding, lots of extra work to do, but thanks for the tip!
Lizzy
Haha true :D I guess they made the change because they want people to spend more time on YouTube. When viewers click links, they leave YouTube. Now with a related video update viewers will just watch another video spending even more time on YouTube.
yes sure, it is also great to be able to lead them to long-form content if you have ads income on those, so that's positive :-)
Hi - although I have been doing this with recent videos, I didn't know we could go back to older ones!
That's tomorrow's task, then!
Yeah. We went through all the past videos on my main channel during the last few days to add a Related video to all of them. I believe/hope it'll give a significant boost for those Shorts and Related videos.
No, I do not publish YouTube shorts as yet, Roope. However, I am prepping to do so in the very near future.
My goal is to have it all sorted out by December 31, 2023.
Any recommendations are much appreciated.
Maxine :)
I haven't ventured into YT shorts, but a friend of mine has, Roope! Before I do that, I need to revamp my defunct YT channel! Great info though, my friend!
Jeff
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Very interesting stuff Roope!
When (if) I finally get round to using YouTube I will have to revisit this info!
Much appreciated as always my friend and I take it you made it back home safely from Singapore?? :-)