- Add a link to a YouTube video description: YouTube Studio → video → Details → Description field → paste full URL (with https://). Save. Link becomes clickable in 1-2 minutes.
- For your channel banner / profile, you can add up to 14 links + a primary website link in Customisation → Basic info.
- YouTube cards and end screens are the best in-video links because they appear without viewers needing to expand the description.
How to Add a Link to a YouTube Video Description
Open YouTube Studio
Go to studio.youtube.com on desktop.
Click "Content" in the sidebar
Find the video you want to edit, click on it.
Edit the Description field
Type or paste your link as a full URL — must include https://. For example: https://unil.ink/yourname. YouTube auto-detects and makes it clickable.
Save
Click Save at the top right. Link becomes clickable for viewers within 1-2 minutes (cache).
Where in the Description Should the Link Go?
YouTube truncates descriptions after 3 lines. Anything below "Show More" requires viewers to click to expand — and most don't.
Best practice: put your most important link in the first 3 lines. For example:
Want my full link list? → unil.ink/yourname [longer description below the fold]
How to Add Links to Your YouTube Channel Banner
Your channel page can show up to 14 clickable links overlaid on the banner art, plus one primary website link.
YouTube Studio → Customisation
Click Customisation in left sidebar.
Basic info tab → Links
Scroll to "Links" section. Click Add link.
Title + URL
Add link title (e.g., "Shop") and URL (e.g., https://unil.ink/yourname). Drag-reorder for prominence.
Choose how many show on banner
Under "Show on banner: First X links". Up to 5 fit on the banner over your channel art.
YouTube Cards (In-Video Pop-Ups)
Cards are interactive elements that pop up during a video. They can link to:
- Other YouTube videos
- Playlists
- Channels
- External websites (YPP-eligible only)
Add cards: YouTube Studio → video → Editor → Cards icon → Add card.
End Screens
End screens appear in the last 5-20 seconds of your video and can link to videos, playlists, channels, subscribe, or external links (YPP-eligible). Most-used: subscribe button + next-video card.
Pinned Comments
Always pin a comment with your most important link. The pinned comment shows at the top regardless of view order. Format:
📌 Get my full link page: unil.ink/yourname
Why You Need a Single Link-in-Bio
YouTube allows multiple links, but viewers don't read all of them. Best practice: put one link prominently — pointing at a link-in-bio page (UniLink, Linktree) — that hosts everything else. This way:
- You have one URL to remember and update.
- Cross-platform consistency (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube all point to same page).
- Click analytics from one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn't my YouTube link clickable?
Most likely you forgot the https:// prefix. YouTube auto-links URLs with the protocol, but plain text like "example.com" stays as text.
How many links can I add to YouTube?
Description: unlimited. Channel banner: up to 14 + 1 primary website. Cards/end screens: 5 cards + 4 end-screen elements per video.
Can I add affiliate links to YouTube?
Yes — YouTube allows affiliate links in descriptions. Always disclose with #ad or "affiliate link" per FTC rules.
Why do my links go to "Show More"?
YouTube truncates descriptions after 3 lines. Move important links to the first 3 lines.
Can I add external links via YouTube cards?
Yes — but only if your channel is in the YouTube Partner Program. Without YPP, cards can only link to other YouTube content.
Key Takeaways
- Add description link: full URL with https://, save in YouTube Studio.
- Important links go in first 3 lines (above "Show More").
- Channel banner allows up to 14 links + 1 primary website.
- Use cards and end screens for in-video links (YPP required for external).
- Pin a comment with your top link — visible to every viewer.
One link, everything in your YouTube ecosystem
Stop juggling 14 separate links. UniLink consolidates your videos, store, newsletter, sponsor codes, and more behind one short URL — perfect for YouTube descriptions, banner, cards and pinned comments.