We're happy to announce a new way to add interactive commentary to your videos: Video Annotations. Using this new tool you can add background information on-screen, create branching ("choose your own adventure" style) stories or add links to any YouTube upload, channel, or search results page -- at any point in your video.



Uploaders have control over creating and editing an unlimited number of annotations on their videos. To start annotating, first make sure you have videos uploaded into your account. Log in, then go to view one of your videos. On the Video page, click the blue "Edit Annotations" button to the right of the video.



As you play your video, you can insert commentary by adding speech bubbles, notes and highlight boxes anywhere you want. You can also use the menu on the left to save a draft, delete commentary, edit start/stop times or add links to your annotations. Once you save the final version, click "Publish" to reveal your annotated video to other users. (Note: Video Annotations are shown by default, but the viewer can turn them off while watching a video through the "Menu" button on the bottom right of the video player).



Looking for some creative ways to use annotations? Check out these examples: a shell game, skydiving adventure and magic trick.



video annotations


For more information on how to use annotations, please visit the Help Centre.



We're really looking forward to seeing how you decide to use this new facility and will add more fun tools and features soon!



Don't forget to share your feedback with us,

The YouTube Team