YouTube End Screens for 24/7 Stream Viewers

YouTube end screens can give viewers of an archived 24/7 livestream a direct route to another video, playlist, or channel. To set one up, the stream must have ended and its recording must be available as a video in YouTube Studio; end screens do not display over a live broadcast while it is running.

What You’ll Need

• Access to the YouTube channel and its YouTube Studio account.
• A completed livestream with a saved replay that is eligible for end screens.
• A destination video or playlist that is public or otherwise viewable by the intended audience.
• A computer browser is helpful for precise editing in YouTube Studio.

Step-by-Step

1. Confirm the stream replay exists. After ending the broadcast, open YouTube Studio and select Content from the left menu. Find the livestream under the video or live content view. Processing may take time, especially for a long stream. Wait until the replay is available to edit; a stream that was not saved as a replay cannot serve as an end-screen video.
2. Check the replay’s visibility and restrictions. Open the replay’s details and confirm it is not blocked or otherwise restricted in a way that prevents the audience from watching. The replay can be public, unlisted, or private depending on your needs, but a private replay will not be a useful public destination. End-screen availability can also be limited by account or video eligibility, so check Studio if the editor does not offer the feature.
3. Open the end-screen editor. In YouTube Studio, go to Content, select the completed stream, and open its video details. Choose Editor from the left menu, then select End screen. You can also reach the end-screen option from the video’s editing controls. Wait for the editor to load the replay timeline.
4. Choose an element. Add a video, playlist, or channel element using the editor’s add-element control. To send viewers to a specific video, choose Video and select an eligible upload. To encourage continued viewing, a relevant playlist may be a better destination. Depending on the available choices, you may be able to select a specific item or let YouTube choose a suitable video, such as the viewer’s most recent upload.
5. Place the element where it will be visible. Drag the end-screen element into a clear area of the preview so it does not cover important content. Use the timeline to set when it appears. YouTube end screens are shown only near the end of a video, within the platform’s permitted end-screen window; the editor indicates the available timing. For a very long stream replay, the end screen still appears at the end, not throughout the broadcast or at every hour mark.
6. Keep the layout simple. Add only the elements that help viewers make a next choice. Make sure the destination is easy to recognize and that visual overlays in the replay do not obscure it. If you use a call to action in the video, briefly tell viewers the replay is ending and point them toward the on-screen video or playlist.
7. Preview and save. Play the ending in the editor and inspect the timing, layout, and destination. Select Save when everything is correct. Reopen the editor afterward if needed to confirm the saved end screen remains in place.
8. Test as a viewer. Open the replay’s public watch page and seek near the end, or use the preview available in Studio. Check that the end-screen element appears and opens the intended destination. Test while signed out or in another browser profile if you need to check what an ordinary viewer can access.
9. Review performance later. In YouTube Studio Analytics, review the replay’s engagement and end-screen performance where data is available. Use those results to decide whether to change the destination, simplify the layout, or make the spoken call to action clearer on future streams.

Common Mistakes

• Trying to add an end screen to the live broadcast. End screens are attached to the archived video’s ending. They do not overlay a stream while it is live.
• Editing before the replay is ready. A long stream may still be processing after the broadcast ends. If the replay or editor is unavailable, wait and check again later.
• Choosing a destination viewers cannot open. A private, deleted, age-restricted, or otherwise unavailable destination may frustrate viewers. Check its visibility and audience suitability.
• Putting the element over important content. A busy or obstructed corner can make the option hard to notice. Preview the actual ending and leave the relevant area clear.
• Assuming viewers will see it at any point. The element appears only near the replay’s end. People who leave early, or watch without reaching the ending, may never encounter it.
• Adding too many choices. A crowded end screen can make the next action unclear. Prioritize one relevant video or playlist rather than filling every available space.

Tips

• Send viewers to a closely related video, a “start here” upload, or a playlist that continues the stream’s topic.
• Make the call to action specific: name the video or explain what the playlist covers instead of saying only “watch more.”
• If the stream has a planned closing segment, leave a clean visual area and avoid placing critical information at the very end.
• For recurring streams, make updating the replay part of the post-stream checklist. End screens are applied to each video, so do not assume a new replay inherits the previous stream’s setup.
• Use Analytics as a guide, not a guarantee. Clicks depend on the content, audience, device, and whether viewers stay through the ending.

Troubleshooting

The End screen option is missing: Confirm you selected a completed replay, not a scheduled or live broadcast, and wait for processing to finish. Check the video’s eligibility and any restrictions shown in Studio. If the video is not eligible, follow the notice in Studio; there may be no setting you can change to make that replay eligible.

The end screen does not appear on the watch page: Make sure you saved your edits, then refresh the page and seek to the final portion of the replay. Check whether the viewer is using a supported playback context and whether the destination or video has restrictions. Some viewing experiences may show end-screen elements differently or not support them.

The destination is not listed: Verify that the video or playlist is on the channel or otherwise eligible, is available to viewers, and has finished processing. Search by its exact title or choose another relevant destination. If it remains unavailable, use a permitted alternative such as a playlist or channel element.

Viewers see an error or cannot open the destination: Open the destination directly in a private browser window to check its visibility. Replace it with a public, accessible video or playlist if necessary, then save the updated end screen.

Few viewers click: Check whether people are reaching the final moments of the replay. If retention falls earlier, an end screen alone will not reach those viewers. Improve the stream’s closing transition, mention the next video before the end, and choose a destination that clearly follows the topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add an end screen while my 24/7 stream is live?
No. Add it to the saved replay after the stream ends and the video is available in YouTube Studio.

Can I send viewers to another video instead of my own?
Use the options offered in the end-screen editor. Available video choices can depend on YouTube’s current eligibility rules and the video’s availability; if the specific video is not selectable, choose an eligible alternative.

Will the end screen appear throughout the replay?
No. It appears only in the ending portion allowed by YouTube, not throughout a long stream or at regular intervals.

Can I use an end screen on an unlisted replay?
Usually, an unlisted replay can be watched by people with its link, but check the video’s eligibility and restrictions in Studio. Viewers still need access to the destination you select.

Can I change the end screen after publishing the replay?
Yes. Open the replay’s editor in YouTube Studio, adjust the end screen, and save the change.

Why do some viewers not see it?
They may leave before the ending, use a playback experience that displays end screens differently, or watch a replay with restrictions. An end screen cannot guarantee that every viewer sees or clicks the destination.

Related

• Claude Code Beyond Coding: Practical Ways to Use It
• Scream Movies Ranked: All Seven Films
• AMD Zen 5: Architecture, CPUs, Performance and Upgrades