Tool facts on this page were checked against YouTube Help on October 18, 2026. YouTube changes features often, so check the linked help pages if something looks different.
Where should links go in a YouTube description?
Two places: the first line and the last line.
The first line or two is what people see before they tap "more." YouTube doesn't publish an exact cutoff, and it changes with device and screen size, so treat the first sentence as prime real estate.
The last line catches the people who read every word. And there are more of them than you'd think.
How should you word the link?
Lead with what the viewer gets, then the link:
Get the free 5-minute client follow-up checklist: https://yoursite.com/checklist
Compare that with what most channels write:
In this video I talk about how to follow up with clients. Visit my website at...
The first one tells the viewer why to click. The second one makes them work for it.
Why aren't my description links clickable?
This trips up a lot of people. Here's what to check:
- Advanced features. On long-form videos, clickable external links in descriptions require your channel to have advanced features. In YouTube Studio, go to Settings, Channel, Feature eligibility. Established channels usually qualify automatically through channel history; otherwise you can verify with an ID or a short video. Phone verification alone unlocks only intermediate features. (YouTube Help: advanced features)
- The full address. Paste
https://yoursite.com/page, not justyoursite.com. - Shorts. URLs in Shorts descriptions and comments are not clickable. That's a YouTube rule, not a mistake on your end. (YouTube Help: links in Shorts)
What are the YouTube description limits?
| Item | Limit |
|---|---|
| Description length | 5,000 characters |
| Title length | 100 characters |
| Text visible before "more" | Not published by YouTube. Plan for about one sentence |
A simple description template
[Benefit-first line] Get the free [offer]: https://yoursite.com/offer
[2–3 sentences about what the video covers, using the words your viewer would search for.]
Chapters:
0:00 [Intro]
...
[Benefit-first line again] Get the free [offer]: https://yoursite.com/offer
What about end screens?
End screens are another way to send people somewhere, and they can link to your website if your channel is eligible. They show up in the last 5 to 20 seconds of videos that are at least 25 seconds long, with up to four elements. They don't appear on mobile web, and viewers can hide them, so use them alongside your description links, not instead of them. (YouTube Help: end screens)
Start here
Start here
Open your three most-watched videos in YouTube Studio and rewrite just the first line of each description using the template above. That's maybe fifteen minutes of work on the videos that already get the most traffic.
AI shortcut
How can AI speed this up?
AI tools and plans checked October 18, 2026. They change often, so confirm on each tool's own page. No affiliate links.
- Rewrite your first line. Paste your current description into ChatGPT or Claude: "Rewrite only the first line so it leads with the benefit of my free [offer] and ends with the link. Under 100 characters."
- Generate chapters. Paste your transcript and ask for timestamped chapters in YouTube's format. Check the times before publishing.
- Test the title. Descriptions can't be A/B tested, but titles and thumbnails can, with YouTube's Test & Compare.
- Draft chapters from the video. Gemini can connect to YouTube; ask it to suggest chapters and a benefit-first first line for a video, then check the timestamps.
Tools mentioned:
- ChatGPT: free plan, Go ($8 a month in the US) and Plus ($20 a month).
- Claude: free plan, Pro at $20 a month.
- Test & Compare: free in YouTube Studio on desktop. Tests up to three titles, thumbnails or both on a long-form video. Needs advanced features.
- Gemini: free plan includes image generation and editing and Deep Research, and the app can connect to YouTube and other Google apps; Google AI Plus is $4.99 a month and Google AI Pro $19.99 a month (US).
AI is great for first drafts. Always edit the result so it sounds like you and is accurate for your business.
Key takeaways
- Put a benefit-first link in the first line of the description, and repeat it in the last line.
- Always paste the full address including https://.
- Clickable external links on long-form videos require advanced features in YouTube Studio.
- Links in Shorts descriptions and comments aren't clickable.
Frequently asked questions
Why are the links in my YouTube description not clickable?
For long-form videos, YouTube requires advanced features for clickable external links in descriptions. Check YouTube Studio, Settings, Channel, Feature eligibility. Also make sure the link includes https://.
How long can a YouTube description be?
Up to 5,000 characters. Only the first line or two show before viewers tap 'more,' so put your most important link there.
Are links in YouTube Shorts descriptions clickable?
No. YouTube made URLs in Shorts descriptions and comments non-clickable. You can link a Short to a related long-form video that contains your links.
