If you are wondering how to add a link to YouTube Shorts, you have likely discovered that pasting a traditional URL in comments or descriptions does not create a functional redirect.
While standard clickable links to external websites are restricted in the Short player to prioritize user experience, you can still drive traffic effectively using the official Related video feature within YouTube Studio.
By leveraging this built-in tool, you can connect your Short to a long-form video or another Short on your channel. This approach is the most reliable way to maintain viewer engagement and guide your audience to your primary content.
If you create AI videos or educational clips, this strategy provides a seamless path for viewers to transition from a brief, catchy Short to more comprehensive material without hitting a dead end.
External links don't work
Pasting direct URLs in Short descriptions or comments is ineffective because the links are not clickable, which limits their ability to drive traffic to external websites.
Use the Related Video feature
The only native way to add a clickable link to a Short is through the ‘Related video‘ setting in YouTube Studio, which directs viewers to other content on your channel.
Think of Shorts as trailers
Treat your Short as a teaser that builds curiosity, then use the linked video to provide the full explanation, product demo, or deeper dive to satisfy that interest.
Prioritize the viewer journey
Match your links to Shorts’ intent to keep viewers within the YouTube ecosystem, ensuring a smooth transition that increases overall watch time rather than leading them to a dead end.
What Clickable Links In YouTube Shorts Really Mean
On Shorts, a clickable link can mean two different things. One is an external website URL, and the other is a built-in feature that sends viewers to another YouTube video. These are not the same thing, and mixing them up leads to wasted effort.
This quick breakdown makes the limits easier to see:
| Place | What Usually Happens |
|---|---|
| Related Video | Viewers can tap through to another YouTube video |
| Description | A pasted URL is not a reliable tap-and-go traffic path inside the Short |
| Comments | Easy to miss, weak for traffic, and not where most Short viewers act |
| Pinned comment | Better for extra context than for getting real clicks |
The short version is simple. Shorts are built to keep people inside YouTube, meaning clickable links to external websites are restricted within the Shorts player to prioritize viewer engagement.
Why external URLs do not work the way people expect
Many creators assume that a pasted website link will behave like a normal clickable call to action. On Shorts, that is usually not how it plays out. People are swiping fast, watching in full screen, and not stopping to read your description like they are on a product page.
That matters if you are a brand, marketer, or creator trying to send viewers to a store, booking page, or affiliate offer. A URL might exist on the post, but that does not make it a strong traffic tool. Inside the Shorts feed, it is not the clean, obvious next step most people want.
If your goal is website traffic, a YouTube Short is a weak direct-link tool. It is much better at sending people to another video on your channel.
What can still be linked inside YouTube
What does work is utilizing content links to direct your audience to another YouTube video. This can be a longer explainer, a product demo, a case study, or another Short that continues the same topic. That is the most practical move.
Think of a Short like a movie trailer. It should not end in a parking lot. It should point people to the full thing. You can see that setup in this YouTube clip about Shorts content links. For creators using AI video, this strategy is perfect for turning a quick teaser into a clear next step.
How To Add A Link To YouTube Shorts Using YouTube Studio
If you want a Short to point somewhere useful, this is the path to use. The Related video feature is where the clickable behavior happens inside Shorts, allowing you to bridge the gap between bite-sized content and your longer videos.
Open YouTube Studio and choose your Short
To learn how to add a link to YouTube Shorts, start by accessing YouTube Studio desktop. You will need to use the Desktop version of the site to access these specific settings.
Navigate to the Manage content tab and locate the specific Short you want to update. Once you find it, click the Edit button to reach the Video details page. This is where you can adjust the components attached to your clip, including the destination video you want viewers to visit next.
Use the Related video feature to connect another video
Once you are on the video details page, look for the Related video feature. This tool is the primary way to link your content.
The basic flow is simple:
- Open your Short within the YouTube Studio interface.
- Locate the Related video feature in the settings panel.
- Select the long-form video or Short you want to connect.
- Save your changes to apply the link.
Pick the next video with intention. If your AI Short shows a fast before-and-after brand visual, link it to the full breakdown. If the Short is a product teaser, link it to the demo. If it is a quick tip, link it to the fuller tutorial.
If you want another look at the workflow, this walkthrough of adding content links in Shorts follows the same basic process.
Save, then check how the link appears on mobile
Most Shorts views happen on phones, not on a computer. That means you should test the finished Short on mobile and make sure the linked video feels like the obvious next tap.
Watch your own short as a new viewer would. Does the linked video match the promise of the first clip? Does the transition feel smooth? If the answer is no, change the destination. A good link feels natural, while a bad one feels like bait.
Choose The Right Video To Link From Your Short
Setup matters, but strategy matters more. You can connect a Short to a video in seconds, but choosing the right content is what actually drives results. Mastering the link between your short-form content and your deeper assets is essential for building a consistent viewer journey.
Match the Short to a video that extends the story
A good Short creates curiosity, and the linked long-form video should satisfy it. If your Short asks a question, the next video should answer it. If your Short shows a result, the next video should show how it happened.
This strategy is a powerful way to repurposing content that you have already created, giving your older uploads a second life while guiding new viewers deeper into your library. If you are planning that path on purpose, mapping your video marketing funnel helps keep each clip tied to a real business goal.
Send viewers to content that supports your goal
Not every linked video should chase the same outcome. When you strategically direct traffic, you increase watch time and accelerate your channel growth by keeping viewers engaged with your brand longer.
Here are a few strong matches, A:
- Teaser Short links to a longer product demo.
- Quick AI animation links to a detailed tutorial or explainer.
- Branded visual hook links to a case study or portfolio piece.
The destination should always match the job. If the Short is top-of-funnel, do not send people straight into a hard sell. If the Short is already product-focused, a deep-dive demo makes perfect sense. If you need the broader setup behind those choices, this video marketing 101 guide lays out the basics in plain English.
Common Mistakes That Stop Shorts Links From Helping
Most problems here are not technical. They are planning problems.
Do not rely on descriptions or comments for traffic
Placing URLs in the video description is ineffective for mobile users, as these links are not directly clickable and often get ignored. Similarly, trying to bury links in comments is a poor strategy.
Not only do these paths offer a low conversion rate, but they can also flag your content as spam if you are not careful. Always follow YouTube community guidelines regarding spam to ensure your channel remains in good standing. If you are hoping for clean outbound clicks, relying on text-based links is where your growth effort dies.
Many creators still ask about affiliate links or about directing traffic to external websites. You are not imagining the confusion. This creator discussion about affiliate links in Shorts shows how common that question still is.
Do not send viewers to the wrong video
A bad match kills momentum. If your Short is about AI-generated product visuals and the linked video jumps to an unrelated topic, people will not stick around. They may not tap at all.
The next video should feel like page two, not a random detour. When the connection is tight, clicks make sense, and retention is more likely. Instead of trying to force traffic toward external websites, focus on using the related video feature as your primary call-to-action to keep viewers within the YouTube ecosystem.
Do not forget the viewer journey
Every Short creates a tiny promise. The linked video needs to keep it.
Some viewers want a quick tip. Others want the full explanation. Some want proof before they care. Link based on that intent. If your AI Short looks sleek and modern, do not send people to a clunky, off-message video that feels like it belongs to another channel.
Keep the style, message, and topic aligned so that your call to action feels like a natural progression rather than a disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions About YouTube Shorts Links
Can I add a clickable website link to a YouTube Short?
Not in the clean, built-in way most people mean. Pasting a website URL into a Short’s description or comments is not the same as including a strong, clickable link within the Short experience. If your goal is a true tap-through path, Shorts are better at sending viewers to other YouTube content.
Can I link a Short to another YouTube video?
Yes. That’s the practical option. Use the Related Video feature in YouTube Studio to connect your Short to a long-form video or another Short. This is the best way to create a clickable next step that fits how Shorts are designed.
Is this useful for AI videos and branded content?
Yes, and it works especially well for AI videos. A Short can grab attention with a fast visual, then send viewers to a deeper explainer, product demo, tutorial, or case study. That turns one clip into part of a larger content path instead of a one-off post.
Final Thoughts About How to Add Clickable Links to YouTube Shorts
If you want a clickable link in a YouTube Short, use Related Video in YouTube Studio. That’s the feature built for Shorts, and it’s the one that gives viewers a real next step.
External website URLs are still a poor fit for this format. A better move is linking your Short to a long-form video or another Short that matches the topic, keeps the promise, and fits what the viewer wants next. When the link makes sense, the Short stops being a dead end and starts doing its job.
Originally published September 14, 2023; Updated September 8, 2024, to update content. Republished again May 28, 2026, to update content and add video
As a Visual Digital Marketing Specialist for New Horizons 123, Julie works to grow small businesses, increasing their online visibility by leveraging the latest in internet and video technologies. She specializes in creative camera-less animated video production, custom images, content writing, and SlideShare presentations. Julie also manages content, blog management, email marketing, marketing automation, and social media for her clients.
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