Short answer: You cannot make a normal website URL clickable in a YouTube Short description or comment. If you have access to Advanced features, you can add a clickable Related Video link that takes another public or unlisted video, Short, or live stream on your channel.
If you are posting a sponsored Short through an approved brand deal campaign, YouTube also offers a separate option for one external brand link. Below, you will learn how to add a Related Video link, where it appears, and what to use when your real goal is website traffic.
Quick Answers About YouTube Shorts Links
Can I add a clickable external website link to a YouTube Short?
Not through a normal YouTube Shorts description or comment. URLs in Shorts descriptions and comments aren’t clickable, so viewers can’t tap them to visit your website.
A limited exception exists for eligible YouTube brand deal campaigns, which can include an external link sticker. Most creators and businesses posting regular Shorts don’t have this option.
If your goal is website traffic, use your Short to build interest, then send viewers to a related YouTube video that explains the next step and links to your website.
Can I link a Short to another YouTube video?
Yes. You can use the Related video feature in YouTube Studio to link a Short to another video on your channel. The destination can be a long-form video or another Short.
To add it, open the Short in YouTube Studio, choose Related video, select the video you want to feature, and save your changes. Viewers will see a clickable link below your channel handle while watching the Short.
Choose a related video that continues the same topic. For example, link a quick video tip to a full tutorial, product demo, case study, or longer explanation.
How to Add a Link to YouTube Shorts: Key Takeaways
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 main built-in option for most creators 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 |
What about clickable website links for sponsored Shorts?
Regular Shorts descriptions and comments do not make outside website links clickable. One limited exception exists: creators in an approved YouTube brand deal campaign may be able to add one link to the brand’s website.
This is a sponsored-content feature, not a normal traffic feature for everyday Shorts. For most small businesses and creators, the practical option is still linking the Short to a related video on your own channel.
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 swipe fast, watch in full screen, and don’t stop to read your description like they do 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.
Before you start: You need YouTube Advanced feature access to add a Related Video to a Short. The video you choose must be public or unlisted and must follow YouTube’s Community Guidelines.
Open YouTube Studio and choose your Short
To learn how to add a link to YouTube Shorts, start by accessing YouTube Studio desktop. Open YouTube Studio, select the Short you want to update, and look for the Related Video option in its details or settings.
Go to the Manage content tab and find the 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
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 your Short introduces a product or service, a 60-second explainer video script template can help you create a clear destination video with one promise and one next step.
Save, then check how the link appears on mobile
Most Shorts views happen on phones, not computers. That means you should test the finished Short on mobile and make sure the linked video feels like the obvious next tap.
Before you publish, choose a cover frame that helps viewers recognize the topic at a glance. See our guide to choosing a YouTube Shorts thumbnail for help selecting a strong frame.
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 not, 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 approach lets you repurpose one longer video into focused short clips, give older uploads a second life, and guide new viewers deeper into your library. If you are planning this intentionally, map your video marketing funnel so each clip supports 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, since these links aren’t directly clickable and often get ignored. Similarly, burying links in comments is a poor strategy.
Always follow YouTube community guidelines on spam to keep your channel in good standing. If you want 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 forcing traffic to external websites, use 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. Start with a clear video hook for YouTube Shorts so, viewers understand that promise before you ask them to watch more.
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
Why are links in my YouTube Shorts description not clickable?
YouTube makes links in Shorts descriptions and comments non-clickable to help reduce spam and scams. You can still include a URL for reference, but it is not a strong path for sending viewers off YouTube.
Where does the Related video link appear on a YouTube Short?
After you add a Related video in YouTube Studio, viewers can see a clickable link below your channel handle in the Short. The link should take them to a relevant video on your channel.
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 still don’t fit this format well. 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.
Turn YouTube Shorts Into Content That Supports Your Business
Adding a link is only one part of a strong Shorts strategy. New Horizons 123 helps small businesses create clear, engaging video content that builds trust and supports their marketing goals.
Originally published September 14, 2023; Updated September 8, 2024, to update content. Republished again May 28, 2026, to update content and add video. Updated again September 2, 2026, to update content.
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.
0 Comments