YouTube’s new interactive “Cards” arrive for all on desktop & mobile to improve annotations

YouTube is today rolling out a new Cards feature today that allows creators to add interactive, Google Now-like pop ups on videos. YouTube first showed off the feature in preview mode back in June but is today opening it to all on both mobile and desktop. It’s essentially a slicker, more integrated experienced for the annotations YouTubers have long been able to add to videos. Google says its long-term “goal is to have these eventually replace annotations.”

You can think of cards like an evolution of annotations. They can inform your viewers about other videos, merch, playlists, websites and more. They look as beautiful as your videos, are available anytime during the video and yes, they finally work on mobile.

Starting with six types of cards, including: Merchandise, Fundraising, Video, Playlist, Associated Website and Fan Funding, creators can access the new feature from a “Cards” tab in the Video Editor.

Here’s a look at adding the new cards for in the editor:

Cards will work on both the desktop and mobile devices.