One of the ways to enhance your video engagement on YouTube is by adding time stamps in the comments section. By linking a specific time within a video, you can direct viewers to a particular moment that you want to highlight.

In this article, I will discuss how to easily link time stamps in YouTube comments and the benefits of doing so.

Key Takeaways:

  • Adding timestamps in YouTube comments improves navigation for viewers, allowing them to jump to specific parts of the video easily.
  • Linking time stamps can increase viewer retention by directing them to the most engaging sections of the video.
  • Including timestamps in your comments can improve SEO, as Google now displays videos with clickable timestamps in search results.
  • Alternative methods for linking a time in YouTube comments include copying the video URL at the current time or manually adding the time to the end of the URL on mobile.
  • You can also use timestamps for transcription purposes, create a clickable table of contents in a pinned comment, or deep-link to specific times when sharing the video.

How to Link a Time in YouTube Comment

To link a time in a YouTube comment, follow these simple steps:

  1. Select the specific time you want to link to in the video.
  2. Pause the video at that moment and take note of the time displayed.
  3. Write the time in the comment using hours:minutes:seconds.
  4. Publish your comment.

This will create a clickable timestamp that directs viewers to the exact moment in the video that you linked to.

Example:

I found an interesting part at 2:34:50 where they discuss the latest product update.

TimeComment
0:03:20I love the intro of this video!
1:15:45The presenter made a great point about sustainability.
2:34:50They discuss the latest product update here.

By linking specific times in your YouTube comments, you can guide viewers to key moments, creating a more interactive and engaging experience.

Benefits of Linking Time Stamps in YouTube Comments

linking timestamps in youtube comment
How To Link a Time in YouTube Comments

Linking time stamps in YouTube comments offers several benefits. First, it improves navigation for viewers by allowing them to jump to specific parts of the video easily. This enhances the overall user experience and saves time. Second, it can increase viewer retention by directing them to the most engaging sections of the video, helping them bypass slower-paced moments. Lastly, including timestamps in your comments can improve SEO, as Google now displays videos with clickable timestamps in search results.

Figure 1: Linking time stamps in YouTube comments can enhance the user experience and improve SEO.

Alternative Methods to Link a Time in YouTube Comment

While linking time stamps in YouTube comments is the traditional method of directing viewers to specific moments in a video, there are alternative methods available. These methods offer the same result and can be utilized based on your preference and the device you are using.

Desktop Method:

If you’re using a desktop, you can easily link a specific time in a YouTube comment by following these steps:

  1. Right-click on the video player.
  2. Select “Copy video URL at current time”.
  3. Paste the copied link in an email or social media post.

By using this method, the link you share will direct viewers to the exact moment in the video you want to highlight.

Mobile Method:

If you’re using a mobile device, you can still link a specific time in a YouTube comment. Follow these steps:

  1. Note down the time you want to link, in hours:minutes:seconds format.
  2. Convert the time into seconds.
  3. Manually add the converted time (in seconds) to the end of the video URL.

For example, if you want to link a moment at 1 minute and 30 seconds, you would add “?t=90” at the end of the video URL. This will create a time-specific link.

Using these alternative methods, you can easily share specific timecodes in YouTube comments, regardless of the device you are using.

Additional Tips for Sharing Specific Parts of a YouTube Video

If you’re looking to share a specific part of a YouTube video, there are various time-stamping features that you can take advantage of. These tips will help you enhance your video-sharing and engagement strategies:

1. Create video timestamps for transcription purposes: Time stamps can be used to create accurate transcripts of your videos. You can easily reference those moments during the transcription process by noting down the time at specific points in the video.

2. Link a time in a YouTube comment to reference a particular part of the video: By adding a timestamp in a comment, you can directly link viewers to the specific moment you want to highlight. This makes it easier for them to navigate to that specific part of the video and enhances their viewing experience.

3. Create a pinned comment with a clickable table of contents to improve engagement: A pinned comment is a great way to provide viewers with a quick overview of the different sections or topics covered in your video. By including clickable time stamps within the comment, viewers can easily jump to the sections they are most interested in, increasing engagement.

4. Deep-link to the time that caught your attention when emailing or messaging the video to others: When sharing a video with others, you can include a deep link that directs them to the specific time in the video that caught your attention. This allows them to start watching the video from that exact moment, saving them time and providing a more personalized viewing experience.

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