The end screen is a **what-to-do-next card** at the tail of a video. YouTube lets you place next videos, playlists, a subscribe button and links in the last 5–20 seconds; on TikTok and Reels you bake it into the final shot as graphics.
The key is to **leave the space empty in advance.** If you edit without accounting for where platform elements will land, they cover captions or people. Keep the background simple and add a one-line voiceover like "watch this next."
Many viewers leave before the video ends, so design the end screen as **a reward for those who stayed.** Anything essential should wrap up before it.
When to use
Use it in the final edit of series or channel videos. Leave the areas where platform elements will sit (usually right and bottom) empty.