Software tutorial video series with chapters and timestamps

A software tutorial video series with chapters splits each video into named sections with timestamps, so viewers can jump to the step they need, and groups the videos on one page so they can move between them. Name each chapter after the task the viewer is trying to finish, not the order you recorded it. Trainn is an AI-powered product video and guide creation platform. It lets creators set a chapter by timestamp and name, and each chapter gets its own link.

Key takeaways: tutorial video series with chapters and timestamps

• Chapters work like a table of contents: a timestamp and a name, and selecting one jumps playback there.
• Name chapters by the task the viewer wants to finish, and avoid generic labels such as Introduction or Overview.
• Split a workflow into separate videos when the starting state, role, or outcome differs; use chapters for steps within one video.
• Trainn, an AI-powered product video and guide creation platform, lets you add chapters to a published video, each with its own link.
• Trainn collections group videos, guides, and articles into named sections under one link, which works as a series page.

Why viewers need chapters and timestamps to skip to the part they need

Viewers often arrive with one question, scan for the step, and leave once it is answered. Chapters give that scan a table of contents, and a series page gives it a map across videos.

Length makes this matter. Trainn's platform data shows videos under two minutes are watched for 93% of their length, against 57% for videos over 10 minutes. Short videos are watched almost to the end, while long ones are watched for little more than half, so long walkthroughs need chapters.

Checklist for chapters and timestamps in a tutorial series

Use this checklist when you plan a series, before you record the first video.

• One task per video: keep the series modular, and use chapters only for steps within a video.
• Short first chapter: reach the first step quickly instead of opening with a long introduction, so viewers who skip around still land on something useful.
• Task-based names: "Reset a password" beats "Overview" or "Part 2."
• Journey order: arrange videos from setup to daily use to advanced tasks.
• One series page: list every video with a one-line description under named sections.
• Chapter links: share a chapter's own link in support replies and help articles so viewers land on the step instead of searching the video.

How Trainn adds chapters and builds a tutorial series

Record your workflow once, and Trainn understands your click actions, writes the narration, and turns the screen recording into a professional tutorial video, with zooms, spotlights, and subtitles added automatically.

Teams build a series by creating one tutorial video per task and adding chapters to the longer ones. Once a video is published, open Add Chapters, set a Chapter Time, give each chapter a Chapter Title, and select Add Chapter.

Chapters appear in the player and on the video's share page, and each chapter has its own link, so you can send customers or your audience straight to one step.

When you have several videos or guides, build the series with a collection. Add videos, guides, articles, or documents under named sections, each with its own description, and share the collection as a public link or a private link that tracks a learner's progress.

A series needs quick production. SKU IQ's head of customer success wrote on G2:

“It's cut our video creation time down significantly allowing us to create a video for almost everything. Before we had to pick and choose what to add video helpers for as production time was very long”

— Tyler Anderson, Head of Customer Success, SKU IQ, in a G2 review

Common questions about tutorial video chapters

How many chapters should a tutorial video have?

One per distinct step or task, so a viewer can jump to what they need. Short tutorials may not need chapters at all, so add them to longer walkthroughs, where viewers are more likely to leave. Keep each chapter title short and descriptive, and space chapters so they do not overwhelm viewers.

Can each chapter in a tutorial video have its own link?

Yes. In Trainn, each chapter has its own unique link, so a support reply or help article can point straight to the step it answers. Chapters appear in the player and on the video's share page, and you add each one by setting a Chapter Time and a Chapter Title.

How do I group tutorial videos into a series?

Combine them in a collection. In Trainn, a collection organizes videos, guides, articles, and uploaded documents into named sections, each with its own description, and you share it as a public link or a private link that tracks a specific learner's progress.

Can I see where viewers stop watching in a tutorial video?

Yes. In Trainn, video retention shows how many viewers are still watching at each point of a video, as a curve from start to end. Use it to see where viewers drop off, then add a chapter at that point so they can jump past it.