What is a YouTube Thumbnail?
YouTube thumbnails are the visual previews of the videos, serving as the face that attracts viewers. They are like the cover of a book—a captivating preview image that entices people to click and explore further.
Over time, thumbnails have become even more important than video titles and heavily influence the viewer’s decision-making process of clicking on your video. A well-designed thumbnail can quickly grab attention, spark curiosity, and encourage viewers to click on your video. Conversely, a poorly designed YouTube thumbnail might leave viewers scrolling past without giving your content a second glance.
Key Elements of A Click-Worthy Thumbnail
A compelling YouTube thumbnail is more than just a pretty picture. It’s a carefully crafted composition that tells a story and invites viewers to click. Let’s look at the key elements of a captivating thumbnail.
Relevant Image
The image should directly relate to the content of your video. For example, if your video is about baking a cake, the image could show a freshly baked cake. Or, if your video is a coding tutorial, you can use a snapshot of the code with the language’s logo.
Clear Text
Use concise and descriptive text that accurately represents the video’s content. Avoid using vague or overly long phrases. Do not use more than 5–6 words in your YouTube thumbnail to describe what your video is about. If possible, use 1 or 2 words only.
Strong Contrast
Ensure there’s a clear contrast between the text and the background image. This makes the text easy to read (even on smaller screens) and prevents it from blending in. On mobile devices, thumbnails appear way smaller, so using contrasting colors can help grab attention.
Eye-Catching Colors
Choose colors that are visually appealing and complement the overall aesthetic of your thumbnail. Consider using colors that evoke emotions or align with your brand. Whether it’s a desktop or mobile device, catchy colors will grab viewers’ attention on YouTube search results.
Intrigue
Spark curiosity by creating a sense of mystery or anticipation. For example, you could use a question or a cliffhanger to encourage viewers to click and find out more. You can reveal half of the secret to nudge users to discover the rest by clicking on the thumbnail.
Consistency
Use consistent image formats across your thumbnails to help viewers recognize your channel and build brand recognition. Creating a random thumbnail with a different design for each video will eat more of your time while making it hard for your viewers to identify your content.
How to Create a YouTube Thumbnail
Creating a YouTube thumbnail is a relatively simple process, but it requires a bit of creativity and attention to detail. Here are some steps to follow:
Choose a Thumbnail Creation Tool
There are many free and paid tools available online that can help you create stunning thumbnails. Some popular options include Canva, Adobe Photoshop, and iMovie.
Gather Your Assets
Collect multiple images, text, and other elements you want to include in your thumbnail. If you don’t have your own images, you can find royalty-free stock photos online. However, using the original image is the best way to brand your channel.
Design Your Thumbnails
Use your chosen tool to arrange the elements and create a visually appealing composition. Experiment with different layouts, colors, and fonts until you find something that works. Once you discover the best design, stick to it for a while.
Add Text
Incorporate clear and concise text that accurately describes the video’s content. Use a font that is easy to read and contrasts well with the background. It’s better to finalize a font with size, style, and color to avoid the hassle of using different text styles each time.
Optimize for Size
Ensure your thumbnail meets YouTube’s recommended dimensions (1280×720 pixels). This will help your thumbnail display correctly on different devices. Also, within the thumbnail, use a specific area to add your text to maintain consistency.
Best Practices for YouTube Thumbnails
Creating effective YouTube thumbnails requires more than just design skills. It’s also about understanding best practices that can help your videos stand out in the crowded YouTube landscape. Here are some key tips to keep in mind:
Keep it Simple
New creators often try to be too descriptive in their YouTube video thumbnails. But nobody wants to read a whole paragraph in a thumbnail. Avoid decluttering your video thumbnail with too many elements. A clean and uncluttered design is often more effective at grabbing attention.
Use High-Quality Thumbnail Images
A blurry or low-resolution thumbnail image can detract from the overall quality. Invest in high-quality thumbnail images or use stock photos that are visually appealing. High-quality images give your thumbnails a professional look.
Test Different Thumbnails
Experiment with different thumbnail designs to see which ones perform best. You can use YouTube’s analytics to track click-through rates and identify the most effective thumbnails. Once you find the best-performing one, stick to it for a while.
Avoid Clickbait
While it’s tempting to use misleading or sensational thumbnails to attract clicks, this can hurt your channel’s reputation in the long run. Be honest and transparent in your thumbnails. You can go a bit overboard with them, but you must ensure they don’t give viewers the wrong impression.
Examples of Successful YouTube Thumbnails
Let’s look at some channels with the best YouTube thumbnails that have captivated viewers and driven millions of clicks.
MrBeast
Known for his over-the-top giveaways and challenges, MrBeast’s thumbnails often feature bold, eye-catching visuals and dramatic text that promise viewers something extraordinary.
TED-Ed
The educational channel’s thumbnails often feature simple, minimalist designs with informative text. They’re easy to understand and visually appealing.
Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell
This educational channel’s thumbnails often feature minimalist designs with bold, contrasting colors and thought-provoking imagery, reflecting the channel’s focus on complex topics.
The Try Guys
This comedy group’s thumbnails are often humorous and attention-grabbing, featuring the members in various comedic situations or dressed in outrageous outfits.
The Infographics Show
This is another educational channel whose thumbnails often feature visually striking infographics and data visualizations accompanied by concise and informative text. These thumbnails effectively convey the complex topics covered in the videos in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand manner.
Conclusion
People take a mere 10 to 20 milliseconds to decide whether to click on your YouTube video or not. And they definitely don’t read your video title. Eventually, you’re left with thumbnails, and improving these video cover images will improve your video engagement metrics. Check out other creators, stay updated with design trends, and craft scroll-stopping thumbnails that compel viewers to click through.