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Yous may have heard the phrase, "you never get a 2d take chances to brand a first impression. A video thumbnail is your viewer's showtime impression of your video.

A great video thumbnail tin can mean the divergence between thousands of views and only a few.

But how do y'all know what makes a good thumbnail and how practice you create 1?

We'll show you.

Here's what you lot'll learn:

• What are video thumbnails?
• Why are video thumbnails important?
• The essential elements of effective video thumbnails.
• Four ways to brand your thumbnails stand out.

Learn How to Create Video Thumbnails to Drive Views

The right video thumbnail can mean the difference between a viewer watching your video or moving on. Acquire how y'all can create video thumbnails that entice viewers and continue them coming back!

Read the Guide

What are video thumbnails?

A video thumbnail is a all the same image that acts as the preview epitome for your video. It's kind of similar a volume cover. And, similar a book cover, information technology should entice a potential viewer to desire to come across more.

The term "thumbnail" originated with all the same images. A thumbnail was a smaller version of a full digital image that could easily be viewed while browsing a number of images.

Fifty-fifty your reckoner'due south operating system uses thumbnails. In the instance above, you tin can run into that, when viewing this folder of images, the estimator presents a smaller representation of the actual file.

And, while a video thumbnail isn't just a smaller version of the actual video, like its still-image ancestor, information technology should provide a viewer with an idea of what they volition come across when they cull to watch.

You've probably heard that you shouldn't estimate a book by its encompass, but if that were true, volume publishers wouldn't go to so much problem and expense to brand book covers expect so exciting.

And the same is true of your video thumbnail.

Why are video thumbnails important?

A swell custom video thumbnail can make all the difference when information technology comes to a viewer clicking through to your video.

Information technology'south a super-easy way to give your video a professional await.

If yous've spent any fourth dimension on YouTube, you lot've likely seen dozens if non hundreds of cool thumbnails. Exciting graphics, people grin or just looking absurd and inviting.

A skillful thumbnail makes you desire to watch the video.

And, conversely, you lot've probably seen a ton of other videos that seem to take given no thought to it at all. It's probably just some random still paradigm from the video.

There's a reason for that.

By default, if yous don't choose and upload a thumbnail for your video, YouTube (and other video hosts) will option one for you lot from various all the same shots from your video. And, I'm hither to tell you it's almost certainly going to exist unflattering.

If y'all have a person speaking in your video, it's almost a given that the default thumbnail will include a weird or awkward facial expression.

In the instance above, I uploaded a video of me recorded from my webcam. All three of the default thumbnail options show me with a weird facial expression. Plus, there's nil that identifies what the video is about or why anyone would want to watch it.

It's non enticing and it's not a professional look. And if you can't be bothered to look like you care about how your video looks, why should I bother to watch it?

You can choose a unlike thumbnail from the options YouTube presents to you lot, but using a custom thumbnail is so much improve.

Essential elements of a thumbnail

If a thumbnail is your audition'due south first impression of your content, you lot want to brand it a skilful one.

A custom thumbnail gives you an opportunity to actually sell yourself and your video. Give your audience a reason to watch your video — especially if your video is simply i of many on the same subject.

A good thumbnail

As such, your thumbnail should always:

• Clearly convey your video'south discipline.
• When possible, evidence the face of the person speaking in a fun and inviting style.
• Include your brand.
• Be optimized for whatsoever device.

In the example above, you tin clearly see these elements.

• The video'due south title is large and piece of cake to read.
• The video'southward speaker (our ain Andy Owen) uses a humorous pose to convey an emotion.
• The TechSmith logo is visible.
• Nosotros allow yous know that there'southward a free template available to help.

That'southward a ton of information conveyed by a single image. And, it helps anyone looking at it decide if that video is correct for them.

Also, check out How TechSmith Optimizes YouTube Custom Thumbnails for Viewers.

Iv means to make your thumbnail stand out

A quick search on YouTube for just almost any subject will turn upward hundreds if not thousands of videos. And, a good number of them volition have custom video thumbnails.

So how do you make yours stand out from the crowd?

I did a random search on YouTube for "How to make a video" and these were the commencement few results. Yous can learn a lot only from these alone!

one. Use color

Color can make all the divergence. Fifty-fifty thumbnails with a black or grey groundwork can benefit from a pop of color. all of the examples above utilize colour to draw your centre.

2. Employ closeups of faces

Every ane of these shows someone's face. Even the i that uses a drawing person clearly shows the face. And, all of the faces are clearly conveying emotion. You don't desire your subject's face to look bland or emotionless.

3. Employ assuming, clear text

You want your anyone seeing your video thumbnail to instantly know what it's about. Don't make them hunt for the championship.

iv. Be consistent

This is specially true if you're trying abound a aqueduct. Use consistent colors or themes in thumbnails so that fans volition always know which ones are yours, no matter how many other videos show upward in the search results.

Once you've gained credibility as a creator, people volition want to come back to get more of your content. Make it easy for them!

Become started creating your ain custom video thumbnails

At present that y'all're acquainted with thumbnails and some all-time practices for video thumbnails, it'due south fourth dimension to start making thumbnails that give a great starting time impression.

Try experimenting with different styles and colors to find what fits with you and your audience.

Larn How to Create Video Thumbnails to Bulldoze Views

The right video thumbnail tin hateful the difference betwixt a viewer watching your video or moving on. Learn how you can create video thumbnails that entice viewers and continue them coming back!

Read the Guide

Annotation: This post was originally published in 2022 and has been updated with new data.

What is a video thumbnail?

A video thumbnail is a still epitome that acts as the preview prototype for your video.

Why are video thumbnails important?

A great custom video thumbnail can brand all the departure when it comes to a viewer clicking through to your video. A good thumbnail makes you desire to picket the video. A bad thumbnail or no thumbnail does not make a expert impression.

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Source: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/what-are-video-thumbnails/