

Video thumbnail specs YouTube video thumbnail specsĪspect ratio: 16:9 or 1:1 or 16:9 (whatever aspect ratio matches your video) Research shows that clickbait can disappoint your audience and attract the wrong types of new viewers. Steer clear of over-the-top language and false claims. While it can be tempting, it's important you don’t mislead viewers with your thumbnail. A good quality thumbnail signals that a good quality video lies just beyond that click.Īvoid Clickbait. Ensure your thumbnail is of high quality (we’ve included ideal specs later on in this blog). When formatting, choose clean, bold fonts and stick to a simple black or white that contrasts with the background. Try to communicate with as few words as possible so you don’t clutter the thumbnail. When you add text to your thumbnail, it’s essential to keep it clear and simple. YouTube recommends looking for something emotive like a person who looks happy or surprised.Ĭlarity is key. Make sure the scene you choose for your screen shot is a strong one. Head to Photoshop, Canva, or Picmaker to get started.Ĭhoose a compelling scene. Like we mentioned earlier, thumbnails perform well when they’re given a personal touch. Head to Photoshop or Canva to get started. Discover more details below: Video thumbnail best practicesĬustomise it. If you’re using a PC, use the Windows Snipping Tool, if you’re on a Mac, simply hit Ctrl + Shift +4 and select the area of the screen you want to capture. To begin, you’ll need to take a screenshot of your video – pause the video on the scene you’d like to use to get started. Thankfully, creating a thumbnail is fairly simple. A custom thumbnail can be made using programs like Photoshop, Creatopy and Canva or any free alternatives and include text and graphics that entice viewers to watch your video.

According to YouTube, 90% of their best performing videos have a custom thumbnail. While most platforms will give you the option to use an automatic thumbnail (a random still from your video), a custom thumbnail is always the better option. Thumbnails make it easy for users to browse content efficiently and make informed decisions about what they watch. These images appear to users as they browse discover or explore pages on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Thumbnails, appropriately named for their small size, are images that give a preview of content like videos. Thankfully, we’re here to help with a blog post that covers all you need to know, including: Choose well and your videos will get clicks, choose wrong and viewers might just scroll on by. Yes, these tiny images can have a big impact on your content’s performance. You only get one chance to make a first impression or, when it comes to video, one chance to choose the right thumbnail.
