On YouTube, every detail counts to capture the public’s attention and stand out from the competition, and one of the most important elements to attract visits is the thumbnail of a video. Although it is not usually taken into account, a well-designed thumbnail can make the difference between a user clicking on your content or ignoring it completely.
Therefore, in this article we delve into everything that has to do with the size of thumbnails on YouTube, how to optimize them and, above all, how to make them attractive to your audience.
What are YouTube Thumbnails
YouTube thumbnails are thumbnail images that represent a video before the user clicks. They function like the cover of a book, offering a preview of the content and helping viewers decide whether they want to watch it or not.
These images appear in the search results, in the recommendations section and in the playlists, so they are a key element in the strategy of attracting the public on the platform and an important element when it comes to knowing how to grow on YouTube.
Since YouTube is a highly visual ecosystem, the quality and design of the thumbnail can determine the success of a video. Thumbnails can include still images extracted from the video, custom graphics, or a combination of both. The most successful content creators often spend time designing attractive thumbnails that clearly communicate the topic of the video and spark the viewer’s curiosity.
What Size is the YouTube Thumbnail
The size of YouTube thumbnails, as with the size of reels on Instagram, is a crucial aspect to ensure good viewing on different devices and maximize the click-through rate (CTR).
YouTube recommends that thumbnails have a resolution of 1280×720 pixels, with an aspect ratio of 16:9. This size is ideal because it ensures that the thumbnail looks good on both large screens and mobile devices, where most users view the content.
In addition, the image must be in JPG, PNG or GIF format and not exceed 2 MB in weight. A larger file size may prevent it from being uploaded to the platform, while a lower resolution may cause the thumbnail to look blurry or pixelated, negatively affecting the perception of the content.
It is important to design thumbnails that maintain their visual quality, even when the size of the thumbnail is reduced in the YouTube interface, it is advisable to avoid using text that is too small and ensure that the colors and contrasts are adequate.
In short, respecting the recommended dimensions and optimizing the design of the thumbnail can make the difference between a user clicking on a video or passing it by.
What are YouTube Thumbnails For
Thumbnails fulfill several essential functions within YouTube. First, they capture the attention of users and invite them to click on a video. They also help reinforce the visual identity of the channel, creating a uniform and professional appearance in the contents.
In addition, they can improve the click-through rate (CTR), which means that, by optimizing them correctly, a video can gain more visibility and reach a wider audience. If a thumbnail is not attractive, even if the content of the video is excellent, the public could ignore it, therefore, thumbnails function as a visual hook that invites users to explore the content.
In addition, they can transmit emotions, generate expectations and even differentiate a video from other similar ones on the platform.
How to Customize the YouTube Thumbnail (List, Step by Step)
When customizing the YouTube thumbnail you must take into account a series of aspects. We tell you them step by step:
- Go to YouTube Studio and log in with your account.
- Go to the “Content” section and select the video to which you want to change the thumbnail.
- Within the video settings, locate the “Thumbnail” option.
- You can choose one of the thumbnails generated automatically by YouTube or upload a custom one.
- If you want to customize it, click on “Upload thumbnail” and select the desired image from your computer.
- Make sure that the thumbnail meets the size and format requirements: 1280×720 pixels, JPG, PNG or GIF format and a maximum weight of 2 MB.
- Once uploaded, save the changes to apply it to the video.
The Importance of YouTube Thumbnails for YouTubers
For any content creator on YouTube, thumbnails are an essential tool to increase the visibility and growth of the channel.
Many of the youtubers with the most subscribers have developed their own style in their thumbnails, which makes it easier for their audience to recognize them immediately. In addition, a well-crafted thumbnail can increase viewer retention, as it sets clear expectations about the content of the video.
The Impact of Thumbnails on YouTube SEO
SEO on YouTube not only depends on keywords and optimized descriptions, it also includes visual elements, such as thumbnails. An attractive thumbnail can increase the CTR, which in turn sends positive signals to the YouTube algorithm.
If more people click on a video and watch it for a prolonged period, the platform considers it relevant and positions it better in the search results and in the recommendations.
Videos with striking and well-designed thumbnails are more likely to be promoted by the YouTube algorithm. This is because a high CTR indicates that the content is attractive and that the thumbnail represents the topic of the video well. All this will help you, in addition to achieving a good positioning, to achieve the requirements to monetize on YouTube and obtain a source of income with the platform.
Tips for Modifying the Thumbnail of a YouTube Video
In addition to the above aspects, it is necessary to take into account a series of guidelines to follow when changing YouTube thumbnails. We explain them below:
- Use striking colors and high contrasts so that the thumbnail stands out on the platform.
- Include high-quality images and avoid pixelated or blurry elements.
- Add a short and legible text that summarizes the main idea of the video.
- Use expressive faces if the content allows it, as they generate greater connection with the audience.
- Maintain visual coherence with the rest of the channel’s content to strengthen brand identity.
- Do not abuse visual elements, the thumbnail must be attractive but cannot be overloaded.
- Perform A/B tests with different thumbnails to identify which one generates more clicks.
- Check that the thumbnail looks good on different devices, especially on mobiles.
- Make sure that the thumbnail faithfully reflects the content of the video to avoid high abandonment rates.
- Take into account the psychology of color to transmit emotions or specific sensations.
Adding Text to a Thumbnail on YouTube
Incorporating text in a thumbnail is an effective strategy to reinforce the message and capture the attention of users. It is important to choose a clear and legible typography, preferably in bold and with an adequate contrast with the background.
The text should be concise and direct, since viewers only have a few seconds to decide whether to click on the video. A good practice is to use striking keywords such as “Incredible!”, “You won’t believe this” or “The best trick” to generate curiosity. However, it is essential to avoid misleading titles or excessive clickbait, as they can affect the credibility of the channel in the long term.
Tools such as Photoshop, Canva or Adobe Express allow you to design thumbnails with attractive and professional text. A good combination of image and text can significantly increase the click-through rate and improve the performance of the video on YouTube. In addition, the use of shadows, outlines and brightness effects in the text can improve its visibility on any background.
YouTube thumbnails are a key piece in the strategy of any content creator. By understanding its importance and applying good practices in its design, it is possible to improve the performance of the videos and impact a larger audience.
How to Test the Effectiveness of a Thumbnail on YouTube
To evaluate the performance of a thumbnail on YouTube, the best strategy is to perform A/B tests. Although YouTube does not offer this function natively, external tools such as TubeBuddy allow you to compare different thumbnails and analyze which one obtains a better click-through rate (CTR). You can also change the thumbnail manually after a certain period and review the metrics in YouTube Studio.
Another method is to analyze audience retention and viewing duration. If a video has a good CTR but low retention, the thumbnail may be generating misleading clicks. In addition, monitoring the Traffic Sources section helps to see how the public responds to the thumbnail in different locations. Optimizing thumbnails based on real data is key to improving the visibility and performance of the channel.
Differences between Thumbnails for Different Types of Content
Thumbnails should be adapted to the theme of the content to maximize their effectiveness. In entertainment videos, vibrant colors and striking graphic elements are usually used to capture attention. In tutorials and educational content, it is recommended to use clear texts that explain the topic of the video and sober colors to transmit professionalism.
For content related to gaming, dynamic images with recognizable characters and strong contrasts are prioritized. In corporate or informative content, thumbnails are usually more minimalist, with elegant typographies and clean backgrounds. In vlogs and content based on lifestyle, thumbnails include authentic and natural images to generate closeness with the audience. For their part, YouTube Shorts often show fragments or frames of the videos themselves, being able to add certain elements such as icons or text.
Each niche has its own visual style, and adapting the thumbnails to the expected audience improves engagement and click-through rate.
YouTube Channel Management with 2btube
As YouTube experts, from 2btube we help you manage your channels, protect your copyrights on the platform, create a content strategy and distribute your videos and assets so that they achieve a greater reach.
If you want to improve your positioning on the platform and create a solid presence, whether you are a content creator, brand or media outlet, get in touch with our team. We will be happy to chat with you!