10 Tips for Creating YouTube Thumbnails That Get Clicks

10 Tips for Creating YouTube Thumbnails That Get Clicks

YouTube thumbnails are the first thing viewers see when browsing videos.

A good thumbnail grabs attention and compels viewers to click.

With over 500 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute, standing out is vital.

This article provides tips for creating clickable YouTube thumbnails.

From understanding thumbnail dimensions to using colours effectively, optimising text and borders, employing contrast and alignment principles, and testing different options—we cover everything you need to make thumbnails that convert.

Steps to Prepare for a Thumbnail Early in the Video-making Process

Creating an eye-catching thumbnail is vital to attract viewers to your video. Here's how you can lay the groundwork from the start:

1. Plan Ahead: Begin brainstorming thumbnail ideas at the start of your video project. Consider the video's key message or transformation, as this will guide your thumbnail design.
2. Capture High-Quality Images: Decide if you want a still photograph or a video screenshot. Photographs often deliver a sharper, more focused thumbnail. Ensure you take these photos during critical moments of your video process.
3. Document Key Stages: Take before-and-after shots if your video includes a transformation or progress. Capture these intentionally at each phase so you have compelling visuals to work with later.
4. Coordinate with Video Content: Make sure your thumbnail aligns with the theme and content to set accurate viewer expectations. Consistency between thumbnails and content helps build trust and interest.

By integrating these steps early on, you'll avoid scrambling for materials later and can craft an enticing thumbnail that stands out.

Know the Ideal Thumbnail Dimensions

The ideal dimensions for a YouTube thumbnail in 2024 are:

• Width: 1280 pixels
• Height: 720 pixels

These are the exact dimensions of the video player on the desktop.

Ensuring your thumbnail matches this size means the entire image will be shown. Anything smaller may get stretched or cropped by YouTube.

Many video editing tools default to these dimensions when exporting thumbnails. But it's worth double-checking so you utilise the whole space.

Use High-Contrast Colours That Stand Out

Colour hugely impacts whether a thumbnail grabs attention.

With so much content competing for clicks, high-contrast, vibrant colours are essential.

Aim for a dominant colour that contrasts nicely with the background. For example, a bright red overlay on a dark grey background. Or a neon green text heading over a black backdrop.

Avoid muted or dull shades—these will fade into the background. Testing different colour combos using the YouTube thumbnail previewer is worthwhile.

Some top-performing thumbnail colours include:

• Reds
• Oranges
• Yellows
• Greens
• Purples
• Blues

Optimise Text to Be Bold and Legible

Text plays a pivotal role in conveying a thumbnail's key message. Ensuring text pops yet remains easy to read takes finesse. Here are text optimisation tips:

Use High-Contrast Font Colours

Match text colours to the contrasting backdrop for maximum legibility. Dark font colours like black or blue over bright backgrounds work well. On the other hand, white or yellow text over darker shades stands out.

Avoid similar shade combinations—light grey on white or navy on black. There won't be enough differentiation for the text to pop.

Prioritise Key Text

Not all text holds equal weight. Prioritise key messaging like video titles using larger, bolder fonts up top. Supporting details in smaller fonts can trail below.

Limit Text Quantity

Too many text blocks risk overcrowding thumbnails and decreasing legibility. Stick to critical headings, subheadings and selective details only. Remove excess verbiage.

Check Mobile Appearance

Given high mobile viewership, check font legibility on smaller screens. Headers staying crisp when minimised? Are subtitles still easy to read? Fine-tune as needed.

Use Borders Strategically to Draw Focus

Borders direct attention, enclosing elements you want viewers to focus on. Used intentionally, they powerfully highlight vital areas.

Border Thumbnail Subjects

Placing borders around central subjects—a person, product or text block—focuses attention where you want it. Enclosed shapes also add definitions from busy backgrounds.

Emphasise Text with Borders

Text in borders leaps off thumbnails by separating from backgrounds. Outline the title text, key statistics or other headers you want highlighted.

Vary Border Weights

Thicker borders add greater emphasis around enclosed objects. But mix up weights to not overpower. Balancing thin outlines with selective heavy edges works best.

Employ Contrast and Alignment Principles

Leveraging contrast and alignment amplifies what you want viewers to notice in thumbnails.

Use Contrasting Elements

Containing contrasting components—like a glowing product against a black backdrop or white subtitle text in coloured boxes—creates differentiation that pops.

Align Text Consistently

Keep text alignment consistent across a thumbnail. Flush left, centred or right-aligned text looks uniform and intentional. Mixing alignments risks a disjointed appearance.

Why is it Important to Use Unique Images for YouTube Thumbnails?

Creating distinctive YouTube thumbnails is crucial because it enhances authenticity and engagement.

Unique images, whether screen captures from your video or pictures you snapped during filming, offer a glimpse into your content that generic stock photos cannot.

This personal touch can build trust with viewers by signalling that your video is original and thoughtfully crafted.

Moreover, personalised thumbnails allow for creative freedom. There are no stringent rules that dictate how your thumbnails should look, empowering you to experiment with different designs and elements.

This playful approach can help your content stand out in a crowded digital landscape.

By avoiding overused stock imagery and opting for your visuals, your thumbnail represents your brand and the story you want to tell, increasing the likelihood of attracting clicks and converting viewers into subscribers.

Optimise Image Subject Details

Images often feature centrally in YouTube thumbnails. Dialing in optimal subject appearance drives clicks.

Adjust Image Lighting

Properly lit subjects stand out against backgrounds. Images looking overly dark or bright diminish subject focus. Adjust lighting so central focus areas are visible.

Enhance Colour Saturation

Boosting colour saturation makes images vibrant yet natural. Over-saturating can make things unrealistic. Find the sweet spot between lively and lifelike.

Sharpen Critical Focus Areas

Sharpen tools bring key areas into focus. For example, selectively sharpening a product image against a blurrier background establishes evident prominence.

A well-crafted YouTube thumbnail should evoke emotions that capture viewers' attention and drive engagement. Ideally, it should spark curiosity, prompting viewers to click to satisfy their interest. Surprise is another powerful emotion; a sudden twist in the visual can make people stop scrolling.

In specific scenarios, triggering strong emotions like outrage or excitement can also be effective if aligned with your content. The key is to generate an emotional response that compels viewers to want more, ultimately encouraging them to watch your video.

How Template Creation Enhances Your YouTube Thumbnail Design

Creating a template for your YouTube thumbnails can significantly streamline your design process and boost your channel's visual consistency. Here's how:

1. Efficiency in Design: By establishing a set of templates, you eliminate the need to start from scratch each time you design a new thumbnail. This saves valuable time, allowing you to focus on content creation rather than repetitive design tasks.
2. Consistent Branding: Templates ensure that your thumbnails maintain a cohesive look that aligns with your channel's brand identity. Consistency helps viewers instantly recognise your videos, which can lead to more clicks and repeat viewers.
3. Batch Processing: When you have templates, producing multiple thumbnails in one sitting becomes easier. This is particularly useful when scheduling content in advance; simply swap out text and images within your established framework.
4. Simple Modifications: It's easy to tweak elements like colour schemes, fonts, and icons to keep things fresh while adhering to a uniform style. This flexibility allows you to adapt templates for various video themes without losing your brand's essence.
5. Professional Appearance: A well-designed template enhances the professionalism of your thumbnails, making them more appealing to potential viewers. High-quality visuals can draw in new audiences and give you a competitive edge.

Incorporating these strategies can increase audience engagement and up your thumbnail game.

Incorporating Branding

Incorporating branding into YouTube thumbnails requires a delicate balance to ensure the branding enhances rather than overwhelms the content.

Start by developing a consistent thumbnail style that viewers will quickly recognise. This could mean featuring your logo in a corner or maintaining a specific colour palette and font style.

Consistency is key—use similar design elements across your videos to build a cohesive brand image. For instance, placing your logo subtly in the same spot, like the bottom left, or using a distinctive text overlay can help create this uniformity.

However, moderation is crucial. Avoid cluttering your thumbnail with excessive branded elements. Instead, focus on ensuring that the core message of your thumbnail—the visuals and text that entice viewers—is at the forefront.

It's important to remember that new viewers, who aren't yet subscribers, are primarily interested in understanding your content quickly rather than being introduced to your brand identity.

Please keep it simple and relevant, letting the content speak for itself while the branding supports it seamlessly.

Test Different Options to See What Performed Best

There’s no one-size-fits-all best thumbnail. Testing alternatives to see what viewers responded to most provides data to refine.

Try Different Layouts

Does centred text over an image perform better than text overlaying an image? See what garners more clicks.

Swap Image Location

Product on the left versus right—what draws more eyes? Asset positioning impacts results.

Test Colour Schemes

Green on black beating red on white? Finding the right colour combo through testing pays off.

Keep iterating based on view performance data, moving closer to your most clickable thumbnail.

How to Export a Still Image from a Video for a YouTube Thumbnail

Creating a striking YouTube thumbnail is a breeze when you export a high-quality still image from your video. Here's how you can do it effortlessly:

Step 1: Select the Desired Frame

First, navigate through your video timeline and position the play head on the exact frame you want to use as your thumbnail. Ensure this frame is captured perfectly in the preview window.

Step 2: Adjust Visibility

Next, make any necessary adjustments by hiding layers you don't want to appear in the final image. This could include text overlays or graphics that aren't required for your thumbnail.

Step 3: Capture the Image

To capture the selected frame, use the snapshot tool available in your video editing software. This tool is typically represented by an icon that resembles a camera and is usually located near the playback controls.

Step 4: Save and Export

After capturing the image, choose your preferred file format – JPEG or PNG are usually optimal for thumbnails. Then, save the file in your desired location on your computer.

Following these steps, you can create a professional-looking thumbnail that stands out on YouTube.

Tools to Design Standout Thumbnails

Having the right design tools speeds up creating awesome thumbnails. Here are the top options:

• Canva is a user-friendly design platform with templates to customise. Great for beginners.
• Adobe Photoshop: The industry standard for photo editing with robust features. Some learning curve.
• Adobe Lightroom: Streamlined photo editor with handy presets and filters. It is more accessible than Photoshop.
• PicMonkey: A browser-based editor with templates, graphics, and effects for quick creation. Intuitive interface.
• Snapseed: Mobile photo editing app with pro-level features. Convenient for on-the-go creation.
• InVideo: AI-powered automated creation with templates. Just add assets and text—fast thumbnail builder requiring minimal design skills.

Select 2-3 tools that meet your skill levels and thumbnail needs. For example, Canva can be used for templates paired with PicMonkey or Snapseed for image editing. Or fully leverage Photoshop capabilities for advanced bespoke designs. Mix and match what fits best.

You can update the thumbnail of your YouTube video even after it's live. This is a handy strategy if your video isn't attracting the expected number of views. A fresh, eye-catching thumbnail might grab more attention and increase your video's click-through rate.

Why Change the Thumbnail?

• Viewership Boost: If your video is underperforming, a more appealing thumbnail can entice potential viewers to click and watch.
• A/B Testing: Experiment with different thumbnails to gauge which resonates best with your audience.
• Rebranding or Updated Content: If your video's content has been updated or your channel has undergone rebranding, matching thumbnails can maintain consistency.

Remember, there's no limit to how often you can make these changes, so feel free to test various approaches to see what works best for your audience.

Level Up Thumbnails with Motion and Effects

Still, images now compete with motion and effects. Take thumbnails to the next level by adding:

Animation

Subtle animated effects—like sliding, scaling or rotating graphics—grab viewer attention versus static images. Just don’t overdo it.

Colour Transitions

Fading or shifting thumbnail colours make them less flat and dull. Again, use judiciously for the most significant impact.

Video Inserts

Looping key video moments gives motion preview without playback. It entices viewers to click for the full video.

Dynamic Text

Blinking or perspective text creates a 3D, modern thumbnail appearance that performs well.

Balancing lively motion with clear messaging amplifies viewer enticement.

YouTube Thumbnail Examples From Top Creators

Analysing thumbnails from top YouTubers provides benchmark inspiration:

MrBeast generates insane viewership through outrageous stunt videos. His wacky facial expressions in thumbnails alongside bright text on contrasting backgrounds perform phenomenally.

Mark Rober, master of fascinating science videos, uses proportional text styling with legible layouts. Clean, focused and balanced.

Matt D’Avella structures simple lifestyle video thumbnails effectively. Tight composition, selective colour and clean fonts with plenty of white space.

Study thumbnails from creators resonating in your niche. What elements could you incorporate to enhance clickability? Iterate creatively while staying on-brand.

Continuously Test and Optimise

With YouTube’s algorithm favouring higher click-through rates, regularly testing thumbnails pays long-term dividends.

Monitor metrics to guide iterative improvement:

• Click-through-rate
• Impressions
• Audience retention
• Traffic sources
• Audience demographics

Fine-tune thumbnails to elevate performance over time. What imagery, text or layout tweaks move metrics upward? Let data guide design decisions. Test, analyse results and optimise based on empirical evidence.

Conclusion

YouTube thumbnails must grab fleeting attention and spark immediate interest, convincing viewers to click. This requires balancing visual intrigue with clear messaging matched to audience expectations. Follow the tips covered—from size guidelines to colour and text use, contrast and effects—to create thumbs-up-worthy thumbnails that convert viewers to video watchers. Consistently analyse performance and fine-tune based on hard metrics to level up over time incrementally. Keep testing elements to unlock your channel’s highest click-through thumbnail potential.

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