What is a thumbnail?#
A thumbnail (literally the size of a thumbnail fingernail) is the small image that serves as a video's cover. On YouTube, among dozens of videos, the first thing the viewer sees is this image and the title.
Why does it matter?#
Because the viewer decides about a video before watching it. An excellent video with a weak thumbnail may go unseen, because nobody clicks on it.
Features of a good thumbnail#
- Simple and clear: readable even at small mobile size.
- Little text: a few large words at most.
- A face or emotion: a human gaze and facial expression usually catch attention.
- Contrasting colors: so it stands out among other images.
- Consistency with the title: each should say a different part of the message, not repeat each other.
Example#
Picture a video called "How to install WordPress." A weak thumbnail is a cluttered screenshot. A good thumbnail is a simple picture with large text, "Install WordPress in 5 minutes," and an arrow pointing to the screen.
Difference from clickbait#
An appealing thumbnail is different from clickbait. A thumbnail must make a promise the video really keeps. If the audience is fooled and leaves quickly, the platform treats that behavior as negative.
A note#
Follow each platform's standard ratio and size, and check the result in your stats; some platforms even let you test several thumbnails.