What is a Thumbnail?
The thumbnail is a visual icon that is used with YouTube videos to represent video content. Thumbnails are a major factor that decides the views or CTR of your video. When a user goes through your channel or video, the very first thing they encounter is the thumbnails of your content. And it depends on thumbnails whether he watches your content or not.
Why Thumbnails are Important?
Based on stats, top viewed or high CTR videos on YouTube use appealing, custom thumbnails. There are thousands of videos available on YouTube on every single topic, and this is the reason behind the highly competitive environment on YouTube. Among such competition, only those videos stand out and bring clicks that use professional thumbnails to attract an audience. So, there is no exaggeration in saying that the ranking or clicks of your content 90% depend on this visual icon.
Key Takeaways to Create Professional Thumbnails
Want to create images that no one can resist? Here are some suggestions that you should take into account in order to create attractive thumbnails:
Use High-Resolution Images
Users ignore fuzzy and confusing images, so you should opt for a clear and high-resolution image for thumbnails. Whether your content is viewed on a desktop, mobile tablet or PC, with the size and dimension of the device, the quality of the image you use should not be disturbed. Use high-quality file formats, i.e. JPG, GIF, PNG, etc., to ensure that your thumbnails are clear and impactful in every size. Be very careful in selecting image dimensions to create the best image.
What are the Right Dimensions to Use a Thumbnail?
For ideal results, apply a 16:9 aspect ratio with a resolution of 1280 by 720.
Use Custom Backgrounds
To develop consistency in the image, it is necessary to remove the background or use custom backgrounds that reduce the clutter in the image, rendering it a simple look. This is a key point in creating thumbnails that give a professional touch to your content.
Add Graphics
Use graphics in images to make the idea of content more clear. At a single glance, the graphics of thumbnails provide an entire idea about the video. So, use simple graphics that depict your idea clearly.
Consider Color Psychology for Creating Attractive Thumbnails
Colors grab attention faster than words do. Use bold and bright colors for major elements like text, border or graphics. Please make sure to use a decent color contrast so that it doesn’t give an exaggerated vibe. A pro tip is that you should use two contrasting hues and one base color for a perfect view. Instead of using primary colors, you should use colors like blue, pink, orange, Yellow and purple.
Make Sure Consistent Layout and Color
Try to imply consistency in the video thumbnails of your channel. Thus, your videos form a pattern when they pop up on the suggestion list or home page. Such consistent playlists or suggestions get more viewers’ attention than random videos.
Add Attractive Video Topics to Draw the Viewer`s Attention
All the top-view YouTubers use text in their thumbnails to make them more interactive. It is logical because by using text in thumbnails, one communicates the central idea of content to the audience. Let’s consider two cases; on one side, you use a high-quality image with professional colour contrasting and high resolution, whereas, contrasting to this, you use a better quality image with ordinary colour grading but with a simple text font related to the topic of the video. Which one grabs the attention more? Obviously, the one with the given video topic.
Use Optimum Text Fonts
Make wise choices while selecting a text font. It should be neither too small nor too big to occupy the major space in the image. Use an optimum sized and bold text style. Also, use unique words that communicate the idea of your content. Don’t use lengthy and complex wording to describe the video, as it creates a confusing environment. You can use a video editor to edit your videos.
Create a Simple Design
Use minimal text and simple graphics to keep the composition clean. Users usually avoid complex themes. To keep your design simple and boost engagement, you should add valuable elements in the thumbnail image and prevent adding suffocating stuff.
Add Faces
Faces evoke emotions in content, and emotions like joy, surprise, and other strong emotions invoke curiosity. And it is well known that nothing can excite people more than curiosity. So, add faces in thumbnails to pull viewers in.
Keep Consistency in Your Content on Different Online Platforms
While uploading a single video on multiple platforms, use the same thumbnail everywhere. This will maintain consistency in your content, creating your brand identity.
Analyze and Re-Strategize Your Method
- Select the thumbnail according to the video context before shooting the video.
- You should use specific logos if your content is related to some popular brand, team, niche or department.
- Test different thumbnails for a single video and analyze the response of your audience to different thumbnails. Plus, don’t hesitate to change low low-yielding thumbnail.
- Analyze studio analytics regularly to check how your viewers react to different thumbnails and find out best best-performing videos on your channel.
- Try to monitor monthly analytics and use thumbnails accordingly.
How Proper Thumbnails Boost the Traffic of Your Channel
- Instead of using random snippets, custom thumbnails can improve the CTR of your videos from hundreds to millions. An appealing thumbnail encourages the viewers to click and watch the video.
- Like all other platforms, tube also considers the click-through rate of videos for ranking;. However, it is not mentioned in YouTube`s policy, but it is a major factor that indirectly impacts the ranking of your content.
- It is a well-known fact that first impression is very important, whatever your niche is. The first thing the viewer notices is the thumbnail of a video. So, a perfect thumbnail casts a good impression on the audience.
- Eye-catching thumbnail images are capable of converting first-time visitors to long-term consumers of your content. Thus, it is very helpful in increasing your number of subscribers.
Top-Rated YouTube Thumbnail Maker
Now, as you know how crucial the right thumbnail is, here we suggest some services (free and paid) that will assist you in creating the best one:
- Canva
- Pixlr
- Thumbnail maker
- PicMonkey
- Placeit
- Fotor
Conclusion:
Attractive thumbnails play a key role in the success of a YouTube channel, as a thumbnail is the first interaction between your content and the viewer. If you don’t have any designing or graphics skills, using the techniques mentioned above, you can choose perfect thumbnails for your YouTube content that will bring more audience.