How does it work?
We store all the thumbnails you upload.
Every day at midnight (or every hour throughout the day), we change the thumbnail on your chosen video to the next thumbnail in the list.
At the end of the test, we look back at the click-through rate, views, and other stats each thumbnail got, and give you that data to decide which thumbnail performed the best.
Every day at midnight (or every hour throughout the day), we change the thumbnail on your chosen video to the next thumbnail in the list.
At the end of the test, we look back at the click-through rate, views, and other stats each thumbnail got, and give you that data to decide which thumbnail performed the best.
🎥 Video: What's Thumbnail Test like?
Above is a video that shows what it's like using Thumbnail Test.
What if you video could have gone viral - but it just didn't have the right thumbnail.
And even worse: what if the right answer was, in fact, that 2nd or 3rd idea you've had for the thumbnail - but you just went with another one.
Thumbnail Test lets you reach the max potential of your videos 🚀
Curious to see what it could do to your videos...?
What if you video could have gone viral - but it just didn't have the right thumbnail.
And even worse: what if the right answer was, in fact, that 2nd or 3rd idea you've had for the thumbnail - but you just went with another one.
Thumbnail Test lets you reach the max potential of your videos 🚀
Curious to see what it could do to your videos...?
How it works
What is A/B Testing?
Normally, an A/B test is when you show 100 people something, 50 see A and 50 see B, then you judge if A or B is better based on their reactions.
Therefore, a thumbnail A/B test means we show thumbnail A for one day/hour, then thumbnail B for one day/hour, and repeat that for a couple weeks.
At the end, we see which thumbnail more people clicked on.
Therefore, a thumbnail A/B test means we show thumbnail A for one day/hour, then thumbnail B for one day/hour, and repeat that for a couple weeks.
At the end, we see which thumbnail more people clicked on.
What can I expect from this tool?
This tool is not an "autopilot" function, rather it's a tool to run tests.
Make different thumbnails, come up with new titles, and then this tool can do the heavy lifting to tell you what’s working.
The best thing you get out of this tool won’t be necessarily views - it will be understanding what your audience actually wants.
Make different thumbnails, come up with new titles, and then this tool can do the heavy lifting to tell you what’s working.
The best thing you get out of this tool won’t be necessarily views - it will be understanding what your audience actually wants.
Can’t you do this in YouTube already?
Correct, but:
• YouTube's feature is only for thumbnails, not for title (or titles + thumbnails)
• YouTube's feature is only for max 3 thumbnails (as opposed to 10+ with us)
• YouTube's feature doesn't give any granular control - you'll only be able to add 3 thumbnails and that's it.
• YouTube’s feature shows only one metric, vs 20+ with us
In short, YouTube's feature is great for a free start.
However, Thumbnail Test is the Pro version that helps you unlock the full potential of A/B testing. See the full comparison here.
• YouTube's feature is only for thumbnails, not for title (or titles + thumbnails)
• YouTube's feature is only for max 3 thumbnails (as opposed to 10+ with us)
• YouTube's feature doesn't give any granular control - you'll only be able to add 3 thumbnails and that's it.
• YouTube’s feature shows only one metric, vs 20+ with us
In short, YouTube's feature is great for a free start.
However, Thumbnail Test is the Pro version that helps you unlock the full potential of A/B testing. See the full comparison here.
How many videos can I test?
As many as you want. The only limit is one active test per video.
How many thumbnails can I upload?
We recommend no more than 5, but you can upload as many as you want. All thumbnails will be tested including the original.
How different should my thumbnails be?
There is not specific requirement - you can upload any thumbnail you want.
Some people Ttry to make very unique thumbnails. Others just test different colors in the images.
Some people Ttry to make very unique thumbnails. Others just test different colors in the images.
How do you know which thumbnail/title is best?
You can pick any metric you want, including views, watch time, likes, dislikes, comments, etc. We give you all the data to pick your own winner :)
Am I giving you access to my YouTube channel?
Partially, through our optional browser extension . You are giving us access to look at some of your YouTube analytics, as well as change thumbnails/titles on your videos.
If you'd rather not install our browser extension, ThumbnailTest can be just as easily used without giving us access to your channel.
If you'd rather not install our browser extension, ThumbnailTest can be just as easily used without giving us access to your channel.
Can I run both thumbnail and title tests at the same time?
Yes! You can test:
• Thumbnails
• Titles
• Thumbnails and titles
However, you can only run one test per video at a time.
• Thumbnails
• Titles
• Thumbnails and titles
However, you can only run one test per video at a time.
How do you account for mostly my subscribers watching on the first few hours/days?
If you find that your stats are way higher the first few days, we can automatically add a 3-day (or less) delay to your test to ensure you’re running with the least bias possible.
This should get around any big view spikes and ensure a true test of each thumbnail.
This should get around any big view spikes and ensure a true test of each thumbnail.
How many titles can I put in?
As many as you want!
How many tests can I run at the same time?
As many tests as you want! The only limit is one test per video at a time.
How long can a test be?
As long as you want!
Tests will always be a multiple of the number of thumbnails/titles.
For example: if you upload 3 thumbnails + the original, your test will run for a multiple of 4 days/hours (4, 8, 12, 16, ….) to ensure every thumbnail gets an equal amount of test time.
Tests will always be a multiple of the number of thumbnails/titles.
For example: if you upload 3 thumbnails + the original, your test will run for a multiple of 4 days/hours (4, 8, 12, 16, ….) to ensure every thumbnail gets an equal amount of test time.
How soon can I know which thumbnail is best?
After each thumbnail has been run for at least one day, you can analyse partial stats and see what thumbnail is currently winning.
Is this completely automatic?
All thumbnail/title swapping and stat collection is automatic with our browser extension.
Right now we don't automate picking winners, but we're working on some settings for that.
Right now we don't automate picking winners, but we're working on some settings for that.
How much do I have to do?
1. Pick a video
2. Upload your thumbnails/titles
3. Hit "start"
Then, just wait until the test is over. That's it!
2. Upload your thumbnails/titles
3. Hit "start"
Then, just wait until the test is over. That's it!
How do you know what my video stats are?
When you sign up, you can optionally download a browser extension. Whenever you open Youtube Studio, we'll grab the most up to date stats.
Alternatively, if you'd rather not get our extension, you can manually upload stats (we make this as simple as possible in our app - we show you exactly what to do).
Alternatively, if you'd rather not get our extension, you can manually upload stats (we make this as simple as possible in our app - we show you exactly what to do).
What does the size of the thumbnail have to be?
Based on YouTube's requirements: any 16:9 resolution (e.g. 1920x1080, 1280x720, etc), less than 2MB.
What’s the minimum test length?
Each thumbnail/title must be tested for at least one day/hour.
The number of thumbnails/titles you upload, plus 1 for the original, determines the minimum test length.
The number of thumbnails/titles you upload, plus 1 for the original, determines the minimum test length.
How soon after uploading a video can I start my test?
You can start the test at midnight PST any day (this is due to YouTube's structure).
By default, we will start swapping thumbnails as soon as the clock hits midnight PST after you start your test.
By default, we will start swapping thumbnails as soon as the clock hits midnight PST after you start your test.
What data do you collect?
We collect the data needed to figure out which thumbnail/title converted the best.
This includes impressions, views from every source, CTR, AVD, etc.
We also store a token used to update your thumbnails and titles overnight.
This includes impressions, views from every source, CTR, AVD, etc.
We also store a token used to update your thumbnails and titles overnight.
How many views should I have before signing up for this tool?
You should have at least 200-300 views per video. Below that it’s hard for data to be significant.
How safe is this? Can this get my channel in trouble?
100% safe, the only risks with this tool would have been if the thumbnail is changed very fast (e.g. 10 times per second). Since this tool is swapping thumbnails at most once per hour, you are at absolutely no risk.
How “biased” is the A/B Test?
The only possible bias would be if suddenly your video goes viral, during the test.
This could skew the data and make it hard to make an accurate call.
If you want to be sure, we suggest delaying the test 2-3 days after you publish it - as long as you don’t suddenly go viral, the test will be accurate. And if you do go viral, who cares about the test 😀
This could skew the data and make it hard to make an accurate call.
If you want to be sure, we suggest delaying the test 2-3 days after you publish it - as long as you don’t suddenly go viral, the test will be accurate. And if you do go viral, who cares about the test 😀
Why should I do A/B tests on my YouTube videos?
If you aren’t A/B testing thumbnails, you’re playing a guessing game. By testing multiple thumbnails, you remove the chance that your video flops because of a bad thumbnail - you’ll always know you have the best thumbnail you could make. On top of this, you’ll get to learn more about your audience and what they like by seeing how they react to different thumbnails and titles.
Can I manually schedule when thumbnails switch?
No. Thumbnails have to always switch at midnight PST as this is when YouTube analytics update.
What is the “Control Group” in these experiments?
The tool gives the option to include the original thumbnail or title in the experiment to ensure that you know if your original was better than your new variations.
Will this work for YouTube Shorts?
Yes!
Do you have an affiliate program?
Yes! A very generous one for our partners :)
Once you log into our app, click the "Refer" button on the sidebar.
Once you log into our app, click the "Refer" button on the sidebar.
What’s your refund policy?
We're very confident you'll like ThumbnailTest *and* that you'll get results.
If you don’t love it within 14 days from purchasing a subscription, you can get a full refund of your first payment.
If you don’t love it within 14 days from purchasing a subscription, you can get a full refund of your first payment.
Do I get a prize for looking at all the questions?
Yes! Use code HYPEDASFAQ for 15% off your first 3 months :)
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