How To: Enable & Add Custom YouTube Thumbnails

• You’ve uploaded a YouTube video
• And you want to change the thumbnail
• To a specific picture

Over here, we’ll teach you how to select a custom thumbnail when uploading a video.

Related: Daily custom thumbnail upload limit reached.

How to Add a Custom YouTube Thumbnail

To add a custom YouTube thumbnail, you need to verify your account with a phone number. Proceed to upload the video and click “Custom Thumbnail” to select your image.

A. Computer

1. Open YouTube Studio → Upload your video;
2. Click Upload Thumbnail;
3. Locate the thumbnail image in your computer → Select it;
4. Click NEXT → Save progress.

You can then upload the video with the custom thumbnail.

B. Mobile

1. Download & Open YouTube Studio
2. Tap + > Upload your video
3. In the top-left corner, Image + > Select the image
4. Tap Change
5. Finish uploading the video

Official YouTube Studio download links: Google Play & App Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you add a custom thumbnail to a YouTube Short?

Yes, you can add a custom thumbnail to a YouTube Short. When you’re uploading your Short, you’ll see an option to choose a thumbnail.

• Select the pencil icon near the thumbnail area
• You’ll be able to select/change the image for your thumbnail

2. Can you use any image as a thumbnail on YouTube?

Sure, you can use a wide range of images as thumbnails on YouTube, but there are a few rules.

• The image must follow YouTube’s community guidelines: nothing inappropriate/misleading.
• It’s gotta be your own creation or something you have the rights to use.

No grabbing images off the internet that aren’t free to use.

Note: Your thumbnail needs to follow the YouTube Thumbnail Size Guidelines.

Conclusion

This is everything to know about uploading custom thumbnails on YouTube!

Thank you for reading this,
Thumbnail Test