In this guide, I’ll tech you:
Let’s check it out.
For an engaging YouTube thumbnail, combine bright colors and high-quality images that express your video’s essence. Add clear, bold text to highlight the main point, making it pop and inviting clicks.
Here’s a great example:
See what this image does? It makes you wonder what’s next and what that car is:
Pro Tip: Check out the 10 Best YouTube Thumbnail Types.
Great example for this:
It’s short and straight to the point.
Mr Beast is always a great example:
Every video’s got a different face: shocked, smiling, tired — you name it.
His thumbnails are 100% showing emotion.
All of the above must’ve been a tough ride, so let us break it all down.
| Strategy | What it means |
|---|---|
| Use Bright Colors | Bright and contrasting colors catch the eye. Avoid blending in with the YouTube background or other thumbnails. |
| Include Faces | Human faces, especially with strong emotions, attract attention. Close-ups of expressive faces work well. |
| Add Text Overlays | Use bold, readable fonts to add short, compelling text that complements your video title and entices clicks. |
| High-Quality Images | Use sharp, clear images. Blurry or low-resolution thumbnails can seem unprofessional. |
| Simplicity | Focus on one key visual that represents your video. Too much clutter can be overwhelming. |
| Consistent Branding | Style, fonts, and colors helps with brand recognition. Consider a recurring element that identifies your videos. |
| Highlight Key Moments | Use an image that represents an intriguing moment in your video to spark curiosity. |
| Use Contrast and Scale | High contrast and playing with scale can make your thumbnail stand out. |
| Action Shots | Images depicting action or motion can suggest excitement and dynamic content. |
| A/B Test | A/B Test different thumbnails to see what works best for your audience. Analytics can provide valuable insights. |
Each strategy aims to make your thumbnail stand out, convey the essence of your video, and entice viewers to click and watch.
Thank you for reading this,
Thumbnail Test
