2024: Best Types of YouTube Thumbnails

• You want to create a YouTube Thumbnail
• And you want to get more clicks (and engagement)
• But you don’t know where to start

This guide gives you the recipe.

7 Types of YouTube Thumbnails

Currently, these are the 7 hottest types of YouTube thumbnails: The Question, Facts & Stats, Before-After, VS, Quotes, Mystery, Product Showcase.

1. One-Question

How to do it:

• Focus on a single, intriguing question directly related to your video’s topic. (e.g., “Will This Plant Make You Look Younger?”)
• Use clear, concise language. Avoid jargon or overly technical terms.
• Keep it short and sweet. Aim for maximum impact in minimal space.
• Design with contrasting colors and bold fonts for readability.
• Consider adding an image or icon to visually represent the question.

Pros:

• Highly engaging: Triggers curiosity and compels viewers to click.
• Simple and versatile: Works across various content types.
• SEO-friendly: Keywords in the question can improve search ranking.
• Clear value proposition: Quickly conveys the video’s main benefit.

Cons:

• Risk of ambiguity: Ensure the question clearly reflects the video’s content.
• Limited information: Doesn’t explain details or showcase expertise.
• Overused tactic: Can stand out less if done generically.

Example of someone who does it best:

• BuzzFeedVideo: Masters the art of click-worthy, one-question thumbnails across diverse topics.

2. Facts & Stats

How to do it:

• Highlight a surprising or impressive fact/statistic related to your video’s content. (e.g., “10x MORE Money Saving Hacks You Didn’t Know!”)
• Use large, bold text and numbers and clear visuals to grab attention.
• Keep it relevant and accurate: Don’t mislead viewers with exaggerated claims.
• Tailor to your niche: Emphasize facts that resonate with your target audience.
• Consider adding a brief explanation or context to pique curiosity.

Pros:

• Credibility and expertise: Showcases knowledge and research behind your video.
• Appeals to data-driven viewers: Enticing for those who love facts and figures.
• Intriguing and informative: Offers a glimpse into the video’s value.
• Can work well in specific niches: Effective for science, history, finance, etc.

Cons:

• Limited emotional appeal: May not resonate with viewers seeking entertainment.
• Risk of information overload: Too many numbers can overwhelm viewers.
• Requires accurate data: Ensure facts are verifiable and trustworthy.

Example of someone who does it best:

• Veritasium: Uses compelling facts and visuals to explain complex scientific concepts in engaging ways.
• Vox: Example shown in the image above.

3. Before-After

How to do it:

• Showcase a clear transformation or improvement related to your video’s content. (e.g., “From Messy Room to Dream Studio in 24 Hours!”)
• Use a split image highlighting the “before” and “after” states.
• Emphasize the contrast visually: Use different colors, lighting, or text.
• Keep it simple and visually appealing: Don’t clutter the image with text.
• Consider adding an arrow or text highlighting the change.

Pros:

• Powerful visual representation of results: Shows the value and impact of your video.
• Highly engaging: Creates curiosity about the transformation process.
• Appeals to viewers seeking improvement: Resonates with those wanting solutions.
• Versatile across various content types: From DIY projects to personal growth.

Cons:

• Limited information: Doesn’t explain the “how” or specific details.
• Requires high-quality visuals: Both “before” and “after” images need to be attractive.
• Overused tactic: Can appear generic if not done creatively.

Example of someone who does it best:

• MrBeast: Masterfully uses impressive “before” and “after” transformations in challenges and giveaways, captivating viewers.

4. Versus (VS)

How to do it:

• Feature two contrasting items or options directly related to your video’s content. (e.g., “iPhone 14 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23: Ultimate Showdown!”)
• Use high-quality visuals showcasing both items clearly.
• Emphasize the “versus” element with bold text, arrows, or icons.
• Keep it concise and focused: Don’t overwhelm with too much information.
• Consider adding a question to spark curiosity and debate.

Pros:

• Highly engaging: Creates a sense of competition and encourages viewers to pick a side.
• Appeals to viewers seeking comparisons: Useful for decision-making, product reviews, etc.
• Offers diverse content possibilities: From tech gadgets to cooking recipes.
• Can drive engagement through comments and discussions.

Cons:

• Risk of bias: Ensure a fair and balanced presentation of both sides.
• Limited information: Doesn’t delve deep into specific features or comparisons.
• Overused tactic: Requires creativity to stand out from the crowd.

Example of someone who does it best:

• Techquickie: Masterfully compares tech products with humorous and informative “versus” battles, engaging viewers to learn and choose.

5. Quotes

How to do it:

• Choose a captivating quote directly related to your video’s topic and key message. (e.g., “The key to success is not fear, but curiosity!” – Albert Einstein)
• Use bold, clear fonts and contrasting colors for readability.
• Feature the quote prominently, possibly with an image or background relevant to the topic.
• Consider adding the speaker’s name or title for credibility and context.
• Ensure the quote accurately reflects the video’s content and avoids misleading viewers.

Pros:

• Intriguing and thought-provoking: Sparks curiosity and invites viewers to learn more.
• Highlights expertise and credibility: Showcases valuable insights or knowledge.
• Appeals to viewers seeking inspiration or wisdom: Resonates with those seeking deeper meaning.
• Versatile across various content types: From motivational speeches to educational topics.

Cons:

• Limited information: Doesn’t explain the context or details of the quote.
• Risk of generic feel: Requires careful selection and design to stand out.
• Overused tactic: Can appear unoriginal if not done creatively.

Example of someone who does it best:

• TEDTalks: Masterfully uses powerful quotes from renowned speakers to pique curiosity and encourage viewers to watch the full presentations.

6. Element of Surprise

How to do it:

• Feature a central image clearly related to your video’s content, but blur the key element or subject. (e.g., a blurred ghost in a haunted house image)
• Use strategic blurring to pique curiosity without revealing too much.
• Emphasize the mystery with bold text like “You Won’t Believe Who This Is!” or “What’s Hiding in Plain Sight?”
• Keep the overall design eye-catching and intriguing with contrasting colors and fonts.
• Consider adding a question mark or other suspenseful elements to heighten anticipation.

Pros:

• Highly engaging: Generates curiosity and compels viewers to click to unravel the mystery.
• Builds anticipation: Raises excitement and sets expectations for the video’s reveal.
• Effective for various content types: From true crime stories to product reveals.
• Can appeal to viewers who enjoy surprises and unexpected twists.

Cons:

• Risk of clickbait: Ensure the blurred element truly relates to the video’s content.
• Limited information: Doesn’t provide much context or details about the subject.
• Overused tactic: Requires creativity and execution to stand out from similar thumbnails.

Example of someone who does it best:

• ChrisFix: Master of the art of mystery thumbnails with blurred cars, effectively piquing viewers’ curiosity and driving clicks.

Additional Tips:

• Experiment with different levels of blur to create varying degrees of intrigue.
• Use text clues or hints within the design to subtly suggest the hidden element.
• Ensure the blurred image is still visually appealing and relevant to the video content.
• Avoid overly exaggerated or misleading descriptions to maintain viewer trust.

7. Product Showcase

How to do it:

• Feature a high-quality image of the product prominently displayed. Ensure it’s well-lit and captured from an attractive angle.
• Consider adding lifestyle elements to showcase the product in use. This helps viewers visualize how it fits into their lives.
• Emphasize key features and benefits with text overlays or callouts. Don’t overload the image, keep it concise and clear.
• Use contrasting colors and clear fonts for readability, especially on text overlays.
• Consider adding a price tag or special offer to incentivize clicks.

Pros:

• Visually appealing and informative: Draws attention and showcases the product’s aesthetics.
• Straightforward approach: Clearly communicates the video’s content and purpose.
• Versatile across various product types: From tech gadgets to clothing and makeup.
• Can be easily adapted to highlight specific features or promotions.

Cons:

• Risk of generic feel: Requires creative elements to stand out from competitors.
• Limited information: Doesn’t delve deep into details or functionalities.
• Overused tactic: Needs unique presentation to avoid blending in with similar thumbnails.

Example of someone who does it best:

• Unbox Therapy: Masterfully showcases tech products with high-quality visuals, engaging commentary, and clear callouts, sparking viewers’ interest and purchase intent.

Get your thumbnail right

We get it — this may seem overwhelming. Creating the best thumbnail is no easy, and it’s even harder when you:

• Create 2, 3, 4, or 5 thumbnails for one video…
• And you think they’re all great.
• But you don’t know which one to pick.

Let us introduce you to: Thumbnail Test.

With this app, you can A/B Test multiple thumbnails at once.

Here’s how it works for every vieo:

1. You upload a couple of thumbnails
2. The software sends each thumbnail to a select group of your audience
3. Conducts research → checks how well each thumbnail performs
4. At the end: The thumbnail performing best remains set for your video

It’s a simple automation you can do even for your older videos to get more views, subscribers, comments, likes, and other forms of engagement…

In just a few minutes.

You don’t have to do anything but upload your images!

Conclusion

This list just took you through the 7 best types of thumbnails.

No BS, just straight-forward information — something we would’ve liked to read when searching how to design a great thumbnail back in the day.

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Thank you for reading this,
Thumbnail Test