You’re probably a content creator on YouTube who:
- Heard of this Test & Compare feature
- But you don’t know 100% what it is and what it does
- So, we’re here to explain…
What is “Test and Compare” on YouTube?
YouTube’s Test & Compare feature allows creators to upload and test multiple thumbnails for their videos. This helps pick the one that generates the most engagement, as measured by watch time.
Test and compare is the same as A/B Testing.
Essentially, it is…
- A tool to test different video thumbnails and see which one performs better.
- You can upload up to 3 thumbnails and YouTube will show them to different audiences.
- The thumbnail that gets the most watch time is considered the winner.
Outside of YouTube, there are 3rd party apps like Thumbnail Test which do exactly the same thing and more.
More on this later in the guide.
How it works
Test & Compare works like this: You upload up to 3 thumbnails per video, and YouTube constantly changes them in a 14-day period.
When the test is done, you get to see:
- Which thumbnail brought you the most clicks
- Which thumbnail got the most watch time
And so, this way you learn how to make good thumbnails + you’ll understand which images your audience likes better.
Benefits of Test and Compare
- Creates data-driven decisions on thumbnails, which are crucial for grabbing viewers’ attention.
- Free to use for all creators.
- Particularly useful for small channels trying to stand out.
By choosing the thumbnail that grabs the most attention and gets viewers clicking, you can see a significant boost in the number of people who watch your video.
How to A/B test on YouTube with Test & Compare
Answer: Open YouTube Studio, select a video and scroll down to “Thumbnail”. Then, click the 3-dot icon and select “Test & Compare” to upload your thumbnails.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the prcoess:
- Open a video in YouTube Studio
- Scroll down to “Thumbnail”
- Click the 3-dot icon → Select “Test & Compare”
- Upload 2 more thumbnails
- Run the test
That’s how you begin a thumbnail A/B test in YouTube.
Alternatively: Feel free to use Thumbnail test, which works very similarily.
How to Get Access to YouTube Test & Compare
This section applies for users who haven’t got access to Test & Compare.
This feature was dropped on the 11th of June 2024 — finally being available for most users.
Answer: To access Test & Compare, open YouTube Studio and choose a video. Scroll down to the thumbnail section and click “Test & Compare”.
A. Beta Access
- Open YouTube Studio
- Upload a video
- Go to the Thumbnail section
- You should see a Test & Compare button
- Click it
But then again: This feature isn’t available to everyone. So, let’s go to the option that works for all the creators.
B. External App
- Go to Thumbnail Test
- Sign up → Connect your YouTube channel
- Select a video
- Upload at least two thumbnails to Test & Compare
- Finish the test → Find the best thumbnail
It’s just that simple! Oh, and did we mention? Thumbnail Test works for titles too!
FAQ: Test & Compare
1. Does YouTube offer A/B testing?
Answer: Yes, YouTube does offer A/B Testing. Their feature is called “Test & Compare” and it works just for creators to test 3 thumbnails for 1 video.
Alternatively, creators can use Thumbnail Test to try out up to 10 thumbnails/video.
2. What does AB testing mean on YouTube?
Answer: On YouTube, A/B Testing refers to trying out multiple thumbnails for one video. Creators A/B test their videos to find out what their audience prefers.
It’s a common practice for titles as well.
3. How to get A/B thumbnail testing on YouTube?
Answer: To get A/B thumbnail testing on YouTube, you can either use Thumbnail Test (available now), or apply for YouTube’s ‘advanced features’ program.
The second option may take a long time to make it work.
Conclusion
Overall, Test & Compare is a valuable tool for YouTube creators to optimize their video thumbnails and improve viewer engagement.
But, at least for now, Thumbnail Test is your best bet.
Thank you for reading this,
Thumbnail Test
