YouTube Thumbnails: Why They’re Called That (2024)

You’re likely here because you:

• Know what is a thumbnail
• Don’t need an explanation or visual for what it is
• But you don’t know why it is called that way

And we’re here to explain.

Why is the cover of a YouTube video called a “thumbnail”?

Answer: The term “thumbnail” for video previews comes from the idea that they are tiny images, like the size of a human thumbnail.

YouTube thumbnails are called “thumbnails” because they’re small images representing larger videos, much like a thumbnail is a small version of a finger.

History of Thumbnails

The word “thumbnail” has been around for centuries, even before YouTube existed.

• It was originally used to describe a small drawing or sketch that was about the size of your thumb.
• Pretty obvious, huh?
• Over time, the term came to be used more generally for anything small and abbreviated, like a short biography.

In Arts: The term “thumbnail” has been also used in the art and publishing industries long before the digital age to describe a small illustration or sketch that gives a preview of a larger piece.

In the 1980s: With the rise of computers, “thumbnail” became the term for a small image preview of a larger image or file.

This perfectly describes the function of a YouTube thumbnail.

• It is a tiny image for every video
• And it gives you a quick glimpse of what a video is about.

Here’s a an example of an engaging thumbnail:

So, even though YouTube thumbnails might not be literally the size of your thumbnail, the name stuck around because it accurately reflects their small size and function as a preview

FAQ

1. What is Meant by Thumbnail in YouTube?

A thumbnail on YouTube is a small, clickable image that acts as a preview for a video. Thumbnails are super important for catching attention and giving a hint about the video’s theme or content.

2. Why does YouTube call it thumbnail?

YouTube calls it a “thumbnail” because it’s a small image meant to represent a larger video, similar to how an actual thumbnail is a small part of a hand.

When digital platforms like YouTube started using small images to give a quick glimpse of video content, the term naturally carried over.

Thank you for reading this,
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