If you have a YouTube channel, then you know that your videos’ thumbnails are the first thing that users see when searching or viewing videos on the platform. This makes them an essential tool for maximizing your video’s view counts. A good thumbnail is one that accurately depicts your video’s content and is appealing to viewers. It is also important that your video’s thumbnails are optimized for YouTube’s specific requirements (i.e. 1280 x 720 dimensions and 16:9 aspect ratio).
A poor quality thumbnail can turn off viewers before they even watch your video, so it is crucial to make sure that all of your thumbnails are high-quality and well-designed. It would be a shame to spend hours filming a video only to have a low-quality thumbnail detract from your efforts.
In addition to using a high-quality image, it is also essential that your video’s thumbnail text is concise and easy to read. YouTube users often look at video thumbnails before reading the title and description, so it is important to include a brief yet engaging text that piques their interest. For example, Frank Body utilizes great still images of their products but doesn’t overcrowd their thumbnails with text that would be difficult to read on mobile devices.
YouTube also recommends that you try to stick with a consistent visual style for all of your video thumbnails, as this can help viewers recognize your brand quickly. For example, you can use a common color scheme across all of your thumbnails to create a more cohesive aesthetic. You may also want to consider updating your video’s thumbnail if you’re changing your company’s name or logo, or celebrating a milestone event like a holiday or anniversary.