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Whether you’re an active YouTuber or just getting started, creating the right thumbnail for your video is a big part of success. Thumbnails are the first thing viewers see when they are browsing through videos, and having a custom, creative thumbnail (as opposed to using the one automatically generated by YouTube) often motivates more users to click on your video to watch it. In fact, 90% of the best-performing videos on YouTube have custom thumbnails.
But what exactly makes a good YouTube thumbnail? We’ve compiled essential tips for how to make a thumbnail for YouTube with the help of YouCam Perfect.
What is a YouTube Thumbnail & Why is the Thumbnail Important?
Check Out Our YouTube Channel for More Editing Ideas
First things first — what is a YouTube thumbnail? It’s a clickable snapshot that users see when they search for videos on YouTube. In other words, it’s like a cover photo that represents your video.
Because it’s the first thing viewers see when searching for videos, it’s just as important as the title. In fact, the YouTube Creator Academy says that if your thumbnail doesn’t provide a good tease of what’s in your video, viewers tend to close out of it right away.
With that in mind, having an eye-catching, beautiful, or otherwise interesting thumbnail is crucial for gaining the attention of your audience. Here are some tips for creating the best YouTube thumbnail that will get you more views.
Tip 1. Get the Right Thumbnail Size
One of the most important tips when learning how to make a thumbnail for YouTube is to get the size right. The ideal resolution is 1280 x 720 pixels — a 16:9 ratio. If you can’t make an image that large, keep in mind you’ll need a minimum width of 640 pixels.
Tip 2. Put the Video Title in the Thumbnail
A lot of times, viewers don’t really read the title of the video — they just look at the thumbnail instead. That’s why you should put your video title (or a shortened version of your video title) in the thumbnail itself. It provides additional context for your viewers and motivates them to click on your video to learn more.
Read More: How to Add Text to Your YouTube Thumbnail in 3 Easy Steps
Tip 3. Use a Consistent Template
When you create your channel, your viewers will begin to expect consistency. Constantly switching up the look and feel of your thumbnails won’t seem cool or edgy — rather, it will look unprofessional and turn off people new to your content. It doesn’t matter if you create a series or standalone videos, they should all vibe with each other to create a good impression and make you stand out.
This means you’ll want to keep the following aspects consistent with each thumbnail:
- Colors — Stick with a certain palette or theme.
- Fonts — Try using only one or two for your thumbnails.
- Imagery — Try to keep your thumbnails visually consistent with the subjects of your videos.
- Graphics — Use the same outlining techniques, stickers, and other icons each time.
Read More: How to Make a Collage Template for Your YouTube Thumbnail in 2 Steps
Tip 4. Don’t Mislead Your Audience
If you make videos of yourself reviewing movies, your thumbnail shouldn’t be images of unrelated celebrities. Only use information and elements pertaining to the content in your video. Your thumbnail needs to reflect the content of your video and not confuse or mislead the audience. YouTube may actually penalize it if it does by not recommending it to viewers as much.
Create the Best YouTube Thumbnail With YouCam Perfect
If you still need more help learning to edit thumbnails for YouTube, take advantage of the 12 free YouTube thumbnail templates in YouCam Perfect. Our YouTube thumbnail ideas can help you take your boring video to the next level.
Here’s how to get started editing your YouTube thumbnail in YouCam Perfect.
- Open your photo in the app.
- Click on the Template icon at the bottom of the edit screen.
- Browse the 12 free templates and find one you like. Options include:
- Lover’s streams
- Love you
- Foodie friends
- Live moments
- Travel
- And more.
4. Click on Ratio, then scroll to the YouTube Thumbnail option.
5. Your photo will now be perfectly sized inside the template!
With YouCam Perfect, it takes seconds to create a great thumbnail, and it’s so easy to be consistent!
Download YouCam Perfect: Best Photo Editor to Make YouTube Thumbnails
Creating the best thumbnails for your YouTube videos has never been easier! Download the YouCam Perfect app now to get started.
Want to get more photo editing tips and tricks? Subscribe to the YouCam Perfect YouTube channel, and follow us on Instagram for creative editing ideas and awesome selfie tips!
