How to Create a YouTube Thumbnail? Create YouTube Thumbnails Using AI

Wondering why your videos are not being clicked despite the good content? The thumbnail may be the problem. A good thumbnail can gain viewers while a mindlessly created image might look boring. It makes  your target audience scroll through your video and continue finding interesting content.

Do you want to know how to make a captivating thumbnail for your videos? This article covers comprehensive steps to create YouTube thumbnail online and tips to make it stand out.

What are YouTube Thumbnails?

A YouTube thumbnail is the first impression of the video on the audience. It is the still image that acts as a cover for your video, similar to a book cover. This small, clickable picture represents the content of the video.

Initially, the term “thumbnail” was used for still images. It was merely a condensed representation of a larger digital image that was easily viewed while simultaneously looking through several photos.

With time, the concept has emerged as an essential tool for YouTube videos to gain the attention of the audience.

Importance of YouTube Thumbnails

1. Establishes Brand Image and Recognition

The YouTube thumbnail is vital for branding. It imparts a visual identity to your channel by providing a unique style, a color scheme, and a logo. This makes it easier for users to recognize your channel easily while scrolling through the videos.

A consistent branding concept develops recognition with the audience and helps the channel differentiate itself from other competitors. That, in the course of time, fosters a mentally reassuring effect with the viewers as well as turning them into loyal fans.

2. Attracts Viewers

The thumbnail is one of the biggest selling points for the potential audience, whether they want to click your video or scroll right by. It’s the main preview that elaborates on your video’s appeal, going on to light the excitement to click the play button.

When a thumbnail has interesting elements, it makes viewers want to click on the video and watch your content. Hence, using a good thumbnail maker can be one of the most effective tricks to gain views and increase the channel traffic.

3. Enhances Click-Through Rate (CTR)

Click-through rate is the ratio of how often viewers click on the video when it appears in their suggestions. A well-designed thumbnail plays a huge role in CTR.

The higher the CTR is, it indicates how engaged your audience is, and if they want to watch what you create. Moreover, it also signals the YouTube algorithm to promote the video on a wider range and increase your reach.

4. Helps Rank on Google

Search engine rankings can be influenced by the thumbnails of videos on YouTube. The video will be displayed on search engine results with a thumbnail, along with its name and description. Thumbnails with optimized content, relevant keywords, and hook images gain more views and clicks.

More views create a positive ranking, which may lead to greater visibility to viewers outside of YouTube and brings additional organic traffic to your channel.

Adding Auto-Generated YouTube Thumbnails vs. Custom YouTube Thumbnails

When you upload a video on YouTube, it provides you with 3 auto-generated thumbnail options. If you do not like any, you can upload a customized one. Here’s how they are different:

• Visual Appeal: As noted, an auto-generated thumbnail may not have as much detail and is less aesthetically pleasing in most cases. With a custom thumbnail, YouTube creators have control over the design, so it can be created to be attractive to viewers.
• Making Process: The creation of custom thumbnails is a little challenging because it takes time to come up with ideas and skill to put them into practicality. In contrast, auto-generated thumbnails are designed instantly while you are uploading the video.
• Channel Branding: YouTube-generated thumbnails do not follow specific schemes for channels. On the contrary, by creating custom thumbnails, you can add certain color schemes and designs, thus promoting a consistent brand image and increasing recognition among fans.
• Impact on Channel Growth: Custom thumbnails contain relevant keywords and more interesting images as compared to the auto-generated version. Hence, they attract higher traffic, leading to improved channel growth.

Auto-generated thumbnails save time and effort but they might not always be according to the interest of your audience. Around 90% of the best-performing videos have custom thumbnails. Therefore, it is better to create customized thumbnails as they will be worth the effort in the long run.

How to Create Custom YouTube Thumbnails: A Quick Guide

Here is the comprehensive guide to create a YouTube thumbnail online:

Step 1: Understand the Right Thumbnail Image Dimensions

First, you must understand the correct image size to display the thumbnail correctly. In most cases, it is better to try and keep the image as large as possible. Google mentions that the image dimensions should be equal to or more than 1280×720. As for aspect ratio, you can usually use 16:9 while go for 1:1 when uploading a podcast video.

Step 2: Choose a High-Quality Image

When uploading the image for a thumbnail, avoid using blurred images as they will make your content look low-quality. Go for high-quality images to look professional to your viewers.

Step 3: Use Text to Create Intrigue

When you are done choosing the image, you are ready to add a text. You can use questions or crazy snippets of the video to generate intrigue. However, it needs to be simple and short.

Use an easy-to-read font. In addition, the color should be in contrast to the image to facilitate reading.

Step 4: Use Branding Elements

Every element including the image, text, font size, and color schemes work as a branding factor for your channel. Keeping the style consistent, adding logos, and including your signature words can help the audience easily recognize your content.

Step 5: Finalize Thumbnail Design and Add it to Your YouTube Video

Go through all the elements again to finalize the design and add it to your YouTube video. For this, go to the video you want to use and tap edit. Then click on “Add a custom thumbnail” and upload it.

Some Tips to Make Your YouTube Thumbnails Stand Out

1. Know Your Audience and Competitors

Before you create a YouTube thumbnail, know your audience and competition. Knowing the interests of your target audience faster will  allow you to engage the audience quicker. This will also give you an idea about the thumbnail styles that fit the aesthetic of the audience.

In addition, studying the content of your competitors will allow you to analyze popular trends, and their shortcomings. You can use information to optimize your content, and create distinct videos from your competitors while staying relevant to the viewers.

2. Use Color Psychology and Contrast

Color psychology has a dramatic impact on the emotions of people. Bright colors such as red, yellow, and blue provide immediate visibility and show  excitement. You may implement pink to share a connection with an audience and black to communicate alerts.

Moreover, use the color wheel to select contrasting colors for the image and text. It will make it easier for viewers to focus on the background and text separately.

3. Read YouTube Thumbnail Policy

Lastly, it is essential to know the YouTube thumbnail policy and avoid violating it. If you go against it, it is possible that you will not be able to upload the video. In addition, multiple warnings lead to a permanent banning of the channel altogether.

According to the official guidelines, thumbnails may not contain any nudity, violence, vulgarity, or disturbing images.

Create YouTube Thumbnails Using Vmake AI

Creating YouTube thumbnails may sound insignificant at first , but they will make or break your channel. The right thumbnail will attract the audience you want, get more views, and yield a high click-through rate and reach.

Auto-generated YouTube thumbnails can be unattractive because they aren’t optimized. Creating custom cover images is worth your time, as it is not a difficult process, and may change how the audience sees your channel. You can use youtube thumbnail generator to make the thumbnail of your choice with ease and take its AI suggestions to get the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does a YouTube thumbnail affect views?

Yes, YouTube thumbnails do correlate to views at a high level. Custom thumbnails that are catchy that the viewer sees and wants to check out will get noticed. The increased views ultimately have a positive impact on channel growth.

2. What is the difference between a thumbnail and a cover on YouTube?

The term “cover” is considered the same as a thumbnail on YouTube. It is a small image that describes your video. The large background photo that is displayed at the top of your page is known as a “banner”.

3. What is not allowed in YouTube thumbnails?

You must not use pornographic, nude, violent or vulgar images/text in the thumbnails. You should also avoid using disturbing images including blood, accidents and death.