Thumbnail rules that earn the click
Key takeaways
- Give it one focal point: a face, an object or a result.
- Use three words or fewer, big enough to read on a phone.
- Make sure it stands out against the platform's interface.
- Pair it with the title. Don't repeat the title.
Most people decide whether to click in a glance, often on a small phone screen. A good thumbnail is simple enough to read at that size and interesting enough to make someone curious.
One focal point
Pick the single thing that tells the story: an expressive face, the product, the before and after. Everything else should support it or go.
Fewer words, bigger type
Text on a thumbnail should add something the title doesn't say. Keep it to three words or fewer, and check it's readable at the size of a thumbnail in a mobile feed.
Contrast and colour
- Check the thumbnail in both light and dark mode.
- Avoid colours that blend into the platform's interface.
- Use a consistent colour or layout for each series so returning viewers recognise it.
Title and thumbnail as a pair
The title explains; the thumbnail intrigues. If the thumbnail shows a reaction and a result, the title can tell the viewer how it happened. Repeating the title in the image wastes space.
Test one change at a time
YouTube lets you test several thumbnails on the same video. Change one thing per version, such as the face, the text or the background, so you learn what actually moved your click-through rate.
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