This post was originally written Sep 17, 2024 and has been updated with newer information.

Most creators know the importance of a strong thumbnail for long-form content. But what about YouTube Shorts?

It’s easy to assume thumbnails don’t matter for Shorts, especially when they don’t appear in the Shorts feed. But that assumption can cost you views. In reality, a custom thumbnail can drive more clicks outside the Shorts player including: on search pages, your channel tab, or even the YouTube homepage.

If you’re not adding thumbnails to your Shorts yet, you’re missing a key opportunity to grow.

However, YouTube has not introduced any tool or feature to create custom thumbnails. In fact the YouTube team revealed that they have no plans for custom thumbnails for the rest of 2025 either. 

 that we conducted asking if creators would like custom thumbnails on YouTube Shorts, 33,000 voters made their choice clear. 

Take one look at the YouTube Shorts player, and you’ll notice thumbnails don’t appear in that part of the app. Instead, viewers see a random frame from the video, which could be anything — an awkward hand gesture, a transition moment, or a non-essential character from the video. Without a custom thumbnail, there’s no guarantee YouTube will choose the best frame for your content.

And that makes sense, considering how YouTube designed the Shorts player. It was made for endless swiping and not necessarily the browsing features we see on the YouTube homepage. Most social media creators look at the Shorts player and say, “I don’t need thumbnails here.” And they’re right.

Thumbnails Are Important Outside the Shorts Player

But while thumbnails don’t appear on the Shorts player, they 

 show up in other areas of the app and website, including:

​​The Shorts tab on your YouTube channel

Recommended videos on YouTube’s homepage

, don’t overlook the power of thumbnails. You’ll need them to get more clicks 

There are two ways to give your Short a recognizable thumbnail on YouTube. 

The first option is to set a specific frame as your video’s thumbnail during the upload process. It’s not the 

 solution, especially if your video doesn’t have an engaging frame to catch viewers' attention. But it’s quick, efficient, and gets the job done.

Option 2: Create a Custom Thumbnail Frame

The second option is to create a thumbnail ahead of time using a tool like Canva or Photoshop, then add the graphic to your video as a new frame. You’ll have to do this in an editing program, such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. But the extra step allows you to set the new frame as your video’s thumbnail when uploading to YouTube.

Here’s how to select a thumbnail for your Short:

1. Upload the Short as you normally would. When you reach the details screen, 

Pencil icon to change YouTube Shorts thumbnail

2. Use the frame selector to choose a scene for your thumbnail, then tap 

3. Fill out any other sections, then tap 

As stated earlier, YouTube hasn't made this process any easier from their end yet. The rationale provided by YouTube is that 

the majority of views and watch time for Shorts come from the Shorts feed, where thumbnails are not displayed.

In our channel's experience, this information doesn't hold true. While a mere 13% of our views come from the Shorts shelf, most are from YouTube Search, where thumbnails are prominently shown. 

YouTube has decided to partially address this issue with a recent update that was covered by our in-house expert Rob. Creators will now be able to edit text, color, and also add emojis on their Shorts thumbnails after the Short has been uploaded.

Design Tips for YouTube Shorts Thumbnails 

If you're designing a custom thumbnail, here's how to make your Shorts stand out from the rest.



that describes your video accurately. For example, the thumbnail below reads, "hack for more views," which is just enough information to pique viewers' curiosity.

 in your thumbnail. The Short below is about YouTube monetization, and the first thing you see is physical money.

, use your thumbnail to show one step in the process. This signals to viewers that your video is helpful, like Short below!

What is the YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Size?

Shorts are vertical videos with a 9:16 aspect ratio and a size of 1920x1080 pixels. If you want to make custom thumbnails for Shorts, they should match those dimensions (1920x1080 pixels). Learn more about 

YouTube thumbnail measurements right here!

Can You Change the Thumbnail for a YouTube Short?

You can’t change the thumbnail for a Short from your desktop once it’s posted. YouTube hasn’t explained why, but you can instead change the said thumbnail from your mobile app seamlessly. Choose from one of the frames in your Short and use it as your thumbnail.

How to Change a Thumbnail on YouTube Shorts? 

To change the thumbnail on a given Short:

Select the video you want to edit a thumbnail on

Notice a small pencil-looking icon on the top left

Tap on it and change your thumbnail accordingly.

see your Short in the feed, many others will see it elsewhere, where thumbnails do show up. That’s your chance to grab their attention.

Whether you're choosing a frame or adding your own graphic, taking time to create a custom YouTube Shorts thumbnail can lead to more views, better engagement, and faster growth.

Now that you know everything about Shorts thumbnails, check out the 12 types of thumbnails viewers love to click on!

vidIQ logo with upward arrows and cameras symbolizing video growth and analytics

No. Thumbnails are not visible in the Shorts feed (the vertical swipeable player). However, they do appear in other places on YouTube, including:

This is why creating a good thumbnail is still important.

You can assign a thumbnail to a Short by:

Choosing a frame from the video during upload (mobile only).

Editing text, emojis, and color overlays on the selected frame (available on mobile after upload).

Since there’s no upload option, many creators:

 using tools like Canva or Photoshop (1920x1080, vertical).

 at the start or end of their Short using Premiere, CapCut, etc.

Use the standard vertical video dimensions:

 

This ensures your thumbnail looks crisp across all parts of YouTube where it may appear.

Do you know how to make a YouTube Shorts thumbnail? Here's why you should create them, plus two ways to attach the graphics to your videos.

YouTube Shorts Thumbnails: How to Customize Them for More Views

This post was originally written Dec 08, 2023 and has been updated with newer information.

Choosing the right thumbnail can make or break your video’s success, which is why YouTube offers a built-in thumbnail test that lets creators compare designs using real viewer behavior.

With YouTube’s thumbnail tester, you can upload multiple thumbnails for the same video and let YouTube automatically figure out which one performs best. It’s called 

, and it’s one of the most effective tools for optimizing click-through rates and watch time.

The watch time share for three thumbnails being tested on YouTube

YouTube’s Test & Compare tool allows creators to upload up to 3 thumbnails per video and run a native A/B test inside YouTube Studio.

Each thumbnail is shown to a portion of your audience, and YouTube tracks which one performs best based on a metric called watch time share. After the test concludes, the highest-performing thumbnail is applied automatically.


Why Upload Multiple Thumbnails on YouTube?

Understand what actually resonates with your audience

The best thumbnails don’t just look good, they drive views and watch time. That’s what this tool helps creators uncover.

YouTube’s built-in thumbnail tester makes it easy to run a thumbnail test directly inside YouTube Studio.

Upload your video as usual in YouTube Studio.

When you get to the thumbnail step, choose the 

YouTube will automatically rotate the thumbnails to different viewer groups.

After collecting enough data, the platform will set the winning thumbnail for you.

Note: This tool works for long-form videos, completed livestreams, and podcasts. Some content types, such as made-for-kids videos, livestreams, or age-restricted uploads, are not eligible for testing.

Test and compare menu option when uploading a thumbnail

Does ‘Test and Compare’ Work for all Content Types?

For now, you can test and compare thumbnails on long-form videos, completed 

. Shorts and certain types of content, like those aimed at kids or mature audiences, are excluded from using this tool.

Measuring Performance of YouTube Thumbnail Testing

”, as its benchmark of choice. That’s not to be confused with average view duration, which is the average amount of time viewers spend watching a video.

From a testing perspective, the share of watch time each thumbnail earns is what YouTube describes as watch time share. For example, if you test and compare two thumbnails, thumbnail A might accumulate 60% of the watch time, while thumbnail B collects 40%. In this case, thumbnail A is the winner and most likely to boost your views.

But why is YouTube using watch time to test thumbnail performance instead of clicks? After all, the 

 measures how attractive a video is on search pages and other display areas.

It turns out that click appeal isn’t enough. In the YouTube Studio, the platform explains why watch time is a better predictor of satisfaction than clicks, and how thumbnails reinforce that.

Screenshot of a tool tip in the YouTube studio explaining what watch time share is

“Great thumbnails don’t just get viewers to click,” YouTube states. “They also help viewers understand what the video is about, so that they can make informed decisions about what to watch.”

Real-World Example of YouTube A/B Thumbnail Testing

We ran a YouTube thumbnail A/B testing experiment for 

this video about new AI developments on YouTube.

three vastly different youtube thumbnails

One version, a simple image of an AI robot, gradually pulled ahead.

After eliminating the lowest performer and continuing the test, the robot thumbnail earned a 59.7% share of total watch time.

After switching to the top performer permanently, the video earned nearly 3x the usual views.

One image beats another in a thumbnail test

Testing works, especially when you focus on designs that align with the video’s emotion, topic, and audience expectations.

Views going up on a line graph for a video that underwent a thumbnail test

New to A/B Thumbnail Testing? A Word of Advice

YouTube’s thumbnail tester is a major step up when you want to optimize your video’s appeal. At the same time, not everyone has the time or resources to create two or three thumbnails per video. If that’s your situation, do small tests instead of large, time-consuming experiments. Make tiny design shifts, like testing different fonts, colors, or simple backgrounds. Even those small tweaks can make a difference in your viewer’s eyes.

This video has more details and advice, so give it a quick watch to cement your knowledge.

But even without a thumbnail test, are you designing images your viewers can’t resist? 

Here are 12 thumbnail styles that people love on YouTube!

Quick Tips for Using YouTube’s Thumbnail Tester

You don’t have to design three completely different thumbnails every time. Try testing small variations:

These micro-changes can reveal valuable insights during your thumbnail tests and save time in your creative process.

 helps you create bold, clickable designs in minutes, no graphic design experience required.

And if you need inspiration, check out these 

 that consistently grab attention and drive watch time.

An image with the words "this is thumbnail A"

Man with serious expression and text "This is YouTube thumbnail A" on black background.

Learn how to use YouTube’s thumbnail A/B testing to upload multiple designs, compare their performance, and grow your views with data-backed decisions.

How to Use the YouTube Thumbnail Tester to Boost Views

This post was originally written May 10, 2023 and has been updated with newer information.

You can’t have a thriving YouTube channel without 

. Most creators know this, so they work extra hard to make images that encourage more video clicks.

But if you’re trying to stay consistent on YouTube, you also need speed.

So how do you make YouTube thumbnails fast and easy?

Let’s face it, there’s no faster way to make thumbnails than working with AI tools.

 you can generate a full YouTube thumbnail in seconds, just by entering a simple prompt. Want something bold, dramatic, clean, or colorful? Describe the look you're going for, and AI will take care of the layout, colors, imagery, and text.

From there, all you have to do is tweak it. Adjust a word. Swap a color. Change a pose.

AI is a game-changer for speed, but for creators who still prefer full control, these six strategies will help you create thumbnails faster.

If your thumbnails include your face, try this shortcut: batch a set of emotional headshots in one sitting. Capture a variety of expressions and save them in a folder for future use.

This gives you an instant photo library to work with, so you’re never scrambling for the right facial expression.


For example, YouTuber-in-residence Rob Wilson uses the same 

 to create thumbnails like this for the vidIQ channel:

Youtube Thumbnail with the creator looking confused

2. Build a Go-To Library of Thumbnail Backgrounds

Creating a few background styles is another way to make YouTube thumbnails faster. After all, who wants to spend hours designing a thumbnail because they’re always starting from scratch? 

Instead, build a thumbnail background library that you can reuse and remix across multiple videos.

Start with 5–10 high-quality visuals that reflect your niche or style:

Color gradients for tutorials or educational content

Lifestyle backdrops for vlogs or interviews

Bold, minimal textures for gaming or challenge videos

You can source these from royalty-free sites like 

, or even snap your own photos for a unique touch. If you use design tools like 

, save your favorite backgrounds as brand assets to access them instantly.

3. Pose for a Thumbnail While You’re Filming

, you may need images that are more relaxed and down-to-Earth. Some creators pull this off by making the thumbnail for their video while filming that content.

For this time-saving hack, you’ll keep the camera rolling but stop to pose for a thumbnail in the middle of your video. It’s up to you whether you keep this "segment" in your final upload. Sometimes it’s endearing and lets people know you have a lighthearted personality on YouTube!

While editing the video, take a screenshot of your “posing” clip. Send it to Canva or Photoshop, where you can spice up the image with text, emojis, and other visual elements. 

For example, here’s how you could transform a selfie into a YouTube thumbnail.

Of all the methods out there, this is probably the fastest. It’s typically used by people who shoot vlogs, pranks, challenges, and storytime content.

4. Use High-Performing Thumbnail  Templates

Templates save time. But smart creators don’t just recycle, they refine.

Not just any template will do. Identify which thumbnails on your channel drive the most clicks, then build templates based on 

. Whether it’s the color scheme, text layout, or facial expression, study what’s working and systematize it.

More than likely, these images are high-quality, attention-grabbing, and have consistent branding.

Sometimes, it’s better to make a bunch of thumbnails simultaneously instead of one at a time. That’s because recording a video, editing the footage, and making a thumbnail within the same day is tiring. You'll be happier (and more energetic) when that list becomes a bit shorter!

. Create multiple designs at once, especially if you’re planning a content sprint. It’s more efficient, and lets you enter a design mindset instead of constantly shifting gears.

Lastly, the fastest way to make thumbnails is to never, ever make them. If you're thinking, 

 let us explain.

If someone can do a task faster than you (and you have a little cash to spend), why not outsource that job to an expert? In the case of YouTube, you could hire a thumbnail designer to make images that take your channel to the next level.

Fiver and Upwork are good places to look for these creatives. Many thumbnail designers work on a freelance or contractual basis, so you’ll find strong candidates on those sites. Another place to look is 

, a website with plenty of thumbnail designers for hire.

These tips apply to traditional YouTube videos, but Shorts need thumbnails too — especially if you want more control over how they appear on your channel. Need help? 

Here’s our full guide to custom Shorts thumbnails.

Whether you're using AI to generate a full thumbnail or applying time-saving tricks like batching and templates, the goal is the same: spend less time designing and more time creating.

Woman relaxing at desk in modern office with laptop and books, enjoying break

YouTube thumbnails are a big part of any channel, but sometimes they take forever to make. Design them faster and easier with these hacks!

6 Ways to Make YouTube Thumbnails in Record Time

This post was originally written Apr 04, 2023 and has been updated with newer information.

“What type of YouTube thumbnails should I make for my channel?”

That’s a question many creators ask, especially when thinking of ways to brand their content and stand out on YouTube. It’s a question that will 

90% of the top videos have custom thumbnails

So how do you build a thumbnail style that grabs attention 

12 Types of YouTube Thumbnails People Love to Click On

In this guide, you'll learn how to build a thumbnail style that fits your channel, from defining your content goals to designing vibrant, clickable images.

Match Your Thumbnail Style to Your Content Goals

Your content type plays a massive role in building the right thumbnail strategy. So before jumping into design tools, think deeply about your content goals. 

Do I want to entertain, educate, or evoke emotion?

Each path leads to a different design approach.

 often benefit from warm, people-focused thumbnails that reflect personality and mood.

 usually perform best with clear visuals and focused text.

 tend to pop with bright colors, bold fonts, and expressive faces.

Here’s a little test: If you can say something like, “My channel is about bird watching, and my goal is to educate viewers on how to get started,” you’re ready for the next step.

Look to Competitors for YouTube Thumbnail Inspiration

Once you’ve defined your content’s purpose, it’s time to gather visual cues. One of the best ways to get YouTube thumbnail inspiration is by studying successful creators in your niche.

How to Find Your Biggest Competitors on YouTube

Start by identifying 5–10 channels that:

Then take notes on their thumbnail patterns

Now you have a list of visual elements to choose from. This will give you a rough idea of what your thumbnails 

Here's where many creators get stuck, trying to make thumbnails that “look good” instead of thumbnails that 

your viewers’ emotions and expectations

 in mind. Think about what excites them visually. What makes them pause the scroll?

Would a frame from the video work better than a custom design?

Is bold, clean text necessary, or does it distract?

Should I include my face, or keep it more object-focused?

Should I create bold, colorful designs or something simpler?

Keep in mind, You’re not trying to make the “best” thumbnail, you’re trying to make the 

Test Different Thumbnails and  Analyze the Results

By now, you likely have a few thumbnail ideas. The next step is to test them  and let the data speak.

 can help you create multiple versions quickly. Then, take advantage of 

YouTube’s built-in A/B thumbnail testing

. Are certain designs attracting a more engaged audience?

. Do your thumbnails set accurate expectations for what’s inside?

Over time, you’ll start to see patterns, and that’s when your true thumbnail style starts to emerge.


YouTube Thumbnail Inspiration from 3 Successful Creators

If you’re looking for more YouTube thumbnail inspiration, the creators below offer great examples of how to match design with content. Each one has developed a consistent style that fits their niche and earns clicks.

Minimalistic, people-focused, calm, joyful

Minimalistic thumbnail styles on ZoeSuggs YouTube channel

Zoe’s thumbnails are a great example of vlog thumbnail ideas that feel warm and inviting.

A simple, calming design matches the vibe of her down-to-earth vlogs.

Looking for YouTube thumbnail inspiration?  Learn how to build a thumbnail style that matches your content and makes your channel stand out.

Lydia Sweatt

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

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