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.

Images of her family cater to the topic of lifestyle and parenting.

Facial expressions show warmth and joy, just like the energy within her vlogs.

Action-packed, people and object-focused, exciting, adventurous

The bold, adventurous thumbnail style of the JStu channel

JStu nails the high-energy, over-the-top look for challenge-based thumbnails

Bold text and bright colors reflect their adventurous, over-the-top challenges.

Dramatic facial expressions create the emotional thrill of adventure.

A “busy” design matches the intensity of their content.

Minimalistic, object-focused, mouthwatering, straightforward

The minimalistic thumbnail style on the Nino's Home channel

This is a strong example of simplicity and consistency with their ASMR thumbnails.

A "no design" approach matches the simplistic nature of the content, which includes cooking sounds and no speaking.

A lack of text puts the focus on what matters most: the food.

Your Thumbnail Style Is Your Visual Brand

Your thumbnail is more than a visual, it’s a promise

 It tells viewers what to expect and why they should care.

Whether you’re refining your thumbnail strategy or testing bold new looks, the key is finding a repeatable system that aligns with your content, resonates with your audience, and drives more clicks over time.


 to quickly design and compare different styles.

These tips (and examples) will help you build the best thumbnail style for your channel.

here’s some advice for designing any type of thumbnail!

Graphic designer using a digital drawing tablet and color palette software on a desktop computer.

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

Find the Best YouTube Thumbnail Styles for Your Channel

This post was originally written Mar 08, 2022 and has been updated with newer information.

Which piece of content should you make first: the YouTube thumbnail or the YouTube video?

We pitched this question to creators on the YouTube Community tab back in early 2022. Out of 19,000 responses, 

 chose “YouTube videos” first. Only 2,660 said they begin with a thumbnail.

That’s a big gap, but we’re not surprised. Many creators treat thumbnails as something you do after everything else. You can’t upload a thumbnail without a video, so it naturally becomes an afterthought. Designing one first can feel strange, like designing the book cover before the book. 

But a lot has changed since we ran that survey. 

 now make it easier to visualize your video before you ever press record. Instead of staring at a blank page, you can generate a thumbnail concept in seconds. That one step might help you shape the entire video or inspire a new creative angle you hadn’t thought of.

More creators are rethinking their process, and here’s why starting with the thumbnail can actually boost your creativity and save time.

Without the Right Thumbnail, No One Clicks Your Video Anyway

Technically, viewers don’t know a good video when they see one. They might 

 the video has what they’re looking for, but people don’t know until they click and watch.

The quality of your thumbnail helps viewers decide what to do. If something on the graphic resonates with them, they’ll click and give your video a chance. If the thumbnail is unappealing, the video gets an abysmal number of views.

YouTube Thumbnail Guide - 9 Ways to Boost Click-Through Rate

That means you could post the best YouTube video ever, but it might never get seen if the thumbnail doesn't work. 

When you design the thumbnail first, you give yourself time to test ideas and make improvements. With an 

 maker, you can even create multiple versions quickly and get a feel for what looks most compelling. If none of them feel right, that might be a signal to rethink the topic before you spend hours filming and editing.

A Thumbnail Helps You Brainstorm Video Titles

Do you struggle to write titles for your videos? If you’ve tried every hack imaginable, the next step is to give up for a while. Yes, you read that right. Take a break from organizing your words and craft visual concepts instead.

It’s easier to describe something when you can see it in real-time.

 Take the best parts of your video idea – the emotions you want to convey, the value you want to give – and create a thumbnail portraying those qualities. This visual aid helps you describe your content and write a better video title.

9 Ways to Write Exciting YouTube Titles for Your Videos

Ask yourself: Which emotions should people feel while watching?

Create a draft thumbnail portraying those emotions.

Pull inspiration from the graphic to describe your video emotionally.

Turn the description into a click-worthy title.

Getting people to click your videos is the ultimate YouTube goal. This method of creating thumbnails first and connecting them to your title is one way of doing that.

There’s Less Work to Do After Recording and Editing

Creating a YouTube video takes a lot of energy. If you leave the thumbnail and title for the very end, it becomes a rushed process, not a creative one.

When we ran that survey in 2022, most creators weren’t thinking thumbnail first. But with today’s AI tools, that approach is much more accessible. You can quickly create visuals, explore concepts, and let your thumbnail guide your video idea instead of chasing it afterward.

If you want to save time, stay inspired, and increase your chances of getting clicks, try designing your thumbnail first. It just might change how you create videos.

 to create bold, click-worthy visuals in minutes.

Woman considering Making YouTube thumbnails before her video

Young woman in glasses working on laptop in cozy home office with natural light

Making a thumbnail before you record a video may seem odd, but the practice can spark creativity and improve your workflow. Here's how:

Why You Should Make YouTube Thumbnails Before You Record

This post was originally written Dec 27, 2021 and has been updated with newer information.

If you’re trying to improve CTR on YouTube, your thumbnail is the first place to start. Every thumbnail acts as mini-ads for your videos, and strong ones can dramatically increase your click-through rate. 

In this guide, we’ll show you how to create thumbnails that stop the scroll and support a good click through rate on YouTube.

12 Best YouTube Thumbnails Ideas People Love to Click On

What Is a Good Click-Through Rate on YouTube?

YouTube defines click-through rate as the percentage of people who saw your video's thumbnail and clicked to watch it.

CTR = (Number of clicks / Number of impressions) x 100

If 20,000 people see your video somewhere on YouTube (impressions), but only 400 people click, that’s a 2% click-through rate. In other words, 2% of people were interested enough to click on your video.

Based on our review of many channels, here’s how click-through rate benchmarks typically break down:

 Low. Likely needs a thumbnail or title refresh.

 Good. Shows strong performance and resonance.

 Excellent. Seen in high-performing, well-targeted content.

 Exceptional! Typically found in videos with strong hooks or early traction.

half of all channels and videos have a 2-10% CTR

YouTube analytics showing average CTR range of 2-10% for most channels

Keep in mind that CTR tends to drop as total impressions rise. A video with 1,000 views might have a high CTR of 12%, but when it reaches 100,000 views, the percentage might dip to around 5-6% as YouTube pushes it to a broader audience. That's normal.

Generally, a good click through rate on YouTube is any percentage that beats your channel average. If your videos average 4%, try pushing for 5-6% with upcoming thumbnails. Small, steady improvements can add up.

6 Powerful Tips to Get a Good Click-Through Rate on YouTube

Knowing what makes a viewer click is a key part of creating thumbnails that work. It creates curiosity, promises value, and visually explains why someone should click.

Successful YouTube creators know that a thumbnail isn’t just about looking good. It promises something interesting. It creates a gap that can only be filled by watching your video.

A good thumbnail must do these three things:

When people repeatedly spot your unique style in search results or suggestions, they begin to recognize it. Some studies even show that this consistency can boost click rates by up to 38%.

9 Ways to Boost CTR with Better Thumbnails

How do you create enticing images that viewers can’t resist? We have a few suggestions – nine to be exact – to get more clicks from your thumbnails.

1. Use the Right YouTube Thumbnail Dimensions

Starting with the basics, YouTube’s thumbnail rules are pretty straightforward. 

To create the best image, stick YouTube's recommended specs:

Have you ever seen a grainy, pixelated thumbnail that made you cringe? You’re not alone in feeling that. No one wants to watch a video after seeing a confusing preview image.

That’s why you should use high-quality images for your thumbnails, like the one below.

High-quality YouTube thumbnail example with clear subject and bright colors

People watch YouTube on various devices, such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. So whether your thumbnail is stretching across a widescreen or shrinking into a small one, it makes sense to use high-resolution images that look good on all screen sizes.

If your thumbnail has too many elements, people will keep scrolling. Nobody has the time or interest to study an overcomplicated thumbnail and determine if they'd like to watch it. 

Simplicity wins in convincing people to view your video. 

The key is to make attractive, uncluttered thumbnails.

simplifying your YouTube thumbnail background

 video, "Lighting for Youtube Videos in Small Rooms and Spaces."

YouTube thumbnail with clean background and good use of space by Ben Johnson

Notice how Ben removed the original background to insert a clean, colorful backdrop. He also made proper use of positive and negative space. 

Overall, the best thumbnail designs have elements that take up space without suffocating the entire image.

Nothing attracts people more than vibrant colors. We love the golden arches at McDonald’s as much as we love Christmas lights in December. Why should thumbnails be any different?

To make those images pop, create a bright design. Also, try to stick to three colors – two “contrasting” hues and one “base” color.

Contrasting colors appear on opposite sides of the color wheel and complement each other well: purple and yellow, blue and orange, red and green, etc.

Imagine this. You’ve filmed your dog jumping from couch to couch, and the thumbnail you want to use shows your dog soaring mid-flight. Did you know that adding even 

 word to the image will encourage clicks?

For example, why was the dog launching itself like a rocket? Did it make it to the other side? These are questions you can answer in a few words.

In response, you might type, “Ate lunch, got zoomies” on your thumbnail. That's similar to what the 

 channel did for the thumbnail below. As you can see, a little text makes the thumbnail relatable, clickable, and fun.

Pet Collective YouTube thumbnail with effective text overlay showing 'Zoomies!'

When you're picking a text font, make sure it's:

This tip is for all video creators but especially those making list content. If you film a video along the lines of "10 Ways to [Insert Action Here],” your thumbnail doesn’t need to represent 10 different tips, reasons, or strategies. That would make for a busy, confusing thumbnail.

Instead, choose one thing you want to express and build your thumbnail around that 

 emotion, benefit, or moment of your video.

What kind of thumbnails do competitors use in 

? If you’re not sure, it’s time to discover what those images look like and compare yours against theirs. Then, you can make thumbnail changes (if needed) to increase your CTR.

Learn what is a good CTR on YouTube and how to improve it with better thumbnails. 

Lydia Sweatt

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

6 Ways to Make YouTube Thumbnails in Record Time

Find the Best YouTube Thumbnail Styles for Your Channel

Why You Should Make YouTube Thumbnails Before You Record

How to Improve Your YouTube CTR with Better Thumbnails

How to See Your Subscribers on YouTube

13 Ways to Get 1,000 YouTube Subscribers, Fast and Free

How to Get 500 Subscribers on YouTube & Unlock Fan Funding

The 12 Best YouTube Thumbnails People Love to Click On

18 Powerful YouTube Shorts Hooks That Go Viral [2025 Guide]

YouTube Collaboration: How to Collab with Other YouTubers

YouTube Partner Program: How to Monetize with Only 500 Subscribers

The Art of YouTube Storytelling: A Secret Path to More Watch Time (2025 Update)