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. 

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.

Trying out different thumbnail versions is a smart move if you want more clicks. YouTube's built-in tool in Studio allows you to 

.  Upload two different designs and see which one attracts more clicks and impressions.

To make the most of this tool, consider these steps:

Use two clearly different thumbnail designs

Run the test for at least 24 hours so you get enough data

Look at which features (colors, text spots, facial expressions) drive more clicks

vidIQ thumbnail preview tool showing competitor thumbnails for comparison

 to get real-time feedback on your thumbnails and also see the various versions of an existing video's thumbnail.

8. Create a Template to Build Brand Recognition

Branding your content doesn’t stop with 

 or YouTube banner. Each video and its thumbnail provide another chance to advertise your brand on YouTube. 

A consistent style helps viewers instantly recognize your content in a crowded feed. Creating a reusable thumbnail template can save you time and reinforce your identity on YouTube. Use the same fonts, colors, and layout so that over time, people start thinking, “Oh, that’s from a new video from (insert your channel's name)!”

Branding builds familiarity, and familiarity boosts clicks.

9. Adjust Your Thumbnail Based on Video Type

YouTube features a variety of content, and each type benefits from its own style of thumbnail. Adjust your approach based on what you’re showing:

 Use images that clearly show a before-and-after scenario or highlight the result. Adding text like 'Easy Method' or 'Quick Results' can make a big difference.

 Capture spontaneous moments with lively expressions. Genuine reactions often work better than overly posed images.

 Focus on exciting moments from gameplay. Show clear, dramatic scenes and add text that points out interesting details like 'Hidden Easter Eggs' or 'Secret Ending.'

 Display the product clearly, along with your reaction. Strong color contrasts help the product pop, and simple graphics like star ratings or percentage scores add context.

 Use bold text headlines that build a sense of urgency or curiosity. Pair them with relevant images while keeping a consistent look for your channel.

Changing your thumbnail style based on the video type sends the right signals to your viewers. This approach makes your visual cues more direct, helping to boost clicks and keep viewers watching longer.

Tools to Help You Improve CTR with Better Thumbnails

Here are some of the best tools in 2025 to help you design effective thumbnails:

 - Built specifically for YouTube creators.

 - Great for beginners with solid templates.

, you can also view the thumbnail history of top-performing videos to see what other creators are testing and changing.

If you want to improve CTR on YouTube, your thumbnail is the first and best place to start.

A well-designed thumbnail can capture attention, spark curiosity, and drive more clicks, all before a single second of your video is watched. With consistent testing and a strong visual style, you can turn casual scrollers into loyal viewers and take your channel to the next level.

Need help crafting thumbnails that actually get clicked? Try the free 

graphic denoting good youtube thumbnail ctr​

YouTube best thumbnails concept with play button, thumbs up, and green checkmark icon

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

How to Improve Your YouTube CTR with Better Thumbnails

It's a fantastic feeling when somebody subscribes to your channel. But which viewers hit that big, black button? And do they have large, popular channels of their own?

Follow these steps to see a list of recent YouTube subscribers:

1. Log into YouTube, click your profile icon, and go to the 

3. On clicking the "See all subscribers" button below, a pop-up window will appear showing your recent subscribers. Adjust the date range at the top to see who subscribed in the last seven days, month, 90 days, year, or the life of your channel.

Subscribers that recently subscribed to your channel

On this panel, you will see a recent subscribers:

Creators with the most subscribers appear at the top of the list. But you can click the 

 tabs to filter the list as you please.  You can see 

your channel's live, real-time subscriber count

Want to visit a subscriber's channel? The profile icons are clickable, so simply click one to go to that creator's homepage. If you already know the creator, there's an option to subscribe to their channel, which is a nice short cut. 

Bear in mind that new subscribers will only be displayed here 

 So, you probably have more subscribers than this panel will show.

Need more information about your subscribers? 

Download vidIQ and sign up to get a full Channel Audit

 for your content. This will give you deeper insights on your channel, including more robust information on your subscribers' behaviors.

How many subscribers a commenter (underneath any video) has gained on their channel.

How many subscribers a channel has, when viewed in YouTube search results.

 to pick out channels with a certain number of subscribers.

Want to take things to the next level? Our 

 tells you which videos your subscribers watch on YouTube and the channels they're subscribed to. This gives you more data about the type of content your audience likes so you can make better videos.

Here's how you can get more subscribers as a small YouTube channel!

how to check who subscribed to your YouTube channel

Silhouette with question mark and green arrow pointing to "Who Subscribed" text in bold letters

Curious who's subscribing to your YouTube channel? Learn how to view recent subscribers and gain insights to grow your audience.

How to See Your Subscribers on YouTube

When YouTube cut its subscriber requirement for early monetization from 

, it opened the door for more creators to earn money and build sustainable channels. 

three public uploads in the last 90 days

3,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days

YouTube Relaxes its Monetization Rules: Only 500 Subscribers Needed!

There's one caveat, though. Hitting this new milestone doesn't mean you can monetize your content with ad revenue — only 

What Is Fan Funding and Why Should You Care?

 is YouTube’s way of letting viewers directly support creators they love. Instead of relying solely on ads or sponsorships, creators can earn tips and recurring payments from their audience. YouTube introduced fan‑funding in 2014 to give viewers a way to make voluntary donations.

This built‑in “tip jar” includes three major tools—

—each unlocking at 500 subscribers and allowing creators to monetize while still growing toward full ad revenue. 

 is a monetization feature introduced in 2017 that allows viewers to purchase a chat message that stays highlighted and pinned at the top of the live‑chat window. The more a viewer pays, the longer their message stays on screen. 

This gives fans a way to stand out in busy live chats and gives creators a direct revenue stream.

 Enable Super Chat in your channel’s monetization settings and remind viewers during live streams that they can support you. Celebrate their contributions on screen, call out their messages, and thank them personally—it’s a powerful way to encourage repeat support.

 lets viewers tip on regular videos, not just live streams. Fans can pay between $2–$50 to trigger a celebratory animation and leave a highlighted “Thanks” comment. It’s similar to Super Chat but works on any published video. Super Thanks is available to monetized channels that meet YouTube’s eligibility requirements and comply with all policies.

 Mention Super Thanks in your video descriptions or on end screens. Encourage viewers who found value in your content to show their appreciation. Since it’s passive income, Super Thanks can generate tips long after a video is uploaded.

 are paid subscriptions that offer exclusive perks such as badges, custom emojis, members‑only videos, live‑chat access and other benefits. Fans pay a monthly fee to access these perks, and the steady income helps creators sustain their channels.

 Once you qualify for the YouTube Partner Program and meet eligibility requirements (usually 30,000 subscribers for non‑gaming channels), set up membership tiers in YouTube Studio. Offer meaningful perks—think behind‑the‑scenes videos, members‑only live streams, or early access to new uploads. The more value you provide, the more likely fans are to join and stay.

Fan funding can be a gratifying way to make money consistently on YouTube. But to do that, you need quality subs who are open to supporting you financially!

Building a community of 500 people may feel daunting when you’re starting at zero, but it’s achievable. Here's how to get those natural, fan-level subs on your channel.

Woman looking at phone and surrounded by emojis

It's nice to have 500 subscribers (and unlock fan-funding), but that doesn't mean viewers will automatically send you money on YouTube. They must feel 

 to do it, which usually happens when they connect with your content.

 (that you didn't pay for). These viewers will show up to watch your videos and support your content with the occasional Super Chat or Super Thanks, to show their appreciation.

So, how do you build a real YouTube community? As soon as you have 30, 40, or 50 viewers on a steady basis, reply to their comments! 

Engage with them on the YouTube Community

 tab and ask them what they want to watch. Keep showing up, and they'll do the same!

2. Choose an Underserved Niche on YouTube

 What type of viewer will most likely send you a Super Thanks (aka, a monetary tip)? We already know that organic, engaged subscribers will do this. But can you think of anyone else?

Alright, we won't keep you in suspense. If you can find an underserved community on YouTube — like unicyclists who walk their dogs simultaneously — make videos for 

. Chances are, they're waiting for someone, 

, to show an interest in their hobbies. If you're that special creator, they'll appreciate you 10 times more and

Another way to lift your subscriber count is by paying attention to global trends. For example, which video games come out next month? Is there a new dance taking over TikTok? What's happening in sports, cinema, and music?

 aligns with your channel, don't let the moment slip away. Make a video about it! Our 

 will inform you when there's a popular trend ongoing at once!

vidIQ can help you with that, especially when using 

 our newest feature. This nifty tool shows you which topics are growing in popularity on YouTube, along with a keyword score, competition score, and the monthly search volume of the term.

4. Target YouTube's Recommendation Algorithm

 watch videos that YouTube recommends? As a new creator, you have a tremendous opportunity here to reach new viewers. When seeking more subscribers, there's no better place for your content to surface than in someone's 

The YouTube video suggestions that appear beside a particular video

But which videos will YouTube recommend? Your best bet is filming something that 

 and likes. It should also mirror what people enjoy right now.

, look at your competitors — aka, channels that make similar content to yours. What are their most popular videos, and which videos are being recommended next to 

Study each recommendation. Write them down so you can make similar videos with your unique spin, flair, or perspective. After all, you now have 

 that YouTube recommends specific videos to your target audience. Use that info to grow your channel!

5. Make Search-Based Content at Least 30% of the Time

Standing out on YouTube is challenging, especially as a small creator. The good news is you have plenty of ways to get viewers' attention! You can make videos with a unique perspective or blend two niches to "wow" people. You can make the brightest, boldest thumbnails to get more clicks.

But no matter what, remember to make videos people are actually searching for. YouTube has many search pages; getting your content on just 

 could result in more views and even increase your subscriber count.

Channels that surfaced YouTube search for "start a youtube channel"

It all starts with optimizing your videos for YouTube search and doing something called 

Add relevant keywords to your video title, description, hashtags, and video chapters.

6. Borrow the 12 Most Popular Thumbnail Styles

Thumbnails are essential for getting your first 500 subscribers on YouTube. Most creators spend hours on those images, from developing an idea to ensuring the thumbnail matches the video title.

So, here's a neat shortcut to quicken the journey: Make thumbnails that are proven to work!

  How To Make Attention Grabbing Custom Thumbnails on YouTube with vidIQ

Show a final result (like the finished meal after a cooking tutorial)

7. Promote Your Videos Outside of YouTube

Woman holding a phone surrounded by social media icons

 so it pays attention to your channel. You do this by promoting your content 

According to Todd Beaupre, who leads the discovery product team at YouTube, sharing your videos in online communities is wise. You'll get your first video views much faster, enter viewers' watch history, and prompt the algorithm to share your content with similar audiences.

5 Secrets You Didn't Know About the YouTube Algorithm

So, think of all the Facebook groups, Discord servers, or forums that align with your channel's topic. Could you share your videos there? As long as you're a genuine member of the community — one who engages and brings value — it's OK to share content that adds to the conversation.

8. Use Links and Buttons to Help Viewers Subscribe

Sometimes, viewers need a little convincing before subscribing to your channel. And even then, they may only click the button if it's right in front of them!

 want to subscribe to your channel; you just have to make it easy for them.

That's where buttons and links come in handy on YouTube. You can add a YouTube subscribe button to the bottom of your videos, on your end screens, and on your website. You can also paste a subscribe link that adds people to your community once they click it.

8 Ways to Help Viewers Subscribe to Your YouTube Channel

9. Get Discovered with Viral YouTube Shorts

Did you know that creators are getting more subscribers with YouTube Shorts? We're seeing this happen monthly with vidIQ customers who reach 1,000, 10,000, or 100,000 subs in just a few weeks. Most of the time, they focus on short video content that ends up going viral.

How to Make a YouTube Short In 2025: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

But how do you make a YouTube Short go viral? First, hook your viewers with 

 that gets their attention. Then, start analyzing the most popular Shorts. What do they have in common that other videos don't?

Generic advice will get you a long way, but never to the top. If you're starting from zero, getting a YouTube coach is the best thing you can do for your creator journey. However, you don't want just 

 coach. You want proven experts who give you personalized advice for your channel and content. 

And that's why here at vidIQ, we built the 

 where creators like you can grow with the help of  the best YouTube minds

So, sign up for the vidIQ coaching program and let your YouTube dreams come true!

Woman filming a youtube video on her phone

Smiling woman recording video with smartphone on tripod against pink background

Are you ready to monetize your channel? The first step is getting 500 subscribers on YouTube, so here are 10 ways to reach that magic number!

How to Get 500 Subscribers on YouTube & Unlock Fan Funding

This post was originally written June 15, 2021 and has been updated with newer information.

Getting a good click-through rate (CTR) on YouTube is a big deal. That helps you solve a major problem, which is getting YouTube to recommend your videos to viewers. 

If you’ve been on YouTube for a while, you know the algorithm won’t suggest any old video. It serves 

 with proven success. Creators who supply such content are likely to get more views and grow their channels.

Click-through rate is still one of the most important signals on YouTube. It tells the algorithm: 

. The higher your CTR, the more likely YouTube is to recommend your video to new audiences.

But here’s the nuance: CTR alone won’t get you growth. YouTube weighs CTR alongside 

watch time, retention, and satisfaction metrics

. In other words, getting the click is step one, keeping the viewer matters even more.

Wondering what is a good click through rate YouTube creators should aim for? Here’s how impressions click-through rate works, what counts as a “good” number in 2025, and six proven ways to boost your CTR in YouTube.

Lydia Sweatt

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

How to Improve Your YouTube CTR with Better Thumbnails

How to See Your Subscribers on YouTube

How to Get 500 Subscribers on YouTube & Unlock Fan Funding

Getting a Good Click-Through Rate on YouTube: 6 Proven Tips

Create More, Stress Less: Streamline Your YouTube Workflow with AI

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)

YouTube Automation: Get AI-Powered Titles, Thumbnails, Descriptions, and Vide...

YouTube Shorts Monetization: How to Profit from Short Videos

Kickstarting 2025: How to Set the Perfect YouTube Subscriber Goal