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.

Nonetheless, making thumbnails on the fly is easier said than done. It takes time to come up with a good design, find a harmonious color scheme, and make sure everything in the frame is balanced. 

So how do you make YouTube thumbnails fast and easy?

First, don’t rely on the old method. This is where you look for a background image on Google, open up Photoshop, and spend hours designing a thumbnail mostly from scratch. Instead, use these six tips to make thumbnails in record time!

Do you show your face in YouTube thumbnails? If so, you’ll save a lot of time by taking 10-12 headshots that you can use to create any type of thumbnail — happy, shocked, amused, and other emotions that draw people in.

Since you’ll need a lot of thumbnails on YouTube, this works best if each image shows a 

. Then you can match the right pose to a specific thumbnail idea in your mind.

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

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? 

As a shortcut, leverage the power of artificial intelligence. Different AI tools will generate photos for you, and it only takes a few seconds to get stunning results. All you have to do is describe your YouTube video or what you want the background image to look like.

 works (a tool by vidIQ). With just one keyword, it generates a video title, description, script, hashtags, voice-over, and some thumbnail backgrounds to choose from.

Let’s say you want to make a video about Japanese ramen. You could type “how to make Japanese ramen” into the keyword section, then 

— a variety of backgrounds will appear.

AI content generator for Youtube with a keyword typed into the search bar

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 Thumbnails as a Template

You’ve likely heard this advice before:

If you want to make thumbnails faster, create templates you can use repeatedly.

While templates are always a good idea, recycling any old design pattern is not. You want to use templates that produce high-performing thumbnails on your channel — a template 

 you instantly get more clicks. Not only does this save you time, but it also arms you with data when answering the question, “What thumbnail style should I use?”

To start, pay attention to which videos perform well and the 

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

From there, you can decide which thumbnail templates have the highest return on investment.

Sometimes, it’s better to make a bunch of thumbnails simultaneously instead of one at a time. That’s because filming 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!

For example, what if, on day one, all you did was film multiple videos? And on day two, what if you spent time creating thumbnails for all of your content? For the rest of the week, you could edit the videos, tinker with titles, and spend time uploading the content.

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 six tips will help you make thumbnails faster for horizontal videos, but don't forget about your YouTube Shorts. They need thumbnails too!

If you don't know how to make custom thumbnails for YouTube Shorts, this guide has all the details!

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

Faster Than Ever: 6 Ways to Make YouTube Thumbnails in Record Time

“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 choose one, cohesive style for your channel?

12 Types of YouTube Thumbnails People Love to Click On

In this article, we’ll show you how to build the right thumbnail style for you in four simple steps. From understanding your content goals to designing vibrant, click-worthy images, here’s how to get started!

1. Start with Your Channel Type and Content Goals

Your content type plays a massive role in building the right thumbnail style. So before you open up Photoshop or Canva, think deeply about the videos you’re creating on YouTube.

Understanding your content type helps determine whether your videos should 

 viewers. Both paths lead to a different thumbnail style, so figure out which road you want to take ahead of time!

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.

2. Get Thumbnail Inspiration from Your Competitors

Once you know your channel topic and content goals, get some design inspiration so you know 

Overall, you want images that resonate with viewers so they always click on your content.

Technically, you can find inspiration everywhere — in magazines, billboards, and even some commercials. But a competitor's channel is the best place to look if you want to save time. A close competitor makes videos similar to yours and has the same goal as you, whether that's entertaining or educating viewers.

How to Find Your Biggest Competitors on YouTube

So fire up YouTube and find those like-minded creators! When you have about 10, analyze their thumbnails so you can jot down common themes, such as their:

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

3. Think About Your Target Audience. What Excites Them Visually?

We’ve come a long way, but we’re not done yet! The next step is putting everything together so you can make thumbnails that stand out.

Getting stuck in this part of the journey is common, but don’t worry about that too much. We know a secret to get you unstuck just as fast:

Design for your target audience, not your personal taste.

On YouTube, viewers have desires that elicit powerful emotions, like hope, fear, and curiosity. If you know their desires and the feelings that come with them, design a thumbnail to capture that reality. You’ll get more clicks with a relatable image!

question everything about your thumbnails

 and always tie the answer back to your audience.

Do I need a fancy design, or will a screen-grab from the video work best?

Do my viewers like unique fonts or simple ones that are easy to read?

How will viewers react if I show my face?

Should I create bold, colorful designs or something simpler?

4. Test Different Thumbnails, Then Analyze the Results

At this stage, you have everything you need to build some potential thumbnails for your channel. So take everything you’ve discovered — your content goals, trends within your niche, and what your viewers respond to visually — to create a few “ test styles.”

The thumbnail style that gets the most views is the one you should choose!

Picture Perfect: 3 Channels with Effective Thumbnail Styles

What does the “right” thumbnail look like? At a minimum, it should feel like an extension of the video it belongs to (and the YouTube channel it was posted on). It should also provide a snapshot of the video's mood and emotional appeal.

Want to see a few examples? The creators below are doing an excellent job of designing the best thumbnails for their channels.

Content Type: Lifestyle and family
Thumbnail Style: Minimalistic, people-focused, calm, joyful

Minimalistic thumbnail styles on ZoeSuggs YouTube channel

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

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.

Content Type: ASMR cooking
Thumbnail Style: Minimalistic, object-focused, mouthwatering, straightforward

The minimalistic thumbnail style on the Nino's Home channel

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.

These tips (and examples) will help you build the best thumbnail style for your channel. But if you need more, 

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

Do you have a thumbnail strategy for YouTube? If not, now’s the time to build a thumbnail style that matches your content and makes your channel stand out.

How to Choose a Winning Thumbnail Style for Your YouTube Channel

When you want more YouTube views, it makes sense to design enticing, high-quality thumbnails. The only problem? It’s hard to design images that make thousands of people feel something on a deep, emotional level. There are challenges along the way, such as running out of ideas or not knowing 

If you’ve run out of ideas, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we share 12 types of YouTube thumbnails people love to click on!

One way to get people interested in your thumbnail is by displaying 

 that keeps them up at night. “Can I afford a house right now with my current income?” “Will eating organic produce transform my health?” The more relevant the question is to your audience, the more likely they are to click!

For example, creators Colin and Samir started a 

 to address the most pressing concerns of YouTube creators. So far, each thumbnail displays an actual question from their audience.

In fact, one of their popular videos has a thumbnail that reads, “Will YouTube Shorts pay us more than TikTok?” And that is definitely a hot-button issue for their viewers.

We often say the best thumbnails draw people in with their emotional appeal. But for some viewers, facts and statistics can be enticing, too! This method works well in niches that rely on numbers and data, such as sports, science, and history.

 make videos about “NBA moments” that lead to shock, controversy, or at least a good laugh. Some of those moments include record-breaking stats for different players, so adding those numbers to the thumbnail is a way to get viewers interested in the video.

After all, it’s a bit surprising to learn that a player achieved 50 points and 40 rebounds in one game!

Thumbnails that compare an object or place in its before-and-after state — a bare room or a failing garden, for example — is an instant win on YouTube. People love seeing transformations, especially when the final form is far from the original. When you show this transformation in a thumbnail, you prove to viewers that the video is worth watching.

For example, take a look at this thumbnail from Bernardo Bacalhau’s video, “

.” The before and after shots aren’t even close! With such a beautiful upgrade, you can’t help but press play and watch the journey unfold.

Before and after shots of a renovated van

Thumbnails that follow the “versus” format compare two items in the same category. For example, you might display two video games about action and fighting or two washing machines that are both energy efficient. In both cases, you’re helping viewers understand what will be compared and why they should care.

The Vox channel has a great example of this. They did an excellent video 

 of the 1800s to the ones we ride today, and you can see the difference just by looking at the thumbnail.

A thumbnail showing rollercoasters in two different eras

If you’re going to put text on a thumbnail, consider a quote or sound bite from the video itself. That will give viewers a subtle preview of what to expect when they press play. Plus, the more interesting the sound bite is, the more enticing the video becomes.

 from Alpha Leaders is about Kobe Bryant’s incredible work ethic. The thumbnail exposes a little-known fact, claiming that he 

 to squeeze in longer, harder basketball practices. The video has 3.4 million views!

YouTube thumbnail showing a Kobe Bryant quote

Did you know that headshots aren’t just for vloggers or creators building a personal brand? Sometimes, showing your face in a YouTube thumbnail just makes sense.

But it’s about more than showing dramatic facial expressions. To keep things interesting, most people edit around their faces to convey a unique twist in the video and get more views.

That’s what Shelby Church did for her viral video, “

” The thumbnail shows her face, but it also shows some hologram-like images projecting from her glasses. It’s more engaging than a bare headshot!

Thumbnail of a woman wearing smart glasses

Do you make action-packed videos on YouTube? If so, you want your thumbnail to give off a similar vibe. Try taking a screen capture of the most exciting scene in your video, then edit the entire image to look bold, colorful, and adventurous. This approach will make your video stand out from the competition!

 is an expert at making live-action thumbnails, so follow his lead by checking out the thumbnail below!

Three people on an island for a video challenge

Showing products in your thumbnail is a good idea if you have a tech channel, gaming channel, or like reviewing new merchandise in general. You could talk about the latest mascara, the most fragrant candles, or the best skillets for searing steak. Either way, showing a product in your thumbnail helps viewers decide whether to click or not.

As an example, take a look at the image below. Mrwhosetheboss has a table full of Nintendo consoles, and you can probably guess that he’s reviewing all of them in 

. Seeing all those consoles is exciting because you know an in-depth review is coming!

A man smiling beside a pile of gaming consoles

A funny title and thumbnail can catch viewers off guard in a good way. They might laugh, chuckle, or think, 

 It sounds insignificant at first, but this is precisely the type of reaction you want — for viewers to stop what they’re doing and think about your video. That’s the first step to making them click.

If you need inspiration, Kelly Stamps has some of the wittiest thumbnails on YouTube. Check out the one below, which she used for her video, “

The Actual Cost of Becoming an Influencer

A humorous YouTube thumbnail against the New York City skyline

Nature has a way of captivating us all, from the red rock formations in Arizona to the clear blue waters of Jamaica. People travel thousands of miles to see those wonders, so it can’t hurt to show a little nature in your YouTube thumbnails.

Need an example? DownieLive has one of the best thumbnails on YouTube right now. For his video, “

,” icy mountains in Alaska meet the tropical waves of Miami.

A thumbnail showing landscapes of Alaska and Florida

If you’re planning a heartfelt video, don’t forget to add a touching moment to the thumbnail too. People love to see good deeds, random acts of kindness, or cute moments between children and animals. It proves that a bit of emotion can take you far on YouTube!

For example, check out the thumbnail below where 

A man showing his grandpa the car he bought for him

We’ll be honest: Making thumbnails for tutorials is not easy. On the one hand, you want the image to convey what will happen in the video, which is a step-by-step lesson. On the other hand, you don’t want the photo itself to be bland or boring. So how do you spice things up?

To start, take a little inspiration from Rose & Anzai Country Life. Surprisingly, the thumbnail for their 

 video breaks all the rules of a traditional cooking channel. You don’t see a kitchen or anyone cooking at all. Instead, you see the family enjoying the finished meal, which appeals to the heart and not the head!

Thumbnails play a significant role in getting you more views, so be intentional about each one. Make sure the thumbnail is an accurate reflection of the video and that it draws people in with stunning images, questions, stats, and emotional themes. And if you run out of ideas, come back to this article to get inspired again!

Of course, every YouTube thumbnail needs an amazing video title. 

So here's a nine-point guide on how to name your YouTube videos!

Need some fresh ideas for your YouTube thumbnails? Explore these popular image styles to get more views on your content today!

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 a few weeks ago. 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. To many people, it makes sense to create a video first because 

You can’t upload a graphic without first uploading a video. Maybe that’s why the “thumbnail first” mentality feels odd, like introducing Robin before Batman.

But as our survey proves, some creators are doing just that. The real question is why?

1. 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 film the best YouTube video ever, but no one would know if the thumbnail is subpar.

That’s one benefit of creating the graphic first and video second. If you design a good preview image, you increase your chances of getting more views. But if the design fails, that's OK too. The video can wait until you improve the thumbnail.

2. 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.

3. There’s Less Work to Do After Filming/Editing

Some creators spend hours making a thumbnail for 

 video. If our survey is correct, and 86% of people like to do that last, how does that affect creators’ energy?

Think of all the things you do before making a thumbnail:

You’re demanding a lot from your brain when you make 

– a mentally draining task – one of your last steps.

Imagine how it feels to upload a video as soon as it’s edited. There’s no need to create graphics at the last minute or brainstorm titles; you feel calm and happy because the next immediate step is posting your content.

, including thumbnail creation. That way, you expend energy at the right time for the right tasks.

Making thumbnails before you press record is an excellent productivity hack.

Want to up your game even more? Here are four tips for posting more YouTube videos in less time.

Making a thumbnail before you record a video seems odd, but the practice benefits your YouTube channel. Here's how.

3 Good Reasons to Make YouTube Thumbnails Before You Film

We know that having a good thumbnail is critical as it really makes a difference between a successful video that brings in loads of views and subscribers and a video that does not.

But what EXACTLY makes a good thumbnail? What should your thumbnail contain and what should it not?

On this episode of TubeTalk, Justin Evans from 

 shares his insights so you can level-up your thumbnail game! Take a listen and learn:

1. About unique and original images
2. How to research the competition
3. How much text should you use
4. What about branding?
5. Why you should Zoom out

Take a listen as the vidIQ team discuss what we've learned from 2020, and what 

video strategies we'll take with us into 2021.

Catch up on the Latest YouTube News With TubeTalk

TubeTalk is one of the most popular and listened to podcasts in the online video industry. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to TubeTalk on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

You can also find the complete list of all the

On this episode of TubeTalk, we're all about what makes an outstanding YouTube custom thumbnail.

5 Tips for a Winning YouTube Custom Thumbnail

Are you a Shorts creator? If so, here’s some advice you probably haven’t heard in a while:

Thumbnails aren’t just for long-form videos.

In 2023, your Shorts need attention-grabbing thumbnails to stand out on YouTube — not just a great title and description. A captivating graphic will persuade viewers to click on your content, and that could kickstart a viral moment on your channel. You might even get enough views to achieve 

 you need to know about creating and uploading Shorts thumbnails. We’ll answer questions like, “Do YouTube Shorts even have thumbnails?” and “Can you add thumbnails to YouTube Shorts?”

But First, Why Make Thumbnails for YouTube Shorts?

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

YouTube Custom Thumbnails

Faster Than Ever: 6 Ways to Make YouTube Thumbnails in Record Time

Lydia Sweatt

How to Choose a Winning Thumbnail Style for Your YouTube Channel

Lydia Sweatt

12 Types of YouTube Thumbnails People Love to Click On

Lydia Sweatt

3 Good Reasons to Make YouTube Thumbnails Before You Film

Lydia Sweatt

5 Tips for a Winning YouTube Custom Thumbnail

Liron Segev

YouTube Shorts Thumbnails: How to Upload Them for a Boost in Views

Lydia Sweatt

Why YouTube Custom Thumbnails Should NEVER Be an Afterthought: 5 Expert Tips

Carla Marshall

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

Lydia Sweatt

How Updating Custom Thumbnails Generated Millions of Extra Views for Vevo

Carla Marshall

10 Reasons Why Some Custom Thumbnails Work and Others Don't

Carla Marshall

How to Download a YouTube Thumbnail (New Method)

Carla Marshall

How to Make Custom Thumbnails - The Essential Guide!

Carla Marshall

How to Enable Custom Thumbnails On YouTube

Carla Marshall

How To Make Custom Thumbnails on YouTube

Carla Marshall