“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!

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

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

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.

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

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

YouTube thumbnails act as mini-ads for your channel. They offer the first chance to catch someone’s eye in a busy feed. Without a strong image, your video might easily get overlooked on crowded search pages and never catch the right attention.

12 Best YouTube Thumbnails Ideas People Love to Click On

 to boost clicks and grow your channel. Mainly because…

Click-through rates (CTR) can send positive or negative signals to YouTube’s video recommendation system.

YouTube Studio analytics showing click-through rate metrics

How Thumbnails Affect Your Click-Through Rate

On YouTube, click-through rate is the percentage of people who clicked your video after seeing its thumbnail. Here’s an example: If 20,000 people see your video somewhere on YouTube, 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.

Number of clicks / Number of impressions x 100 = CTR

Thumbnails are the first thing many viewers see on YouTube.

 That’s why they're crucial for boosting CTR and why creators spend hours crafting thumbnail images.

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

Generally, a good CTR is any percentage that beats your channel average. So if 5% of people click your content, you should set a goal to reach 6%, 7%, 8%, and beyond.

Also, according to YouTube, 50% of channels have a 2-10% CTR. That’s another benchmark you can use to track your progress.

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

Before you start working on eye-catching thumbnails, it helps to know what a good click rate looks like. YouTube reports that about half of all channels have a CTR between 2% and 10%. But we can break that range down a bit further.

Based on our review of many channels, here’s a closer look:

 This is below average. Your thumbnails could use a refresh.

 A strong result, beating many competitors.

 Top-level performance seen in standout content.

 Exceptional, usually seen in videos with a very clear target.

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%.

Instead of focusing on the average, work on surpassing your own channel’s history. If your videos average 4%, try pushing for 5-6% with upcoming thumbnails. Small, steady improvements can add up.

The Psychology Behind High-CTR Thumbnails

Knowing what makes a viewer click is a key part of creating thumbnails that work. Research from Backlinko points out that thumbnails with certain features tend to perform best:

 – Expressions like surprise, joy, or curiosity attract attention

 – Warm hues like red and yellow add urgency, while blue can build trust, and contrasting colors help catch the eye

 – Images that stand out when compared to nearby thumbnails

 – Directing the viewer’s attention to the most important parts first

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.

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%.

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

YouTube’s thumbnail rules are pretty straightforward. To create the best image, aim for a 16:9 aspect ratio (rectangular shape) and a resolution of 1280x720 pixels (the standard YouTube thumbnail size). Also, use an accepted image format, like JPG, GIF, or PNG.

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 photos 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.

If your thumbnail has too many elements, people will keep scrolling in search of something simple. It makes sense when you think about it. How long would you spend analyzing something you don’t understand?

 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.

 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 the zoomies” on your thumbnail. That's similar to what the 

 channel did for the image below, which is from the video, "Zoomies! The Fastest Pet Compilation." 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:

6. Communicate One Idea with Your Thumbnail

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. Build your thumbnail around that 

 tip or the emotional aspect 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 now offers a built-in tool in Studio where you can compare two images. 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 YouTube Thumbnail Template for Better Branding

Branding your content doesn’t stop with 

 or YouTube banner. Each video and its thumbnail provide another chance to advertise your brand on YouTube. Eventually, viewers will do less thinking and simply say, “Oh, that’s from a new video such and such’s channel.”

Getting to that point is easier if you create a thumbnail template for your channel. It will help you save time and build brand recognition on YouTube.

Creating Thumbnails for Different Content Types

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.

Now that you know how to make a thumbnail, here are a few services (free and paid) to help you create one:

The right thumbnail will take you from zero views to several thousand, and while the ones above can make really nice thumbnails, they aren't specialized for YouTube. The

 is made for and by YouTube-obsessed educators like us; it will give you an edge in every aspect of thumbnail creation. Try it now!

graphic denoting good youtube thumbnail ctr​

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

Improve your YouTube click-through rate with these 9 proven thumbnail strategies. Learn how to create custom thumbnails that viewers can't resist clicking.

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

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

Smiling man with beard wearing blue and white hat next to TubeTalk logo on blue background

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

5 Tips for a Winning YouTube Custom Thumbnail

The old saying that readers will often judge a book by its cover is true, and the same goes for viewers that judge videos by their thumbnails. So ensure that you have custom thumbnails enabled on your YouTube Channel so you can upload your own images to the viewer as they browse for something interesting or entertaining to watch.

How To Enable Custom Thumbnails on YouTube

When you are logged into YouTube, you should see your profile logo in the top right hand corner. Click this and then go to settings. From here you need to click on the view additional features link, which will then show you all the YouTube features that are available and whether or not you have access to them.

There are no views, subscribers, or watch time requirements to unlock custom thumbnails. All you need to do is verify your YouTube account. And you can do that from this very screen. Next to your profile logo and channel name at the top, you will find a blue verify button. Click that to start the process. To verify your YouTube account, Google will send you a verification code to a phone number either through an automated voice or text message, which you can choose on the screen. Do note so you can only verify two YouTube accounts per phone number, per year.

Once you put your phone number, click submit, and you should see this screen that asks you for that verification code. Whichever solution you decide to use, you should almost instantly get a ping on your phone in this example I requested a text message, which sent me the verification code. Now all you need to do is go back to your computer, input the six digit verification code, click submit and that will verify your account. Which instantly gives you access to adding custom thumbnails to your videos.

Why Custom Thumbnails on YouTube are Critical to Success

Now for a very quick demonstration on why custom thumbnails are so important. This video you see on screen is about how to download a thumbnail from YouTube. But the current thumbnail for this video that's been selected by YouTube automatically is a rather useless picture of myself that tells the viewer absolutely nothing. But with the help of a custom thumbnail, we can tell a much more colorful, intriguing, and direct visual story that might just earn this video an extra click.

Here's a very simple way to look at it. We increase the number of clicks we get on our videos, (this is called click through rates) by more than 100% simply by making better thumbnails. So remember, you can make a fantastic video, but if you can't get people through the door then it is a waste of time. Pay attention to that first impression.

If you want to take your YouTube channel to the next level then make sure to download vidIQ. It will help you research YouTube, analyze videos, audit your own channel, and take actionable steps 

Custom YouTube thumbnail example with a padlock icon and bold text on blue background.

Enabling custom thumbnails is one of the easiest but most important things you can do for your YouTube channel. We show you how.

How to Enable Custom Thumbnails On YouTube

Welcome to another in our exclusive series about getting the most out of 

Uploading eye-catching custom thumbnails for your YouTube videos is vital, but will changing old thumbnails help generate more views? Check out these insights from Vevo.

YouTube Custom Thumbnails

How to Choose a Winning Thumbnail Style for Your YouTube Channel

3 Good Reasons to Make YouTube Thumbnails Before You Film

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

5 Tips for a Winning YouTube Custom Thumbnail

How to Enable Custom Thumbnails On YouTube

How Updating Custom Thumbnails Generated Millions of Extra Views for Vevo