This post was originally written Feb 14, 2023 and has been updated with newer information.
Your Thumbnail is your first impression. No matter how great your content is, people won’t click if your thumbnail doesn’t grab their attention.
But with AI-generated images, it’s harder than ever to stand out.
Even when using AI thumbnail assistants, you’ll want to give directions based on proven formats from the best YouTube thumbnails.
Here are 12 thumbnail formats people still love to click on in 2025:
One way to get people interested in your thumbnail is by displaying a burning question that keeps them up at night. “Can I afford a house right now with my current income?” “Will eating organic produce transform my health?”
Posing the right question in your thumbnail makes viewers desperate to know the answer. Especially if it speaks to their curiosity or concerns.
But with AI tools making it easy to generate titles, your thumbnail question needs to feel human, specific, and relevant to your audience.
In this YouTube thumbnail example: Peter Santenello’s video uses the question "Is it really that bad?", perfectly teases controversy and invites viewers to find out the truth for themselves.
It’s a great example of how the best YouTube thumbnails grab attention without giving everything away.
We often say the best YouTube 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.
For example, Golden Hoops 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 exciting to see 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 a good make over, 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.
Take a look at this YouTube thumbnail example from Bernardo Bacalhau’s video, “Converting a Van With No Experience.” 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.
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 some of the best YouTube Thumbnails. They did an excellent video comparing rollercoasters of the 1800s to the ones we ride today, and you can see the difference just by looking at the thumbnail.
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.
Want proof? This video from Alpha Leaders is about Kobe Bryant’s incredible work ethic. The thumbnail exposes a little-known fact, claiming that he slept four hours daily to squeeze in longer, harder basketball practices. The video has 4.5 million views!
Exaggerated facial expressions still work for YouTube thumbnails in 2025. Close-up faces are classic thumbnail ideas that never go out of style, and that’s why you see so many of them.
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, “I Tried $600 Smart Glasses for a Week.” 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!
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!
MrBeast is an expert at making live-action thumbnails. That’s why so many creators look to him for inspiration for thumbnail ideas. If you like his style, you can make a similar version using our thumbnail templates tool.
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 this video. Seeing all those consoles is exciting because you know an in-depth review is coming!
A funny title and thumbnail can catch viewers off guard in a good way. They might laugh, chuckle, or think, Wow, really? 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.”
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.
Here is a great YouTube thumbnail example. DownieLive has one of the best YouTube thumbnails on YouTube right now. For his video, “Taking the Train from Miami to Alaska,” icy mountains in Alaska meet the tropical waves of Miami.
If you’re planning a heartfelt video, don’t forget to add a touching moment to the thumbnail too. This is an important skill that produces great YouTube thumbnails. 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 grandpa gets his dream car.
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? Highlight the result, add humor, or showcase the experience.
Take a little inspiration from Rose & Anzai Country Life. Surprisingly, the thumbnail for their coconut chicken 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 is clear, relevant, and instantly communicates value.
And if you want amazing YouTube thumbnail ideas, give vidIQ’s thumbnail maker a try!
The best YouTube thumbnails are clear, bold, and emotionally engaging. They often use close-up facial reactions, curiosity-driven questions, or high-energy action shots to grab attention quickly.
If you’re just starting, try these simple thumbnail ideas: • Ask a relatable question • Show a clear product close-up • Use a one-line sound bite from your video • Highlight an emotional or funny moment
Use AI thumbnail assistants to speed up the process, but guide them with clear direction like adding a specific question, stat, or before-and-after visuals.
Text isn’t required, but many popular YouTube thumbnail examples use bold, short text to add context or curiosity.
Lydia Sweatt is a writer who loves balancing her article/blog time indoors with a healthy dose of nature. She bikes, hikes, and identifies edible plants along the way.
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