As a YouTuber, creating great video content is just the first step. The next step is to make sure that your videos are easily discoverable and that people actually click on them. One of the best ways to do this is by adding a thumbnail to your videos that will catch the attention of viewers. Thumbnails are small images that represent your video and are displayed on YouTube and other platforms. They can be customized to make your videos stand out, and studies have shown that good thumbnails can significantly increase views. In this post, we will guide you on how to add a thumbnail to your YouTube video.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Adding A Thumbnail
Adding a thumbnail might seem like a simple task, but it’s not always easy. The most challenging part is creating a thumbnail that captures the essence of your video, is visually appealing, and is in line with your brand. Additionally, there are size and format requirements that you have to adhere to, or your thumbnail might not meet the specifications of YouTube. Another challenge is that some YouTubers don’t know where to go to add a thumbnail, or what tools they can use to create one.
Things You Should Prepare for?
Before adding a thumbnail to your YouTube video, it’s essential to have a few things ready. First, you should prepare the image that you want to use as the thumbnail. This image should be high-quality, and it should represent the content of your video accurately. You can use graphic design tools like Canva or Adobe Spark to create the thumbnail image. Secondly, ensure that you have a YouTube account and that you have uploaded a video. Finally, have an internet connection and a device to use, like a laptop, tablet or phone, that you can access your YouTube account.
Method 1: Add A Thumbnail to Your YouTube Video from the Video Manager
1. Log in to your YouTube account.
2. Go to your Channel Dashboard and click on the "Video Manager" button.
3. Find the video you want to add a thumbnail to and click on the "Edit" button next to it.
4. Scroll down to the "Thumbnail" section and click on the "Custom thumbnail" button.
5. Select the image you want to use as your thumbnail.
6. Click "Save changes" to update your video with the new thumbnail.
Pros: This method is straightforward and easy to follow. It doesn’t require any third-party tools, and you can get the job done quickly.
Cons: You can only use this method for one video at a time, and it doesn’t provide any customization options.
Method 2: Add A Thumbnail to Your YouTube Video with Creator Studio
1. Log in to your YouTube account.
2. Click on the "Creator Studio" button on the navigation bar.
3. Go to the "Video Manager" section, and find the video you want to add a thumbnail to.
4. Click on the "Edit" button next to the video.
5. Scroll down to the "Thumbnail" section and click on "Custom thumbnail".
6. Upload the image you want to use as your thumbnail.
7. Drag the image to adjust it to fit the thumbnail size, or crop it to fit.
8. Click "Save changes" to update your video with the new thumbnail.
Pros: This method provides more customization options as you can crop the image or adjust it to fit the thumbnail size.
Cons: You can only use this method for one video at a time, and it’s not as quick as method one.
Method 3: Add A Thumbnail to Your YouTube Video with YouTube Studio App
1. Download and install the YouTube Studio app on your mobile device.
2. Tap on the "Videos" tab on the navigation bar.
3. Find the video you want to add a thumbnail to and tap on it.
4. Tap on the "Edit video" button.
5. Scroll down to the "Thumbnail" section and tap on "Change thumbnail".
6. Choose or take a photo to use as your thumbnail.
7. Drag and adjust the image to fit the thumbnail dimensions.
8. Tap "Save" to update your video with the new thumbnail.
Pros: This method is convenient because you can add a thumbnail to your video from anywhere using your mobile device.
Cons: The app might not support all the features that are available on the desktop version, and it’s not very customizable.
Method 4: Add A Thumbnail to Your YouTube Video with Third-Party Tools
1. Use third-party tools like Canva or Adobe Spark to create a thumbnail image.
2. Save the image and export it using the appropriate image format, such as JPEG or PNG.
3. Log in to your YouTube account and go to your channel dashboard.
4. Click on the "Video Manager" button and select the video you want to add a thumbnail to.
5. Scroll down to the "Thumbnail" section and click "Custom thumbnail".
6. Choose the image you created earlier and upload it.
7. Preview the thumbnail to ensure that it looks good, and click "Save changes" to update your video with the new thumbnail.
Pros: Using third-party tools allows you to have more creative control over your thumbnail, and you can make it stand out in a crowded field.
Cons: This method requires more time and effort, and the tools might be complicated for beginners.
Why Can’t I Add A Thumbnail?
1. Your video has not been fully processed: If your video is still being processed, you cannot add a thumbnail. You can check the process by going to your "Video Manager" and looking at the progress bar on the video you want to update. If the bar is still visible, wait for processing to complete.
2. The video is not yours: You cannot add a thumbnail to videos that you do not own or produce. Only the video’s owner can add or change the thumbnail.
3. The file format is not supported: YouTube only supports specific file formats like JPEG, PNG, BMP, and GIF. If your file format is not supported, you cannot add a thumbnail.
4. The image is too small or too large: Thumbnails must meet specific size requirements. If your image is smaller than 640 x 360 pixels or larger than 2MB, you cannot add the thumbnail.
Fixes:
1. Wait for your video to finish processing, and try adding a thumbnail then.
2. Ensure that you are the owner or producer of the video.
3. Use a supported file format like JPEG, PNG, BMP, or GIF.
4. Resize your image to a dimension of 640 x 360 pixels or use an image that is less than 2MB in size.
Additional Tips
1. Use high-quality images that accurately represent your video.
2. Use contrasting colors and fonts to help your thumbnail stand out.
3. Place text in your thumbnail to describe your video’s content.
4. Be consistent with your thumbnails, use the same format, font, and colors to help viewers recognize your content quickly.
5 FAQs
Q: Can I use a thumbnail from another video?
A: No, you cannot use a thumbnail from another video. Each video must have its unique thumbnail to represent its content.
Q: Can I change my thumbnail after publishing the video?
A: Yes, you can change your thumbnail at any time by going to your "Video Manager" and clicking on the "Edit" button next to your video.
Q: How often should I change my thumbnail?
A: You can change your thumbnail whenever you want, but it’s recommended that you change it once every few months to keep your content fresh.
Q: What should I avoid in my thumbnail?
A: Avoid using misleading images that do not accurately represent the content of your video. Also, avoid using copyrighted material in your thumbnail.
Q: Can I use the same thumbnail for all my videos?
A: You can use the same thumbnail format, font, and color scheme for all your videos to create consistency, but each video should have an image that accurately represents its content.
In Conclusion
Adding a thumbnail to your YouTube video is an essential step in making your content easily discoverable and increasing views. There are several methods you can use to add a thumbnail, from the YouTube Video Manager to third-party tools like Canva or Adobe Spark. Remember to follow the thumbnail guidelines, such as using high-quality images, using contrasting colors and fonts, and placing text to describe your video’s content. By following these tips, you can create an eye-catching thumbnail that will help your video stand out and attract more viewers to your channel.