Creating an engaging and eye-catching thumbnail for your YouTube video is important to attract viewers and encourage them to click on your video. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make a thumbnail for a YouTube video:
- Choose an Image Editing Tool: You can use a variety of image editing software, both online and offline, to create your thumbnail. Some popular options include Adobe Photoshop, Canva, GIMP, Pixlr, and even PowerPoint.
- Thumbnail Dimensions: YouTube recommends a summary size of 1280 x 720 pixels, with a minimal range of 640 pixels. This ensures that your summary looks good on different bias and screen sizes.
- Select a Relevant Image: Choose an image that represents the content of your video accurately. This could be a screenshot from the video or a custom graphic that conveys the main idea of the video.
- Add Text: Include a title or a few words that provide a glimpse of what your video is about. Use a bold and easily readable font. Make sure the text contrasts well with the background so that it’s easily visible.
- Use Bright and Contrasting Colors: Choose colors that are eye-catching and stand out. However, make sure the colors you choose are in line with your video’s branding and overall theme.
- Keep it Simple: Avoid cluttering the summary with too important textbook or too numerous images. Keep the design clean and concentrated on the main communication.
- Add Borders and Icons: You can add borders or icons to make your thumbnail more visually appealing. These can help highlight key points in your video.
- Consider Emotions and Expressions: If your video content evokes emotions, consider using images of expressive faces to convey those emotions in the thumbnail.
- Maintain Consistency: If you have an existing brand or style for your YouTube channel, try to maintain consistency in your thumbnails to make your channel easily recognizable.
- Test Different Thumbnails: YouTube allows you to upload multiple thumbnails for a video. You can use this feature to test different designs and see which one performs better in terms of click-through rates.
- Save and Upload: Once you’re satisfied with your thumbnail design, save it in a suitable format (JPEG or PNG) and upload it when you’re publishing your video on YouTube.
- Check Compatibility: Before finalizing your thumbnail, make sure it looks good on both desktop and mobile devices, as viewers use a variety of platforms to access YouTube.