What do you think is the key to a good thumbnail?

Jdlikefood

Jdlikefood

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One thing I have been trying to work on is my thumbnails. I have kind of realized, they aren't too great. What do you guys think is the key to a good thumbnail?
 
- Branding. (logo or yourself if the videos always feature you.)
- Grabbing potential viewers attention.
- Keeping the thumbnail on topic with what the video is about. (no women's cleavage, unless that's what the video's about.)

Must be all 3.
 
Make sure the thumbnail isn't misleading and use a wide contrast of colours (black against neon green or similar to that effect)
 
If you are using live action, study basic photography composition and use those guidelines (IE rule of thirds, focus, depth) to make the image stand out. If you want more of infographic look then some design and typography tutorials would be useful.

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The key is that the image will compel the viewer to click on it. Just look around at the other thumbnails that get your clicks. What was it that made you click? The image? The text? There are many ways to go. Good luck.
 
newage said:
- Branding. (logo or yourself if the videos always feature you.)
- Grabbing potential viewers attention.
- Keeping the thumbnail on topic with what the video is about. (no women's cleavage, unless that's what the video's about.)

Must be all 3.
Click to expand...
I agree with these points, OP. The thumbnails need to stand out enough to grab a viewer's attention while also being brand-specific to your channel (keeping a somewhat consistent layout/color scheme can help as it will allow people to recognize you if they see multiple videos from you). And finally you want the thumbnail match the subject of the content so that it isn't misleading.

If you want to see an example of the branding I'm talking about, take a look at newage who I quoted above as you'll notice that the background of most of his thumbnails are the same, making for consistency. You can also take a look at mine as I include some consistent color and border elements as well (not saying that my thumbnails are the best or a great example overall - just that they use a consistent branding).
 
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