How to Change Thumbnail of YouTube Short: Step-Wise Guide

Want to learn how to change the thumbnail of YouTube Short easily? A custom thumbnail can elevate your video's appeal, boost clicks, and increase engagement. This guide provides step-by-step instructions along with simple tools like CapCut, a free platform to create and edit engaging YouTube Shorts with covers effortlessly. Dive in to explore!

YouTube Short's thumbnail requirements you should know

To change the thumbnail on YouTube, it's crucial to meet specific requirements that maintain visual appeal and comply with platform standards. The ideal Shorts' thumbnail ratio is 9:16, the standard for most screens, ensuring your thumbnail looks proportionate and visually pleasing across mobile, desktop, and tablets. And the visual effect of thumbnail should be able to directly reflect the video content, which may positively affect your Shorts' performance.



Why are thumbnails important for YouTube Shorts

Thumbnails are essential for YouTube Shorts because they grab viewers' attention instantly and influence their decision to watch. Below are key reasons why thumbnails are so important:

• Boosts click-through rates: An eye-catching thumbnail entices viewers to click on your video, improving discoverability and overall views.
• Builds brand consistency: Custom thumbnails with your brand elements ensure a cohesive look, making your content recognizable.
• Highlights video content: A well-designed thumbnail provides a quick preview of your video, helping viewers decide to watch.
• Sets you apart from competitors: Unique and visually appealing thumbnails make your videos stand out in crowded feeds.

How to change the thumbnails of YouTube Short

Step
1. Open YouTube app on mobile
2. Download and launch the YouTube app on your phone or tablet. Tap on "You" and select "You videos" to go through Shorts type. Pick the video you want to change thumbnail and tap on the three dots, select "Edit."
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Step
4. Edit the thumbnail
5. Tap on the pencil symbol on the video thumbnail. Then select the frame you want to set as the thumbnail, tap on the tick symbol.
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Step
7. Save your changes
8. Once you've selected or uploaded the thumbnail, tap "Save" to update your video with the new thumbnail. Your changes will be reflected immediately.
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Bonus: Create YouTube Shorts with a polished cover

CapCut allows you to create stunning YouTube Shorts with attention-grabbing covers. Customize your video's cover by adding text, filters, and unique elements to enhance its visual appeal. Whether you're refining an existing frame or crafting a fresh design, CapCut equips you with all the tools to make your content stand out. Elevate your Shorts with professional-looking covers that draw viewers in and boost engagement effortlessly.

Now, try CapCut and create YouTube Shorts with the best thumbnail!

Key features

• Customized shorts cover: You can customize YouTube Shorts' covers with various customization options like shapes, stickers, and frames.
• A large number of video editing functions: There is a wide range of YouTube Shorts editing tools, including audio adjustments, auto captions, transitions, and more.
• Integration with YouTube: CapCut seamlessly integrates with YouTube, making it easy to export and upload your edited Shorts directly to your channel.

A step-by-step guide to creating YouTube Shorts with covers

Step
1. Import video footage
2. Start by opening CapCut and importing the video footage, audio, or images that you wish to use for your YouTube Short. Once your media is imported, make sure to adjust the project ratio to 9:16 to ensure it fits the vertical format for YouTube Shorts.
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Step
4. Customize your Short and cover
5. Use CapCut's vast editing features to add captions, filters, and audio to your footage. Next, focus on customizing your cover. Tap the Cover button to open the thumbnail editor, where you can apply visual elements like shapes, stickers, and frames. You can either select a frame directly from the video or upload an image to use as the thumbnail.
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Step
7. Export and share on YouTube
8. Once you're satisfied with your YouTube Short and its customized cover, it's time to export your video. Tap the Export button, choose the video quality (1080p is recommended for high quality), and wait for the video to render. After the export is complete, you can directly upload your YouTube Short to your channel from CapCut, or save the video to your device and manually upload it via YouTube Studio.
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How to add the perfect YouTube thumbnail to increase viewership

• The role of visual consistency in branding: Ensure your thumbnails align with your brand's colors, fonts, and style for better recognition and consistency across videos.
• Optimizing thumbnail size for maximum impact: Use a high resolution such as 4K with a 9:16 ratio to maintain sharpness and optimal display across devices.
• Crafting text and titles that drive action: Include compelling, easy-to-read text that creates curiosity and encourages viewers to click.
• Choose the right image for thumbnails: Select a visually striking image that represents the essence of your video and grabs attention immediately.
• A/B testing thumbnails for better engagement: Test different thumbnail designs to see which one attracts more clicks and engagement, then adjust based on performance.
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Conclusion

In conclusion, creating an engaging YouTube Short starts with the right thumbnail. Knowing how to change the thumbnail of YouTube Short is essential for grabbing attention and boosting views. We introduce how to change YouTube Shorts thumbnails in the YouTube mobile app. Moreover, you are encouraged With CapCut, you can easily design custom covers for your Shorts, enhancing their appeal and increasing engagement. Ready to create eye-catching thumbnails that make your videos stand out? Start using CapCut today and take your YouTube Shorts and thumbnails to the next level!

FAQs

1. Will the views or rankings of the video be affected after changing the thumbnail?
2. Changing the thumbnail of your YouTube Short can impact its views and rankings by improving click-through rates. Because a well-designed thumbnail can entice more viewers to click on the video, leading to higher click-through rates. For this purpose, you should use CapCut to create YouTube Shorts with a delicate cover, and pick the cover frame as your thumbnail.
3. Why can't I choose a thumbnail on YouTube Shorts?
4. At present, the YouTube website doesn't allow you to change the YouTube Shorts' thumbnails on desktop. However, you can change thumbnails in the YouTube mobile app. First, log in to your YouTube account and select the Short that you want to change the thumbnail. Secondly, tap on the three dots beside the video and tap on "Edit." Finally, tap on the pencil symbol to pick one video frame to set as a thumbnail and then save the change.
5. How to make my YouTube Shorts more interactive?
6. To make your YouTube Shorts more interactive, focus on creating engaging content that encourages viewers to comment, like, and share. Adding text overlays, interactive polls, or questions in your Shorts can also spark engagement. Of course, the quality of Shorts is also very important. You can use CapCut to make professional-level Shorts, so that users have the desire to continue watching.
7. How to track and analyze the performance of YouTube Shorts?
8. To track and analyze the performance of YouTube Shorts, use YouTube Analytics to monitor metrics like click-rate, views, watch time, and engagement. These insights help you understand what works and optimize future content. An eye-catching thumbnail can attract more audience to click your Short , which can raise its performance.