How to Make a Thumbnail for YouTube that Gets More Clicks

Creating a thumbnail that grabs viewers' attention is important, but it can be tricky if you don't know where to start. Whether you create content for self-media or market your products, learning to make a good thumbnail can make a big difference. However, in this guide, we will discuss how to make a thumbnail for your YouTube videos that capture interest and drive engagement, making your content difficult to ignore.

What are YouTube video thumbnails

YouTube video thumbnails are the small pictures you see before clicking on a video. They show a quick preview and help attract viewers. To make video thumbnails, the best approach people go for is using bright colors, big text, and interesting images. However, good thumbnails can get more people to watch your video. So, it's important to make video thumbnails that look great and match your content.



Why do you need to create YouTube thumbnails

Creating eye-catching thumbnails is essential for boosting your video's visibility and engagement. Here's why YouTube thumbnails are so important and how they can improve your content's success:

1. Attract viewers
2. Thumbnails are the first thing viewers see. A good thumbnail can grab their attention and make them want to click on your video.
3. Increase click-through rate
4. A well-designed thumbnail can make your video different from others, leading to more clicks and higher engagement.
5. Convey content quickly
6. Thumbnails give viewers a quick idea of what your video is about. They help communicate your video's topic or theme at a glance.
7. Boost channel growth
8. Consistently using attractive thumbnails can help build your channel's brand, making your content more recognizable and trusted by viewers.
9. Improve search rankings

Creating eye-catching thumbnails can greatly increase the click-through rates of your videos. This can boost your favor with YouTube's algorithm, improving your channel's search rankings.

How to create good thumbnails for YouTube videos

Good thumbnails act as the first impression of your video, attracting viewers to click and watch. But how do you make thumbnails that are different from others and attract viewers? Using the right tools, like the CapCut desktop video editor, can make this process easier and more effective. It is a versatile and user-friendly tool for creating eye-catching thumbnails. However, you can also download it by clicking the button below, then running the installer and following the on-screen instructions.



How to make a thumbnail from a video

Creating an eye-catching thumbnail from your video can significantly increase viewer engagement. Follow these simple steps to make an appealing thumbnail using the CapCut desktop video editor.

Step
1. Import a video
2. After installing the CapCut desktop video editor on your PC, launch it and go to "Create project." This will open the software's editing interface. Then, click on the "Import" button with the plus sign to upload your desired file to the platform's library.
3. 

   

Step
4. Create your thumbnail from videos
5. Once your video is imported, drag it and drop it into the editing timeline below. Then, click on the "Cover" button with the pencil sign on the right side of the timeline. A new window will appear on your screen. Then, choose the "Select from the video" option, choose the frame you want to set as a thumbnail of your video, and click on the "Edit" button.
6. Here, you can edit your cover by adding filters, using stickers, and inserting text, like the title of your video or any clickbait. You can also use the built-in templates to change the design of your text and make it more attractive. This is how you can make a great thumbnail.
7. 

   

Step
8. Export and share

After you are satisfied with your creation, click on the "Export" button. Adjust the settings (video frame rate, resolution, etc.) according to your preferences. Again, click on the "Export" button. Moreover, with the easy-sharing option, you can upload your video directly to your TikTok account or YouTube channel.



How to make a thumbnail from your own image

To make a thumbnail from your own image, follow the steps below:

Step
1. Import a video
2. First, open the CapCut desktop video editor on your computer. Then, click "Create project" to start editing. Next, click "Import" to add your desired video to the software library.
3. 

   

Step
4. Make your thumbnail from your materials
5. Once your video is imported, drag and drop it into the editing timeline below. Then, click on the "Cover" button with the pencil sign on the right side of the timeline. The pop-up window will appear on your screen. Then, choose "Replace > Select" from the computer option. This option will let you upload your desired image from your PC.
6. Once the image is uploaded, edit it using the given tools. Add decorative text, insert effects, and filters to make your thumbnail more attractive. Then click on the "Save" button.
7. 

   

Step
8. Export and share

After you have finished editing, click on the blue "Export" button at the corner of the screen. Adjust the settings accordingly and then again click on the "Export" button.

You can also upload your video directly to your TikTok ID and YouTube channel if you want. Moreover, you can also trim these videos to make YouTube shorts or a little TikTok reel.



Key features

• Use professional YouTube thumbnail templates
• The CapCut desktop video editor offers various pre-designed templates to quickly and easily create professional-looking thumbnails. These templates save you time and ensure your thumbnails look polished and engaging.
• Upload and edit your snapshots to highlight key moments
• You can upload your images and edit them directly in the CapCut desktop video editor. This allows you to focus on the most exciting parts of your content, making your thumbnails more attractive to viewers.
• Select from various fonts and icons for a stunning cover
• With the CapCut desktop video editor, you can choose from various fonts and icons to enhance your thumbnails. This feature helps you create visually appealing covers that grab attention and reflect your video’s theme.
• Share your eye-catching thumbnail on YouTube and social media
• Once your thumbnail is ready, you can easily share it directly on YouTube and other social media platforms like TikTok. This smooth sharing option helps you promote your content effortlessly and reach a wider audience.

Tips for creating a YouTube thumbnail

How you create a thumbnail for your YouTube channel plays an important role in your click rate. Here are some you should follow:

1. High-quality images
2. Start with a clear, high-resolution image to ensure your thumbnail looks professional. Blurry images can turn viewers away. So, choose vibrant and visually appealing pictures that accurately represent your video content. A high-quality image sets the tone and grabs attention.
3. Keep the text concise and readable
4. Add a short, catchy text to your thumbnail, but keep it concise. Use bold, large fonts that are easy to read at a glance, even on small screens. Ensure the text contrasts well with the background to enhance visibility. This helps convey the video’s main idea quickly.
5. Incorporating branding elements
6. Include your brand colors, logo, or consistent style in your thumbnails to create a recognizable identity. This helps build your brand and makes your content easily identifiable among many videos. Consistent branding can attract repeat viewers and establish loyalty.
7. Highlight faces and emotions
8. Thumbnails featuring human faces and emotions tend to attract more clicks. Use expressive faces that convey the emotion or reaction related to your video content. This connection can attract viewers and convince them to click, as people are naturally attracted to other people’s expressions.
9. Create a sense of curiosity

Create thumbnails that make people curious by hinting at the content without revealing too much. Use teasers, attracting images, or partial views to make viewers think and click to find out more. A sense of mystery or unanswered questions can be a powerful motivator for clicks.

Conclusion

Creating an engaging thumbnail is essential for capturing viewers' attention and boosting your video’s click-through rate. You can create unique and attractive thumbnails by using high-quality images, concise text, and eye-catching colors.

Remember, knowing how to make a thumbnail effectively involves both creativity and strategic design. To make this process easier, try using the CapCut desktop video editor. It's a powerful, user-friendly tool that can help you design professional thumbnails quickly and efficiently.

FAQs

1. What size are YouTube thumbnails?
2. YouTube thumbnails should be 1280x720 pixels, with a 16:9 aspect ratio, ensuring they look good across all devices. However, you can use the CapCut desktop video editor to easily resize and create perfectly sized thumbnails.
3. What makes a good YouTube thumbnail?
4. A good YouTube thumbnail uses high-quality images, readable text, and bright colors to attract viewers. Incorporating branding and human faces can also help in making an excellent YouTube thumbnail. Moreover, the CapCut desktop video editor can assist you in designing professional, eye-catching thumbnails. It allows you to easily create thumbnails either from within the video or using your images.
5. How to make a thumbnail from a video?
6. To make a thumbnail from a video, you can upload the video to any thumbnail-generating software and get your desired thumbnail picture. However, the CapCut desktop video editor allows you to generate thumbnails while editing your video. So, you won't need to switch software to create thumbnails.
7. You can easily edit thumbnails by clicking on the "Cover" button on the right side of the editing timeline and choosing the frame you want. Moreover, you can also directly edit them within the interface to make them more attractive and engaging.
8. How to make an attractive thumbnail for a YouTube video?
9. An attractive YouTube thumbnail should have clear images, bold text, and contrasting colors to grab attention. Moreover, you should also highlight emotions and use attractive visuals. You can also use clickbait to convince your audience to click on your videos. However, using the CapCut desktop video editor’s excellent tools can help you create stunning, attractive thumbnails easily within just a few clicks.