Create TikTok Thumbnails in Different Ways to Success

TikTok thumbnails: A brief introduction

TikTok thumbnails are the first thing the viewers see before clicking on your video. They function as a preview, influencing views and engagement. A well-designed thumbnail quickly grabs the viewers' attention and makes your content unique. TikTok selects a frame automatically. However, custom thumbnails improve visibility and get more attention.

Benefits of making thumbnails for TikTok

• Increases click-through rates (CTR): High-quality thumbnails encourage more viewers to click on your video, leading to higher views. A strong hook enhances your content's appeal. Well-placed text and colors can further increase click-through rates.
• Enhances first impressions: Attractive thumbnails create a good first impression, making viewers want to watch your video. They set the tone for your content before the users hit play, making it unique in the competition.
• Boosts engagement and watch time: An appealing thumbnail instantly attracts the audience, enhancing interactions. It indicates relevance and quality, making the audience hooked to your videos. A higher watch time leads to a better ranking on TikTok.
• Improves brand recognition: Consistent thumbnails with a unique style give your thumbnails a recognizable identity. This makes it easier for viewers to identify with your content and enhances the brand's online presence over time.
• Helps attract the target audience: Thumbnails visually communicate the theme, ensuring they reach the right viewers. A strategic design improves audience interest and connection. The right elements and content can appeal to specific demographics.

Create TikTok thumbnails on the mobile app

STEP 1
1. Upload your video to TikTok

Next, open the TikTok app and tap the "+" icon at the bottom center to upload a video. You can select a video from your gallery or create a new one. Then, tap "Next" to go to the editing screen.

STEP 2
1. Select or upload your thumbnail

On the posting screen, tap "Edit cover" at the cover image. Choose a frame from the video or tap "Upload" to import a custom thumbnail from your gallery. Ensure that the thumbnail is visually appealing.

STEP 3
1. Adjust and save your thumbnail

After selecting your thumbnail, adjust the position and text overlays to ensure it fits perfectly. Then, tap "Save" and add your description, hashtags and captions. Finally, tap "Post" to post the video with the thumbnail on TikTok.

Changing TikTok thumbnails on desktop

STEP 1
1. Go to TikTok site

To change the thumbnail on TikTok using a desktop, go to the TikTok website (https://www.tiktok.com/) using your browser. Log in to your account or create a new one.

STEP 2
1. Upload the video

Next, click the "Upload" button from the left-hand menu. After that, hit "Select video" to upload a file from your PC. Once the video is uploaded, TikTok will process it and display a preview. Then click "Edit cover."

STEP 3
1. Select or change the thumbnail

You can edit the cover by selecting a frame from the video or a custom cover in your device if available. Adjust its position and preview the video. Finally, click "Confirm" and "Post" to publish the video with the custom thumbnail.

Although TikTok supports authoring or changing the thumbnails within the platform, it offers limited built-in editing features. So, you should use CapCut to create TikTok videos with eye-catching thumbnails.

CapCut desktop: The best tool to create thumbnails for TikTok

CapCut is a versatile video editing software known for its powerful editing features. You can create TikTok videos using filters, transitions, and so on. However, it's not just for editing videos; you can also make high-quality thumbnails using CapCut. It features high-quality text overlays, precise frame selection, and stickers to help you craft engaging thumbnails. Moreover, its smooth integration with TikTok makes sharing videos effortless. CapCut helps you easily craft engaging videos and thumbnails whether you are a beginner or a pro.

Get CapCut today and start creating compelling TikTok thumbnails!

Key features

• Integration with TikTok: CapCut allows you to easily upload TikTok videos directly after editing, streamlining the editing process.
• Cover templates: CapCut offers many video cover templates to quickly create professional-quality thumbnails.
• Diverse thumbnail editing features: Add text, stickers, and filters to customize and enhance TikTok thumbnails.

How to create videos with engaging thumbnails for TikTok

STEP 1
1. Import the video

First, open CapCut and click "Create project" to create a new project. Then, click "Import" and select an image or video you want to edit from your PC. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the video onto the timeline to begin editing.

STEP 2
1. Edit the TikTok video

Once the video is imported, click "Ratio" to resize it to TikTok's 9:16 ratio. Then, select various transitions, filters, effects, animations, and stickers from the top-left toolbar to enhance the video. Experiment with different editing features to create a more engaging look.

STEP 3
1. Customize the video cover

Next, click the "Cover" option from the timeline to edit the thumbnail. Add stickers, filters, and effects to create an attractive thumbnail. Adjust the color, brightness, and contrast to increase the visibility of the thumbnail. Once done, click "Save" to choose the thumbnail.

STEP 4
1. Export and share the video on TikTok

Once satisfied with the video and thumbnail, click "Export" in the top-right corner, choose your format, and select your desired resolution. Then, click "Export" to save the video to your PC. Once exported, you can share the video directly to TikTok from within CapCut.

Tips to make outstanding TikTok thumbnails

• Use bold and vibrant colors

Bright and contrasting colors instantly grab the viewer's attention, making your thumbnails stand out. Choose the shades that align with your brand while ensuring visibility across devices. A striking color scheme increases your click-through rates. CapCut offers adjustment tools for adjusting your video cover's color, lightness, and so on.

• Add eye-catching text

Use bold and readable text to convey your video's message at a glance. Use contrasting colors and clear fonts to ensure that your text is visible. Keep the text short and engaging to encourage clicks. You can add diverse text fonts to video covers using CapCut easily.

• Choose a high-quality image

A well-lit, sharp image makes your thumbnail more appealing and professional. Avoid using pixelated or blurry photos, as it can reduce your credibility. The clearer the picture, the more likely it is to get noticed in TikTok's fast-scrolling feed.

• Maintain a consistent style

A consistent style reinforces brand identity and makes your content easily recognizable in crowded feeds. To maintain uniformity, stick to specific color schemes and design layouts. A consistent look develops trust, and the viewers keep returning to your content.

• Avoid clutter and keep it simple

Too many elements in the thumbnail can make your thumbnail less appealing to the audience. So, use a minimalistic approach, keeping the design simple and focusing on key visuals and text. A clean thumbnail ensures that your message is clear and compelling.

• Test different thumbnails for engagement

Experiment with different thumbnail designs to see what works for you. Analyze performance metrics, like watch time and click-through rates (CTR), to identify which style viewers like best. Use A/B testing to refine the thumbnail for enhanced impact.

Conclusion

Crafting an eye-catching TikTok thumbnail is essential for enhancing click-through rates and engagement. A well-designed thumbnail gives a great first impression, increases watch time, and strengthens your brand identity. You can create appealing thumbnails by adopting bold colors and eye-catching text, using high-quality images, and avoiding cluttering. Although CapCut built-in tool supports editing tumbnails, it has fewer features and is not enough to make high-quality thumbnails. Therefore, CapCut is a good choice, which provides many thumbnail templates and editing tools, such as text, effects, and stickers. So, start using CapCut today and use its editing features to design attractive TikTok thumbnails.

FAQs

1
1. Are there any restrictions on TikTok thumbnails?

Yes, TikTok has some restrictions on thumbnails. TikTok automatically selects a frame from the video, but you can also upload your custom thumbnail. The thumbnail must follow TikTok's strict guidelines, avoiding inappropriate content. It should be visible in a vertical format. Using tools like CapCut, you can create high-quality and clear TikTok thumbnails with the 9:16 TikTok ratio.

2
1. Does the TikTok algorithm determine the recommended frequency of videos based on the quality of thumbnails?

No, the TikTok algorithm prioritizes watch time, engagement, and interactions over thumbnails. However, an attractive thumbnail gets your videos noticed, indirectly boosting the video's performance. Although thumbnails don't directly affect the rankings, they attract more users, leading to higher engagement. You can use CapCut to create professional-quality thumbnails and encourage clicks to boost the content's reach.

3
1. What are the common mistakes to avoid when making TikTok video thumbnails?

Avoid using blurry images, overcrowded text, and poor color choices when creating TikTok thumbnails. Inconsistent styles and overlooking brand elements can also reduce recognition. Choosing irrelevant frames for thumbnails can also mislead viewers, leading to lower retention rates. Also, avoid using small text and ensure that the text is visible across devices. With CapCut, you can create clear, high-quality text effects to enhance engagement.