Low-Resolution Images
There is a video thumbnail, and it is unclear what the thumbnail is showcasing; it is a blurry thumbnail. This makes the video thumbnail unprofessional and has the possibility of making the viewer dwell on the actual video.
Tip: A video thumbnail is and should be a clearer, high-resolution hover image at and above 1280 x 720 pixels and on see-through devices.
Choking the Thumbnail
Getting to the point where there is too much text and too many graphics and images on the thumbnail makes the viewer overwhelmed. A thumbnail and/ortext should try to be the most basic and minimalistic for the viewer to grasp what the video is about at first glance.
Tip: A thumbnail consists of only 1 main point and should contain minimal text while conveying a major point.
Suggestion: Select colors that are furthest apart on the color wheel, making sure the text is easily readable on the background. You can use applications such as Canva and Photoshop to create visually appealing color sets.
Thumbnail Clickbait
Misleading thumbnails usually grab lots of clicks, but then do more harm than good. Channels with high bounce rates and displeasing retention ratios, for instance, may end up getting punished by YouTube.
Tip: Avoid incorporating thumbnails that don’t align with your video’s core concepts.
Too Little Text with Added Difficulty to Read
Thumbnails typically use visually enhanced minimal text to relay certain levels of context, but small texts and prints of fancy design become impossible to see, especially on smaller devices.
Tip: Spend time achieving a balanced design, using no more than 5 visually enhanced contextual keywords. Text on thumbnails should always be legible, and individual devices should always be tested for legibility.
Neglecting Covering Elements
Covering elements and including identifiable text branding on thumbnails will aid your viewers in gaining instant recognition of your videos and set them apart from all other videos on the platform.
Blurry, Overly Used Images
While overused, low-quality stock images tick all the boxes and seem to be the simplest pictures associated with your audience for engagement, they always fall short.
Tip: Particular moments of high intensity in video footage, especially screen recordings, may aid in creating identifiable and personalized thumbnails that capture the audience’s heart.
Not Testing Thumbnails
It’s common practice for many creators to settle for the first thumbnail without considering possible options. This will impact the video’s performance.
CTA: Start optimizing your thumbnails today to boost your views. For more tips, check out our YouTube Thumbnail Maker and YouTube Thumbnail Downloader tools.
