Create AI-aided
YouTube thumbnails in 9 seconds
Our easy-to-use Google Chrome extension makes creating custom thumbnails
from within YouTube Studio easy!

Steps to get started.
11 steps By Roo Wright











Note:
Your uploaded videos need at least a title and description for best results.
Thumbly AI Plans & Pricing
Free
Best for new YouTubers
$0/month
- Watermarked
- Free Forever
- Unlimited Usage
No credit card required
Most popular
Monthly
Best for established creators
$7.95/month
- No Watermark
- Unlimited Usage

Step into the future of AI-aided YouTube Thumbnail Creation
Say goodbye to poor click through rates and painful thumbnail creation.
Top 7 tips for Creating Click-Worthy YouTube Video Thumbnails
Using an enticing YouTube video thumbnails plays a massive role in attracting viewers and improving your video’s click-through rates, or CTR as it’s known as. Here at Thumb.ly we know about thumbnails, so we’ve outlined 7 valuable suggestions to aid you in the creation of thumbnails that captivate your audience:
- Convey Emotion Through Visuals: When your video features individuals, opt for thumbnails that showcase genuine emotional expressions, whether it’s excitement, surprise, or curiosity. Faces carry an inherent appeal and enable a personal connection with the audience.
- Use Great Imagery: It’s essential to select high-resolution visuals that are crisp and visually pleasing. Avoid grainy or pixelated images as these could discourage potential viewers. Always ensure your images are sharp and expertly composed.
- Harness the Power of Contrasting Hues: Employ contrasting colors within your thumbnail to make your primary subject or focal point truly stand out. This technique will help your thumbnail shine amid the sea of recommended videos and search results.
- Prioritize Readable Text: If you decide to incorporate text within your thumbnail, prioritize readability. Opt for bold and legible fonts that are proportional to the overall composition. Strategically place the text to effectively convey your video’s message.
- Maintain Branding Consistency: Establish a uniform visual identity across your thumbnails to foster brand recognition. Consistency in color schemes, fonts, and overall style across all your videos aids viewers in easily identifying your content.
- Highlight the Essence: Utilize your thumbnail to succinctly communicate the core value or main theme of your video. For instructional content, showcase the end result, and for list-based videos, feature a selection of the items. This gives potential viewers a clear understanding of what they’ll gain from watching.
- Continuous Experimentation and Analysis: Keep evolving your thumbnail designs through ongoing experimentation and diligent monitoring of their performance. YouTube offers analytics that reveal the CTR for each video. Leverage this valuable data to fine-tune your thumbnail strategies and progressively enhance your approach.
Always remember that YouTube’s factors CTR into it’s algorithm when suggesting videos to users. Crafting click-worthy thumbnails can significantly elevate your video’s visibility and success on the platform. Therefore, consistently experiment, learn from your audience’s preferences, and adapt your thumbnail designs accordingly to unlock the full potential of your video’s reach.