5 Tips to Help Videos Get More Clicks

​If you’ve been uploading videos to your YouTube channel for a while but your videos aren’t performing as well as you’d like, the issue might not be a matter of SEO. Believe it or not, the issue could lie in your thumbnails. While YouTube thumbnail size might seem like a small and seemingly insignificant detail, they definitely make a big impact on your click rates. Well-designed thumbnails help your videos stand out among other videos in viewers' feeds, making it easier for your content to attract attention and boost engagement. And it’s worth paying attention to, especially if you want to get more views on your YouTube videos.

In fact, Best SEO Companies did a bit of research on this topic. Their analysis found that 72% of thumbnails that feature a face actually get 921,000 more views than thumbnails without. And 70% of the most popular video thumbnails had some sort of title or explainer text.

If you don’t put in a little effort, there are a lot of missed opportunities for your video content to be clicked on (especially since there are 2.1 billion monthly visitors on YouTube!). Optimizing your thumbnails can improve your video's performance by increasing visibility and engagement, helping your videos stand out and attract more viewers. What we’re saying is, take advantage and give your thumbnails some extra attention so your videos don’t get overlooked.

How to Create YouTube Videos that Fit the Size Requirements

Before we get into YouTube thumbnail size and other key factors, let’s harp on overall size requirements for a moment. Why? Because YouTube is a very competitive platform, so you’ll want to be sure that you’re creating videos that meet ALL of YouTube’s requirements. Using the right YouTube thumbnail dimensions and the right dimensions for your images is essential to ensure your thumbnails display correctly across all devices and comply with YouTube’s standards.

What Are the Updated YouTube Video Sizes?

First and foremost, you’ll need to understand what video sizes are allowed under YouTube’s community guidelines.

The following list is the recommended YouTube dimensions:

• 2160p (3840x2160 resolution, 4K quality)
• 1440p (2560x1440 resolution, 2k quality)
• 1080p (1920x1080 resolution, this is the MAXIMUM resolution for HD and the most ideal for mobile device viewing)
• 720p (1280x720 resolution, this is the MINIMUM resolution for HD)
• 480p (854x480 resolution, standard definition quality)
• 360p (640x360, traditional website resolution)
• 240p (426x240 and this is the MINIMUM size for YouTube videos)

Using a different aspect ratio, such as 4:3, for your thumbnails can result in black bars on the sides or top and bottom, or cause cropping issues that affect the visual presentation and professionalism of your thumbnail. Avoid using other aspect ratios like 4:3 for thumbnails to prevent these issues.

But since YouTube uses 16:9 aspect ratio players, it probably makes the most sense to upload 16:9 files (1920x1080).

For vertical videos, such as YouTube Shorts, the platform uses a 9:16 aspect ratio optimized for mobile viewing.

A few other tips and notables:

• You should limit the maximum file size to 2GB.
• ​​The standard video size on YouTube is 320 pixels (width) by 240 pixels (height).
• The maximum video file size for YouTube uploading is 2GB, according to the guideline. However, if you use an up-to-date browser, you can upload files larger than 20GB. The maximum storage capacity is 128GB.
• The max video length is 15 minutes if you’re new to YouTube and haven’t verified your channel or Google account.
• The maximum file size allowed after verifying your accounts is 12 hours.
• The best image formats for a thumbnail are JPEG/JPG, GIF, or PNG. YouTube accepts GIFs as thumbnail images, but the animation feature does not work—only the first frame of the GIF image file will be displayed. It is important to use high-quality still images, such as photographs or custom graphics, to make your thumbnail visually appealing and relevant to your video content.
• The maximum file size for YouTube thumbnails is 2MB.
• .mov,.mpeg,.mp4,.avi,.wmv,.mpegps,.flv, webM, and 3GPP are all video formats accepted by YouTube.

Note: YouTube will support high-resolution 4K thumbnails (3840 x 2160 pixels) starting in late 2025.

Okay, so we’ve covered some best practices to fit YouTube’s size requirements. Now let’s move on to 5 thumbnail best practices to get some views for your videos.

The Best YouTube Thumbnail Size

The ideal youtube thumbnail size is 1280x720 pixels (which is an aspect ratio of 16:9). 1280 x 720 pixels is the ideal YouTube thumbnail dimension and the optimal size for a YouTube thumbnail, ensuring your image displays clearly across all devices. You’ll want to make sure it’s a minimum width of 640 px at the least.

In general, video files should be kept under 2MB, which is also the recommended file size for a YouTube thumbnail. While thumbnails are typically displayed as small images, using the correct size for a YouTube thumbnail, such as 1280×720 or 1920×1080 pixels, helps prevent your thumbnail image from becoming pixelated when stretched to the size of your YouTube player.

Aside from having the perfect YouTube thumbnail size, what are some other custom youtube thumbnail best practices? When uploading your video, use the thumbnail option in YouTube to select or upload a custom thumbnail that best represents your content and branding.

Keeping the layout of the thumbnail simple can help it stand out in a crowded feed.

Use Text Overlays (No Matter the YouTube Thumbnail Size)

Thumbnails are an opportunity to get creative and draw in your potential viewers, so take advantage of text overlays. Effective thumbnail text should be concise, bold, and easily readable at a glance, quickly conveying the video's main point without overcrowding the image. For best results, limit thumbnail text to 3-5 words and use high-contrast, bold text to maintain clarity and readability. Arrange key elements strategically—such as using the rule of thirds and negative space—and use vibrant, contrasting colors to make text and design elements stand out from the background. Incorporating text in thumbnails can also help highlight what's unique about the video. But avoid using clickbait practices! No one likes it and you’ll only be doing yourself a disservice. Sure, you may get a click or two, but at what cost. You’ll want to make sure your text is relevant to your video title and content.

Don't Be Afraid to Show Your Face

As we mentioned earlier, one of the most clicked-on thumbnails is the ones that feature a human's face. Why? Because, while it's difficult to demonstrate active listening from an image, eye contact can still demonstrate that cue and make people feel connected and involved.

Aside from eye contact, images of people expressing emotion. And believe it or not, it's important to consider what type of emotion… surprisingly, expressing a sad emotion gets more views (2.3 million, that is!). That's opposed to joy (1.5 million) or anger (818k). Now, we're not saying slap on a sad face for attention (remember what we just said about clickbait!). Just something for you to think about...

Branding Consistency Is Key

If you’re using YouTube for video marketing and your business (and we’re assuming that you are!), take advantage of incorporating branding to help you stand out.

Now, this doesn’t just mean adding your logo to a thumbnail and calling it a day, no-no. Keep everything uniform by giving your thumbnails a nice, cohesive look with your brand fonts, brand color palettes, and graphics (88% of colorful preview images get more views – 617k on average!). Using eye-catching colors can help captivate potential viewers with visually appealing thumbnail images. When uploading, always double-check the preview image to visually confirm you’ve selected the correct image before publishing.

Maintaining a cohesive and professional channel page enhances your branding and builds viewer trust. Don’t forget to update your profile picture as part of customizing your channel’s appearance for a consistent brand identity.

This will make you instantly recognizable and stand out from the crowd. Especially to past viewers who already watched your stuff and want to see more.

Despite YouTube Thumbnail Size, White Space Is Your Friend

If you’re a copywriter, this phrase may sound familiar to you. And it’s just as true when it comes to the design elements of a youtube video thumbnail as it is to social media captions or a book cover.

While you might look at the stats and tips for optimal thumbnails, you might try incorporating all the things. But cramming them all in can be visually overwhelming and that will just turn viewers away.

It’s always wise to keep it simple when it comes to graphic design. Using a high-quality background image and customizing it with contrasting colors and text can greatly enhance visual appeal and attract viewers. Less is more, as they say. In the small youtube thumbnail design space you have to work with, try using a few words or contrasting colors. Using an image editor to adjust image size and resolution ensures your thumbnail meets YouTube's specifications and maintains clarity. Try using Photoshop or Canva as a design tool. You can also use other graphic design tools like Figma or InShot to create eye-catching visuals. Using your own images, such as custom logos or unique photos, helps boost originality and brand identity. High quality images and high-resolution graphics not only make your thumbnails look better, but also increase click-through rates and visibility. Remember, image quality impacts both load times and visual clarity.

Why YouTube Thumbnails Matter So Much

People are visual creatures, and YouTube is a visual platform. While keyword-optimized titles are important, eye-catching thumbnails are often even more crucial for grabbing attention and increasing views.

YouTube automatically generates three still image options from your video, but custom thumbnails perform much better. Creating and uploading a custom thumbnail helps your video stand out in search results and boosts click-through rates.

Here are some key tips for custom thumbnails:

• Use YouTube Studio to upload and edit custom thumbnails on the video details page.
• Avoid images smaller than 640 pixels wide to prevent blurriness.
• Keep important elements away from the edges to avoid cropping, especially since about 70% of views come from mobile devices.
• Use YouTube thumbnail makers or templates if you’re not comfortable with design software like Photoshop or Canva.
• Consider A/B testing different thumbnails to find the best performer.
• Ensure your thumbnail meets the ideal size and file type requirements for optimal display.

With these tips, you can create custom thumbnail images at the ideal YouTube thumbnail size that make a strong first impression.

Frequently Asked Questions

• ​Why do YouTube thumbnails matter so much in video performance?Thumbnails act as mini billboards, they’re often the reason someone clicks (or doesn’t). For content designed to stand out visually, visit Levitate’s Social Media Video Services. It's also important to design thumbnails for clarity and readability on a phone screen, since many viewers watch YouTube on mobile devices.
• Should you design thumbnails differently depending on the platform?Yes, while YouTube prefers 16:9, other platforms like Instagram or TikTok require square or vertical. For cross-platform creative, check out Levitate’s Marketing Video Services.
• What tools can help you test which thumbnail performs better?A/B testing tools like TubeBuddy or YouTube Studio’s analytics can track click-through rates by thumbnail. For more tips on optimizing assets, check out the blog How to Post YouTube Videos on Instagram.
• Are there examples of brands using custom thumbnails strategically?Yes, SquareTrade customized thumbnails to highlight key visuals, improving discoverability and alignment with their brand tone.