Copyright-Safe Techniques for Youtube-to-MP4

How to Convert YouTube to MP4 Safely? [Step by Step Guide]

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Viewing the videos online is not always feasible, limiting you to go connection-oriented.

So if you are looking for ways to entertain yourself without network limitation while enjoying the best quality video then you utterly need a YouTube video converter to convert YouTube to mp4 safe.

Here we present some of the best applications to easily and safely convert your YouTube video to MP4 within few clicks. Let’s get deep into it!

You will Learn :

• What is the MP4 Video File Format?
• How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP4 File Format?
• What Is Meant By Unsafe Video File Conversion?
• Tips To Prevent Unsafe Video File Format Conversion

Note: We resolutely oppose all forms of copyright-infringing downloads. This tutorial is only for downloading YouTube videos/audio materials from your own channel.

What is the MP4 Video File Format?

MP4 file refers to the digital media file format that is officially known by .mp4 file extension. It is solely used for the purpose of audio and video file storage. Other forms of media like stagnant images and subtitles etc. can also be stored in this file format.

This file format is one of the highly accessible, easy-to-use and most convenient formats worldwide at the same time. This is a safe and protected file format by using the DRM technology which performs copyrights protection of the digital media files.

It can be imagined as a container that contains the combination of audio, video, still images and subtitles, all in a single consolidated file. Advanced data like users’ interactivity, menus, and 3D Graphics can also be stored in this format.

Key Features of MP4

• Open standard format used worldwide
• Easy to use file format
• Highly accessible
• Compatible with all operating systems, thus allow convenience in distribution and sharing
• Reliable file format
• Captures precise, vivid and sharp imaging of high mobility content which makes it perfect for video recording.
• The most convenient and high-quality choice for online video streaming and editing.
• The conversion into MP4 file format preserves the original content quality
• Supported by almost all video-based applications.

MP4 Usage

Be it a YouTube video or any video related content, MP4 file format is compatible in every domain over the internet.

The highlighting feature of this file format is that it converts into the targeted file formatting by occupying relatively smaller disk storage yet gives an impeccable output quality. The ease of use and wide range of benefits are the reasons why this file format is being used worldwide. This format is mainly used in online video streaming and in the creation of exclusive web-supported videos.

You may also like: How to Convert Youtube to MP3[Three Ways]

How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP4 File Format on MAC/Windows [Best Converters Provided]

There are various converters and players that support this file format. So in this part, we will show you how to convert YouTube to MP4 safely step by step. Besides, some popular safe video format converters will also be introduced to you.

Best Video Converter for Windows/Mac: Wondershare Filmora

There is a pool of software available for you to convert YouTube videos into an MP4 file format. But to level it up, Filmora is an option that not only gives promising yet professional results but is compatible with Windows and Mac both operating systems. So if you are looking for a safe YouTube to MP4 video file converter then look no further!

It’s free to download the link of Filmora for Mac and Windows operating systems.

Key Features:

• Noise reduction
• Audio transitions
• Enhances video quality by lessening the size
• Fast import and export option
• Available for both platform MAC and Windows
• User-friendly interface
• The pool of advance options available

Step-By-Step Guide to Convert YouTube to Mp4 Safe Using Filmora:

Step1: Load the Filmora package and run the program. Import the YouTube targeted video file by simply drag and drop option onto the main interface.

Step 2: After successfully importing the file, click on the export button and “Local” to save on the device storage.

Step 3: Click on “setting” to set the desired parameters of the targeted video.

Step 4: Choose the file format “MP4” on the left pane and click on “Export”. Wait for a few minutes and you are done!

For a video tutorial on converting YouTube videos into MP4, refer below.

You may also like: How to Change Video Format [Free Tutorial] >>

What Is Meant By Unsafe Video File Conversion?

When you opt for any free and open-source web application in order to convert the video format of any targeted video, you may find not be able to rectify the vulnerabilities behind the application but it may cost you with your privacy, data theft or lousy file conversion.

Just because it is free doesn’t always ensures the reliability of the application.

You may encounter:

• Malware or viruses that may result in breaching your private data
• May give you lousy quality after transcoding
• Lossy compression format in the end

Tips To Prevent Unsafe Video File Format Conversion

It is always preferable to be safe and cautious beforehand rather than curing the disease afterward. There are some useful tips and tricks that you can always use while not only using and downloading the video format converters but any software in general.

So here we are to save you from any potential vulnerabilities that might come across with the use of YouTube video format converters:

1. Always download the converter from an authenticated/official website.
2. When coming across Ads or pop-ups, never click on it.
3. Never enter your personal credentials unnecessarily like username, password, credit card number or phone number. That might be a trap to hack and breach your privacy for data theft or any other undesirable purposes.
4. Check for reviews of the website or software before downloading it.
5. Download a good antivirus and scan your downloads for any potential viruses.
6. Prefer to download YouTube videos from YouTube sites only. As others might download a file from an illegal video archive.
7. The tool ought to work as it was promised/advertised to work like, having the same features and gives the promised result without taking extensive time.
8. Monitor the behavior of your PC.

You may also like: How to Record YouTube Videos on Your PC [Only 5 Steps] >>

Conclusion

Without bounding yourself with the restriction of the internet, you can now access your favorite playlist in the best MP4 quality using any of the above-mentioned software.

But, the free availability, the utmost reliability, fast speed transcoding and lastly, software compatibility in both the platform, Mac and Windows makes Filmora the most feasible, safe and easily accessible software to convert YouTube videos to mp4 safe.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Viewing the videos online is not always feasible, limiting you to go connection-oriented.

So if you are looking for ways to entertain yourself without network limitation while enjoying the best quality video then you utterly need a YouTube video converter to convert YouTube to mp4 safe.

Here we present some of the best applications to easily and safely convert your YouTube video to MP4 within few clicks. Let’s get deep into it!

You will Learn :

• What is the MP4 Video File Format?
• How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP4 File Format?
• What Is Meant By Unsafe Video File Conversion?
• Tips To Prevent Unsafe Video File Format Conversion

Note: We resolutely oppose all forms of copyright-infringing downloads. This tutorial is only for downloading YouTube videos/audio materials from your own channel.

What is the MP4 Video File Format?

MP4 file refers to the digital media file format that is officially known by .mp4 file extension. It is solely used for the purpose of audio and video file storage. Other forms of media like stagnant images and subtitles etc. can also be stored in this file format.

This file format is one of the highly accessible, easy-to-use and most convenient formats worldwide at the same time. This is a safe and protected file format by using the DRM technology which performs copyrights protection of the digital media files.

It can be imagined as a container that contains the combination of audio, video, still images and subtitles, all in a single consolidated file. Advanced data like users’ interactivity, menus, and 3D Graphics can also be stored in this format.

Key Features of MP4

• Open standard format used worldwide
• Easy to use file format
• Highly accessible
• Compatible with all operating systems, thus allow convenience in distribution and sharing
• Reliable file format
• Captures precise, vivid and sharp imaging of high mobility content which makes it perfect for video recording.
• The most convenient and high-quality choice for online video streaming and editing.
• The conversion into MP4 file format preserves the original content quality
• Supported by almost all video-based applications.

MP4 Usage

Be it a YouTube video or any video related content, MP4 file format is compatible in every domain over the internet.

The highlighting feature of this file format is that it converts into the targeted file formatting by occupying relatively smaller disk storage yet gives an impeccable output quality. The ease of use and wide range of benefits are the reasons why this file format is being used worldwide. This format is mainly used in online video streaming and in the creation of exclusive web-supported videos.

You may also like: How to Convert Youtube to MP3[Three Ways]

How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP4 File Format on MAC/Windows [Best Converters Provided]

There are various converters and players that support this file format. So in this part, we will show you how to convert YouTube to MP4 safely step by step. Besides, some popular safe video format converters will also be introduced to you.

Best Video Converter for Windows/Mac: Wondershare Filmora

There is a pool of software available for you to convert YouTube videos into an MP4 file format. But to level it up, Filmora is an option that not only gives promising yet professional results but is compatible with Windows and Mac both operating systems. So if you are looking for a safe YouTube to MP4 video file converter then look no further!

It’s free to download the link of Filmora for Mac and Windows operating systems.

Key Features:

• Noise reduction
• Audio transitions
• Enhances video quality by lessening the size
• Fast import and export option
• Available for both platform MAC and Windows
• User-friendly interface
• The pool of advance options available

Step-By-Step Guide to Convert YouTube to Mp4 Safe Using Filmora:

Step1: Load the Filmora package and run the program. Import the YouTube targeted video file by simply drag and drop option onto the main interface.

Step 2: After successfully importing the file, click on the export button and “Local” to save on the device storage.

Step 3: Click on “setting” to set the desired parameters of the targeted video.

Step 4: Choose the file format “MP4” on the left pane and click on “Export”. Wait for a few minutes and you are done!

For a video tutorial on converting YouTube videos into MP4, refer below.

You may also like: How to Change Video Format [Free Tutorial] >>

What Is Meant By Unsafe Video File Conversion?

When you opt for any free and open-source web application in order to convert the video format of any targeted video, you may find not be able to rectify the vulnerabilities behind the application but it may cost you with your privacy, data theft or lousy file conversion.

Just because it is free doesn’t always ensures the reliability of the application.

You may encounter:

• Malware or viruses that may result in breaching your private data
• May give you lousy quality after transcoding
• Lossy compression format in the end

Tips To Prevent Unsafe Video File Format Conversion

It is always preferable to be safe and cautious beforehand rather than curing the disease afterward. There are some useful tips and tricks that you can always use while not only using and downloading the video format converters but any software in general.

So here we are to save you from any potential vulnerabilities that might come across with the use of YouTube video format converters:

1. Always download the converter from an authenticated/official website.
2. When coming across Ads or pop-ups, never click on it.
3. Never enter your personal credentials unnecessarily like username, password, credit card number or phone number. That might be a trap to hack and breach your privacy for data theft or any other undesirable purposes.
4. Check for reviews of the website or software before downloading it.
5. Download a good antivirus and scan your downloads for any potential viruses.
6. Prefer to download YouTube videos from YouTube sites only. As others might download a file from an illegal video archive.
7. The tool ought to work as it was promised/advertised to work like, having the same features and gives the promised result without taking extensive time.
8. Monitor the behavior of your PC.

You may also like: How to Record YouTube Videos on Your PC [Only 5 Steps] >>

Conclusion

Without bounding yourself with the restriction of the internet, you can now access your favorite playlist in the best MP4 quality using any of the above-mentioned software.

But, the free availability, the utmost reliability, fast speed transcoding and lastly, software compatibility in both the platform, Mac and Windows makes Filmora the most feasible, safe and easily accessible software to convert YouTube videos to mp4 safe.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Viewing the videos online is not always feasible, limiting you to go connection-oriented.

So if you are looking for ways to entertain yourself without network limitation while enjoying the best quality video then you utterly need a YouTube video converter to convert YouTube to mp4 safe.

Here we present some of the best applications to easily and safely convert your YouTube video to MP4 within few clicks. Let’s get deep into it!

You will Learn :

• What is the MP4 Video File Format?
• How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP4 File Format?
• What Is Meant By Unsafe Video File Conversion?
• Tips To Prevent Unsafe Video File Format Conversion

Note: We resolutely oppose all forms of copyright-infringing downloads. This tutorial is only for downloading YouTube videos/audio materials from your own channel.

What is the MP4 Video File Format?

MP4 file refers to the digital media file format that is officially known by .mp4 file extension. It is solely used for the purpose of audio and video file storage. Other forms of media like stagnant images and subtitles etc. can also be stored in this file format.

This file format is one of the highly accessible, easy-to-use and most convenient formats worldwide at the same time. This is a safe and protected file format by using the DRM technology which performs copyrights protection of the digital media files.

It can be imagined as a container that contains the combination of audio, video, still images and subtitles, all in a single consolidated file. Advanced data like users’ interactivity, menus, and 3D Graphics can also be stored in this format.

Key Features of MP4

• Open standard format used worldwide
• Easy to use file format
• Highly accessible
• Compatible with all operating systems, thus allow convenience in distribution and sharing
• Reliable file format
• Captures precise, vivid and sharp imaging of high mobility content which makes it perfect for video recording.
• The most convenient and high-quality choice for online video streaming and editing.
• The conversion into MP4 file format preserves the original content quality
• Supported by almost all video-based applications.

MP4 Usage

Be it a YouTube video or any video related content, MP4 file format is compatible in every domain over the internet.

The highlighting feature of this file format is that it converts into the targeted file formatting by occupying relatively smaller disk storage yet gives an impeccable output quality. The ease of use and wide range of benefits are the reasons why this file format is being used worldwide. This format is mainly used in online video streaming and in the creation of exclusive web-supported videos.

You may also like: How to Convert Youtube to MP3[Three Ways]

How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP4 File Format on MAC/Windows [Best Converters Provided]

There are various converters and players that support this file format. So in this part, we will show you how to convert YouTube to MP4 safely step by step. Besides, some popular safe video format converters will also be introduced to you.

Best Video Converter for Windows/Mac: Wondershare Filmora

There is a pool of software available for you to convert YouTube videos into an MP4 file format. But to level it up, Filmora is an option that not only gives promising yet professional results but is compatible with Windows and Mac both operating systems. So if you are looking for a safe YouTube to MP4 video file converter then look no further!

It’s free to download the link of Filmora for Mac and Windows operating systems.

Key Features:

• Noise reduction
• Audio transitions
• Enhances video quality by lessening the size
• Fast import and export option
• Available for both platform MAC and Windows
• User-friendly interface
• The pool of advance options available

Step-By-Step Guide to Convert YouTube to Mp4 Safe Using Filmora:

Step1: Load the Filmora package and run the program. Import the YouTube targeted video file by simply drag and drop option onto the main interface.

Step 2: After successfully importing the file, click on the export button and “Local” to save on the device storage.

Step 3: Click on “setting” to set the desired parameters of the targeted video.

Step 4: Choose the file format “MP4” on the left pane and click on “Export”. Wait for a few minutes and you are done!

For a video tutorial on converting YouTube videos into MP4, refer below.

You may also like: How to Change Video Format [Free Tutorial] >>

What Is Meant By Unsafe Video File Conversion?

When you opt for any free and open-source web application in order to convert the video format of any targeted video, you may find not be able to rectify the vulnerabilities behind the application but it may cost you with your privacy, data theft or lousy file conversion.

Just because it is free doesn’t always ensures the reliability of the application.

You may encounter:

• Malware or viruses that may result in breaching your private data
• May give you lousy quality after transcoding
• Lossy compression format in the end

Tips To Prevent Unsafe Video File Format Conversion

It is always preferable to be safe and cautious beforehand rather than curing the disease afterward. There are some useful tips and tricks that you can always use while not only using and downloading the video format converters but any software in general.

So here we are to save you from any potential vulnerabilities that might come across with the use of YouTube video format converters:

1. Always download the converter from an authenticated/official website.
2. When coming across Ads or pop-ups, never click on it.
3. Never enter your personal credentials unnecessarily like username, password, credit card number or phone number. That might be a trap to hack and breach your privacy for data theft or any other undesirable purposes.
4. Check for reviews of the website or software before downloading it.
5. Download a good antivirus and scan your downloads for any potential viruses.
6. Prefer to download YouTube videos from YouTube sites only. As others might download a file from an illegal video archive.
7. The tool ought to work as it was promised/advertised to work like, having the same features and gives the promised result without taking extensive time.
8. Monitor the behavior of your PC.

You may also like: How to Record YouTube Videos on Your PC [Only 5 Steps] >>

Conclusion

Without bounding yourself with the restriction of the internet, you can now access your favorite playlist in the best MP4 quality using any of the above-mentioned software.

But, the free availability, the utmost reliability, fast speed transcoding and lastly, software compatibility in both the platform, Mac and Windows makes Filmora the most feasible, safe and easily accessible software to convert YouTube videos to mp4 safe.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Viewing the videos online is not always feasible, limiting you to go connection-oriented.

So if you are looking for ways to entertain yourself without network limitation while enjoying the best quality video then you utterly need a YouTube video converter to convert YouTube to mp4 safe.

Here we present some of the best applications to easily and safely convert your YouTube video to MP4 within few clicks. Let’s get deep into it!

You will Learn :

• What is the MP4 Video File Format?
• How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP4 File Format?
• What Is Meant By Unsafe Video File Conversion?
• Tips To Prevent Unsafe Video File Format Conversion

Note: We resolutely oppose all forms of copyright-infringing downloads. This tutorial is only for downloading YouTube videos/audio materials from your own channel.

What is the MP4 Video File Format?

MP4 file refers to the digital media file format that is officially known by .mp4 file extension. It is solely used for the purpose of audio and video file storage. Other forms of media like stagnant images and subtitles etc. can also be stored in this file format.

This file format is one of the highly accessible, easy-to-use and most convenient formats worldwide at the same time. This is a safe and protected file format by using the DRM technology which performs copyrights protection of the digital media files.

It can be imagined as a container that contains the combination of audio, video, still images and subtitles, all in a single consolidated file. Advanced data like users’ interactivity, menus, and 3D Graphics can also be stored in this format.

Key Features of MP4

• Open standard format used worldwide
• Easy to use file format
• Highly accessible
• Compatible with all operating systems, thus allow convenience in distribution and sharing
• Reliable file format
• Captures precise, vivid and sharp imaging of high mobility content which makes it perfect for video recording.
• The most convenient and high-quality choice for online video streaming and editing.
• The conversion into MP4 file format preserves the original content quality
• Supported by almost all video-based applications.

MP4 Usage

Be it a YouTube video or any video related content, MP4 file format is compatible in every domain over the internet.

The highlighting feature of this file format is that it converts into the targeted file formatting by occupying relatively smaller disk storage yet gives an impeccable output quality. The ease of use and wide range of benefits are the reasons why this file format is being used worldwide. This format is mainly used in online video streaming and in the creation of exclusive web-supported videos.

You may also like: How to Convert Youtube to MP3[Three Ways]

How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP4 File Format on MAC/Windows [Best Converters Provided]

There are various converters and players that support this file format. So in this part, we will show you how to convert YouTube to MP4 safely step by step. Besides, some popular safe video format converters will also be introduced to you.

Best Video Converter for Windows/Mac: Wondershare Filmora

There is a pool of software available for you to convert YouTube videos into an MP4 file format. But to level it up, Filmora is an option that not only gives promising yet professional results but is compatible with Windows and Mac both operating systems. So if you are looking for a safe YouTube to MP4 video file converter then look no further!

It’s free to download the link of Filmora for Mac and Windows operating systems.

Key Features:

• Noise reduction
• Audio transitions
• Enhances video quality by lessening the size
• Fast import and export option
• Available for both platform MAC and Windows
• User-friendly interface
• The pool of advance options available

Step-By-Step Guide to Convert YouTube to Mp4 Safe Using Filmora:

Step1: Load the Filmora package and run the program. Import the YouTube targeted video file by simply drag and drop option onto the main interface.

Step 2: After successfully importing the file, click on the export button and “Local” to save on the device storage.

Step 3: Click on “setting” to set the desired parameters of the targeted video.

Step 4: Choose the file format “MP4” on the left pane and click on “Export”. Wait for a few minutes and you are done!

For a video tutorial on converting YouTube videos into MP4, refer below.

You may also like: How to Change Video Format [Free Tutorial] >>

What Is Meant By Unsafe Video File Conversion?

When you opt for any free and open-source web application in order to convert the video format of any targeted video, you may find not be able to rectify the vulnerabilities behind the application but it may cost you with your privacy, data theft or lousy file conversion.

Just because it is free doesn’t always ensures the reliability of the application.

You may encounter:

• Malware or viruses that may result in breaching your private data
• May give you lousy quality after transcoding
• Lossy compression format in the end

Tips To Prevent Unsafe Video File Format Conversion

It is always preferable to be safe and cautious beforehand rather than curing the disease afterward. There are some useful tips and tricks that you can always use while not only using and downloading the video format converters but any software in general.

So here we are to save you from any potential vulnerabilities that might come across with the use of YouTube video format converters:

1. Always download the converter from an authenticated/official website.
2. When coming across Ads or pop-ups, never click on it.
3. Never enter your personal credentials unnecessarily like username, password, credit card number or phone number. That might be a trap to hack and breach your privacy for data theft or any other undesirable purposes.
4. Check for reviews of the website or software before downloading it.
5. Download a good antivirus and scan your downloads for any potential viruses.
6. Prefer to download YouTube videos from YouTube sites only. As others might download a file from an illegal video archive.
7. The tool ought to work as it was promised/advertised to work like, having the same features and gives the promised result without taking extensive time.
8. Monitor the behavior of your PC.

You may also like: How to Record YouTube Videos on Your PC [Only 5 Steps] >>

Conclusion

Without bounding yourself with the restriction of the internet, you can now access your favorite playlist in the best MP4 quality using any of the above-mentioned software.

But, the free availability, the utmost reliability, fast speed transcoding and lastly, software compatibility in both the platform, Mac and Windows makes Filmora the most feasible, safe and easily accessible software to convert YouTube videos to mp4 safe.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Making an Impact: Integrating Individual Thumbnails in Videos

How To Add Custom Thumbnails to Your YouTube Videos

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

YouTube custom thumbnails are a great way to get people’s attention to your YouTube video. It’s a pretty simple process but if you are wondering how to create a thumbnail and add the thumbnail to YouTube video and customize it with the correct size. You have come to the right place. While in this article, I will show you how to create and add a thumbnail to a YouTube video and how to customize the YouTube video thumbnail. Follow these easy steps below and add eyecatching customed thumbnails to your YouTube videos in no time.

• Part 1: Create and Add Custom Thumbnails to YouTube
• Part 2: Tools to Create Custom YouTube Video Thumbnails
• Part 3: How to Change A Thumbnail On YouTube
• Part 4: Things You Need to Know Before Making a YouTube Custom Thumbnail
• Part 5: Tips on How to Make Good YouTube Thumbnails to Get More Clicks
• Part 6: YouTube Thumbnail FAQs

---

How To Add Custom Thumbnails to Your YouTube Videos [Steps, Tools and Tips]

We have just made a video tutorial about how to make a YouTube video thumbnail, check it below to find out the tips and tricks of making customized YouTube thumbnail.

Part 1: How to Make a Thumbnail for YouTube and Add Custom Thumbnails to YouTube

After you’ve verified your account and made your thumbnail, it’s finally time to upload it to your video and make a custom thumbnail. To do this, go to Creator Studio and then Video Manager. You’ll see a button labeled “Edit” next to each video, and an arrow pointing down. Click Thumbnail Editor.

In Thumbnail Editor, you can use the still images in the video as a thumbnail, choose a solid background color for the thumbnail, or add other images from your computer. I will show you the steps of how to customize the video still as a video thumbnail.

1. Preview the video and choose the target video still. You can click the Playback button and check the video and pause it at the desired frame. Or, you can step through each frame by clicking the Preview Frame button and Next Frame icon. Click Next to continue.

2. And now, you can add text, image and shape overlays to the thumbnail. You can change the text font, size, opacity and more.

3. Click Next to save the thumbnail and you will see how the thumbnail displays on different platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Click Save to save the video thumbnail.

In this way, you can add a custom thumbnail to the new videos and change the video thumbnail of the previously uploaded videos.

Part 2: Thumbnail Makers to Create Custom YouTube Thumbnails

Of course, you can use some of the best tools to make a YouTube video thumbnail. In this part, we will show you some of the best tools to create custom YouTube thumbnails.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

1. Create YouTube Thumbnail with Online solution - Canva

Canva is a free, powerful online image editing program with tons of great templates to get you started. One of their templates just happens to be YouTube thumbnails. Open Canva and select the “YouTube Thumbnail” design type. Use your own photo or choose from a huge library, then add text and effects to really make it stand out. Save and share — easy as that.

Check this video tutorial to see how to Make a Youtube Thumbnail using Canva.

You may also like: Best online Photo Editor

2. Design YouTube thumbnail with a Desktop solution - Gimp

Gimp is one of the most popular image editing programs around for one very simple reason: it’s powerful and free! Where Canva uses a lot of templates, Gimp gives you absolute, full control over how you want your image to look. Make a 1280x720 image and start putting together your eye-catching thumbnail exactly how you want to.

Check this video tutorial to see how to make professional Thumbnails for YouTube Videos with Gimp:

Part 3: How to Change A Thumbnail On YouTube

Note: YouTube allows verified YouTube accounts (accounts that provided YouTube with a working phone number) to upload custom thumbnail images and change them accordingly.

In this part, we’ll be going over how to change a thumbnail image on YouTube. There are pictures to make it easy to follow along.

• After signing into YouTube with your Google account, click on your profile on the top right corner. Click on YouTube Studio from the drop-down menu.

• On the left side of the page, click on Videos and then find your video and click on the details button.

• Find the Thumbnail section in the basic video details tab, and then click the Upload thumbnail to select the image that you want to upload.
• Finally, click on the Save button on the right upper corner. And just like that, in seven easy steps, we’re done changing the thumbnail of a YouTube video.

If you don’t have an image to upload but you want to check out some online resources to make your own, check out our Top YouTube Thumbnail Makers .

Part 4: Things You Need to Know Before Making a Custom Thumbnail

• About the proper YouTube video thumbnail size: Your thumbnail should be 1280x720 pixels in size and be less than 2MB. The minimum width of the image is 640 pixels.
• About the YouTube Image thumbnail format: Use .JPG, .PNG, .GIF or .BMP files for your thumbnail image.
• You’ll want your thumbnails to stand out. Bright colored text is a simple, easy way to draw people’s attention. Red, white, yellow, or orange are all popular choices.
• You can even do a little homework to see what colors others are using for similar videos to yours, and then choose different colors to stand out.

One word of warning: your thumbnail should be related to the content of your video. Misleading thumbnail images, if reported, will reflect poorly on your channel. You’ll get a negative rating in the community status part of your channel. This can actually remove your ability to use custom thumbnails, so keep it honest!

You may also like: How to Make YouTube Channel Art

To make a creative YouTube video, you may also need a powerful video editing software. Check how to edit a YouTube video in Filmora video editor and download it to try.

You may also like: Best video editing software for YouTube

Part 5: Tips on How to Make Good YouTube Thumbnails - Get More Clicks

The thumbnails of your videos play a huge role in convincing people to watch them; a good YouTube thumbnail will get you more views and more potential subscribers. This part will give you 6 tips on creating thumbnails that help grow your channel. Now let’s learn how to make thumbnails using Wondershare PixStudio.

1. Stay On Topic

Your thumbnail should tell a story; it should be clear from looking at it what viewers will get out of watching the video, be it knowledge or entertainment. If your thumbnail sets expectations that your video doesn’t deliver on, people will click away quickly. You may get views quickly, but you won’t get much watch time. That will tell YouTube’s search algorithm ‘people aren’t getting what they want from this, rank it lower’. That leads to fewer views over time, and gives the people who do manage to find your video a negative opinion of your channel.

Very few people intentionally use thumbnails that have nothing to do with the content of their videos – i.e, most people understand not to use a picture of a kitten in the thumbnail for their tech review, unless maybe their kitten is the one doing the review (which would be adorable, someone should do that). People who want serious advice won’t click, and people who click to see a kitten will click away fast.

This thumbnail had better be for a kitten’s iPhone review video or people will click away. Fast.

A mistake a lot of creators do make is creating a thumbnail that is meant to evoke an emotion which the video itself does not justify. For example, if you see a picture of a YouTuber looking nervous alongside text that reads ‘My Secret’, you will think they are going to share something deeply personal. You will be curious, and you may even be worried about them. You’ll probably click. Then, if their secret is that they don’t like pineapple on pizza, you’ll probably be angry. This technique gets clicks, but not a lot of watch time and it will lose you subs in the long run.

2. Don’t Be Mysterious

A good thumbnail doesn’t make people guess. Your thumbnail should tell people what’s in your video, not make them wonder about it. People want to know what they’re being asked to spend time watching.

Often, they will be looking for the answer to a specific question and will completely ignore anything that doesn’t show – in the thumbnail – that it has their answer.

Sometimes big channels can get away with stuff like this, because large portions of their audiences are interested in them as people and will already be curious about anything they post. This technique will not bring in new viewers, though.

If this came up in a search for ‘smoky eye tutorial’, would you click it?

When people want answers, they want to feel confident that they video they click on will have those answers. If you have great content, then let people know it!

3. People Like People

Viewers are more likely to click on a thumbnail if they feel a connection when they look at it. One of the best ways to create a feeling of connection is through eye contact, and you can apply that principle to your YouTube thumbnails easily.

Just make sure you’re in them.

You can either compose a photo to use as your thumbnail, or use a screenshot from your video. Ideally, the image of you will convey the emotional tone of the video and tell potential viewers what it is about, besides you.

So, if you want to post a funny video that is also about making brownies, maybe a picture of you smiling while holding up a tray of brownies would be a better direction than just showing the brownies?

4. Check Out The Competition

Before you post your video, type your topic into YouTube’s search engine and see what comes up. This will give you insight into what kinds of thumbnails are performing well for other people, as well as what you can do to stand out in comparison.

Phil starts talking about thumbnails at 6:09, and he has great tips on checking out your competition!

For example, if all five of the top-ranked videos for the search ‘how to build a cabinet’ show images of the YouTuber smiling while holding a power tool, then your thumbnail for a video on the same topic should also be a picture of you smiling and holding a power tool. You know that works, so why not do it?

5. Use Color in Interesting Ways

You want to use colors that will help you stand out from the other search results. While checking out your competition if you notice that all the people in the other thumbnails are wearing black or navy blue, it will be a good idea for you to wear a brighter color for your shoot to grab a bit more attention.

Beyond simply using colors that are different from other people’s colors, you should consider the emotions different colors trigger.

Maybe don’t use a lot of green and yellow in the thumbnail for your angry video rant?

6. Make Your Text Huge

Usually, you’ll want to use a bit of text in your thumbnail. It might be the full title of your video, or just a keyword or phrase. You don’t want to use a full sentence because you won’t have room for it if you’re using huge text.

The reason you should use huge text is so that people can read it. Remember that when people see your thumbnail in their search results, it will be much smaller than it will look while you are creating it. Text that looks big enough while you are creating your thumbnail will be much smaller when people are actually trying to read it, and that goes double for viewers watching on their small smartphone screens.

Frequently Asked Questions about YouTube Thumbnail

1. What is YouTube Thumbnail?

When you upload a video on YouTube, YouTube gives you three images to choose from in the selection of your video’s thumbnail image. These three images are just freeze-frame snapshots from different parts of your video, which may not tell your viewers what your video is really all about.

2. Can You Change YouTube Thumbnail After Publishing?

Yes, you can replace the auto-generated thumbnail with the customized thumbnail you like. But YouTube only allows verified YouTube accounts to upload custom thumbnail images.

3. How Long Does It Take for a Thumbnail to Change on YouTube?

Normally, if you have a good internet connection, you can see the thumbnail is changed within 10 seconds.

4. Why YouTube Thumbnail is Important?

When you get more people watching your video for longer, it increases your watch time and tells YouTube’s search algorithm ‘people like this, rank it higher’. Being ranked higher gets you more views, and even more watch time. It’s a wonderful cycle that all begins with a great thumbnail (paired with a good title and the right tags).

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

YouTube custom thumbnails are a great way to get people’s attention to your YouTube video. It’s a pretty simple process but if you are wondering how to create a thumbnail and add the thumbnail to YouTube video and customize it with the correct size. You have come to the right place. While in this article, I will show you how to create and add a thumbnail to a YouTube video and how to customize the YouTube video thumbnail. Follow these easy steps below and add eyecatching customed thumbnails to your YouTube videos in no time.

• Part 1: Create and Add Custom Thumbnails to YouTube
• Part 2: Tools to Create Custom YouTube Video Thumbnails
• Part 3: How to Change A Thumbnail On YouTube
• Part 4: Things You Need to Know Before Making a YouTube Custom Thumbnail
• Part 5: Tips on How to Make Good YouTube Thumbnails to Get More Clicks
• Part 6: YouTube Thumbnail FAQs

---

How To Add Custom Thumbnails to Your YouTube Videos [Steps, Tools and Tips]

We have just made a video tutorial about how to make a YouTube video thumbnail, check it below to find out the tips and tricks of making customized YouTube thumbnail.

Part 1: How to Make a Thumbnail for YouTube and Add Custom Thumbnails to YouTube

After you’ve verified your account and made your thumbnail, it’s finally time to upload it to your video and make a custom thumbnail. To do this, go to Creator Studio and then Video Manager. You’ll see a button labeled “Edit” next to each video, and an arrow pointing down. Click Thumbnail Editor.

In Thumbnail Editor, you can use the still images in the video as a thumbnail, choose a solid background color for the thumbnail, or add other images from your computer. I will show you the steps of how to customize the video still as a video thumbnail.

1. Preview the video and choose the target video still. You can click the Playback button and check the video and pause it at the desired frame. Or, you can step through each frame by clicking the Preview Frame button and Next Frame icon. Click Next to continue.

2. And now, you can add text, image and shape overlays to the thumbnail. You can change the text font, size, opacity and more.

3. Click Next to save the thumbnail and you will see how the thumbnail displays on different platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Click Save to save the video thumbnail.

In this way, you can add a custom thumbnail to the new videos and change the video thumbnail of the previously uploaded videos.

Part 2: Thumbnail Makers to Create Custom YouTube Thumbnails

Of course, you can use some of the best tools to make a YouTube video thumbnail. In this part, we will show you some of the best tools to create custom YouTube thumbnails.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

1. Create YouTube Thumbnail with Online solution - Canva

Canva is a free, powerful online image editing program with tons of great templates to get you started. One of their templates just happens to be YouTube thumbnails. Open Canva and select the “YouTube Thumbnail” design type. Use your own photo or choose from a huge library, then add text and effects to really make it stand out. Save and share — easy as that.

Check this video tutorial to see how to Make a Youtube Thumbnail using Canva.

You may also like: Best online Photo Editor

2. Design YouTube thumbnail with a Desktop solution - Gimp

Gimp is one of the most popular image editing programs around for one very simple reason: it’s powerful and free! Where Canva uses a lot of templates, Gimp gives you absolute, full control over how you want your image to look. Make a 1280x720 image and start putting together your eye-catching thumbnail exactly how you want to.

Check this video tutorial to see how to make professional Thumbnails for YouTube Videos with Gimp:

Part 3: How to Change A Thumbnail On YouTube

Note: YouTube allows verified YouTube accounts (accounts that provided YouTube with a working phone number) to upload custom thumbnail images and change them accordingly.

In this part, we’ll be going over how to change a thumbnail image on YouTube. There are pictures to make it easy to follow along.

• After signing into YouTube with your Google account, click on your profile on the top right corner. Click on YouTube Studio from the drop-down menu.

• On the left side of the page, click on Videos and then find your video and click on the details button.

• Find the Thumbnail section in the basic video details tab, and then click the Upload thumbnail to select the image that you want to upload.
• Finally, click on the Save button on the right upper corner. And just like that, in seven easy steps, we’re done changing the thumbnail of a YouTube video.

If you don’t have an image to upload but you want to check out some online resources to make your own, check out our Top YouTube Thumbnail Makers .

Part 4: Things You Need to Know Before Making a Custom Thumbnail

• About the proper YouTube video thumbnail size: Your thumbnail should be 1280x720 pixels in size and be less than 2MB. The minimum width of the image is 640 pixels.
• About the YouTube Image thumbnail format: Use .JPG, .PNG, .GIF or .BMP files for your thumbnail image.
• You’ll want your thumbnails to stand out. Bright colored text is a simple, easy way to draw people’s attention. Red, white, yellow, or orange are all popular choices.
• You can even do a little homework to see what colors others are using for similar videos to yours, and then choose different colors to stand out.

One word of warning: your thumbnail should be related to the content of your video. Misleading thumbnail images, if reported, will reflect poorly on your channel. You’ll get a negative rating in the community status part of your channel. This can actually remove your ability to use custom thumbnails, so keep it honest!

You may also like: How to Make YouTube Channel Art

To make a creative YouTube video, you may also need a powerful video editing software. Check how to edit a YouTube video in Filmora video editor and download it to try.

You may also like: Best video editing software for YouTube

Part 5: Tips on How to Make Good YouTube Thumbnails - Get More Clicks

The thumbnails of your videos play a huge role in convincing people to watch them; a good YouTube thumbnail will get you more views and more potential subscribers. This part will give you 6 tips on creating thumbnails that help grow your channel. Now let’s learn how to make thumbnails using Wondershare PixStudio.

1. Stay On Topic

Your thumbnail should tell a story; it should be clear from looking at it what viewers will get out of watching the video, be it knowledge or entertainment. If your thumbnail sets expectations that your video doesn’t deliver on, people will click away quickly. You may get views quickly, but you won’t get much watch time. That will tell YouTube’s search algorithm ‘people aren’t getting what they want from this, rank it lower’. That leads to fewer views over time, and gives the people who do manage to find your video a negative opinion of your channel.

Very few people intentionally use thumbnails that have nothing to do with the content of their videos – i.e, most people understand not to use a picture of a kitten in the thumbnail for their tech review, unless maybe their kitten is the one doing the review (which would be adorable, someone should do that). People who want serious advice won’t click, and people who click to see a kitten will click away fast.

This thumbnail had better be for a kitten’s iPhone review video or people will click away. Fast.

A mistake a lot of creators do make is creating a thumbnail that is meant to evoke an emotion which the video itself does not justify. For example, if you see a picture of a YouTuber looking nervous alongside text that reads ‘My Secret’, you will think they are going to share something deeply personal. You will be curious, and you may even be worried about them. You’ll probably click. Then, if their secret is that they don’t like pineapple on pizza, you’ll probably be angry. This technique gets clicks, but not a lot of watch time and it will lose you subs in the long run.

2. Don’t Be Mysterious

A good thumbnail doesn’t make people guess. Your thumbnail should tell people what’s in your video, not make them wonder about it. People want to know what they’re being asked to spend time watching.

Often, they will be looking for the answer to a specific question and will completely ignore anything that doesn’t show – in the thumbnail – that it has their answer.

Sometimes big channels can get away with stuff like this, because large portions of their audiences are interested in them as people and will already be curious about anything they post. This technique will not bring in new viewers, though.

If this came up in a search for ‘smoky eye tutorial’, would you click it?

When people want answers, they want to feel confident that they video they click on will have those answers. If you have great content, then let people know it!

3. People Like People

Viewers are more likely to click on a thumbnail if they feel a connection when they look at it. One of the best ways to create a feeling of connection is through eye contact, and you can apply that principle to your YouTube thumbnails easily.

Just make sure you’re in them.

You can either compose a photo to use as your thumbnail, or use a screenshot from your video. Ideally, the image of you will convey the emotional tone of the video and tell potential viewers what it is about, besides you.

So, if you want to post a funny video that is also about making brownies, maybe a picture of you smiling while holding up a tray of brownies would be a better direction than just showing the brownies?

4. Check Out The Competition

Before you post your video, type your topic into YouTube’s search engine and see what comes up. This will give you insight into what kinds of thumbnails are performing well for other people, as well as what you can do to stand out in comparison.

Phil starts talking about thumbnails at 6:09, and he has great tips on checking out your competition!

For example, if all five of the top-ranked videos for the search ‘how to build a cabinet’ show images of the YouTuber smiling while holding a power tool, then your thumbnail for a video on the same topic should also be a picture of you smiling and holding a power tool. You know that works, so why not do it?

5. Use Color in Interesting Ways

You want to use colors that will help you stand out from the other search results. While checking out your competition if you notice that all the people in the other thumbnails are wearing black or navy blue, it will be a good idea for you to wear a brighter color for your shoot to grab a bit more attention.

Beyond simply using colors that are different from other people’s colors, you should consider the emotions different colors trigger.

Maybe don’t use a lot of green and yellow in the thumbnail for your angry video rant?

6. Make Your Text Huge

Usually, you’ll want to use a bit of text in your thumbnail. It might be the full title of your video, or just a keyword or phrase. You don’t want to use a full sentence because you won’t have room for it if you’re using huge text.

The reason you should use huge text is so that people can read it. Remember that when people see your thumbnail in their search results, it will be much smaller than it will look while you are creating it. Text that looks big enough while you are creating your thumbnail will be much smaller when people are actually trying to read it, and that goes double for viewers watching on their small smartphone screens.

Frequently Asked Questions about YouTube Thumbnail

1. What is YouTube Thumbnail?

When you upload a video on YouTube, YouTube gives you three images to choose from in the selection of your video’s thumbnail image. These three images are just freeze-frame snapshots from different parts of your video, which may not tell your viewers what your video is really all about.

2. Can You Change YouTube Thumbnail After Publishing?

Yes, you can replace the auto-generated thumbnail with the customized thumbnail you like. But YouTube only allows verified YouTube accounts to upload custom thumbnail images.

3. How Long Does It Take for a Thumbnail to Change on YouTube?

Normally, if you have a good internet connection, you can see the thumbnail is changed within 10 seconds.

4. Why YouTube Thumbnail is Important?

When you get more people watching your video for longer, it increases your watch time and tells YouTube’s search algorithm ‘people like this, rank it higher’. Being ranked higher gets you more views, and even more watch time. It’s a wonderful cycle that all begins with a great thumbnail (paired with a good title and the right tags).

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

YouTube custom thumbnails are a great way to get people’s attention to your YouTube video. It’s a pretty simple process but if you are wondering how to create a thumbnail and add the thumbnail to YouTube video and customize it with the correct size. You have come to the right place. While in this article, I will show you how to create and add a thumbnail to a YouTube video and how to customize the YouTube video thumbnail. Follow these easy steps below and add eyecatching customed thumbnails to your YouTube videos in no time.

• Part 1: Create and Add Custom Thumbnails to YouTube
• Part 2: Tools to Create Custom YouTube Video Thumbnails
• Part 3: How to Change A Thumbnail On YouTube
• Part 4: Things You Need to Know Before Making a YouTube Custom Thumbnail
• Part 5: Tips on How to Make Good YouTube Thumbnails to Get More Clicks
• Part 6: YouTube Thumbnail FAQs

---

How To Add Custom Thumbnails to Your YouTube Videos [Steps, Tools and Tips]

We have just made a video tutorial about how to make a YouTube video thumbnail, check it below to find out the tips and tricks of making customized YouTube thumbnail.

Part 1: How to Make a Thumbnail for YouTube and Add Custom Thumbnails to YouTube

After you’ve verified your account and made your thumbnail, it’s finally time to upload it to your video and make a custom thumbnail. To do this, go to Creator Studio and then Video Manager. You’ll see a button labeled “Edit” next to each video, and an arrow pointing down. Click Thumbnail Editor.

In Thumbnail Editor, you can use the still images in the video as a thumbnail, choose a solid background color for the thumbnail, or add other images from your computer. I will show you the steps of how to customize the video still as a video thumbnail.

1. Preview the video and choose the target video still. You can click the Playback button and check the video and pause it at the desired frame. Or, you can step through each frame by clicking the Preview Frame button and Next Frame icon. Click Next to continue.

2. And now, you can add text, image and shape overlays to the thumbnail. You can change the text font, size, opacity and more.

3. Click Next to save the thumbnail and you will see how the thumbnail displays on different platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Click Save to save the video thumbnail.

In this way, you can add a custom thumbnail to the new videos and change the video thumbnail of the previously uploaded videos.

Part 2: Thumbnail Makers to Create Custom YouTube Thumbnails

Of course, you can use some of the best tools to make a YouTube video thumbnail. In this part, we will show you some of the best tools to create custom YouTube thumbnails.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

1. Create YouTube Thumbnail with Online solution - Canva

Canva is a free, powerful online image editing program with tons of great templates to get you started. One of their templates just happens to be YouTube thumbnails. Open Canva and select the “YouTube Thumbnail” design type. Use your own photo or choose from a huge library, then add text and effects to really make it stand out. Save and share — easy as that.

Check this video tutorial to see how to Make a Youtube Thumbnail using Canva.

You may also like: Best online Photo Editor

2. Design YouTube thumbnail with a Desktop solution - Gimp

Gimp is one of the most popular image editing programs around for one very simple reason: it’s powerful and free! Where Canva uses a lot of templates, Gimp gives you absolute, full control over how you want your image to look. Make a 1280x720 image and start putting together your eye-catching thumbnail exactly how you want to.

Check this video tutorial to see how to make professional Thumbnails for YouTube Videos with Gimp:

Part 3: How to Change A Thumbnail On YouTube

Note: YouTube allows verified YouTube accounts (accounts that provided YouTube with a working phone number) to upload custom thumbnail images and change them accordingly.

In this part, we’ll be going over how to change a thumbnail image on YouTube. There are pictures to make it easy to follow along.

• After signing into YouTube with your Google account, click on your profile on the top right corner. Click on YouTube Studio from the drop-down menu.

• On the left side of the page, click on Videos and then find your video and click on the details button.

• Find the Thumbnail section in the basic video details tab, and then click the Upload thumbnail to select the image that you want to upload.
• Finally, click on the Save button on the right upper corner. And just like that, in seven easy steps, we’re done changing the thumbnail of a YouTube video.

If you don’t have an image to upload but you want to check out some online resources to make your own, check out our Top YouTube Thumbnail Makers .

Part 4: Things You Need to Know Before Making a Custom Thumbnail

• About the proper YouTube video thumbnail size: Your thumbnail should be 1280x720 pixels in size and be less than 2MB. The minimum width of the image is 640 pixels.
• About the YouTube Image thumbnail format: Use .JPG, .PNG, .GIF or .BMP files for your thumbnail image.
• You’ll want your thumbnails to stand out. Bright colored text is a simple, easy way to draw people’s attention. Red, white, yellow, or orange are all popular choices.
• You can even do a little homework to see what colors others are using for similar videos to yours, and then choose different colors to stand out.

One word of warning: your thumbnail should be related to the content of your video. Misleading thumbnail images, if reported, will reflect poorly on your channel. You’ll get a negative rating in the community status part of your channel. This can actually remove your ability to use custom thumbnails, so keep it honest!

You may also like: How to Make YouTube Channel Art

To make a creative YouTube video, you may also need a powerful video editing software. Check how to edit a YouTube video in Filmora video editor and download it to try.

You may also like: Best video editing software for YouTube

Part 5: Tips on How to Make Good YouTube Thumbnails - Get More Clicks

The thumbnails of your videos play a huge role in convincing people to watch them; a good YouTube thumbnail will get you more views and more potential subscribers. This part will give you 6 tips on creating thumbnails that help grow your channel. Now let’s learn how to make thumbnails using Wondershare PixStudio.

1. Stay On Topic

Your thumbnail should tell a story; it should be clear from looking at it what viewers will get out of watching the video, be it knowledge or entertainment. If your thumbnail sets expectations that your video doesn’t deliver on, people will click away quickly. You may get views quickly, but you won’t get much watch time. That will tell YouTube’s search algorithm ‘people aren’t getting what they want from this, rank it lower’. That leads to fewer views over time, and gives the people who do manage to find your video a negative opinion of your channel.

Very few people intentionally use thumbnails that have nothing to do with the content of their videos – i.e, most people understand not to use a picture of a kitten in the thumbnail for their tech review, unless maybe their kitten is the one doing the review (which would be adorable, someone should do that). People who want serious advice won’t click, and people who click to see a kitten will click away fast.

This thumbnail had better be for a kitten’s iPhone review video or people will click away. Fast.

A mistake a lot of creators do make is creating a thumbnail that is meant to evoke an emotion which the video itself does not justify. For example, if you see a picture of a YouTuber looking nervous alongside text that reads ‘My Secret’, you will think they are going to share something deeply personal. You will be curious, and you may even be worried about them. You’ll probably click. Then, if their secret is that they don’t like pineapple on pizza, you’ll probably be angry. This technique gets clicks, but not a lot of watch time and it will lose you subs in the long run.

2. Don’t Be Mysterious

A good thumbnail doesn’t make people guess. Your thumbnail should tell people what’s in your video, not make them wonder about it. People want to know what they’re being asked to spend time watching.

Often, they will be looking for the answer to a specific question and will completely ignore anything that doesn’t show – in the thumbnail – that it has their answer.

Sometimes big channels can get away with stuff like this, because large portions of their audiences are interested in them as people and will already be curious about anything they post. This technique will not bring in new viewers, though.

If this came up in a search for ‘smoky eye tutorial’, would you click it?

When people want answers, they want to feel confident that they video they click on will have those answers. If you have great content, then let people know it!

3. People Like People

Viewers are more likely to click on a thumbnail if they feel a connection when they look at it. One of the best ways to create a feeling of connection is through eye contact, and you can apply that principle to your YouTube thumbnails easily.

Just make sure you’re in them.

You can either compose a photo to use as your thumbnail, or use a screenshot from your video. Ideally, the image of you will convey the emotional tone of the video and tell potential viewers what it is about, besides you.

So, if you want to post a funny video that is also about making brownies, maybe a picture of you smiling while holding up a tray of brownies would be a better direction than just showing the brownies?

4. Check Out The Competition

Before you post your video, type your topic into YouTube’s search engine and see what comes up. This will give you insight into what kinds of thumbnails are performing well for other people, as well as what you can do to stand out in comparison.

Phil starts talking about thumbnails at 6:09, and he has great tips on checking out your competition!

For example, if all five of the top-ranked videos for the search ‘how to build a cabinet’ show images of the YouTuber smiling while holding a power tool, then your thumbnail for a video on the same topic should also be a picture of you smiling and holding a power tool. You know that works, so why not do it?

5. Use Color in Interesting Ways

You want to use colors that will help you stand out from the other search results. While checking out your competition if you notice that all the people in the other thumbnails are wearing black or navy blue, it will be a good idea for you to wear a brighter color for your shoot to grab a bit more attention.

Beyond simply using colors that are different from other people’s colors, you should consider the emotions different colors trigger.

Maybe don’t use a lot of green and yellow in the thumbnail for your angry video rant?

6. Make Your Text Huge

Usually, you’ll want to use a bit of text in your thumbnail. It might be the full title of your video, or just a keyword or phrase. You don’t want to use a full sentence because you won’t have room for it if you’re using huge text.

The reason you should use huge text is so that people can read it. Remember that when people see your thumbnail in their search results, it will be much smaller than it will look while you are creating it. Text that looks big enough while you are creating your thumbnail will be much smaller when people are actually trying to read it, and that goes double for viewers watching on their small smartphone screens.

Frequently Asked Questions about YouTube Thumbnail

1. What is YouTube Thumbnail?

When you upload a video on YouTube, YouTube gives you three images to choose from in the selection of your video’s thumbnail image. These three images are just freeze-frame snapshots from different parts of your video, which may not tell your viewers what your video is really all about.

2. Can You Change YouTube Thumbnail After Publishing?

Yes, you can replace the auto-generated thumbnail with the customized thumbnail you like. But YouTube only allows verified YouTube accounts to upload custom thumbnail images.

3. How Long Does It Take for a Thumbnail to Change on YouTube?

Normally, if you have a good internet connection, you can see the thumbnail is changed within 10 seconds.

4. Why YouTube Thumbnail is Important?

When you get more people watching your video for longer, it increases your watch time and tells YouTube’s search algorithm ‘people like this, rank it higher’. Being ranked higher gets you more views, and even more watch time. It’s a wonderful cycle that all begins with a great thumbnail (paired with a good title and the right tags).

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

YouTube custom thumbnails are a great way to get people’s attention to your YouTube video. It’s a pretty simple process but if you are wondering how to create a thumbnail and add the thumbnail to YouTube video and customize it with the correct size. You have come to the right place. While in this article, I will show you how to create and add a thumbnail to a YouTube video and how to customize the YouTube video thumbnail. Follow these easy steps below and add eyecatching customed thumbnails to your YouTube videos in no time.

• Part 1: Create and Add Custom Thumbnails to YouTube
• Part 2: Tools to Create Custom YouTube Video Thumbnails
• Part 3: How to Change A Thumbnail On YouTube
• Part 4: Things You Need to Know Before Making a YouTube Custom Thumbnail
• Part 5: Tips on How to Make Good YouTube Thumbnails to Get More Clicks
• Part 6: YouTube Thumbnail FAQs

---

How To Add Custom Thumbnails to Your YouTube Videos [Steps, Tools and Tips]

We have just made a video tutorial about how to make a YouTube video thumbnail, check it below to find out the tips and tricks of making customized YouTube thumbnail.

Part 1: How to Make a Thumbnail for YouTube and Add Custom Thumbnails to YouTube

After you’ve verified your account and made your thumbnail, it’s finally time to upload it to your video and make a custom thumbnail. To do this, go to Creator Studio and then Video Manager. You’ll see a button labeled “Edit” next to each video, and an arrow pointing down. Click Thumbnail Editor.

In Thumbnail Editor, you can use the still images in the video as a thumbnail, choose a solid background color for the thumbnail, or add other images from your computer. I will show you the steps of how to customize the video still as a video thumbnail.

1. Preview the video and choose the target video still. You can click the Playback button and check the video and pause it at the desired frame. Or, you can step through each frame by clicking the Preview Frame button and Next Frame icon. Click Next to continue.

2. And now, you can add text, image and shape overlays to the thumbnail. You can change the text font, size, opacity and more.

3. Click Next to save the thumbnail and you will see how the thumbnail displays on different platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Click Save to save the video thumbnail.

In this way, you can add a custom thumbnail to the new videos and change the video thumbnail of the previously uploaded videos.

Part 2: Thumbnail Makers to Create Custom YouTube Thumbnails

Of course, you can use some of the best tools to make a YouTube video thumbnail. In this part, we will show you some of the best tools to create custom YouTube thumbnails.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

1. Create YouTube Thumbnail with Online solution - Canva

Canva is a free, powerful online image editing program with tons of great templates to get you started. One of their templates just happens to be YouTube thumbnails. Open Canva and select the “YouTube Thumbnail” design type. Use your own photo or choose from a huge library, then add text and effects to really make it stand out. Save and share — easy as that.

Check this video tutorial to see how to Make a Youtube Thumbnail using Canva.

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2. Design YouTube thumbnail with a Desktop solution - Gimp

Gimp is one of the most popular image editing programs around for one very simple reason: it’s powerful and free! Where Canva uses a lot of templates, Gimp gives you absolute, full control over how you want your image to look. Make a 1280x720 image and start putting together your eye-catching thumbnail exactly how you want to.

Check this video tutorial to see how to make professional Thumbnails for YouTube Videos with Gimp:

Part 3: How to Change A Thumbnail On YouTube

Note: YouTube allows verified YouTube accounts (accounts that provided YouTube with a working phone number) to upload custom thumbnail images and change them accordingly.

In this part, we’ll be going over how to change a thumbnail image on YouTube. There are pictures to make it easy to follow along.

• After signing into YouTube with your Google account, click on your profile on the top right corner. Click on YouTube Studio from the drop-down menu.

• On the left side of the page, click on Videos and then find your video and click on the details button.

• Find the Thumbnail section in the basic video details tab, and then click the Upload thumbnail to select the image that you want to upload.
• Finally, click on the Save button on the right upper corner. And just like that, in seven easy steps, we’re done changing the thumbnail of a YouTube video.

If you don’t have an image to upload but you want to check out some online resources to make your own, check out our Top YouTube Thumbnail Makers .

Part 4: Things You Need to Know Before Making a Custom Thumbnail

• About the proper YouTube video thumbnail size: Your thumbnail should be 1280x720 pixels in size and be less than 2MB. The minimum width of the image is 640 pixels.
• About the YouTube Image thumbnail format: Use .JPG, .PNG, .GIF or .BMP files for your thumbnail image.
• You’ll want your thumbnails to stand out. Bright colored text is a simple, easy way to draw people’s attention. Red, white, yellow, or orange are all popular choices.
• You can even do a little homework to see what colors others are using for similar videos to yours, and then choose different colors to stand out.

One word of warning: your thumbnail should be related to the content of your video. Misleading thumbnail images, if reported, will reflect poorly on your channel. You’ll get a negative rating in the community status part of your channel. This can actually remove your ability to use custom thumbnails, so keep it honest!

You may also like: How to Make YouTube Channel Art

To make a creative YouTube video, you may also need a powerful video editing software. Check how to edit a YouTube video in Filmora video editor and download it to try.

You may also like: Best video editing software for YouTube

Part 5: Tips on How to Make Good YouTube Thumbnails - Get More Clicks

The thumbnails of your videos play a huge role in convincing people to watch them; a good YouTube thumbnail will get you more views and more potential subscribers. This part will give you 6 tips on creating thumbnails that help grow your channel. Now let’s learn how to make thumbnails using Wondershare PixStudio.

1. Stay On Topic

Your thumbnail should tell a story; it should be clear from looking at it what viewers will get out of watching the video, be it knowledge or entertainment. If your thumbnail sets expectations that your video doesn’t deliver on, people will click away quickly. You may get views quickly, but you won’t get much watch time. That will tell YouTube’s search algorithm ‘people aren’t getting what they want from this, rank it lower’. That leads to fewer views over time, and gives the people who do manage to find your video a negative opinion of your channel.

Very few people intentionally use thumbnails that have nothing to do with the content of their videos – i.e, most people understand not to use a picture of a kitten in the thumbnail for their tech review, unless maybe their kitten is the one doing the review (which would be adorable, someone should do that). People who want serious advice won’t click, and people who click to see a kitten will click away fast.

This thumbnail had better be for a kitten’s iPhone review video or people will click away. Fast.

A mistake a lot of creators do make is creating a thumbnail that is meant to evoke an emotion which the video itself does not justify. For example, if you see a picture of a YouTuber looking nervous alongside text that reads ‘My Secret’, you will think they are going to share something deeply personal. You will be curious, and you may even be worried about them. You’ll probably click. Then, if their secret is that they don’t like pineapple on pizza, you’ll probably be angry. This technique gets clicks, but not a lot of watch time and it will lose you subs in the long run.

2. Don’t Be Mysterious

A good thumbnail doesn’t make people guess. Your thumbnail should tell people what’s in your video, not make them wonder about it. People want to know what they’re being asked to spend time watching.

Often, they will be looking for the answer to a specific question and will completely ignore anything that doesn’t show – in the thumbnail – that it has their answer.

Sometimes big channels can get away with stuff like this, because large portions of their audiences are interested in them as people and will already be curious about anything they post. This technique will not bring in new viewers, though.

If this came up in a search for ‘smoky eye tutorial’, would you click it?

When people want answers, they want to feel confident that they video they click on will have those answers. If you have great content, then let people know it!

3. People Like People

Viewers are more likely to click on a thumbnail if they feel a connection when they look at it. One of the best ways to create a feeling of connection is through eye contact, and you can apply that principle to your YouTube thumbnails easily.

Just make sure you’re in them.

You can either compose a photo to use as your thumbnail, or use a screenshot from your video. Ideally, the image of you will convey the emotional tone of the video and tell potential viewers what it is about, besides you.

So, if you want to post a funny video that is also about making brownies, maybe a picture of you smiling while holding up a tray of brownies would be a better direction than just showing the brownies?

4. Check Out The Competition

Before you post your video, type your topic into YouTube’s search engine and see what comes up. This will give you insight into what kinds of thumbnails are performing well for other people, as well as what you can do to stand out in comparison.

Phil starts talking about thumbnails at 6:09, and he has great tips on checking out your competition!

For example, if all five of the top-ranked videos for the search ‘how to build a cabinet’ show images of the YouTuber smiling while holding a power tool, then your thumbnail for a video on the same topic should also be a picture of you smiling and holding a power tool. You know that works, so why not do it?

5. Use Color in Interesting Ways

You want to use colors that will help you stand out from the other search results. While checking out your competition if you notice that all the people in the other thumbnails are wearing black or navy blue, it will be a good idea for you to wear a brighter color for your shoot to grab a bit more attention.

Beyond simply using colors that are different from other people’s colors, you should consider the emotions different colors trigger.

Maybe don’t use a lot of green and yellow in the thumbnail for your angry video rant?

6. Make Your Text Huge

Usually, you’ll want to use a bit of text in your thumbnail. It might be the full title of your video, or just a keyword or phrase. You don’t want to use a full sentence because you won’t have room for it if you’re using huge text.

The reason you should use huge text is so that people can read it. Remember that when people see your thumbnail in their search results, it will be much smaller than it will look while you are creating it. Text that looks big enough while you are creating your thumbnail will be much smaller when people are actually trying to read it, and that goes double for viewers watching on their small smartphone screens.

Frequently Asked Questions about YouTube Thumbnail

1. What is YouTube Thumbnail?

When you upload a video on YouTube, YouTube gives you three images to choose from in the selection of your video’s thumbnail image. These three images are just freeze-frame snapshots from different parts of your video, which may not tell your viewers what your video is really all about.

2. Can You Change YouTube Thumbnail After Publishing?

Yes, you can replace the auto-generated thumbnail with the customized thumbnail you like. But YouTube only allows verified YouTube accounts to upload custom thumbnail images.

3. How Long Does It Take for a Thumbnail to Change on YouTube?

Normally, if you have a good internet connection, you can see the thumbnail is changed within 10 seconds.

4. Why YouTube Thumbnail is Important?

When you get more people watching your video for longer, it increases your watch time and tells YouTube’s search algorithm ‘people like this, rank it higher’. Being ranked higher gets you more views, and even more watch time. It’s a wonderful cycle that all begins with a great thumbnail (paired with a good title and the right tags).

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

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