Only YouTube accounts verified can add custom thumbnails

 

How to add thumbnails to your YouTube videos

YouTube also allows users to add a thumbnail to the video, so viewers get a preview of what is inside.

These thumbnails can either be generated automatically by YouTube or custom-made by verified account holders.

Adding these thumbnails requires a little bit of difference if one is making use of the YouTube Studio app on an Android versus using the standard YouTube Android app.

Let's take a look.

Process

Adding Thumbnails Through YouTube Studio

To make a thumbnail using the YouTube Studio app, open the app and tap 'Content' from the bottom menu.

Select the video that you want to edit and click on 'Edit thumbnail.'

Here, you may either select a thumbnail automatically created or one which you would personally design from a picture in your device.

Once selected and confirmed by tapping 'Select,' tap 'Save' to save the changes.

Alternative approach

Add thumbs using the default YouTube app

For a standard YouTube Android app user, the process starts with opening the application and then tapping 'Library' followed by 'Your videos.'

Beside the video that they wish to edit, they should click on 'More' then 'Edit thumbnail.'

Like with the YouTube Studio app process, an auto-generated thumbnail or a custom one can be chosen.

After confirming their choice by tapping 'Select,' changes are saved by pressing 'Save.'

Recommendations.

Custom Thumbnails Best Practices and Policies

Custom thumbnail images should be as large as possible, resolution minimum width, for example 640 pixels, so 1,280x720.

They should be uploaded in JPG, GIF, or PNG formats and not larger than 2MB for videos or 10MB for podcasts.

The platform also recommends a 16:9 aspect ratio for most content, but suggests a 1:1 aspect ratio (1,280x1,280 pixels) for podcast playlists.

Inshort

It is very easy to add thumbnails to your YouTube videos. In the YouTube Studio or standard YouTube app, select the video to edit, tap 'Edit thumbnail,' choose an auto-generated or custom image, and save.

For custom thumbnails, YouTube recommends large images (1,280x720 resolution, minimum width 640 pixels) in JPG, GIF, or PNG formats, under 2MB for videos and 10MB for podcasts, with a 16:9 aspect ratio or 1:1 for podcast playlists.