Having bright colors or a simple design doesn't guarantee that a thumbnail will be successful. The thumbnail Dill Toma created for YouTuber Jeffrey Bui's video 'Last to leave the basketball court wins $300!' Those focal points are typically the creator, an object in the background, and text to give more context about the video's subject. In fact, a convoluted design can alienate viewers instead of drawing them in, two of the designers said.ĭesigner Maarten Zegers said he generally follows the three element rule, which means he includes a maximum of three focal points per thumbnail. Here's how to create the best YouTube thumbnail:Ī thumbnail doesn't need to be elaborate in order to attract viewers. Insider spoke to three thumbnail designers and one thumbnail strategist - all of whom work as freelancers for creators with millions of subscribers like Jesser, JustDustin, Brianna, and Unspeakable - to understand how to make a thumbnail that will garner the most views.

Some people have even made a career out of it. It may seem like a lot of money, but in the YouTube world, thumbnails - the small images that preview a YouTube video - are considered crucial to the success of a video. Last November, MrBeast, one of the world's biggest YouTubers, said that he would spend as much as $10,000 on a good thumbnail, because 'a thumbnail literally decides whether or not watch your video.'

Insider asked three designers and one strategist for their top thumbnail advice.

From composition to color, a number of elements go into a successful thumbnail.

A good YouTube thumbnail can help convince users to stop scrolling and actually watch a video.

How to make a thumbnail for youtube