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Creating engaging video thumbnails is crucial for capturing viewers' attention on YouTube. Whether you’re a vlogger sharing your daily life, a tech reviewer showcasing the latest gadgets, or a live streamer recording and posting your streams as VODs, having an eye-catching thumbnail can make a significant difference.
One of the most effective ways to determine which thumbnails resonate best with your audience is by using YouTube's Test & Compare feature. With this new feature, YouTube allows creators to upload up to three thumbnails for a single video (to be tested for up to 14 days). This article will guide you through the steps of using this feature and how to apply the findings to improve future thumbnails.
How to Use YouTube's Test & Compare Feature
Step 1: Log in to your YouTube account and navigate to YouTube Studio. In the dashboard, go to the Content tab and select the video you want to test thumbnails.
Step 2: Once on the Video Details page for your selected upload, scroll down to the Thumbnail section. Hover over the options menu (marked with three vertical dots), click, then select Test & Compare from the dropdown menu.
Step 3: Add up to three thumbnails on the Test & Compare page to test which one your viewers prefer. Once you’ve uploaded your images, click Done.
Step 4: To start your test, save your changes from the main video details page.
Checking Results from Testing YouTube Thumbnails
The great thing about the YouTube Test & Compare feature is that it generates reports detailing the results of the two-week test. Here’s how to check:
Step 1: On the Video Details page for your selected upload, scroll down to the Thumbnail section. Hover over the options menu, then select View Test Report from the dropdown menu.
Step 2: Once some time has passed and your video has garnered new views, a winning thumbnail will be selected for you based on the share of watch time (aka which thumbnail pushed people to watch the video and stick around to continue watching).
Step 3: Once you’ve determined a winner, be sure to stop & set it as your thumbnail. Remember that once you stop a test, you cannot resume it, so choose when to end your test wisely.
When creating new, clickworthy YouTube thumbnails, remember some of the elements of your winning thumbnails using the Test & Compare feature. Are there shared elements that certain thumbnails have in common? Or do certain colors, fonts, or images consistently perform better? Identifying these patterns can help you develop best practices for making your thumbnails, ensuring they are visually appealing and effective at attracting clicks.
