I created this video to show how to add a custom thumbnail to your YouTube videos, which is one of the most important ways to increase clicks and stand out in search results.

When people are scrolling through YouTube, your thumbnail is the first impression. It’s what makes someone stop and say, “I want to watch this.” If you’re not already using custom thumbnails, you’re leaving views on the table.

Here’s the step-by-step process I go through in the video:

Step 1: Create a thumbnail (before uploading)

You’ll need an image that’s 1280×720 pixels, under 2MB, and saved as JPG, PNG, or GIF. I use Canva to create all of mine — they even have a free YouTube thumbnail template that’s perfectly sized.

In Canva, I recommend using:

  • Bold text (2–5 words max)
  • High-contrast colors
  • A human face (if relevant)
  • Clear visual hierarchy

You want it to pop even at small sizes on mobile.

Step 2: Enable custom thumbnails in YouTube Studio

Before you can upload custom thumbnails, you need to verify your YouTube account. In the video, I show how to go to youtube.com/verify, enter your phone number, and complete the verification.

Step 3: Upload your video

Head to YouTube Studio, click “Create,” and start uploading your video as usual.

Step 4: Add your custom thumbnail

On the video details screen, you’ll see three automatically generated thumbnails from YouTube, plus an option to “Upload thumbnail.” Click that and select your custom image.

Once it’s uploaded, you’ll see a preview. If you want to change it later, you can edit the video in Studio anytime and swap it out.

Step 5: Test and optimize

I often A/B test thumbnails — even something as simple as switching the background color or changing a word in the text. You can use tools like TubeBuddy or just track CTR (click-through rate) in your video analytics.

If you’re creating lots of tutorials or product demos, build a thumbnail template you can reuse and adjust quickly. This saves time and keeps your branding consistent.

Are you using the same style for every video, or experimenting with different layouts and visual approaches?