Thumbnails that get clicks

The single most important image you upload, backed by real platform research.

1. 1

   Episode thumbnails: 1280x720px JPG, 16:9. One subject, one focal point, maximum 3 words of text set huge.

2. 2

   Get the face close and the eyes visible, closeup faces consistently outperform wide shots.

3. 3

   Place the eyes on the upper third of the frame, and keep contrast high between subject and background, your thumbnail sits next to 8 to 12 others in a row.

4. 4

   Push saturation further than feels natural, muted palettes lose to bold ones for discoverability.

5. 5

   Test at 160px wide, that's roughly how most viewers actually see it on a shelf. If it doesn't read clearly that small, it's not working.

6. 6

   Never use a straight frame from the video, and don't crowd the corners, duration badges cover them.