How to Make a Thumbnail for YouTube with AI Design Tool

Ryan Barnett · Augest 28, 2024

 

A well-designed YouTube thumbnail is a game changer that attracts the most audience to the video at first glance. Usually, YouTube content creators know the dynamic of an attractive thumbnail, which combines visual aesthetics and information without giving away the entire content.

However, if someone lacks new YouTube thumbnail ideas or wishes to automate the process, this guide will greatly help. Thus, begin reading and learning how to make a thumbnail for YouTube with some valuable tips and tricks.  

Part 1: Make a Thumbnail for YouTube with AI-Powered Tool - insMind

No matter which type of YouTube channel you have or which kind of content you stream, you can craft appealing thumbnails with the help of the insMind AI Design Generator online solution. It only requires a main heading for a thumbnail or some branching points, if any, and one image of your content. To grab the attention of the maximum audience, its innovative AI technology brings compelling graphics without consuming your precious time.

Make a YouTube Thumbnail with insMind

It can automate your thumbnail creation when you lack new ideas or want to focus on other aspects. It can generate multiple professional-level images with your provided image and text ideas, ensuring the output image perfectly aligns with your goals. 

Basic Tutorial to Create a YouTube Thumbnail with AI in insMind  

The insMind AI toolkit also allows you to resize the generated thumbnail through its resizer, especially when you change your mind about marketing content beyond YouTube. Anyhow, go through the basic tutorial that shows how to make a catchy thumbnail using the insMind AI design generator.  

Step 1: Enter the AI Design Generator Tool 

Head to the main webpage of the AI Design Generator of insMind and press the "Create an AI Design" button to enter the editing interface. You can also access this feature by clicking the "Free Tools" bar on the home page and then choosing the "AI Graphic Design Generator" logo as you will find.

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Step 2: Upload Image and Describe Your Content 

Next, describe your video by entering a compelling heading and benefits in the designed text boxes. Also, use the "Upload" icon in the "Product" section to press the "Upload" button afterward and bring the main image of your YouTube video content.   

Step 3: Start Creating and Editing the Thumbnail 

Once the image is uploaded, click the "Start" button and head to the generated design to pick one. Hover over the design you like and hit the "Edit" button to enhance the image and craft thumbnail further.

Step 4: Resize Your Design to Align Best on YouTube 

Now, locate the "Size" section, tap the "Resize" button, and proceed to explore the list of image sizes according to the YouTube requirements.

Step 5: Download YouTube Thumbnail in Desired Settings

Select the "YouTube Thumbnail" option, and your design will automatically turn into a perfectly sized thumbnail. To save the design to your system, press the "Download" button at the top-right and adjust parameters like "Format" and "Quality" using their respective lists. After making all the required adjustments, hit the "Download" button and access the design in your system within seconds.    

Part 2. What is a YouTube Thumbnail? 

With more than 2.49 billion monthly active users as of March 2024, YouTube has become the second-most used social media platform. There, a small clickable image on a video is known as a thumbnail that represents the topic and content of a video without actually clicking on it. Since it's the first thing individuals view on YouTube, it must be attractive enough to convince them to click and watch the video.  

You can consider it as a cover, headline, or poster for a movie, which gives viewers a preview of what's happening in the video. It might include graphics, text, and images, whichever summarizes the video content best, helping content creators increase video visibility and click-through rates.    

Part 3. What is YouTube Thumbnail Size?

Although YouTube automatically generates video thumbnails, it doesn't guarantee an accurate representation of content and traffic. Therefore, content creators look for software like insMind to generate engaging and tailored thumbnails. If you opt for a manual way to create a YouTube thumbnail with AI, let us clarify that a thumbnail is 1280x720 pixels.

Moreover, you need to maintain a 16:9 aspect ratio for optimal visibility because anything less can lead to low image quality. In addition to YouTube video thumbnails, you must encounter channel art thumbnails, which should be created within 2560x1440 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio. Besides, YouTube video ads may require a 4:3 aspect ratio and 300x250 pixels to achieve perfection and sharper display.       

Resize YouTube Thumbnail with insMind

Part 4. Why is a YouTube Thumbnail so Important?

If you want your YouTube videos to make a great first impression on your audience, try creating a catchy thumbnail. Learning how to make a good thumbnail for YouTube can double your views, as it's the first thing people look at. Before we look at some tips on creating eye-catching thumbnails, let's focus on understanding their importance with the following points:

• Click-Through Rate: If you want to attract thousands of viewers, a well-designed YouTube thumbnail can help increase the video's CTR. This will attract more people to your content, leading to a higher ranking on YouTube.    
• Convey Message: Your thumbnail message should convey a quick preview of what users should expect in the video. Therefore, by using highlighting visuals, you can attract users, which will lead to an increase in followers.
• Impact on SEO: Having clickable thumbnails can significantly increase your video ranking, leading to more visibility. Thus, knowing how to make a catchy YouTube thumbnail can impact your video SEO in a good way.  
• Edge in Competition: To stay at the top of other competitors, you should create an engaging YouTube thumbnail. Besides, YouTubers should make their thumbnails unique to have some edge over their competitors.  

Part 5. Useful Tips for Making a Good and Catchy YouTube Thumbnail? 

On a YouTube platform, the first thing that people look at is your YouTube video thumbnail. Therefore, the decision of how you decide to create YouTube thumbnails with AI determines the watch time and traffic on the video. If you want to display a creative, expressive, and attention-grabbing thumbnail, read the useful tips given below:

• Bold and Readable Text: The first thing you need to emphasize in your YT video is the text to make it easily readable on a small screen. Using bold, big, and readable text can ensure your text stands out against the background.  
• Strong Focal Points: Everyone loves a questionable or entertaining element asked in a YouTube video. Hence, adding a strong focal point pulls the viewer to your videos, thus increasing views and ratings.
• Vibrant Color Scheme: In a sea of content, make your video stand out by adding strong, vibrant colors like yellow, red, and black. Moreover, use a consistent palette of colors or spice it up throughout your video-making journey.  
• Dramatic Flare: When you know how to make a YouTube thumbnail, you also know that people crave a dramatic flair. Therefore, adding shocking news, exaggerated expressions, and impossible combinations can attract viewers like wildfire.  

Part 6. FAQs About Creating YouTube Thumbnails? 

1: Can you use any image as a thumbnail on YouTube?

Yes, you can add an image to your video thumbnails by remaining within the boundaries of the YouTube restriction community. It should not be inappropriate, show violent or gruesome imagery, or disturbing content. Another important factor is that you should have full ownership and permission to use that image.  

2: How do I add a YouTube thumbnail?

Go to your YouTube Studio and access the "Content" option from the left side panel. Now, press the "Details" pencil icon on any added video. From the pop-up video settings window, head to the "Thumbnail" section and click "Upload File" to add the desired video thumbnail.  

3: What do YouTubers use to make thumbnails?

YouTubers can learn how to make a great YouTube thumbnail using creative AI tools like insMind. With this tool, they can generate professional thumbnails through its design feature that lets them add headings and product images. In addition, insMind provides a batch of impressive and high-quality ideas they can use in their YouTube video.   

4: What is the best app for making a thumbnail for YouTube?

In the digital market, numerous tools exist to produce thumbnails, such as Thumbnail Maker, Canva, Adobe Express, and Banner Maker. Although there is a vast variety of tools, most of them are not powered by AI and require a lot of time and effort. Therefore, the insMind image editor is considered the leading one since it is online, user-friendly, easy to use, AI-powered, and budget-friendly for new YouTubers.  

Conclusion 

In essence, making an attractive YouTube thumbnail is necessary in this growing social media and content consumption era. This guide has demonstrated how to make a YouTube thumbnail using AI technology, such as the insMind image editor's AI design generator. We even elaborated on the importance of crafting a compelling thumbnail and offered some valuable tips for creating one so you can effortlessly streamline viral content of the future.

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Ryan Barnett · I'm a freelance writer with a passion for editing and designing photos. Here at insMind, I strive to educate users on image creativity, photography, and enhancing product photos to help grow their businesses.