The 10 biggest thumbnail mistakes small YouTubers make (and how to avoid them)
October 10, 2024
Why thumbnails are the key to growing your channel
Your thumbnail is often the first impression a potential viewer has of your content. No matter how good your video is, if your thumbnail doesn’t grab attention and communicate the value of your content, it might never get clicked. For small YouTubers, mastering thumbnail design can be the difference between a thriving channel and one that struggles to grow.
To make this process easier, tools like glowAI's outlier database can help you analyze high-performing thumbnails in your niche to identify the patterns and elements that drive clicks. By leveraging these insights, you can see what colors, styles, and visual elements are proven to work and apply them to your own designs. This type of data-driven inspiration can save you hours of trial and error and ensure your thumbnails are competitive from the start.
In this article, we’ll dive into the 10 most common mistakes small creators make with their thumbnails - and, more importantly, how to fix them. By understanding and avoiding these pitfalls, you can significantly increase your click-through rate (CTR), which directly translates into more views, higher engagement, and ultimately, faster channel growth.
Mistake #1: Not getting inspiration from successful videos
One common mistake small creators make is designing thumbnails in a vacuum, without considering what has worked for others in their niche. YouTube is a highly competitive platform, and certain thumbnail styles, colors, and visual cues tend to perform better in specific niches. Failing to study what works means you’re missing out on strategies that are already proven to be effective.
The fix: Use platforms like glowAI's outlier database to analyse high-performing thumbnails in your niche. Look at top-performing videos and analyse the colors, visual elements, and text styles that seem to attract the most attention. You can also store them as your favorites. By understanding these trends, you can create thumbnails that align with what your target audience is already responding to, making your content more likely to get clicked.
Mistake #2: Overcrowded thumbnails
Many small creators feel the need to cram as much information as possible into their thumbnails, using multiple images, excessive text, and various visual elements. This results in a chaotic thumbnail that’s hard to understand, especially when viewed at a smaller size.
The fix: Aim for simplicity. Use one or two main elements and make sure the design has plenty of negative space. Each thumbnail should convey a single clear message. A cluttered thumbnail not only confuses the viewer but also blends in with other similar content.
Mistake #3: Using too much text
It’s tempting to use your thumbnail as a mini-billboard for your video. But in most cases, too much text clutters the design and becomes unreadable when shrunk down to a smaller size. Even worse, repeating the video title word-for-word in your thumbnail text wastes valuable space.
The fix: Keep your text short and to the point. Limit it to 3-4 words that add value or intrigue. Use larger, bold fonts that contrast well with the background. Remember, the purpose of the text is to complement the visual message, not to overwhelm it.
Mistake #4: Poor color choices
Choosing colors that don’t work together, such as overly bright hues or clashing combinations, can make your thumbnail look amateurish. It also affects how your thumbnail stands out against YouTube’s white or dark background and other competing videos.
The fix: Use contrasting colors to make the key elements of your thumbnail pop. Avoid using more than three main colors to keep your design focused. You can use tools like Canva’s Color Palette Generator or Adobe’s Color Wheel to find palettes that are both eye-catching and harmonious.
Mistake #5: Weak visual hierarchy
Visual hierarchy refers to the arrangement of elements in a way that guides the viewer’s eye to the most important part of the thumbnail. Small creators often make the mistake of using similar-sized images, text, and elements, resulting in a thumbnail that lacks focus.
The fix: Make the primary element of your thumbnail—the “hero”—stand out. This could be a face, an object, or a large piece of text. Use size, contrast, and placement to direct the viewer’s attention to this focal point.
Mistake #6: Not including a viral element in the thumbnail
A viral element is a visual cue or an object that creates curiosity and encourages clicks by hinting at a story or adding an unexpected twist. Many small creators miss out on adding this element, making their thumbnails appear flat and less engaging compared to those of top-performing videos.
The fix: Think of your thumbnail as a teaser. What one element can you add to suggest that there’s a surprising or dramatic moment in the video? This could be a mystery object, an exaggerated facial expression, or an unexpected prop that leaves viewers wondering, “What’s going on here?” For example, a cooking video might include a burning pan in the background to hint at a kitchen disaster, immediately making viewers curious.
Mistake #7: Inconsistent branding
While variety in thumbnails is important, a complete lack of consistency can confuse your audience. If every thumbnail looks drastically different, it becomes harder for viewers to recognize your content, leading to lower click-through rates from your subscribers.
The fix: Create a consistent style guide for your thumbnails. This could include using a specific font, a recurring color scheme, or a consistent placement of your logo. Consistency helps build a recognizable brand and encourages loyal viewers to click on your videos.
Mistake #8: Text placement over the main object
Another common issue is placing text over the main object or hero element in the thumbnail. This disrupts the visual flow, making it hard for viewers to identify what’s important. If the main focus of your thumbnail is obstructed, it can confuse potential viewers and reduce the overall impact of the design.
The fix: Place text strategically so it doesn’t obscure the primary object or face in the thumbnail. Use empty space around the object or place the text in an area where it complements the visual flow rather than interrupting it. If needed, adjust the size of the object or reposition the text to ensure both elements are clearly visible.
Mistake #9: Thumbnail text that’s hard to read
Whether it’s due to poor font choice, text color blending with the background, or text that’s too small, unreadable text is a common issue for many creators. If viewers can’t read your text, they’re less likely to click on your video.
The fix: Use bold, readable fonts with strong outlines or shadows to ensure clarity. Test your thumbnails by viewing them at smaller sizes to see if the text is still legible. Always prioritize readability over aesthetic.
Mistake #10: Not A/B testing your thumbnails
Creating one thumbnail and sticking with it might seem efficient, but it could be costing you views. Without testing, you have no way of knowing which thumbnail designs resonate best with your audience.
The fix: Use YouTube’s built-in A/B testing tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ to test different thumbnails. Try varying the text, colors, or imagery to see what gets the best response. Testing allows you to make data-driven decisions and optimize your CTR over time. For more insights on A/B testing and improving your YouTube strategy, check out our blog post, How to get more views on YouTube.
Conclusion: Thumbnails can make or break your channel
Your thumbnails are more than just an image—they are a vital part of your channel’s growth strategy. By avoiding these 10 common mistakes and implementing the fixes outlined above, you can create thumbnails that stand out, engage viewers, and drive clicks.
If you want to dive even deeper, consider using tools like our outlier database to analyse high-performing thumbnails in your niche. This can provide valuable insights into which elements work best and help you design more effective thumbnails faster.
