Do thumbnails matter for YT Shorts?
October 3, 2024
A well designed thumbnail can have a huge impact on the performance of your long-form YouTube content. We have already written an extensive review on how that works here. But with the rise of TikTok, Instagram Reels and then YouTube Shorts, many customers have asked us if thumbnails matter in the same way for Shorts as well. So let's explore this topic!
Can I even set or modify a thumbnail for my Shorts?
The short answer is: Yes! But YouTube doesn't make it as easy as it is for long-form content. As of now, you can only set or modify your Shorts thumbnail when using the mobile YouTube app. The feature is not available (yet) in the desktop version of YT Studio and while it is shown in the YT Studio app, many users have reported to us that the feature is not working reliably.
Furthermore, it is currently only possible to pick a frame from the short - however, some users have reported that uploading a custom image seems to work while the video is in the uploading process. While we haven't tested this option, it doesn't seem to be a reliable way of setting the thumbnail.
Differences to thumbnails for long-form content
The lack of customisation options changes the playing field for thumbnails on Shorts. While for long-form YouTube content there are extensive options and creative strategies, thumbnails for YouTube Shorts however are different:
- Format: Long-form thumbnails use a horizontal layout (16:9 aspect ratio), allowing for more design flexibility. In contrast, Shorts utilise a vertical format (9:16), requiring a more focused approach to convey the video’s essence within a more limited space.
- Screen presentation: Thumbnails for Shorts typically appear for a blink of the eye in a vertical scroll feed on mobile devices or longer in a stacked layout on the search page, competing for attention among many other Shorts. Long-form thumbnails however are displayed in a more traditional layout, allowing for greater visual emphasis and viewer engagement.
- Customisation options: Creators can upload custom thumbnails for long-form videos, providing more creative control. As already mentioned above, Shorts currently limit users to selecting a frame from the video, with unreliable methods for uploading custom images during the upload process. This constraint makes it essential to select an impactful frame that represents the content effectively.
So, do thumbnails matter on YT Shorts?
For both content types, the thumbnail acts as the first point of interaction, enticing viewers to stop scrolling and click on your video. A compelling thumbnail can boost view counts and engagement. So yes, thumbnails matter for YouTube Shorts as well, but their impact is different from that of long-form content. It's mostly the different way of presentation that makes thumbnails less important for YT Shorts. This is the reason why we currently don't show Shorts on our outlier database.
Even with limited customisation options, choosing an effective frame is crucial. For instance, take a frame that captures emotion or some kind of action that can draw viewers in.
Pro tip: Create a custom image for your thumbnail and set it as the first frame of your video during editing. Then on the YouTube mobile app, select this "frame" as the thumbnail!
In summary, while the impact of thumbnails on Shorts may not be as significant as on long-form videos, they still play a vital role in attracting viewers. You as a creator should leverage the available options mentioned above to improve engagement and performance on YT Shorts.
