how to make a killer thumbnail (for the 2024 algorithm)

Here's how to make a killer YouTube thumbnail to blow up your channel.

FREE DOWNLOADABLE PDF VERSION

TOOLS MENTIONED (aff. links)

IDEATION VIDEO
how to come up with a killer youtube idea (to blow up your channel)

SHOUTOUTS
I learned from A LOT of people during my research process to make this video possible. I wanted to take a moment to shout them out and give them some love - thank you for sharing your knowledge for the rest of us to grow from!
@paddygalloway8780
@ColinandSamir
@youshaei
@MrBeast
@ryan
@CreatorScienceYT
@JonDorman
@jaygdesign
@FilmBooth
@TylerF
@thejayalto
@ChannelMakers
@PandaDoesDesign
(and @tkgpsd on Twitter)

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro
00:34 - Part 1: Killer Time Allocation
01:55 - Part 2: Killer Psychology
03:00 - Curiosity Gaps
06:58 - Scroll Stoppers
11:56 - Part 3: Killer Design
12:47 - Contents
14:29 - Composition
17:58 - Contrast
23:15 - Part 4: Killer Analysis
25:33 - Wait...
25:48 - Variations
28:08 - Some Encouragement

WATCH NEXT:
how to make a killer youtube intro (to blow up your channel)

COME SAY HI!

THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO YOUTUBE
Discover your niche, build your studio, craft compelling videos, unlock the YouTube algorithm, and more as you embark on the journey to monetization

SHOP EQUIPMENT:

[Brick_Science]

I appreciate the production quality of this. And some REALLY good advice. I've definitely learned something that i can use. Thanks for making this!

[Cuubiic]

I feel like YouTube gurus just do a lot of waffling and don’t get to the point, but every single part of your video has so much value. Great video

[WLLim_]

Ironically, I clicked on your video after seeing it in my notifications where you don’t really see the thumbnail.

[CasuallyAFK]

This is honestly the bible of thumbnails.
First video I implemented this videos feedback on I got 500% the views….

[Ducksaregreat]

“There are 4 main parts.
Part 1…”

I had to take a double take! No unnecessary padding, literally straight to the point!

[azul]

i clicked just because of the thumbnail 😭

[coreyjcampbell]

This is terrific. I'm a graphic designer professionally but since starting a YouTube channel I've found that while my skills do translate to creating thumbnails from a technical perspective, nailing the psychological aspect is a whole different beast.

[urmomashley]

omg clicked on this to see if I could make my thumbnails better and saw the thumb of me and Kelly!!!🤣🤣 I had keep trying diff poses for that thumbnail for like 20 minutes outside in my tank top 😭 HAHA and then we ofc changed the colors of our original jackets!!! hehe thanks for including us!

[CibiMR]

This is like a “once you learn you can’t unlearn” kinda info. After watching this video my eyes and my brain is just scanning and processing the psychology behind every thumbnail I pass on! Thanks for sharing! This video is a gem ❤

[Vil_Vas]

🔴1 Super IMPORTANT thing that 90% of youtubers make a mistake on is making their title and thumbnail have same wording/tell same message

You have 2 opportunities with a thumbnail and title, so there's no point repeating things. Two options:

1. Test different things
2. Have them as an extension of one another

Awesome video btw. Probably the best video on Youtube Thumbnails out there!

[RetroRaconteur]

This was a masterclass in thumbnail design. Great job!

[DevPatelEdits]

I am 1 Million% confident that I don't need to watch any other video on How to make a Killer Thumbnail after watching this video!!! Truly value-adding research. Amazing!!!

[makariespe]

This is hands down the best thumbnail video I have ever seen! Thank you so much for going beyond the classic “use your face, bright colours, and contrast”. You laid everything out in such a beautiful straight forward manner. I went back and updated 4 of my thumbnails and saw immediate growth! Nothing crazy, of course, but I’ll take what I can get.

I appreciate you and your research so much.

[GustoClasicoOficial]

23 minutes in and I can't finish the video because I keep stoping to try and apply the new thing you just blew my mind with! This is so I'll let you know how much of a difference it makes when I apply it to my videos.

[yourworldinenglish]

This is HANDS DOWN the best video I've seen on YouTube regarding thumbnails. Such high value, and I love your editing style so much! This was definitely worth the wait. <3

[HuntersRuggedOutdoors]

I like how she makes her own B-roll not using that much B-roll from external sources at all. Props

[Wuggernaut]

I can’t thank you enough for how much effort you’ve been putting into these videos. The amount of research and investigation you do, and then give all this information for free is amazing.

I’m going to use your information as a master class moving forward with my videos! Thanks so much for helping us all grow and improve our channels.

[AuthenticPijus]

Imagine if videos like these were shown in school. Just a half an hour of pure value.

Might honestly change someone's life

[theunreliablenarratorshow]

This is amazing - I had basically given up on watching youtuber advice videos recently bc so many of them are just the same regurgitated mr. beast quotes over and over again, with a few notes on confidence and stage presence. However, your videos (this one + the intro one) are genuinely very well crafted advice from someone who clearly is interested in studying youtube. The information is both novel and digestible, and mostly I can see how it actually could apply in various niches, making it far more useful to me. Also, you're completely correct on your thumbnail standing out - that's the exact reason I clicked on the intro video in the first place - the aesthetic vibe of your thumbnail implied that the video would be far more appealing to me than the usual braggadocious vibe of other youtube advice youtubers (who often unfortunately remind me of the phrase 'those who can't do, teach'). I'm really planning on incorporating your advice here and in the intro vid to the best of my ability and seeing what happens.

[cooliomo]

Bless your HEART! This is the BEST thumbnail tutorial on YouTube PERIOD! Its wholesome, well thought-out, and the cadence is PERFECT!
Thank you! ♥