We’ve all heard the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
But (when it comes to podcasts at least) I’m willing to bet we’ve all done it – at least once or twice.
With the number of podcasts on YouTube growing by the day, it’s not surprising that people find new shows by clicking on a video thumbnail that caught their eye.
Whether we realize it or not, thumbnails often guide our decisions about what to watch.
If you’re not convinced, let’s take a look at the numbers:
- 90% of the top-performing YouTube videos have custom thumbnails
- Humans process visuals 60,000 times faster than text
- Adding images to information increases the recall value by up to 65%
A well-designed thumbnail helps your podcast stand out amidst countless options; it gives viewers a reason to choose your content over the competition. When done well, they offer just enough information to spark curiosity and encourage that all-important click.
For audiences, thumbnails serve as visual shortcuts, saving them from having to sift through endless content to find what resonates. But for marketers and podcasters, thumbnails carry higher stakes. Choose the right one, and you’ll attract viewers who genuinely connect with your message. Choose poorly, and you risk losing potential listeners or drawing in the wrong audience entirely.
With YouTube being a relatively new addition to the podcast world, we’ve compiled a list of tips on how to leverage your podcast’s branding, maintain a consistent visual identity, and create thumbnails that drive engagement.
Let’s dive in.
YouTube thumbnail dimensions and need-to-knows
Before we get into the fun stuff, here are some non-negotiables you need to be aware of when creating YouTube thumbnails for your podcast.
Dimensions
The ideal size for YouTube thumbnails is 1280 x 720 pixels, with a minimum width requirement of 640 pixels. You’ll want to make sure your thumbnail meets this resolution so it remains sharp across all device types, from smartphones to large desktop monitors.
Aspect Ratios
Thumbnails should follow a 16:9 aspect ratio, matching YouTube’s widescreen video player dimensions. This ensures that your thumbnail won't be cropped or distorted during display.
If you're creating content for YouTube Shorts, adjust your thumbnail size to 1920 x 1080 pixels for the best fit, as Shorts use a vertical format.
1. Have the right tools in your corner
If you’re not a graphic designer or proficient in editing – that’s okay! It’s never been easier to create your own YouTube thumbnail.
Here are some tools we suggest:
- Canva: Offers pre-sized templates specifically for YouTube thumbnails, making it easy to create visually engaging designs no matter your skill level.
- Snappa: Provides ready-made YouTube thumbnail templates and quick editing features, perfect for podcasters who need polished thumbnails fast.
- Remove.bg: Effortlessly removes backgrounds from images, helping you isolate hosts or guests for clean, standout thumbnail designs.
2. Tap into your existing brand image
Your podcast likely already has a visual identity that speaks to your audience—colors, fonts, and graphics that represent your brand’s personality. And if it doesn’t, you’ll want to check out this article about why your podcast needs its own brand and how to create one.
Extending your podcast’s brand to your YouTube thumbnails creates a cohesive and recognizable brand experience, instilling a sense of credibility and trust amongst listeners.
Here are a couple of effective ways to do this:
1. Maintain a consistent graphic style
A consistent visual style across thumbnails helps build familiarity with your audience. When they see one of your thumbnails, they should immediately recognize that it’s part of your podcast series. This could include:
- Using the same font style and size for text
- Applying consistent color schemes from your podcast brand palette
- Incorporating a recurring design element, such as a frame or background pattern
Consistency doesn't have to be boring. It's about finding visual cues that make your brand stand out and repeating them in creative ways.
2. Avoid over-promotional designs
If you’re releasing a branded podcast, you’ll want to avoid turning your thumbnails into overt advertisements. Flashy sales-like visuals, figuring your logo front and center, or plastering your company’s senior leadership all over the thumbnail will put off potential viewers.
Instead, focus on the episode’s content, your brand’s values, and providing value for the listeners instead of about you and your company.
3. Use attention-grabbing imagery
With the average attention span reaching an all-time low of 8 seconds, the best way to pique someone’s interest is through striking visuals. There are many options for what the focal point of your thumbnail should be and a lot of it comes down to your content and audience preferences.
Typically thumbnail images take one of two forms:
- Screenshots from your episode: Select a frame that captures emotion, action, or a pivotal moment in the episode. Ensure the shot is clear and visually engaging.
- Custom photography: If your podcast features guests or hosts, consider staging a custom photo shoot or using their existing headshots.
But if you’re stuck for ideas, here are a few rules of thumb for choosing the right image to make your podcast stand out.
1. High-quality visuals only
Unsurprisingly, a blurry, pixelated image turns potential viewers away. Whether it’s a frame from your video or a custom photo, make sure the image is sharp and high-resolution to maintain a professional appearance across all screen sizes.
2. Keep it relevant to your content
The main purpose of your thumbnail is to help potential listeners dictate whether they should spend upwards of 30 minutes with your episode. The most helpful way for them to decide is through a thumbnail that is relevant to the episode’s content.
For example, if your podcast episode is about the potential TikTok ban, include visuals like the app’s logo, some of the top voices in the discussion, or a mobile phone with the app icon to represent the content.
Alternatively, if your podcast takes an interview format, featuring the guest’s photo is often the most effective choice.
3. Maintain brand consistency
As we mentioned above, if you, your company, or your podcast already has a distinctive brand, make sure your image style fits into it. It’ll be a lot easier for potential viewers to recognize your episodes’ thumbnails if they look true to your brand. Plus, this ensures you’re maintaining a cohesive brand image across platforms, which is very important for credibility and trust.
4. Experiment with layouts
A well-laid-out thumbnail design typically incorporates key elements like bold text, a focal point (typically an image of the host), and a branded background. However, since there's no universal format, experimenting with different layouts is essential to discover what resonates best with your audience.
Some common layouts include:
1. Split-Screen
Best for contrasts or comparisons, the split-screen layout is ideal for episodes involving debates, transformations, or contrasting ideas. You can divide the thumbnail either vertically or horizontally. We suggest using distinct colors or filters to differentiate the two sides for added visual clarity.
2. Rule of thirds
This classic design technique divides your thumbnail into a 3x3 grid. You’ll have an image on two-thirds of the thumbnail and text on the remaining third. Placing key elements along these lines makes the design look visually balanced and conveys both text and visual elements without overwhelming the potential viewer.
3. Central focus with supporting elements
Placing your main subject or text hook in the center of the thumbnail, surrounded by complementary elements, creates a strong focal point. This layout works well for podcast episodes featuring a key guest, product, or central theme.
For example, you can use a headshot of your guest in the center, with graphics or icons framing the edges to hint at discussion topics.
4. Asymmetrical layouts
Thinking outside the box can set your thumbnails apart from the competition. Experiment with overlapping elements or intentionally chaotic designs that reflect the energy of your content. Just make sure you don’t obscure the main focus too much and the key parts of your thumbnail are still easy to read.
If you’re still unsure which route to go with, we suggest A/B testing a few different layouts to see which speaks most to your audience. To find out, look into your YouTube Analytics and see which layouts resulted in the highest CTRs and number of views.
5. Don’t shy away from contrast
High-contrast designs naturally guide viewers’ eyes to key elements, helping your podcast thumbnail stand out. This is especially important when you consider that YouTube has 122 million daily active users and 3.7 million new videos published each day.
Here are some key techniques to harness the power of contrast effectively:
1. Play with color contrasts
Bold color contrasts naturally catch people’s eye. Pair bright, vibrant hues against dark or neutral backgrounds (or vice-versa) to make your text and images pop.
However, make sure to be mindful of your brand colors. If this bold contrast doesn’t fit into your existing brand image – that’s okay. Just make sure your text and images are easy to decipher on top of your background.
2. Strategic use of negative space
Negative space, or the empty areas of a design, allows key elements like faces, text, or graphics to shine. Clutter-free thumbnails are easier for viewers to process quickly, making them more effective in grabbing attention. Plus, these thumbnails are a lot easier to scale down (we’ll come back to this later).
Here are some tips on using negative space wisely:
- Ensure there’s enough space around the text to make it readable
- Frame faces or focal points against a clean background for emphasis
- Don’t overcrowd the thumbnail with unnecessary elements
3. Light vs. shadow
Playing with light and shadow can add depth and drama to your thumbnail – which is the reason why we see this type of editing most commonly in true crime, investigative, or conspiracy podcasts.
The easiest way to do this is by adjusting shadows and highlights during editing to make key elements stand out.
6. Make sure it’s scalable for different platforms
Thumbnails don’t just show up on YouTube’s homepage; they appear in search results, as suggested videos, on mobile devices, and even embedded on other websites. This variety of placements means your thumbnail needs to remain clear, legible, and visually appealing regardless of where or how it's viewed.
A thumbnail that looks great on a large desktop screen may become cluttered or unreadable on a small mobile screen. Before finalizing your thumbnail, test how it appears in various contexts:
- YouTube search results: Ensure text and key visual elements are visible and legible at a small size.
- Suggested video sidebar: Check that your thumbnail doesn't blend in with others and stands out on the right-hand panel.
- Mobile devices: Use YouTube's mobile app to see how your thumbnail looks on smaller screens.
- Embedded on websites: Preview how your thumbnail appears when shared on blogs or external sites.
There are a few ways you can test and optimize the scalability of your thumbnail, including:
- Canva: A free and easy-to-use app that allows you to preview designs in different sizes, helping you visualize how your thumbnail will appear across various placements.
- Figma: For more advanced users, Figma allows precise design adjustments and offers collaborative features. You can create thumbnails and scale them to test how they look in smaller dimensions.
- Preview Mode in your design software: Many design tools, including Photoshop, have a zoom feature that mimics different screen sizes. Shrink your design to simulate how it will appear as a small thumbnail.
- Mobile and desktop testing: Upload a draft of your video as unlisted on YouTube and review how the thumbnail looks on desktop and mobile before making the video public.
If you’re struggling to scale down your thumbnail, here are some general guidelines to help you out:
- Simplify design elements: Avoid clutter and keep your design clean. Focus on one central image or idea. Complex visuals are more likely to be blurry at smaller sizes.
- Bold text: Choose a font size that remains readable even when the thumbnail is small.
- High contrast: Use contrasting colors to make text and images pop, ensuring they don’t blend into the background.
7. Don’t forget the font
Last but not least – the font.
This part is very important, as you’re likely not going to stop and read every podcast title and description. But taking a quick glance at the thumbnail and seeing if the episode piques your interest? That’s a lot more likely.
You don’t need to have your podcast’s title reiterated on your thumbnail. People can easily skim your title to learn more if your thumbnail earns their attention. Instead consider something short and punchy like:
- A thought-provoking question you explore in your episode: “Will AI take our jobs?”
- A memorable quote from the host or guest: “The biggest mistake I made was not trusting my gut”
- A bold hook or teaser: “The truth about building a multi-million dollar brand”
- Unfinished thoughts or cliffhangers: “And that’s what broke my business”
- Provocative or controversial statements: “Networking is a waste of time”
If you’re producing an interview show, make sure to include your guest’s name.
Now that you have some ideas for what to write on your thumbnail, here’s how to select the right fonts:
- Bold and readable: Use bold, easy-to-read fonts that are clear even when scaled down. Fonts without decorative elements (sans-serif) are generally more readable on digital screens.
- Brand consistency: Choose fonts that align with your podcast branding for a cohesive visual identity.
- Minimalist approach: Limit your thumbnail to one or two fonts to maintain a clean, professional design.
YouTube thumbnails we love
To end things off, here are some YouTube podcast thumbnails that catch our attention. We also break down what exactly they do well, so you can incorporate elements into your own thumbnail.
The Rest is Politics
Given the content of each episode, The Rest is Politics uses the split-screen thumbnail often to show division, contrast, and/or a debate. Using their brand colors, bold text teasers, and images of the hosts, guests, and/or the latest headliners, you can get a good grasp of the episode’s content before diving in.
Diary of a CEO
The Diary of a CEO does a great job of keeping up their brand image while maintaining clear and readable thumbnails. With a bold, punchy statement as the focal point and high-quality guest images, DOAC makes it easy for potential viewers to see if an episode is for them.
Call Her Daddy
Call Her Daddy is a great example of effective thumbnails for interview podcasts. By stand-out screen grabs from each episode of both Alix Cooper and her guests mid-conversation, each episode has a more human and relatable feel. Plus, they do a great job of weaving in the brand colors and font we’ve come to know so you’ll know right off the bat when a new CHD episode airs.
What’s your podcast’s visual identity?
Designing a YouTube thumbnail for your podcast is more than just an aesthetic decision; it can make the difference between a potential viewer clicking on your video or scrolling past it.
By following the tips outlined above — from using the right tools and maintaining brand consistency to experimenting with layouts and ensuring scalability — you can create thumbnails that not only capture attention but also engage your target audience.
On YouTube, your thumbnail is often the first thing your potential listeners will see. Provide just enough intrigue to compel viewers to hit play and don’t be afraid to experiment to get it right.
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