If you’re a content creator who frequently uploads videos to YouTube Shorts, you may have noticed that the option to change your thumbnail image is not available. This can be frustrating, especially if you want to customize your thumbnail to make it more eye-catching and appealing to potential viewers. In this blog post, we’ll explore why you can’t change the thumbnail on YouTube Shorts and provide some tips for adding thumbnails to your Shorts.
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Why Can’t I Change My Thumbnail on YouTube Shorts?
As mentioned earlier, YouTube Shorts automatically generates a thumbnail image for each video based on frames from the video. This means that creators do not have the option to upload their own custom thumbnail for their Shorts video. While this may seem like a limitation, it is important to remember that Shorts is a new feature on the platform and is still in the early stages of development. YouTube may decide to add more customization options for creators in the future, including the ability to add custom thumbnails for Shorts videos.
However, it’s important to note that the lack of custom thumbnail options does not necessarily mean that your Shorts video won’t get views or engagement. The algorithm selects frames from your video to create the thumbnail, which means that the thumbnail should accurately represent the content of the video. Additionally, creating engaging and high-quality content is key to attracting and retaining viewers, regardless of the thumbnail image.
While it may be frustrating to not have control over the thumbnail image for your Shorts video, it’s important to focus on creating great content and utilizing other optimization techniques, such as utilizing relevant tags and including a compelling title and description.
How to Add Thumbnails to Your Shorts
Shorts are a popular way to create and share short-form video content on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Adding thumbnails to your Shorts can help grab viewers’ attention and encourage them to watch your content. In this guide, we’ll show you how to add thumbnails to your Shorts.
Step 1: Create Your Short
The first step to adding a thumbnail to your Short is to create the video itself. You can do this using your smartphone or a camera, and edit the video using a video editing app.
Step 2: Choose Your Thumbnail
Once you have created your Short, you will need to choose a thumbnail to represent it. A thumbnail is a still image that appears before the video plays. It should be eye-catching and relevant to the content of your Short.
To choose your thumbnail, you can either select a frame from your video or create a custom image using a photo editing app. If you’re using a frame from your video, make sure it’s a clear and engaging image that accurately represents your Short.
Step 3: Upload Your Thumbnail
Now that you have chosen your thumbnail, you will need to upload it to your Short. Depending on the platform you’re using, the process may vary slightly.
For YouTube Shorts, you can add a custom thumbnail by selecting the “Custom thumbnail” option when uploading your video. From there, you can choose the image you want to use as your thumbnail.
For TikTok Shorts, you can add a thumbnail by selecting the “Cover” option when uploading your video. From there, you can choose the image you want to use as your thumbnail.
Step 4: Preview Your Thumbnail
Before you finalize your thumbnail, it’s important to preview it to make sure it looks good and accurately represents your Short. You can do this by playing the video and checking that the thumbnail appears as you intended.
Step 5: Save Your Changes Once you’re happy with your thumbnail, save your changes and publish your Short. Your thumbnail will now appear alongside your Short, helping to grab viewers’ attention and encourage them to watch your content.
What Is the YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Size
YouTube Shorts is a popular feature on the platform that allows users to create and share short-form video content. Adding a thumbnail to your Shorts is important as it helps grab viewers’ attention and encourages them to watch your content. In this guide, we’ll discuss the YouTube Shorts thumbnail size.
The recommended size for YouTube Shorts thumbnails is 1080 x 1920 pixels, with a minimum width of 480 pixels. This is a vertical aspect ratio of 9:16, which is ideal for mobile viewing. It’s important to note that your thumbnail should be in JPEG or PNG format and be under 2MB in size.
When creating your thumbnail, make sure to use clear and engaging imagery that accurately represents your Short. The thumbnail should be eye-catching and relevant to the content of your video. You can either select a frame from your video or create a custom image using a photo editing app.
To add a thumbnail to your YouTube Short, select the “Custom thumbnail” option when uploading your video. From there, you can choose the image you want to use as your thumbnail.
Can You Change the Thumbnail for a YouTube Shorts
Yes, you can change the thumbnail for a YouTube Short after it has been uploaded. If you’re not happy with the current thumbnail or want to try out a different one to see if it performs better, you can easily change it. In this guide, we’ll show you how to change the thumbnail for a YouTube Short.
Step 1: Go to Your Video Manager
First, navigate to your Video Manager on YouTube. From there, select the video that you want to change the thumbnail for. If you’re using the YouTube Studio app, you can find your Shorts by going to the “Shorts” tab on your dashboard.
Step 2: Select the “Edit” Button
Once you’ve selected your video, click on the “Edit” button. This will open up the editing options for your Short.
Step 3: Choose Your New Thumbnail
Under the “Details” tab, scroll down to the “Thumbnail” section. Here, you’ll see three options for your thumbnail: the auto-generated thumbnail, the custom thumbnail, and the option to choose from frames in your video.
To choose a new thumbnail, select the “Custom thumbnail” option. From there, you can upload a new image or select one from your existing YouTube videos.
Step 4: Save Your Changes
Once you’ve chosen your new thumbnail, make sure to save your changes. You can do this by clicking on the “Save” button at the bottom of the page. Your new thumbnail will now be applied to your YouTube Short.
It’s important to note that it may take a few minutes for the new thumbnail to appear on your Short. If you’re still seeing the old thumbnail, try refreshing the page or waiting a bit longer.
Pros and Cons of YouTube Shorts
Sure, here are some pros and cons of YouTube Shorts:
Pros:
- Increased reach: With YouTube Shorts, you have the potential to reach a wider audience. These short-form videos are often recommended to viewers based on their viewing habits, so even if someone isn’t subscribed to your channel, they may come across your Shorts.
- Easy to create: YouTube Shorts can be created using just your smartphone. You don’t need any special equipment or editing software, which makes them accessible to everyone.
- Trending format: Short-form videos have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks in part to the rise of platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. By creating Shorts, you can tap into this trend and potentially attract a new audience.
- Engaging content: Shorts can be a great way to create quick, eye-catching content that grabs viewers’ attention. This can help to increase engagement and drive more views and subscriptions to your channel.
Cons:
- Limited monetization options: Currently, monetizing Shorts on YouTube is limited to ads that play before or after the video. This means that creators may not earn as much revenue from Shorts as they do from longer-form content.
- Lack of discoverability: While Shorts can potentially reach a wider audience, they can also be difficult to find on the platform. Unlike regular videos, Shorts don’t have their own dedicated section on the YouTube homepage, which can make it harder for viewers to discover new content.
- Short attention span: With so many Shorts competing for viewers’ attention, it can be challenging to create content that stands out and keeps people engaged. Creators may need to put in extra effort to make their Shorts memorable and shareable.
- Limited editing options: While Shorts can be created quickly and easily, they also have limited editing options compared to longer-form content. This can make it difficult to create more polished or complex videos using the Shorts format.