Pick YouTube Thumbnail

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Here I analyze what YouTube does to define what part of your video becomes a thumbnail. Some say it’s based on a simple calculation. Wrong! Others say color changes that happen during the video. Maybe? So far it seems the process is random like YouTube states. I’ll keep working on it. Here are the locations of the thumbnails


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25 responses to “Pick YouTube Thumbnail”

  1. Derek Banas Avatar

    @outofthegreenmist I think at this point thumbnail selection is the only benefit provided to YT partners. In the beginning partners were the only ones able to make long videos, customize channels, etc. I think the thumbnail thing just helps steer people toward partner content because they are held accountable for copyright infringement. Just guessing

  2. outofthegreenmist Avatar

    @derekbanas I agree that youtube is (for now) number one for views, but I can't understand why they can't – or won't – use the same thumbnail selection tool as dailymotion.

  3. Derek Banas Avatar

    @outofthegreenmist I've tried other video sites, but never had any success with them. I have videos on YouTube that have over 50,000 views. In comparison those same videos else where get 100 views.

  4. outofthegreenmist Avatar

    Dailymotion allows you to select a thumbnail from anywhere in the video.

  5. michaelovitch Avatar

    @michaelovitch
    i forgot to say black is very very quick to upload and looks like YT prefer dark colors : i think it takes less volume on their saving space for the thumnails

  6. michaelovitch Avatar

    I just made several vids of 1mn, 2mn, 3mn, with white numbers on black screen from 1 to 60 ,1to 120 ,1 to 180.

    for the vids under 2mn the first thumbnail is at 9 seconds and 52 s for the 3 mn one

    1mn 9s 34 s 54 s
    2 mn 9 s 46 s 108 s
    3 mn 52 s 118s 122s
    quite strange ..looks like it doesn't respect a specific time

  7. Derek Banas Avatar

    @justapodcast Glad you liked it. Actually berlin2best may have found a way to pick your thumbnail. Check out that channel. Unlike others they offer the information for free which is nice

  8. justapodcast Avatar

    some of your theories are very in the right direction. i do a LOT of testing myself on this. im writing a program right now to help others get the thumbs they want.

  9. Berlin2Best Avatar

    @derekbanas You're welcome! =)

  10. Derek Banas Avatar

    @Berlin2Best Checked out your video. It looks like that would work however it would require some work. Thanks for posting this 🙂

  11. Berlin2Best Avatar

    @Shoen There is a way you can set your desired thumbnail… Of course even without YouTube-partnership.
    There is a video at my channel wich describes two methods, which still work!

  12. BOOMxXxGaming Avatar

    the first one works for me, but the others dont

  13. Rock More Avatar

    something tells me i have to say Kingassuan

  14. Derek Banas Avatar

    @TheButtonMasherz Did they post a how to video on how to do it? If so, please pass it on. If you're just referring to the fact that they have nice thumbnails, that is because they are a YouTube Partner. YouTube partners have the ability to set their own thumbnails. That's a privilege everyone else doesn't get

  15. TheButtonMasherz Avatar

    @derekbanas machinima figured it out

  16. Derek Banas Avatar

    @Shoen I know it sucks! If I figure it out I'll make sure to alert you 🙂

  17. Shoen Avatar

    @derekbanas why youtube has to make so difficult my life?…uff….
    i just want a damn little image with my eyes (i made some make up videos).
    I'm not asking the moon.! uff
    All the random thumbn. are horrible….

  18. Derek Banas Avatar

    @Shoen Sadly all of the old tricks don't work anymore. I've had some pretty smart people try to crack this and they believe it is completely random. The only way to increase your chance of getting a nice thumbnail is to use nice images a lot in your videos. Many people are confused by the fact that others have nice thumbnails without using the image in the presentation. That is because they are YouTube partners. Hope that helps?

  19. Shoen Avatar

    Hy I always have horribles thumbnail who didn't show anythign about the video.
    how can I change that?

  20. Derek Banas Avatar

    @drbova I should clarify this video by saying that the formula that YouTube / Google is using isn't easily figured out. I'm yet to find anyone that has figured it out and I've spent a lot of time with some math geek friends cranking away at it. The whole point of the video was to prove a lot of the info out there to be false, so people didn't waste their time. Hope it helped do that. Thanks 🙂

  21. Dawn Bova Avatar

    It can't be random because I've uploaded the same video three times and gotten the same thumbnail options.

  22. Derek Banas Avatar

    @JackANDJude If you are chosen to be what is called a YouTube Partner, you are given the ability to set your own thumbnail. That's the privilege of making Partner status. Sorry I didn't bring that up. 🙂

  23. JackANDJude Avatar

    @derekbanas It can't be random, because popular YouTubers like Shay Carl and Dan Brown choose their video icons.

  24. Derek Banas Avatar

    @becomingalady Yes, I've tested placing thumbnails in every way imaginable. I agree with you that it is totally random. Thanks

  25. Derek Banas Avatar

    @LordConnorStudios The image that shows up representing your video in YouTube. People have been asking how to define what that image is. It is either picked randomly or it is based off of a color or transition change. Not sure yet?

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