• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Bonnie Gean's Community Blog

I Help You Overcome Technical Roadblocks So You Can Run Your Online Business, Better.

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Affiliates
  • Resources
    • Tutorials
    • Product Reviews
    • Free Reports
  • Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Affiliates
  • Resources
    • Tutorials
    • Product Reviews
    • Free Reports
  • Search

How to Add a Custom Thumbnail to YouTube Videos

In this video, I’m going to show you how to add a custom thumbnail to your YouTube videos. In fact, I’ll show you two ways!

You are here: Home / Latest News / How to Add a Custom Thumbnail to YouTube Videos
Share8
Tweet2
Pin1
Email
11 Shares

In this video, I’m going to show you how to add a custom thumbnail to your YouTube videos.
In fact, I’ll show you two ways: for your existing videos and also new videos as you’re uploading them to the YouTube interface.
I’ve included text below just in case you don’t care to watch a video!

Watch the Video:



How to Add a Custom Thumbnail to YouTube Videos from Bonnie Gean

Get Rid of Funky Thumbnail Images

In the past, YouTube Partners were the only people who could add custom thumbnails to their videos, but now YouTube considers everybody a Partner and the ability to change your video thumbnails may be within your reach!
According to Google, if your YouTube account is more than 30 days old and in good standing, you may have the ability to add custom thumbnails to your YouTube videos.
So this video (and written set of instructions) is for you to enjoy! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment box below and I’ll respond in kind!

How to Upload Custom Thumbnails

Existing Videos:

  • Login to YouTube
  • Click on the “Video Manager link.”
  • Choose a video and click the “Edit” button.
  • Click the “Custom Thumbnail” button.
  • Pick an image from your computer to upload.
  • Click the “Save Changes” button.

When You Upload a New Video:

  • Login to YouTube
  • Click the “Upload” button.
  • Select a video to upload.
  • Click the “Custom thumbnail” button under the “Video Thumbnail” section.
  • Pick an image from your computer to upload.
  • Click the “Save Changes” button.

Thumbnail Guidelines

  • File size must be under 2MB
  • Image size should be 1,280 pixels wide by 720 pixels high.
  • Images can be JPG, GIF, BMP, and/or PNG files.
  • No nudity, no racy content, no copyrighted images.

Download the PDF Instructions

If you prefer pictures wtih step by step instructions, download the How to Add a Custom Thumbnail to YouTube Videos PDF file.
Your turn! Do you use custom thumbnail images on your YouTube videos? Leave a comment below and let me know!
Thanks for reading,
– Bonnie
P.S. Did you enjoy this message? If so, please share it with your friends so they can benefit from schmoozing. Then, if you want to get more messages like this one, connect with me via my social links below or hop aboard my notification list. I would like to keep in touch.

Share8
Tweet2
Pin1
Email
11 Shares

About Bonnie Gean

Bonnie Gean is a full-time writer, marketer, and entrepreneur with over 33 years of experience. She shares the goods on building community and helps you overcome technical challenges associated with operating an online business.

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

How to Start a Business You Love by Changing Your Focus

How to Design a Shamrock in Powerpoint

Supervisor Icon (Image)

Are You Making These Catastrophic Business Mistakes?

Monday Mixer: Grandson, Alcohol, Pneumonia and No Work Zone

net_thief_610_icon

How to Protect Your Website Content from Thieves

Is Your Blog Appealing to Your Readers?

Previous Post: «Need Content in a Jiffy? Need Content in a Jiffy?
Next Post: How to Duplicate a Blog Post »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vatsala Shukla

    April 7, 2014 at 3:16 pm

    This post is God sent, Bonnie. I made my first video in March and I was wondering if I could use my own thumb nail or edit one. I found my answer. Thank you , thank you!

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      April 8, 2014 at 1:49 pm

      Glad the post helped you! Let me know if you need any other tutorials. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. LeonWoh

    January 6, 2014 at 2:51 am

    I follow all the procedures that shown below the video, but it doesn’t work…(it is still the old thumbnail on my video after applying a new thumbnail)I mean it will not instantly change to the new thumbnail(do we need to wait until the youtube admin approved or etc.)

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      January 6, 2014 at 6:55 am

      The changeover can take from several hours up to a full day or two to show, Leon. Be patient, the new thumbnail will eventually show up. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Cynthia Dixon

    May 8, 2013 at 8:11 pm

    Super easy and fun! I had no idea this was possible, but I’ve wondered how you always have the same images for your videos. Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      May 13, 2013 at 12:22 pm

      Did you make your custom thumbnail image yet?

      Reply
  4. Victoria @ My Daily Cuppa

    May 8, 2013 at 6:02 pm

    I have to admit, this was one of the reasons why I didn’t use Youtube for the 30 Day Vlogging Challenge. I was already nervous as hell to put my face in front of the camera. The hideous images that were pulled seemed to somehow only capture me with my mouth open! Too traumatic to use.
    Glad to see that they have added this option. I may move over to Youtube in the future.
    Thanks Bonnie πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      May 13, 2013 at 12:24 pm

      Well, now that you know – are you going to add a YouTube account to your marketing arsenal?

      Reply
      • Victoria @ My Daily Cuppa

        May 13, 2013 at 5:01 pm

        Well, I already have my gmail account so it would be silly not too. πŸ™‚

        Reply
        • Bonnie Gean

          May 13, 2013 at 8:35 pm

          I agree! πŸ™‚ Thanks for letting me know! When you have the YouTube account set up, let me know so I can subscribe to your channel!

          Reply
  5. Mary Kathan

    May 8, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    What a great option!
    Glad you are going to teach us how to make a thumbnail in Gimp !
    You ARE the Tutorial Queen!
    Mary Kathan

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      May 9, 2013 at 11:42 am

      Hi Mary!
      I will be booting up Gimp in a second to get the tutorial done for tomorrow! I must do 3 videos today, so I’m off to get busy!
      I’m beginning to think I AM the TUTORIAL QUEEN. Does this mean I need a new logo now? πŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. Kerry McNally

    May 8, 2013 at 5:27 pm

    OMG every video I have uploaded to YouTube with my face in it has had the worst thumbnails possible. Thank you so much for this Bonnie, I have shared this on Facebook & I’m off to change mine.

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      May 13, 2013 at 12:25 pm

      Nice! Let me know when your thumbnail image is done! I’d like to see it! My nose itches now. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. Patricia Santhuff

    May 8, 2013 at 2:16 pm

    This is just super, Bonnie Gean. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate having this info – and as someone who really dislikes videos as a rule, how much I appreciate having the text version. Well done!

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      May 13, 2013 at 10:17 am

      Thanks Patricia!
      Why don’t you like video, if I may ask?

      Reply
      • Patricia Santhuff

        May 13, 2013 at 11:08 am

        Hmm, I used to have a blogpost about it but apparently trashed that as I reclaimed and refurbished my website when I returned to IM a few months ago. I’ll have to consider doing it again.
        In the meantime, the short answer is: I can read a LOT faster than any videographer can talk. I find them super-duper time-wasters and I resent having my time and attention commandeered in that way. Further (getting into a longish version of the short answer here, I’m afraid), if I want anything out of it i have to take notes. Otherwise I also won’t know where to find that snippet of information I want to review.
        I have even more objections, but that gives you a clue.
        BTW, I got notification this a.m. that my Technorati application was approved. Hooray.

        Reply
        • Bonnie Gean

          May 16, 2013 at 4:19 pm

          Congrats on the Technorati approval. πŸ™‚

          Reply
          • Patricia Santhuff

            May 16, 2013 at 6:51 pm

            Thanks, Bonnie. I have no idea how big a deal it is – probably not that much, but I do know it’s not automatic.
            Btw, thank to your inspiration, I wrote up a new blog post on why I dislike videos. I think there’s a place for them (and am trying to find more of a place for DOING them in my life), I just think they’re overused and, I have some specific complaints as well.

          • Bonnie Gean

            May 16, 2013 at 7:37 pm

            Video is regarded as one of the most important tools an Internet marketer can use to market their businesses, build relationships with an audience, and add higher value in exchange for dollars than using just audio or plain text.
            I would imagine there are quite a few people who don’t particularly like listening to video, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that video is highly popular and works wonderfully well as a marketing tool.
            While I don’t care for the video that is nothing more than a sales letter in video form, I do appreciate getting to know the people I do business with online, such as Tiffany, Nicole Dean and a handful of others.
            Most of the networking I do happened as a result of watching someone’s video and getting to know like them after being introduced to their personality on screen.
            Though, you’re entitled to your opinion and I respect how you feel.

          • Patricia Santhuff

            May 17, 2013 at 11:07 am

            Oh, goodness, Bonnie, did you read my post? The tone of your response made me go re-read it myself.
            Nothing I said in that post contradicts your first 2 paragraphs in any way — and the rest, your personal experience and preference, is just that and I certainly have no problem with how YOU feel about and use video.
            So what was there about it that annoyed you? It certainly wasn’t addressed TO you or in ANY way ABOUT you, it was just that our discussion prompted me to get that post done instead of just threatening to do it. So I’m confused.

          • Bonnie Gean

            May 17, 2013 at 12:39 pm

            Yes dear, I read your post. I read all your comments because I like to know what makes ya… well, YOU! πŸ™‚
            Oh my, why do you think I was annoyed? LOL – I had to go back and read what I wrote to see how you could think I was annoyed.
            I most definitely agree with you on video being overused in many ways (read what I said about video sales letters, for example).
            I didn’t mean to sound annoyed. My apologies if you took it that way. I’ll be careful in the future to add my smiles where they’re needed. πŸ™‚

          • Patricia Santhuff

            May 17, 2013 at 1:42 pm

            Well, I’m relieved.Thanks. It just sounded a little oppositional, and then the last sentence seemed to validate that. Glad to know I was wrong.
            I’ve been poking around some of your other posts in the meantime and quite enjoyig myself. πŸ˜€ You’ve got some good stuff. Brava!

          • Bonnie Gean

            May 17, 2013 at 2:19 pm

            I’m glad we got that cleared up, Patricia! I enjoy having you on the blog and don’t want to offend you (or anyone else for that matter).
            And… if there’s something you don’t understand, as you surf around the blog, just ask. I would be glad to answer any questions!

  8. Wendy Bottrell

    May 8, 2013 at 11:57 am

    Very helpful information. Will take your instruction and give it a go! Thanks, Wendy

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      May 13, 2013 at 10:16 am

      Good luck with it! Let me know how you do!

      Reply
  9. Paula - Buenos Aires

    May 7, 2013 at 8:29 pm

    IΒ΄ve seen my sonΒ΄s videos with thumbnails but never asked how he did it. Thanks for the info!

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      May 7, 2013 at 10:12 pm

      You’re welcome Paula! Now you don’t need to ask your son! LOL

      Reply
  10. Amanda Thomas

    May 7, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    Oh, that’s useful! I didn’t know you could do that… I just tried to pick a not horrible looking one from the options they gave. lol

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      May 7, 2013 at 10:15 pm

      Now you can add custom thumbnails to YOUR videos Amanda… and start branding them! πŸ™‚
      The custom images YouTube usually picks for us aren’t exactly the best looking photos. I know mine aren’t! LOL

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Kerry McNally Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Looking for Something?

Categories

  • Business (95)
  • Challenges (64)
  • Golden Nuggets (56)
  • Latest News (463)
  • Other (30)
  • Podcasts (7)
  • Reviews (38)
  • Video Blogs (169)

Archives

Recent Posts

  • How to Start a Business You Love by Changing Your Focus
  • How to Design a Shamrock in Powerpoint
  • Are You Making These Catastrophic Business Mistakes?
  • Monday Mixer: Grandson, Alcohol, Pneumonia and No Work Zone
  • How to Protect Your Website Content from Thieves

Recent Comments

  • Bonnie Gean on When Personal Issues Interrupt Your Work
  • Sara on When Personal Issues Interrupt Your Work
  • Bonnie Gean on The Facebook Text Overlay Tool Explained
  • Bonnie Gean on How to Design a Shamrock in Powerpoint
  • Alphonse Couturier on How to Design a Shamrock in Powerpoint

Disclosure

Bonnie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Disclosure

Bonnie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

How to Start a Business You Love by Changing Your Focus
How to Design a Shamrock in Powerpoint
Supervisor Icon (Image)Are You Making These Catastrophic Business Mistakes?
Monday Mixer: Grandson, Alcohol, Pneumonia and No Work Zone
net_thief_610_iconHow to Protect Your Website Content from Thieves
Is Your Blog Appealing to Your Readers?
  • Home
  • Support
  • Affiliates
  • Testimonials
  • Legal

Copyright © Bonnie Gean · All Rights Reserved