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A positive brand image is one of the key elements to a business’s success. How do YouTube thumbnails and brand identity connect? When a viewer clicks on a YouTube video, one of the first visual representations they see of a brand is the thumbnail image.

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What Is a YouTube Thumbnail and Why Customize One to Complement Your Brand Identity?

A thumbnail is a still image used to present a quick preview of the content in a YouTube video. Viewers can also click directly on a thumbnail to be directed to the video.

Thumbnails are a great way for content creators to draw their audience’s attention. The more interesting a thumbnail looks, the more likely viewers may be to watch the video. According to YouTube, the videos that gain the most attention on the platform have customized thumbnails.

YouTube provides creators with three automatically generated images. Although creators can easily utilize this option, the thumbnails may not be the most attention-grabbing images to use.

The Relationship Between Thumbnails and Brand Identity

By serving as one of your audience’s first impressions of your business, your thumbnail design can serve as a reflection of your business. 

Choosing an image and style for your thumbnail that represents your video accurately is crucial in maintaining a consistent brand identity.

 “Clickbait” thumbnails that contain attention-grabbing images may mislead viewers into believing the video will contain different content is not a good practice. 

Although these kinds of thumbnails may lead to more viewership, you should refrain from misleading your audience. Instead, provide them with an image that appropriately displays the content. 

Create a Consistent Brand Image

According to a study conducted in 2016, consistent branding can increase revenue by 33%. 

By creating consistent representations of your brand on your YouTube channel, you can make your videos recognizable.

A great way to develop a strong brand identity is by developing an aesthetic. For instance, consider using consistent fonts, color schemes, and background images. This can further help demonstrate your brand’s style and ultimately help you maintain consistent viewership!

 Utilize Text, Images, and Titles to Your Advantage

The YouTube Creator Academy is a series of free online courses from YouTube that can help you create the best content for your brand.

Check out this short video that shows the importance of different elements when uploading to YouTube:

When choosing an image, keep in mind how your audience may perceive it and whether this aligns with your brand identity. 

Including text in your thumbnails is another crafty way to help your viewers quickly understand your video’s objective. When including text, use short words and phrases that viewers can read quickly. 

Additionally, make sure to use fonts that are legible and consistent with your brand’s aesthetic! Remember, the text you use should supplement your images to create a striking thumbnail.

Conclusion

A powerful YouTube thumbnail can positively impact your brand identity.

By injecting a strong personality and style into your video’s thumbnails, you can ensure that your audience immediately recognizes your business.

Want to learn more about YouTube thumbnails and brand identity? Check out our other articles, Why Your YouTube Thumbnail Determines Your Video’s Success and YouTube Content Engagement: Get More Views, Embeds, Comments, etc for more useful tips. Also, learn about the best time to upload to YouTube.

Tsega Amare

Tsega is a blogger at Seattle Web Search. While living in Columbia, MD, she attends the University of Maryland where she studies communication and rhetoric. Tsega's interests range from writing and research to studying SEO.

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