How to Setup YouTube Shorts Thumbnail on PC and Phone

Creating eye-catching YouTube Shorts Thumbnails is important if you want more views and YouTube Subscribers. A good thumbnail makes people click your video. In this blog, you will learn how to set up a YouTube Shorts thumbnail on both PC and Phone. This research is very simple and perfect for beginners.

What is a YouTube Shorts Thumbnail?

A YouTube Shorts thumbnail is the small picture that shows up before someone clicks your video. It gives people an idea of what your Short is about. If your YouTube Shorts thumbnail looks exciting, more people will want to watch your video and become your YouTube Subscribers.

Why is the YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Important?

Your YouTube Shorts thumbnail is the first thing people see. If it looks boring, people may skip your video. But a colorful, clear, and exciting YouTube Shorts thumbnail can get more clicks. This can help you grow your YouTube Subscribers faster.

Can You Add a Custom YouTube Shorts Thumbnail?

Yes, but it works best when you upload your Shorts from a PC. On mobile, YouTube doesn’t always let you pick a custom YouTube Shorts thumbnail easily. But there are still ways to do it, and we’ll show you both PC and phone methods.

How to Setup YouTube Shorts Thumbnail on PC

Follow these steps to set up your YouTube Shorts thumbnail on a computer:

Step 1: Make Your YouTube Shorts Video

Create your short video. Make sure it is vertical and under 60 seconds long. You can use video editing tools like Canva, CapCut, or Premiere Pro to add effects and music. When you’re done, export the video in MP4 format.

Step 2: Choose or Create a Thumbnail Image

Pick a clear, bright, and attractive image for your YouTube Shorts thumbnail. You can take a screenshot from the video or design one using Canva or Photoshop. Your image should be 1280×720 pixels for the best results.

Step 3: Upload Your Shorts Using YouTube Studio

1. Go to YouTube Studio on your PC.

2. Click on “Create” in the top-right corner and then select “Upload videos.”

3. Choose your Shorts video and let it upload.

Step 4: Add a Custom Thumbnail

When the upload page opens, you’ll see the “Thumbnail” option.

• Click on “Upload thumbnail.”

• Choose your custom image for the YouTube Shorts thumbnail.

This custom image will now show before your Short plays, helping you get more views and YouTube Subscribers.

Step 5: Finish the Upload

• Fill in the video title and description.

• Add hashtags like #shorts to make sure YouTube knows it’s a Shorts video.

• Click “Next” through the settings until you reach “Publish.”

• Click Publish to upload your Short with a custom YouTube Shorts thumbnail.

How to Setup YouTube Shorts Thumbnail on Phone

Adding a custom YouTube Shorts thumbnail from a phone is a bit tricky, but possible. Here’s how you can do it:

Method 1: Upload Through Desktop Mode in Mobile Browser

1. Open Chrome on your phone.

2. Go to YouTube Studio.

3. Tap the three dots in Chrome and turn on “Desktop site.”

4. Now the site will look like it does on a PC.

5. Tap Create > Upload videos.

6. Upload your Shorts video from your phone storage.

7. Choose your custom YouTube Shorts thumbnail from your gallery.

8. Publish your Short.

This is the best way to set up a YouTube Shorts thumbnail on your phone if you don’t have access to a PC.

Method 2: Use the YouTube Studio App (With a Trick)

Normally, the YouTube Studio app does not let you add a custom YouTube Shorts thumbnail, but here’s a trick:

1. First, upload your Short from the YouTube app.

2. Then, open the YouTube Studio app.

3. Tap the video you just uploaded.

4. If you want to change the thumbnail, try changing the default one with an existing frame from the video.

5. You can’t upload a new image here, but you can pick a better frame.

Although not perfect, it can still improve your YouTube thumbnail and get you more YouTube Subscribers.

Tips to Make a Great YouTube Shorts Thumbnail

Making a good YouTube thumbnail doesn’t have to be hard. Follow these tips:

1. Use Bright Colors

Bright colors catch people’s eyes. Make your YouTube thumbnail colorful so it stands out in the feed.

2. Add Big Text

Add bold and short text on the image. Use simple words like “WOW,” “SHOCKING,” or “MUST WATCH.”

3. Show Emotion

Faces showing strong emotions like surprise or happiness work well. This makes your YouTube thumbnail more interesting.

4. Keep It Clean

Don’t add too many things to your thumbnail. Keep it simple and clear so people can quickly understand what the video is about.

5. Stay Consistent

Use the same style, colors, or fonts in all your thumbnails. This makes your channel look more professional and brings more YouTube Subscribers.

Mistakes to Avoid When Creating YouTube Shorts Thumbnails

To make your YouTube Shorts thumbnail work better, avoid these mistakes:

1. Too Much Text

Don’t put long sentences. Viewers won’t read it. Use 2-3 words only.

2. Blurry Image

Never use low-quality images. Always use a clear and sharp YouTube Shorts thumbnail.

3. Misleading Image

Don’t use images that have nothing to do with your video. This can make people dislike your video and you may lose YouTube Subscribers.

Best Tools to Create YouTube Shorts Thumbnails

You can use these tools to design your perfect YouTube thumbnail:

• Canva – Free and easy to use.

• Snappa – Great for beginners.

• Pixlr – Works online and has useful features.

• Photoshop – Best for advanced editing.

• Fotor – Another free tool with templates.

All these tools help you create the best YouTube thumbnail that attracts viewers and grows your YouTube Subscribers.

How to Test Which Thumbnail Works Best

Want to know which YouTube thumbnail works best? Use A/B Testing:

• Change the thumbnail after a few days and see which version gets more views.

• Check YouTube Analytics to see which thumbnail is getting higher clicks (CTR).

• Pick the one with better performance.

This way, you’ll learn which YouTube Shorts thumbnail your audience likes more and gain more YouTube Subscribers.

Setting up your YouTube thumbnail on PC is easy and gives the best results. On the phone, it’s still possible using the browser or YouTube Studio app. Always remember: your thumbnail is the first impression. Make it count!

With a great YouTube Shorts thumbnail, your videos will get more attention, more clicks, and more YouTube Subscribers. Take time to design your thumbnail well, and it will make a big difference to your channel’s success.