The Essential Guide to Smartphone-Based YouTube Thumbnails

As a content creator, you know the importance of a visually appealing thumbnail for YouTube videos. It gives your viewers a sneak peek of what they can expect from your video and helps it stand out in the crowded world of YouTube.

When creating your thumbnail, it’s important to remember that the recommended size is 1280 x 720 pixels and a minimum width of 640 pixels. With these dimensions in mind, let’s dive into how you can easily create stunning thumbnails for your YouTube videos using your mobile phone.

Method 1. Make a YouTube Thumbnail on iPhone With the iPhone Photos App

One way to create a thumbnail for your YouTube video on your iPhone is to use the built-in Photos app. The Photos app comes pre-installed on all iPhones and offers a range of editing tools you can use to create a thumbnail.

The Photos app on your iPhone offers a range of features that you can use to create a custom thumbnail for your YouTube video. Here are some of the features you can use:

• Crop: The crop tool allows you to resize and reposition your thumbnail image by trimming away any unnecessary parts of the image.
• Rotate: The rotate tool lets you adjust the orientation of your thumbnail image. You can rotate the image clockwise or counterclockwise to achieve the desired angle.
• Adjust lighting and color: The lighting and color tools allow you to adjust the brightness, contrast, saturation, and other aspects of the thumbnail image to enhance its overall appearance.
• Add text: You can use the text tool to add words or phrases to your thumbnail image. This can be a great way to include a call-to-action or to highlight a key feature of your video.
• Add filters and stickers: The Photos app includes a range of filters and stickers that you can use to give your thumbnail image a unique look. You can experiment with filters and stickers to find the perfect one for your thumbnail.

To create a thumbnail using the Photos app on your iPhone, follow these steps:

Step1 Open the Photos app and find the image you want to use as your thumbnail. Tap on the image to open it.

Step2 Tap the Edit button in the top right corner of the screen. Use the crop and rotate tools to adjust the perspective and the aspect ratio of 16:9.

Step3 Tap the Filters button to access the filter effects. Scroll through the available filters and tap on one to apply it to your thumbnail image.

Step4 To write or draw on the image, tap the Markup button. This will open a toolbar with a variety of drawing and text tools. Use these tools to add your personal touch to the thumbnail.

Step5 When you’re satisfied with your thumbnail, tap Done in the top right corner of the screen.

Pros

• Convenient
• Easy to use
• Versatile

Cons

• Limited customization option
• Lower image quality

This method is best for users looking for a quick and easy way to create a thumbnail on the go and doesn’t need many customization options. It’s also a good option for users needing computer or graphic design software access. If you’re looking for more advanced customization options or higher image quality, consider using other methods or software.

Method 2. Make YouTube Thumbnails on Android/iPhone With Third-Party Apps

In addition to using the built-in Photos app on your iPhone or Android device, there are also many third-party apps that you can use to create YouTube thumbnails. Some popular options include Canva, Adobe Spark, and FotoJet. These apps offer a wider range of customization options and design templates, making it easy to create professional-looking thumbnails even if you have yet to gain graphic design experience.

One popular third-party app for creating YouTube thumbnails on both iPhone and Android devices is PixelLab. PixelLab is a powerful graphic design app with many features and tools for creating custom thumbnails. With PixelLab, you can add text, shapes, and stickers to your thumbnail image and adjust the image’s color, lighting, and other aspects to get the perfect look. You can also import your images or graphics for your thumbnail design.

Here are the steps to create a thumbnail using PixelLab on your Android or iOS device:

Step1 Open the Play Store and search for PixelLab. Install the app.

Step2 Tap the “+” icon to add an image from your gallery.

Step3 Edit the image using the available tools, such as cropping, rotating, and adjusting the color and lighting.

Step4 Add text to the image and customize it to your liking.

Step5 Change the resolution of the image to 1280 x 720 pixels.

Step6 Save the image to your gallery by exporting it.

Pros

• More customization options
• Advanced editing tools
• High image quality

Cons

• Requires a separate app download
• It may require a learning curve

This method is best for users looking for more advanced customization options and higher image quality for their YouTube thumbnails. It’s also a good option for users with experience with graphic design software and who are comfortable using advanced editing tools. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to create a thumbnail and only need a few customization options, consider using the built-in Photos app or other simpler methods.

How To Add Thumbnails to YouTube Videos on Mobile

Once you’ve created your thumbnail image, it’s time to add it to your YouTube video. Adding a thumbnail to your YouTube video on your mobile device is a simple process that only requires a few steps.

Here’s how to do it on your mobile device:

Step1 Open the YouTube app on your mobile device and sign in to your account.

Step2 Tap on the My Videos tab to view a list of your uploaded videos.

Step3 Tap on the video and tap the “Edit“ button in the top right corner of the screen.

Step4 Tap the Custom thumbnail button and upload the image you want to use from your photo library.

Step5 Tap Save in the top right corner to upload the thumbnail to your video.

That’s it! Your new thumbnail will now be displayed on your YouTube video, helping it stand out and attract more views. You can repeat this process for other videos if you want to add a custom thumbnail.

It May Interest You – Make YouTube Thumbnails on Windows/Mac

While it’s convenient to create YouTube thumbnails on your mobile device, there may be times when you need to create a thumbnail on your Windows or Mac computer.

For example, if you need to create a thumbnail with a higher resolution or more advanced customization options, you may find it easier to do so on a computer. Additionally, a computer may be more efficient if you’re working on a larger thumbnail project and need to create multiple thumbnails simultaneously.

One popular tool for creating YouTube thumbnails on a Windows or Mac computer is Filmora. Wondershare Filmora is a powerful video editing software that allows you to easily edit and enhance your YouTube videos and create custom thumbnails for your videos.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

With Filmora, you can add text, graphics, and special effects to your thumbnail image and import and edit multiple images. Filmora is a great tool for creating professional-looking YouTube thumbnails on your Windows or Mac computer.

To create a thumbnail using Filmora on your Windows or Mac computer, follow these steps:

Step1 Launch Filmora, add the picture to the timeline and select the AI Portrait option in the Effects panel to cut out the subject from the background.

Step2 Scale up and reposition the photo.

Step3 Add a new background to the track below the picture. Use the other editing tools in Filmora to customize the image as desired, such as adding text, graphics, and special effects.

Step4 When you are done editing the thumbnail, take a snapshot by clicking the camera icon.

Step5 Locate the thumbnail in your local drive.

For more detailed instructions and a visual guide, you can watch the following video tutorial:

Add a video

This video will show you how to use Filmora to create a custom thumbnail for your YouTube video, step by step.

People Also Ask

Here are some common questions that people have when it comes to creating YouTube thumbnails on mobile.

Q1. What App Do Youtubers Use To Make Thumbnails?

There are many different apps and tools that YouTubers use to create thumbnails for their videos. The best app for creating YouTube thumbnails will depend on your needs and skill level.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to create a thumbnail on your mobile device, start with the built-in Photos app or a third-party app like Canva. If you need more advanced customization options or are comfortable with graphic design software, consider using Adobe Photoshop or another tool.

Q2. What Is YouTube Thumbnail Size?

The recommended size for YouTube thumbnails is 1280 x 720 pixels. This size balances quality and file size, ensuring that your thumbnail looks sharp and loads quickly. It’s also important to note that YouTube thumbnails are displayed at different sizes depending on the device and context in which they are viewed.

For example, a thumbnail may be displayed at a larger size when it’s shown as the main thumbnail for a video but smaller when it’s shown in a list of related videos.

Q3. What Thumbnail Gets the Most Clicks?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the thumbnail that gets the most clicks can vary depending on the topic of your video, your target audience, and other factors.

However, the key to getting clicks on your thumbnail is to make it visually appealing and relevant to your video. Experiment with different thumbnail designs and track which ones get the most clicks to help you identify what works best for your channel.

Conclusion

Many tools are available for creating YouTube thumbnails, including the built-in Photos app on mobile devices and third-party apps like Pixelab. One particularly powerful option is Filmora, a video editing software with features for creating custom thumbnails, such as adding text, graphics, and special effects.

Whether you create your thumbnails on your mobile device or your computer, use a high-quality image and make the thumbnail relevant to your video to increase the chances of it getting clicked.

This method is best for users looking for a quick and easy way to create a thumbnail on the go and doesn’t need many customization options. It’s also a good option for users needing computer or graphic design software access. If you’re looking for more advanced customization options or higher image quality, consider using other methods or software.

Method 2. Make YouTube Thumbnails on Android/iPhone With Third-Party Apps

In addition to using the built-in Photos app on your iPhone or Android device, there are also many third-party apps that you can use to create YouTube thumbnails. Some popular options include Canva, Adobe Spark, and FotoJet. These apps offer a wider range of customization options and design templates, making it easy to create professional-looking thumbnails even if you have yet to gain graphic design experience.

One popular third-party app for creating YouTube thumbnails on both iPhone and Android devices is PixelLab. PixelLab is a powerful graphic design app with many features and tools for creating custom thumbnails. With PixelLab, you can add text, shapes, and stickers to your thumbnail image and adjust the image’s color, lighting, and other aspects to get the perfect look. You can also import your images or graphics for your thumbnail design.

Here are the steps to create a thumbnail using PixelLab on your Android or iOS device:

Step1 Open the Play Store and search for PixelLab. Install the app.

Step2 Tap the “+” icon to add an image from your gallery.

Step3 Edit the image using the available tools, such as cropping, rotating, and adjusting the color and lighting.

Step4 Add text to the image and customize it to your liking.

Step5 Change the resolution of the image to 1280 x 720 pixels.

Step6 Save the image to your gallery by exporting it.

Pros

• More customization options
• Advanced editing tools
• High image quality

Cons

• Requires a separate app download
• It may require a learning curve

This method is best for users looking for more advanced customization options and higher image quality for their YouTube thumbnails. It’s also a good option for users with experience with graphic design software and who are comfortable using advanced editing tools. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to create a thumbnail and only need a few customization options, consider using the built-in Photos app or other simpler methods.

How To Add Thumbnails to YouTube Videos on Mobile

Once you’ve created your thumbnail image, it’s time to add it to your YouTube video. Adding a thumbnail to your YouTube video on your mobile device is a simple process that only requires a few steps.

Here’s how to do it on your mobile device:

Step1 Open the YouTube app on your mobile device and sign in to your account.

Step2 Tap on the My Videos tab to view a list of your uploaded videos.

Step3 Tap on the video and tap the “Edit“ button in the top right corner of the screen.

Step4 Tap the Custom thumbnail button and upload the image you want to use from your photo library.

Step5 Tap Save in the top right corner to upload the thumbnail to your video.

That’s it! Your new thumbnail will now be displayed on your YouTube video, helping it stand out and attract more views. You can repeat this process for other videos if you want to add a custom thumbnail.

It May Interest You – Make YouTube Thumbnails on Windows/Mac

While it’s convenient to create YouTube thumbnails on your mobile device, there may be times when you need to create a thumbnail on your Windows or Mac computer.

For example, if you need to create a thumbnail with a higher resolution or more advanced customization options, you may find it easier to do so on a computer. Additionally, a computer may be more efficient if you’re working on a larger thumbnail project and need to create multiple thumbnails simultaneously.

One popular tool for creating YouTube thumbnails on a Windows or Mac computer is Filmora. Wondershare Filmora is a powerful video editing software that allows you to easily edit and enhance your YouTube videos and create custom thumbnails for your videos.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

With Filmora, you can add text, graphics, and special effects to your thumbnail image and import and edit multiple images. Filmora is a great tool for creating professional-looking YouTube thumbnails on your Windows or Mac computer.

To create a thumbnail using Filmora on your Windows or Mac computer, follow these steps:

Step1 Launch Filmora, add the picture to the timeline and select the AI Portrait option in the Effects panel to cut out the subject from the background.

Step2 Scale up and reposition the photo.

Step3 Add a new background to the track below the picture. Use the other editing tools in Filmora to customize the image as desired, such as adding text, graphics, and special effects.

Step4 When you are done editing the thumbnail, take a snapshot by clicking the camera icon.

Step5 Locate the thumbnail in your local drive.

For more detailed instructions and a visual guide, you can watch the following video tutorial:

Add a video

This video will show you how to use Filmora to create a custom thumbnail for your YouTube video, step by step.

People Also Ask

Here are some common questions that people have when it comes to creating YouTube thumbnails on mobile.

Q1. What App Do Youtubers Use To Make Thumbnails?

There are many different apps and tools that YouTubers use to create thumbnails for their videos. The best app for creating YouTube thumbnails will depend on your needs and skill level.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to create a thumbnail on your mobile device, start with the built-in Photos app or a third-party app like Canva. If you need more advanced customization options or are comfortable with graphic design software, consider using Adobe Photoshop or another tool.

Q2. What Is YouTube Thumbnail Size?

The recommended size for YouTube thumbnails is 1280 x 720 pixels. This size balances quality and file size, ensuring that your thumbnail looks sharp and loads quickly. It’s also important to note that YouTube thumbnails are displayed at different sizes depending on the device and context in which they are viewed.

For example, a thumbnail may be displayed at a larger size when it’s shown as the main thumbnail for a video but smaller when it’s shown in a list of related videos.

Q3. What Thumbnail Gets the Most Clicks?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the thumbnail that gets the most clicks can vary depending on the topic of your video, your target audience, and other factors.

However, the key to getting clicks on your thumbnail is to make it visually appealing and relevant to your video. Experiment with different thumbnail designs and track which ones get the most clicks to help you identify what works best for your channel.

Conclusion

Many tools are available for creating YouTube thumbnails, including the built-in Photos app on mobile devices and third-party apps like Pixelab. One particularly powerful option is Filmora, a video editing software with features for creating custom thumbnails, such as adding text, graphics, and special effects.

Whether you create your thumbnails on your mobile device or your computer, use a high-quality image and make the thumbnail relevant to your video to increase the chances of it getting clicked.

Transformative Content Blocks: Enhanced Youtube Decks

Titles and thumbnails sometimes aren’t enough. Viewers need to know more about the video before they watch it. What do they do to get that information? They look at the video description. So don’t ignore that. But what if you are not confident with your writing skills? What should you do? It’s actually an easy problem to solve. You can use YouTube description templates!

Description templates will let you write descriptions very easily. All you have to do is replace the words to fit your video, and you are done! Learn more about them below.

Overview of YouTube Description

What are YouTube descriptions? There are two types: video description and channel description.

YouTube Video Description

The video description is the text below each video. Adding descriptions to your videos is not required. However, if you want success on YouTube, we highly recommend paying attention to video descriptions. It will give viewers more context about the video and will convince them to watch it.

YouTube Channel Description

This is the text on your About page. It explains to your visitors what your channel is all about. What can they expect from you? You should put this information in your channel description. It’s how you can get discovered by people looking for content exactly like what you offer. Basically, your channel description is like an ad. It tells other users why they should subscribe to your channel.

Tips for Creating an Amazing YouTube Description

YouTube is not only telling people that they should watch your content. It also tells YouTube to recommend the video to users searching for something to watch. YouTube crawls the description to rank your videos in search results. That said, you must do it right. Here are some tips you should keep in mind.

1. Include the most important keywords in your video description.
2. Inform viewers what to expect from the video. What is it about? Is it a travel blog, food review, or what?
3. Add relevant hashtags to your video description.
4. Add links (relevant resources, your socials, timestamps, links to your other videos, etc.)
5. Ensure the hook is attention-grabbing. Otherwise, people would ignore it and your video altogether.
6. Add a call-to-action to remind your viewers to like and subscribe.
7. Note that only the first 200 characters will appear on the screen. Users need to click the “Show More” button to view the rest. So put what’s most important in the first 200 characters.

Benefits of Using a YouTube Description Templates

If you have a business or something on the internet that needs promotion, you think of SEO (Search Engine Optimization.) It makes the material appear more often and higher on searches.

When thinking about SEO, people think of Google. And rightly so. It is the largest search engine in the world. But SEO is also important on YouTube - the world’s second-largest search engine. The thing is that SEO for videos on YouTube is different from SEO for Google or other engines.

YouTube descriptions play a huge part in SEO. And description templates make writing appealing descriptions easier for content creators like you.

5 Best YouTube Video Description Template

Now, you are well aware of the importance of YouTube descriptions. That may have made you feel more pressured to write fantastic ones. Here are 5 YouTube description templates you can use so it would not be much of a problem.

1. YouTube Video Description About New Products

The [latest version of your product] is HERE! Download and Try [latest version of your product] now: [Download link]

Let’s embrace more features with [latest version of your product]!

If you’re new here, don’t forget to hit that subscribe button and the bell to stay updated on our next video release!

Join our Online Community!

FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/\[accountname\ ]

FOLLOW us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/\[accountname\ ]

FOLLOW us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/\[accountname\ ]

Do you have a business that sells products? You can use this template for your new product launches.

2. YouTube Video Description for Educational Videos

Hello! Today we will be discussing [topic.] We are joined by [guest, their title], and he’ll take you through [topic.]

It’s important that you learn this because [emphasize the importance of being well informed about the topic.]

If you’re unfamiliar with it, use this video as a guide. It will give you the information you need, like the how-tos, dos and don’ts, and the ins and outs.

Don’t forget to subscribe and activate the notification bell to learn more about interesting stuff.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this video:

[Timestamps]

Use this template when making an informative video. It could be how-tos, tutorials, or other educational stuff.

3. YouTube Video Description for Funneling Viewers Into Your Website

This video will show you a preview of [topic.] If you’re interested to learn more about this and what we do, please visit us at [website link.] You can also reach out to us at [contact information.]

Please note that this is not the whole description. Rather, it is only the first 200 characters of it. As you can see, it’s a CTA. It’s wise to put it there because that part is what people would see the most. They’d have to click the “See More” button to read the rest of the description. And not everyone will click that.

Tip: Use URL shorteners if your website URL is too long. Remember that you only have 200 characters to use. So every character you can remove counts.

4. YouTube Video Descriptions for How-To Videos With Products

Hello! Today I’m going to teach you how to [topic.] I regularly post things like this. So please subscribe and turn on your notifications to know when I post new content.

[Give more information about the topic.]

List of products used/mentioned in the video.

[List the products and include links.]

ONLINE SHOP: [Your online shop link]

Follow us on our other social media channels!

Facebook: [Your Facebook page link]

Twitter: [Your Twitter account link]

Instagram: [Your Instagram account link]

Use this template for how-to videos wherein you use or mention your products. For example, the makeup products you used in a makeup tutorial video.

5. YouTube Video Description for Travel Vlogs

Join me as I explore [location], a [more information about the location.] To know more about this place, you can visit: [website for the location.]

If you want to tour other places before going there, consider subscribing. I post travel videos every week!

You can also connect with me on other social media platforms:

[Plus your other socials.]

See you on my next vlog!

Use this template for videos where you travel to different places.

5 Best YouTube Channel Description Template

People who found your video interesting will likely visit your channel. Having a fantastic YouTube Channel description will help encourage them to subscribe. You can edit these channel description templates to make one.

1. YouTube Channel Description Template for Business Accounts

Suppose you are using YouTube for marketing purposes. You can use this template to make your channel description.

[Channel name] provides [your services].

Subscribe and join us for videos every week and meet those passionate who like [your product].

Download [your product] Now: [Download link]

2. YouTube Channel Description Template for Travel Vloggers

Is your content about traveling around places? If so, you can use this template.

Welcome to the [Channel Name] YouTube Channel!

I’m a hodophile. I love traveling worldwide, exploring places I’ve never been to, trying local food, and meeting new people.

Come join me on my adventures, and together, let’s discover the wonders of the world! Subscribe now, and don’t forget to turn on the notification bell.

You can also find me on Instagram to see pictures of the places I visit: [your Instagram link.]

3. YouTube Channel Description Template for Gaming Channels

Gaming is a popular category on YouTube. If that’s what your channel is for, you can try this template.

What’s up! This channel, [Channel Name], is dedicated to gaming, our favorite hobby. I will be uploading gameplay videos of [list the games you play.]

Subscribe, and let’s level up together!

You can also find me at:

[Insert your other socials]

4_._ YouTube Channel Description Templates for Beauty/Fashion Vloggers

If your videos are makeup tutorials, fashion vlogs, and GRWM videos, you can use this template to write your channel description.

Hi! I’m [Your Name] of the [Your channel name] YouTube Channel.

I help women look their best by suggesting what dresses and clothes to buy and sharing helpful fashion tips. Also, I post easy-to-follow makeup tutorials for different looks.

My style philosophy is [explain how you determine what looks good and what does not.]

If you are interested in learning some outfit ideas, hit the Subscribe button. Also, turn on your notification, so you don’t miss a video!

5. YouTube Channel Description Template for Couples

Some couples enjoy sharing their daily lives with their followers through vlogs. Are you among them? You can use this template if that is the case.

Welcome to our YouTube channel. We are two people in love who also love sharing our stories with others. And in this day and age, what’s a better way to do that than by making vlogs?

Hopefully, we can share the love through our videos and that you enjoy watching them as much as we enjoyed making them and our moments together.

We’ll react to shows and other videos, take you with us on our dates, and maybe prank each other. If you’re interested in this kind of stuff, hit the Subscribe button and the notification bell!

[Insert your socials.]

[Bonus] Create Awesome YouTube Videos With Filmora Video Editor

Of course, good video and channel descriptions are useless if your videos aren’t that good. Thus, we recommend using a powerful video editor to ensure your videos are high-quality. One of your best options is Wondershare Filmora .

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Wondershare Filmora is a budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, feature-rich video editor. It also gets regular updates. The latest one introduced fantastic features like enhanced keyframes, draw masks, switchable workspace layouts, and more AI tools. With these tools in your hands, you can transform your YouTube videos into masterpieces.

Conclusion

YouTube descriptions are crucial to the success of your YouTube channel. If you can’t write a good one by yourself, don’t worry. You can use YouTube description templates to make it easier.

With well-written descriptions and high-quality videos, your success on YouTube is guaranteed. And to ensure your videos are great, you should use a reliable video editor like Wondersahre Filmora. Its wide selection of features will help you express your creativity the best that you can.

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Wondershare Filmora is a budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, feature-rich video editor. It also gets regular updates. The latest one introduced fantastic features like enhanced keyframes, draw masks, switchable workspace layouts, and more AI tools. With these tools in your hands, you can transform your YouTube videos into masterpieces.

Click here

Conclusion

YouTube descriptions are crucial to the success of your YouTube channel. If you can’t write a good one by yourself, don’t worry. You can use YouTube description templates to make it easier.

With well-written descriptions and high-quality videos, your success on YouTube is guaranteed. And to ensure your videos are great, you should use a reliable video editor like Wondersahre Filmora. Its wide selection of features will help you express your creativity the best that you can.

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