The still image shown for a video before anyone plays it, on YouTube, Instagram and other platforms. It works like a headline for video: it decides whether someone taps.
Example
Meera's YouTube styling video used an auto-picked blurry frame. She replaces it with a clear close-up of the kurta and three words on screen, 'Office to dinner', and makes sure the image reflects what the video actually shows.
How you'll hear it
“The video is good, but nobody will click that thumbnail.”
Don't confuse it with
- Hook: the thumbnail wins the tap before playback; the hook holds attention once it starts.
Related terms
Sources
- Add video thumbnails on YouTube, YouTube Help