As of now, adding a custom thumbnail directly to YouTube Shorts via the mobile app is not possible. However, there is a workaround if you are using a desktop or laptop:
- Upload Your Short Video: Start by uploading your short video (less than 60 seconds) to YouTube via the desktop website.
- Go to YouTube Studio: Once uploaded, navigate to YouTube Studio.
- Select Content: From the left-hand menu, select "Content".
- Edit the Video: Find your uploaded Short and click on the pencil icon to edit the details.
- Custom Thumbnail: In the video details page, scroll down to the "Thumbnail" section where you can upload a custom thumbnail image.
Ensure your thumbnail image follows YouTube's guidelines:
- Resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels
- Format: .JPG, .GIF, .BMP, or .PNG
- Size: Under 2MB
This method allows you to have a custom thumbnail for your YouTube Shorts, enhancing their visual appeal and potentially increasing viewer engagement.