Yes, YouTube Shorts do have thumbnails. By default, YouTube automatically selects a frame from the video as the thumbnail. However, you can customize and upload your own thumbnail for better control over how it appears on the platform.
Steps to Add a Custom Thumbnail to a YouTube Short:
-
Upload Your Short:
- Go to YouTube Studio.
- Click on the “Create” button and select “Upload videos.”
- Select your Short video file.
-
Edit Video Details:
- In the video details screen, you will see an option to upload a custom thumbnail.
- Click on the thumbnail section to upload your desired image.
-
Thumbnail Requirements:
- Ensure your thumbnail is in high resolution, ideally 1280x720 pixels.
- Maintain a 16:9 aspect ratio.
- Use .JPG, .PNG, .BMP, or .GIF formats with a size under 2MB.
-
Save Changes:
- Once you've uploaded your custom thumbnail, save your changes to finalize the process.
Custom thumbnails help enhance the appeal of your Shorts, potentially increasing click-through rates and viewership.
Additional Tips:
- Focus on creating eye-catching visuals that represent the content effectively.
- Include text overlays sparingly to highlight key points or titles.
- Maintain visual consistency across your channel to build a recognizable brand.