A final checklist before uploading a YouTube thumbnail
Check the picture, the promise, and the exported file before it leaves your workspace. A short, repeatable pass catches most avoidable handoff mistakes.
Check the picture, the promise, and the exported file before it leaves your workspace. A short, repeatable pass catches most avoidable handoff mistakes.
Check the picture
At phone size, name the visible subject and read the words without zooming. Confirm the critical object is inside the crop and away from badges. If it is a team project, record the approved version.
Check the promise
Compare the title and cover with the first scenes of the actual video. Verify names, numbers and whether any reference image, face or logo needs permission. Remove claims that the video does not support.
Check the file
Open the exact file you will upload. Verify its size, ratio, format and filename. Store the final cover, title and date together. After upload, inspect the presentation in Studio or on an appropriate device.
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Turn SRT or VTT captions into readable notes
An exported caption file contains timing and markup that are useful to a player but get in the way when you read the text. Keep the timed file and make a separate plain-text copy.
PNG, JPG, or WebP for YouTube thumbnails?
The best working format and the best delivery format can differ. Choose the export based on both the picture and the upload destination.
Compress a thumbnail without muddying the details
Compress for the upload limit you need. Keep the uncompressed master so future edits do not inherit compression artifacts.