You can compare the performance of up to three video thumbnails to gain insights that help you with your content strategy. Thumbnails must follow our Community Guidelines or your access to the feature may be removed.
Eligibility requirements
- This feature is currently only available on computers through YouTube Studio.
- You need to enable advanced features to be eligible. Learn about the different YouTube Tools and features and how to unlock access to advanced features.
- You can test thumbnails on public long-form videos or on podcast episodes. Premiere videos are also eligible once the Premiere ends and the video converts to a long-form video.
- You cannot test thumbnails on videos that are set for made for kids, mature audiences, or are private. Learn how to change your video settings.
Test and compare your thumbnails
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- Select the video you want to test.
- Test a new video: From the upper right corner, select CREATE
Upload videos. Then upload the video.
- Test an existing video: From the left menu, select Content. Click the video you’d like to edit.
- Test a new video: From the upper right corner, select CREATE
- Under “Thumbnail,” click Test & compare.
- Upload up to 3 thumbnails to test.
- Click DONE. The test will start once you publish your video.
Upload videos. Then upload the video. Note: You may stop the test and manually select one of the thumbnails at any point by using "Stop & Set."
Test results
The winning results may take a few days or up to 2 weeks to be finalized. When the results are ready, they will be available in YouTube Studio. You may then choose to use the winning thumbnail or rerun a new test.
The following factors will affect the time it takes to receive the results:
- Thumbnail diversity: The more they differ, the likelier your test will finish faster.
- Impressions: The more thumbnail impressions that your video receives, the likelier your test will finish faster.