In the recently or so Ive had a number of people ask me how I create the thumbnail images for my YouTube videos. I make all of my thumbnail images, AKA cover images, from a basic template discovered in Canva. Due to the fact that they are formatted for the specific measurements that YouTube needs, I use Canva templates. I also use Canva templates since theyre developed by individuals who actually have graphic style skills and I do not have those skills. To include a custom-made thumbnail to a YouTube video you do need to have a confirmed YouTube account. The confirmation process just takes a few minutes however it does need you to be able to receive text on your phone. The complete instructions for verifying your YouTube account can be checked out here. As soon as youve created your YouTube thumbnail image in Canva youre ready to use it. To utilize it you need to first upload your video to your YouTube account. Then youll pick “custom-made thumbnail” on the exact same screen that you compose the description of your video. All of the actions are laid out in this short video that I developed earlier today..

Applications for Education.
The factor to include a custom and develop thumbnail to your YouTube videos is to make it easy for your trainees to understand what your video has to do with before they even click the play button. Its also helpful when youre trying to organize a series of videos that youre embedding into an LMS like Canvas that will show the complete video and cover image without needing trainees to click through to YouTube.