Popular Facial Expressions in YouTube Thumbnails [Infographic]

The Art of YouTube Thumbnails: Grabbing Attention with the Right Expression

When it comes to creating videos for YouTube, one often overlooked aspect is the thumbnail. How much time do you put into creating the perfect thumbnail image that will grab your viewers’ attention and lure them into clicking on your video?

Top YouTubers know the importance of thumbnails and invest a significant amount of thought and consideration into selecting the right image. But what makes a thumbnail effective? Is there a secret formula that guarantees success?

Most successful YouTubers opt for a similar display format when choosing their thumbnails. Have you ever wondered why that is?

Recently, Kapwing conducted a study to analyze the most commonly used YouTube thumbnail expressions and determine which ones perform the best in terms of attracting views. Using facial recognition technology, they identified the emotions displayed on the faces of the most popular YouTubers’ thumbnail images.

Thumbnail Tips:

• Surprise is a winning expression that often captures viewers’ attention.

So, the next time you’re creating a thumbnail for your video, remember to put some thought into the expression you want to convey. A little surprise could go a long way in capturing your audience’s attention and driving more clicks to your content.