How to add a custom thumbnail for YouTube videos
To add a custom thumbnail for YouTube videos or shorts, first you need to verify your YouTube channel to comply with their spam and abuse policy.
Sign in to your YouTube account.
Go to YouTube Studio.
Access Channel Settings.
Check your account status on Channel status and features.
Go to the Future eligibility tab.
Afterwards click on the arrow next to the Intermediate features option.
At the bottom, there will be an option “Verify your phone number”, click that if it's not already verified.
You will be redirected to the YouTube verification tab.
Enter your phone number and country.
Click on Get Code to receive the code on your mobile phone.
Submit the six-digit verification code sent to your phone.
After verifying, you can choose a custom thumbnail for YouTube Videos or Shorts.
Go to Create.
Design the video post to your liking.
Click on the little camera icon underneath the thumbnail.
Choose the thumbnail you wish to set/change. You can also choose to create a thumbnail with Canva or VistaCreate (Crello).
Once you finish have uploaded the custom thumbnail, you will see it applied on Publer.
You can also check the live preview on the right to make sure the it will be posted correctly to the social media, and finally schedule away.
To learn more about adding thumbnails to different social accounts go here.
How to verify your YouTube channel:
Sign in to your YouTube account.
Go to YouTube Studio.
Access Channel Settings.
Check your account status on Channel status and features.
Go to the Future eligibility tab.
Afterwards click on the arrow next to the Intermediate features option.
At the bottom, there will be an option “Verify your phone number”, click that if it's not already verified.
You will be redirected to the YouTube verification tab.
Enter your phone number and country.
Click on Get Code to receive the code on your mobile phone.
Submit the six-digit verification code sent to your phone.
How to add/change a custom thumbnail for YouTube videos:
After verifying, you can choose a custom thumbnail for YouTube Videos or Shorts.
Go to Create.
Design the video post to your liking.
Click on the little camera icon underneath the thumbnail.
Choose the thumbnail you wish to set/change. You can also choose to create a thumbnail with Canva or VistaCreate (Crello).
Once you finish have uploaded the custom thumbnail, you will see it applied on Publer.
You can also check the live preview on the right to make sure the it will be posted correctly to the social media, and finally schedule away.
To learn more about adding thumbnails to different social accounts go here.
Updated on: 25/09/2023
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