[GUIDE/PSA] How to get YouTube custom thumbnails, they rock socks!

[zerofoxtrot]

Images explain better than words, so check out this. Basically after putting a custom thumbnail on my YouTube video my traffic has doubled.

Before

After

Nice spike in my ClickBank hops graph!

​

So how to get the ability to upload custom thumbnails on YouTube?
Just a notice that not everybody is eligible, it's most likely to be based on luck.

1. http://www.youtube.com/account_features your YouTube account as a partner, make sure that your account is phone verified too.

2. Monetize any video you want, doesn't matter if it's the one you want to put custom thumbnails on or not, if you don't want any advertisements on your videos like I did setup monetization and try to untick all possible advertisements. You need to have at least one video which has been monetized, but you can deselect all advertisements and it should still count as monetized.

3. Now you have to wait at least 1 month, according to Google. Basically just become a YouTube partner and monetize at least one video, then wait 1 month. It might take longer than 1 month, by the way.

4. After one month (most likely) you should have a green light on the ability to upload custom thumbnails. Make an attractive thumbnail, possibly with professional tools like Adobe Photoshop or something! I have some tips regarding on optimizing custom thumbnails for the best results:

• Optimal image resolution is 1280x720.
• Make it stand out! The background of both YouTube and Google's SERPs are white, try to have a nice saturation of different colors!
• Put some clear and bold text on it, I have my keyword in Helvetica Neue Bold shown on my custom thumbnail.
• Possibly have a person in your thumbnail, I don't have one because it doesn't fit with my niche, but if it does for yours, by all means go ahead!

5. Now when you're done with the custom thumbnail, upload it to your video, and expect a nice raise in traffic!

Again, this doesn't work for everybody. I'm simply explaining on how I got the ability to upload custom thumbnails, you can follow my exact steps above and hope for the best. Good luck!

 

[pr0ject]

I've always wondered how can I upload a custom thumblain. Sadly, I can't apply to youtube as partner in my country (I guess).

 

[zerofoxtrot]

I've always wondered how can I upload a custom thumblain. Sadly, I can't apply to youtube as partner in my country (I guess).

I think any country can signup as a partner? I have my account set up as United States and having a Dutch IP address and I easily got a partnership.

 

[OMGWTFISTHIS]

There is a method to get it 'verified' in under 10 minutes, rather than waiting a month. I have the eBook for it, got it from someone on HF.

Edit: I'll ask for permission from the user, as he was selling it and I was the vouch copy reviewer person.

With that being said, I can confirm this essentially does DOUBLE your clicks, which doubles your earnings. I'd honestly, personally say it's more like a 40% increase in views, but whatever.

 

[10zen]

Great, then share it, man!

Nice tut OP!
See lots of movies with some hot girls thumbnails on YT lately

 

[pr0ject]

I think any country can signup as a partner? I have my account set up as United States and having a Dutch IP address and I easily got a partnership.

Humm...I'll try again. Maybe I did something wrong.

 

[domkis30]

Just turned on monetize option on old YT acc and custom thumbnails became available instantly for me.

 

[Hibisco]

I've always wondered how can I upload a custom thumblain. Sadly, I can't apply to youtube as partner in my country (I guess).

Just reassuring what has been said above: if you monetize your acount you'll be able to choose a custom tumbnail instantly.
I'm not from the USA and this option came when I monetized...