What Makes a Good Thumbnail? 5 Thumbnail Hacks Used By Top YouTube Creators To Get Viral

You could have the best video ever made, but if your thumbnail looks boring, nobody will click. So, what makes a good thumbnail?

A great thumbnail is like a movie trailer in a single frame—it grabs your attention in a split second and makes you need to know more. With bold visuals, eye-catching colors, and expressive faces full of emotion, it tells a mini-story that sparks instant curiosity. Clear, punchy text adds just enough mystery without giving it all away. Even when shrunk to the size of a stamp, a well-crafted thumbnail pops off the screen and whispers, “You have to see this.”

Let’s break down what works (and what doesn’t), using real examples from top Youtubers who’ve mastered the art of thumbnails.

Why Thumbnails Are The Most Important Important Part Of Your Video?

Before we dive into examples, here’s why thumbnails are non-negotiable:

• 90% of top YouTube videos use custom thumbnails (YouTube’s own data).
• A strong thumbnail can DOUBLE your click-through rate (CTR).
• Even Instagram & Facebook prioritise posts with engaging thumbnails.

Bottom line? No click = No views = No growth.

5 Thumbnail Hack Used By Top Youtube Creators (With Real Creator's Examples)

1. The "Shocked Face" Formula (MrBeast + CarryMinati)

Human brains instantly focus on faces, especially dramatic expressions.

Some Examples-

• MrBeast – Almost always uses wide-eyed, open-mouth shock (even if the video isn’t that shocking)

• CarryMinati – Uses exaggerated reactions (anger, surprise, laughter) to grab attention.

📌 Why It Works:

• Triggers curiosity ("Why is he so shocked/angry?")
• Creates an emotional pull before the click.

🚫 Avoid:

• Blank stares or unnatural expressions.

2. The "Mystery Box" Effect (MrWhoseTheBoss + Technical Guruji)

People click when they DON’T know what’s inside.

Some Examples:

• MrWhoseTheBoss – Uses half-covered tech gadgets or question marks to tease

• Technical Guruji – Often blurs or partially hides new phone reveals.

📌 Why It Works:

• Creates FOMO ("What’s the big reveal?")
• Forces the viewer to click to find out.

🚫 Avoid:

• Spoiling the entire video in the thumbnail.

3. The "Big Bold Text" Rule (Ali Abdaal + BB Ki Vines)

Text must be readable in 0.5 seconds (even on mobile).

 Some Example:

• Ali Abdaal – Uses white bold text on dark backgrounds for maximum contrast.

• BB Ki Vines – Keeps text minimal, bold, and humorous (e.g., "Ghar Kalesh").

📌 Why It Works:

• Works on small screens.
• Tells viewers exactly what they’ll get.

🚫 Avoid:

• Long sentences or hard-to-read fonts.

4. The "Color Bomb" Trick (Dream + Ashish Chanchlani)

Bright, contrasting colors stand out in recommendations.

Some Examples:

• Dream (Minecraft) – Uses neon green + black for instant recognition.

• Ashish Chanchlani – Often uses vibrant yellow, red, or blue against dark backgrounds.

📌 Why It Works:

• Grabs attention before the viewer even reads anything.
• Helps with branding consistency.

🚫 Avoid:

• Muted colors or too many competing shades.

5. The "Number + Secret" Hack (Matt D’Avella + Sandeep Maheshwari)

People love quick wins and secrets

Some Example:

• Matt D’Avella – Uses thumbnails like "12 Habits That Will Changed Your Life".

• Sandeep Maheshwari – Uses "10 Rules for Success" or "5 Mistakes to Avoid".

📌 Why It Works:

• Promises easy, actionable value.
• Numbers make it feel structured and digestible.

🚫 Avoid:

• Vague titles like "How to Be Better".

How To Test Your Thumbnail? Is It Good or Bad?

Want to know if your thumbnail will get clicks? 

Don’t guess—test it!

Use the 3-second rule (does it grab attention instantly?), the squint test (is it clear on mobile?), or A/B testing (try two versions live).

For instant feedback, try free tools like Clickorboo, which predicts CTR and shows eye-tracking heat maps. Small tweaks in color, text, or emotion can double your clicks—so never skip testing!

Pro tip: Top creators like MrBeast and CarryMinati constantly test thumbnails to maximize views.