As a YouTube creator or someone just getting started, you may wonder where you should get your thumbnail images from. Because not all images are available on free platforms, and if you’re starting, you won’t be able to afford to pay for royalty-free pictures.
I would avoid using Google images, as most of them are copyrighted. This could result in some serious complications. Thumbnails are important because they serve as a first impression and encourage viewers to click on your video. That is why I would advise you to create custom thumbnails.
How do I use Google images without copyright?
If you’re going to use Google images in your YouTube videos, don’t use them as they are. Also, make certain that there are no watermarks on the images. You can edit the images slightly and then incorporate them into your YouTube videos. Because if the images were taken from branded websites or included a brand logo, using them directly from Google will result in copyright issues. Therefore, ensure that any images or photographs used in your YouTube videos are edited.
There’s also an option to filter your google search to search for images that are free to use commercially. Within the tools you can hit Creative Commons license and these are images that the owner has labeled that you can use, but still read the fine print.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Google Images For thumbnails Anyway?
There are several reasons why you shouldn’t use Google images as thumbnails. Some of them include:
Image selection:
A strong, clear, and vibrant image that looks good in large and small sizes is a good thumbnail. Additionally, the image should be closely related to the information conveyed in your video. Most Google Images cannot provide you with thumbnails that appeal to the masses.
YouTube’s Terms of Service:
Most Google images contain various forms of copyright infringement and are not suitable for your audience’s age. By utilizing them, you risk infringing on the copyright of your YouTube account.
Image size and resolution:
An ideal thumbnail image should have the highest possible resolution while remaining under 2MB in size. It isn’t easy to find an image with this resolution that matches your video on Google.
Photo composition:
When creating interesting and dynamic images, the “rule of thirds” comes in handy. Using Google images restricts your creativity, resulting in dull and improper thumbnails.
Safe Search:
Your thumbnail must be compliant with Safe Search. The majority of images on Google are incompatible with this feature.
Relevance:
By carefully planning your custom thumbnail images, you can provide viewers with a wealth of information that will aid them in deciding whether or not to click on your clip when it appears in the recommended video stream. Utilizing Google images increases the likelihood of having irrelevant thumbnail images.
What’s the Easiest Way to Get Images for Your YouTube Thumbnails?
Here are four distinct methods for obtaining images for YouTube thumbnails.
Screenshots
This is where you capture a screenshot of one of your video’s frames. Then, you can use a free online graphics editor like Pixlr to crop and edit r image. You could also create your thumbnail by importing and editing the image using Canva.
Shoot your images
Taking a screenshot of your video rarely produces a sharp image for your thumbnails. The image may appear fuzzy, blurry, or lack sharpness when downscaled to 320 pixels, which is the ideal thumbnail size. As a result, it’s advisable to take multiple photos for your YouTube thumbnail using a high-definition camera.
Use royalty-free images
Likewise, you can obtain royalty-free images from Pixlr, Pixabay, or Unsplash.
Buy from Websites that sell images
If you’re unable to shoot your images or cannot locate an appropriate free image, you can purchase images from digital graphics webpages such as graphicstock.com.
Tips to Create a Good Thumbnail
A captivating video thumbnail is as critical as a captivating video title or an excellent introduction. If you want to make a good YouTube video thumbnail, keep the following in mind.
Use Thumbnail Images of High Quality
Low-quality thumbnails affect the authenticity of your streaming content. Think about coming across two videos discussing the same subject. One video features a crisp, custom thumbnail, whereas the other features a blurry, difficult-to-read image. Which video do you think you’d prefer to watch?
Display Images from a Closer Range
Close-up images are more effective for thumbnail images of your video than wide-angle ones. Do you know why? Having a thumbnail image that’s too wide can make it hard for smartphone users to understand the content and specifics of the image, so keep it to a manageable size. On the other hand, close-up photographs are a lot easier to look at and understand.
Include a Face in The Thumbnail Image
The human brain is predisposed to focus on faces. When a person presents content, video storytelling becomes significantly more effective. By including a human face in your YouTube thumbnail, you foster familiarity and strengthen your connection with your viewer.
Select Colors That Complement One Another
Contrasting colors aid in the visibility of your thumbnail image. These colors are directly opposite on the color wheel. Thumbnails commonly use a green backdrop with a red foreground or a yellow backdrop with a purple foreground. Color contrast is a great way to grab the attention of your audience.
Adhere to the ‘Rule of Thirds‘
By utilizing imaginary vertical and horizontal lines, the rule of thirds divides a picture into nine equal parts. The focal point of your picture should be one of the four intersecting points formed by two lines. This adds movement and interest to your image. The primary subject should take up about two-thirds of the image to make a good YouTube thumbnail.
Make the Thumbnail Text Perfect
It’s difficult to convey everything in a single image. Even if you are an excellent visual storyteller, it may be difficult to summarize your clip without text. Remember that y our thumbnail should contain a maximum of six words to remain relevant.
Conclusion
You can boost your YouTube video’s visibility by incorporating images. However, there are guidelines and laws that govern the use of these images. Before using Google Images as a YouTube Thumbnail, ensure that you are familiar with the copyright license terms that apply to that image. Better yet, think about making custom thumbnail images for your YouTube videos. This will give you high-quality images that do not infringe any copyright rights.
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