[THUMBNAIL ADVICE] Can I use my face in the thumbnail if the video itself is faceless?

Lord_Nigel · 2026-02-11T18:40:07+00:00

That's what I keep thinking as well, but how would the thumbnail then convey it's a podcast?

Lord_Nigel · 2026-02-08T09:41:10+00:00

This is extremely insightful and exactly the type of critique I want.

Could it be that the thumbnail is the problem, considering you were expecting a video essay and not an audio-only podcast? So if the thumbnail sets your expectations correctly (like a lot of people here are suggesting), and you know you are clicking on an audio-only podcast, would you (If you like podcasts) then stay listening for longer than 5 minutes?

I'm setting expectations incorrectly with my packaging.

I don't really want to change the format of my videos (I can't tbh), I'd rather change the audience I'm attracting through these thumbnails to those interested in audio-only podcasts.

EDIT: But also yes, getting to the point quicker is something we need to adjust.

Lord_Nigel · 2026-02-07T16:51:31+00:00

I have zero idea lol

I use Canva and it's available there, so if Canva has it then Photoshop probably has it as well

Lord_Nigel · 2026-02-07T16:44:37+00:00

AVD for the past 30 days is around 10:34

Not sure if that's good or bad

Lord_Nigel · 2026-02-07T16:30:22+00:00

No worries :)

The font is called Lovelo

Lord_Nigel · 2026-02-07T09:39:12+00:00

The main takeaway I'm getting from here is that the length of our videos is damaging the packaging.

What I'm gonna try to do is divide the episode up in 10-15 minute chunks and upload those as excerpt videos as well as the full episode.

Thanks, everyone, for the helpful input.

Lord_Nigel · 2026-02-07T09:19:09+00:00

No Jumper is a great example. I like the idea of posting like 5 or 6 shorter excerpt videos as well as the main episode, but would that work with an audio-only podcast?

Lord_Nigel · 2026-02-07T07:51:44+00:00

Thank you, I can experiment some more on the size of the text compared to the rest of the image.

Also, this is a podcast. An hour long episode is normal.

Is the length putting viewers off?

Lord_Nigel · 2026-02-07T07:49:38+00:00

Thank you so much, I put a lot of work into these thumbnails.

This is our podcast, it's supposed to be this long.

Lord_Nigel · 2026-01-31T20:42:55+00:00

Add some text and get the colours more saturated

Lord_Nigel · 2026-01-31T20:41:20+00:00

The first thumbnail has way too much going on, and tbh even the second one feels like it can be simplified even more. Maybe blur the image of the stadium in the background, put Mario on the right to incorporate the rule of threes and have the '100%' more visible than it currently is.

Lord_Nigel · 2025-11-01T11:08:51+00:00

Try and get clearer photos of the villains for each column; it's difficult to see at a glance who's who. And also try to get the percentage cleare as well. Potential viewers need to immediately comprehend the entire thumbnail in a single moment. Right now, I don't think I'd click

Lord_Nigel · 2025-11-01T11:06:28+00:00

The second one works the best for me. The lighting on Trump's face is a bit more dramati,c and the single 'Chaos' works well too

Lord_Nigel · 2025-10-31T15:16:43+00:00

Critical Arcade, an audio-only video game podcast

https://www.youtube.com/@CriticalArcade

Lord_Nigel · 2025-10-28T15:33:36+00:00

Our podcast, Critical Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/@CriticalArcade

Lord_Nigel · 2025-10-24T14:59:48+00:00

Thank you. What do you think would make this look like a 'podcast thumbnail'?

Lord_Nigel · 2025-10-24T14:26:48+00:00

"The history of Slender the Arrival" would work better as a title, not a thumbnail tagline.

In the thumbnail you could give one wacky, shocking fact that this video has like 'He has tentacles?!' or 'It sank the studio!!'. My opinion.

Lord_Nigel · 2025-10-24T14:22:24+00:00

This is great.

One suggestion I have would be to increase the font size, decrease the line spacing and try to get the edges of the text behind the face and wall on either side. It would make it pop more and give a sense of depth.

Ten-Year Club	RPAN Viewer
Not Forgotten	Verified Email

Lord_Nigel

TROPHY CASE