Here’s the thumbnail for one video, where we discuss remote m israel email list arketing jobs, with the “Remote marketing jobs now hiring” tag front and center:
And here’s what the video looks like when it’s actually played:
This strategy helps capture user interest and helps them find relevant content quickly when they’re browsing the feed.
You don’t need a custom thumbnail to attract attention, but you do want to consider how your video looks as a static image.
In the example below from Peloton’s profile, the video all the way to the left is blurry. This makes sense, because the subject is actively running, but you can see that it isn’t quite as attention-grabbing as the other three videos.
You can either choose a strong in-video thumbnail, or choose to start your video on a strong frame that will more effectively capture user attention.
3. Use faces in the thumbnail
One of the oldest and best tricks for making your thumbnails grab attention is to include real human faces. Research shows that social media posts with faces tend to do way better than those without.
A study from Georgia Tech found that Instagram photos with faces get 38% more likes and 32% more comments compared to photos without faces. The researchers think it's because faces have this emotional impact - they make viewers feel a sense of connection and relatability.
The same thing applies to TikTok thumbnails. When people are quickly scrolling through their feed or the Explore page, a thumbnail with a friendly, familiar face is way more likely to make them stop and click.
Match your thumbnails to your TikTok content strategy
It's possible the best thumbnail strategy on TikTok is no strategy at all. The platform thrives on authenticity, and overly polished or designed thumbnails may not always resonate.
