Create click-worthy thumbnail text that complements your title and stops viewers mid-scroll
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# YouTube Thumbnail Text Options **VIDEO TITLE:** iPhone 15 vs Samsung S24: Honest Review After 30 Days **VIDEO TOPIC:** Comparison review after using both phones for a month, with a clear winner **THUMBNAIL STYLE:** Split comparison with face reaction --- ## PRIMARY TEXT OPTIONS ### Option 1: Outcome Tease ``` CLEAR WINNER ``` **Why It Works:** Creates curiosity about which won, complements title without repeating **Emotion:** Anticipation, curiosity **Best Placement:** Center or bottom third --- ### Option 2: Surprise/Reversal ``` I WAS WRONG ``` **Why It Works:** Implies you changed your mind, viewers want to know why **Emotion:** Intrigue, surprise **Best Placement:** Near your face --- ### Option 3: Controversy Trigger ``` NOT EVEN CLOSE ``` **Why It Works:** Strong opinion triggers clicks from both camps **Emotion:** Controversy, debate **Best Placement:** Center, large font --- ### Option 4: Direct Reveal ``` THE TRUTH ``` **Why It Works:** Promises honest information viewers crave **Emotion:** Trust, curiosity **Best Placement:** Bottom third --- ### Option 5: Question Style ``` WHICH ONE? ``` **Why It Works:** Directly engages viewer decision-making **Emotion:** Engagement, participation **Best Placement:** Center between both phones --- ## SECONDARY TEXT OPTIONS Smaller supporting text if needed: | Text | Use Case | |------|----------| | 30 DAYS | Emphasize the testing period | | HONEST | Reinforce authenticity | | 2024 | Time relevance | | $$$$ | If price is discussed | | WINNER | Alternative to CLEAR WINNER | --- ## TEXT COMBINATIONS If using two text elements: **Combo 1:** - Main: CLEAR WINNER - Sub: 30 DAYS **Combo 2:** - Main: NOT EVEN CLOSE - Sub: THE TRUTH **Combo 3:** - Main: I WAS WRONG - Sub: (no sub needed - face says it all) --- ## DO NOT USE These repeat the title or add no value: | Avoid | Why | |-------|-----| | iPHONE vs SAMSUNG | Already in title | | HONEST REVIEW | Already in title | | COMPARISON | Too generic | | WATCH THIS | Weak, generic | | BEST PHONE | Does not add curiosity | --- ## FORMATTING RECOMMENDATIONS ### Font Style: - **Sans-serif bold** (Arial Black, Impact, Bebas Neue) - ALL CAPS for impact - Slight letter spacing for readability ### Size: - Main text: 15-25% of thumbnail width - Must be readable at 120x68px (mobile browse size) ### Colors: | Background | Recommended Text | Outline | |------------|------------------|--------| | Dark/Black | White or Yellow | Black stroke | | Light/White | Black or Red | White stroke | | Busy/Mixed | White with black outline | Heavy stroke | | Blue tones | Yellow or White | Black stroke | | Red tones | White or Yellow | Black stroke | ### Contrast Rule: Always use dark outline/stroke on light text (or vice versa). Text should pop regardless of background. --- ## PLACEMENT GUIDE ``` +---------------------------+ | [SAFE: Secondary text] | | | | [MAIN TEXT] | | [Your face here] | | | | [Product] [BADGE] [Product]| +---------------------------+ ``` **Best Zones:** - Center: Maximum impact, main message - Bottom third: Safe from UI elements - Near face: Draws eye to expression **Avoid:** - Top right: YouTube duration overlay - Bottom right: Watch Later/Queue icons - Extreme edges: Gets cropped on some devices --- ## THUMBNAIL TEXT FORMULAS ### For Comparison Videos: | Formula | Example | |---------|---------| | [OUTCOME] | WINNER / LOSER | | [REACTION] | SHOCKED / WOW | | [VERDICT] | THE TRUTH / HONEST | | [CONTRAST] | NOT EVEN CLOSE | ### For Tutorial Videos: | Formula | Example | |---------|---------| | [TIME] | 5 MIN / FAST | | [EASE] | SO EASY / SIMPLE | | [RESULT] | WORKS / FIXED | | [FREE] | FREE / $0 | ### For Storytime Videos: | Formula | Example | |---------|---------| | [TEASE] | GONE WRONG / DISASTER | | [EMOTION] | CRYING / SHOCKED | | [STAKE] | $10,000 / FIRED | | [HOOK] | STORYTIME / TRUE | ### For Review Videos: | Formula | Example | |---------|---------| | [VERDICT] | WORTH IT? / SKIP | | [RATING] | 10/10 / PERFECT | | [WARNING] | DON'T BUY / AVOID | | [SURPRISE] | SHOCKED / WOW | ### For List Videos: | Formula | Example | |---------|---------| | [NUMBER] | TOP 5 / #1 | | [BEST] | THE BEST / WINNER | | [RANKING] | RANKED / RATED | | [SUPERLATIVE] | WORST / CHEAPEST | --- ## A/B TESTING STRATEGY Test these variations: | Test | Version A | Version B | |------|-----------|----------| | Emotion | CLEAR WINNER | I WAS WRONG | | Specificity | THE TRUTH | NOT EVEN CLOSE | | Question vs Statement | WHICH ONE? | CLEAR WINNER | | With vs Without | Text included | No text | **How to Test:** 1. Upload video with Version A thumbnail 2. After 48 hours, check CTR in analytics 3. Change to Version B 4. After 48 hours, compare CTR 5. Keep the winner --- ## EMOTION TRIGGER REFERENCE | Emotion | Trigger Words | |---------|---------------| | Curiosity | SECRET, TRUTH, REVEALED, HIDDEN | | Urgency | NOW, STOP, MUST, IMMEDIATELY | | Fear/Risk | DANGER, AVOID, WARNING, MISTAKE | | Excitement | WOW, INSANE, AMAZING, SHOCKED | | Controversy | WRONG, LIES, EXPOSED, VERSUS | | Achievement | WINNER, BEST, PERFECT, SUCCESS | | Savings | FREE, CHEAP, SAVE, BUDGET | | Exclusivity | ONLY, FIRST, NEW, RARE | --- ## READABILITY CHECKLIST Before finalizing, verify: - [ ] Readable at phone size (120x68px)? - [ ] High contrast with background? - [ ] 5 words or fewer? - [ ] Does NOT repeat title? - [ ] Triggers emotion? - [ ] Complements (not competes with) face expression? - [ ] Clear of YouTube UI elements? - [ ] Works without context (scroll test)? --- ## COMMON MISTAKES | Mistake | Problem | Fix | |---------|---------|-----| | Repeating title | Wastes space, no new info | Add complementary angle | | Too many words | Unreadable at small size | 3-5 words max | | Low contrast | Disappears into background | Add stroke/outline | | Tiny font | Cannot read on mobile | Make it 15-25% of width | | Boring text | No emotional trigger | Use power words | | Cluttered | Too much going on | One main message | | Wrong placement | Covered by UI | Avoid corners |
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