35 Clickbait YouTube Thumbnail Ideas You Must Try

Having a clickable YouTube thumbnail can make a HUGE difference to the success of your next video.

In this article, I've gone over the most popular YouTube clickbait thumbnails you can use with your next upload.

Let's take a look at the best clickbait thumbnails for YouTube right now! 👇

Ps. Don't forget to check out my article on the 50 best YouTube thumbnail fonts and download a massive free fonts pack while you're there!

What Are Clickbait Thumbnails?

Clickbait thumbnails are YouTube thumbnails that capture a user's attention and make it nearly impossible not to click.

Oftentimes good clickbait thumbnails work alongside the title of the video - both the thumbnail and the title should work together to peak curiosity.

The Click Through Rate (CTR) metric used by the algorithm plays a massive part in how often YouTube videos are shown to new and existing audiences.

The higher the CTR of your video, the better! That's why clickbait thumbnails have become so popular with YouTube creators.

Why Clickbait Thumbnails Are Useful

The use of YouTube clickbait thumbnails is not to mislead viewers but to grab their attention, ignite their curiosity, and motivate them to click on the video.

Here are the main reasons you should consider using clickbait style thumbnails to increase CTRs and other vital YouTube metrics:

• Enhanced Visibility: Clickbait thumbnails are designed to stand out in a crowded YouTube feed, making your videos more noticeable.
• Higher Engagement: Eye-catching thumbnails prompt more clicks, substantially increasing viewer engagement.
• Boosts Watch Time: Engaging thumbnails lead to longer watch times as curious viewers stay to explore the content.
• Increased Subscriptions: Captivating thumbnail designs can lead to more subscribers who are intrigued by your video presentation style.
• Brand Consistency: You can create a recognizable style with consistent use of distinct thumbnail designs, helping to solidify your brand identity on YouTube.

How to Make A Good Clickbait Thumbnail

There are 3 human emotions you should target in every thumbnail you create whether it's a clickbait thumbnail or not:

• Curiosity: Create eye-catching thumbnails that make users pause by creating curiosity using one of the methods outlined in the article.
• Desire: Use desirable objects within your thumbnail to connect on a personal level and spark the viewer's urge to click.
• Urgency: Convey a sense of urgency using text overlays or imagery to compel users to click immediately. Effective YouTube clickbait thumbnails tempt the viewer not to miss out.

What Are the Best Clickbait Thumbnails for YouTube?

Let’s check out the 35 most popular styles of clickbait thumbnail for viral YouTube content.

If you're a pro, or just getting started on YouTube, there's something for you.

1. Shocked

Shocked YouTube Thumbnail example from @WWE

Made hugely popular by creators like MrBeast, the shocked style clickbait thumbnail uses a shocked facial expression to grab attention, hinting at unexpected turns in the video content.

2. Oversized

Oversized YouTube Thumbnail example from @FocusedLucas

Use trick photography or photo editing tools in your clickbait YouTube thumbnails to create surreal thumbnails that make usual objects appear gigantic, sparking humor and curiosity.

3. Split Screen

Split Screen YouTube thumbnail example from @kylehill

Place two contrasting images side-by-side to highlight a dramatic difference or improvement, engaging the audience immediately.

4. Celebrity

Celebrity YouTube Thumbnail example from @Renzy_YT

Use popular figures in thumbnails to draw connections to trending topics and attract more viewers.

5. Action

Action YouTube Thumbnail example from @Spanian

Use dynamic action shots from the video to preview intensity, motion, and make it irresistible.

6. Peeks

Peeks YouTube Thumbnail example from @TrendCentral

Offer a glimpse into the making of your video or what goes on behind the camera to create authenticity and curiosity.

7. Comments

Comments YouTube Thumbnail example from @JetroYT

Highlight viewer engagement with this clickbait thumbnail by featuring real comments, messages, or tweets in your thumbnail, capturing attention instantly.

8. Minimalist

Minimalist YouTube Thumbnail example from @battery_hill

The minimalist thumbnail uses a “less is more” approach to stand out from the high-production thumbnails we’re used to and create simple yet highly clickable images.

9. Top 10

Top 10 YouTube Thumbnail example from @JamesWelsh

Creating a top 10 list clickbait thumbnail relevant to your niche can be a great way to preview your videos content and produce eye catching thumbnails.

10. Transformation

Transformation YouTube Thumbnail example from @WillTennyson

Visually represent a dramatic transformation to pique curiosity about how the changes occurred in your video. Clickbait thumbnails using the transformation concept usually feature a before and after shot outlining the videos context.

11. Mystery

Mystery YouTube Thumbnail example from @RealEngineering

Create clickbait thumbnails teasing viewers by partially hiding an item or result, compelling them to watch the video to uncover it.

12. Cliffhanger

Cliffhanger YouTube Thumbnail example from @TheHouseOfCrypto

Create suspense with thumbnails that leave viewers wondering about the outcome, enhancing click-through rates. A good cliffhanger thumbnail should make the viewer think "What happens next", leaving them no choice but to click.

13. Arrows

Arrows YouTube Thumbnail example from @J1mmy

Utilize arrows and symbols that denote mystery and unanswered questions, stimulating viewer curiosity and catching their eye at the same time.

14. Unpopular Opinion

Unpopular Opinion YouTube Thumbnail example from @BBCRadio1

Create a clickbait thumbnail that offers an "unpopular opinion" that goes against the grain and offers a unique perspective on a current issue in your niche.

15. React

React YouTube Thumbnail example from @JustinHawkinsRidesAgain

Frame yourself reacting to another creators content, music video, or other item capturing your audience's attention with curiosity.

16. Statistic

Statistic YouTube Thumbnail example from @LordJon25

Using an interesting statistic relevant to your videos content is a great clickbait thumbnail tactic capturing viewer engagement right away.

17. Split Personality

Split Personality YouTube Thumbnail example from @leonjhendrix

Show two sides of a situation or character, intriguing viewers with the contrast and promising a deeper look in the video.

18. Nature

Nature YouTube Thumbnail example from @RelaxationFilm

Use breathtaking outdoor scenes to pull in viewers looking for escapades or natural beauty.

19. News

News YouTube Thumbnail example from @SaturdayNightLive

Style your thumbnail like a news broadcast preview to highlight critical updates or discussions in your video.

20. Vintage

Vintage YouTube Thumbnail example from @christy-anne-jones

Apply retro and vintage aesthetics to evoke nostalgia, enticing a click from viewers drawn to vintage vibes. LUTs are an excellent way to effortlessly create clickbait thumbnails with a vintage vibe.

21. Parody

Parody YouTube Thumbnail example from @Nerdstalgic

Mimic popular movie or event posters with a twist that ties into your video content, attracting fans of the original content.

22. Props

Props YouTube Thumbnail example from @Veritasium

Integrate interesting props that hint at key elements of the video's storyline or content.

23. Memes

Memes YouTube Thumbnail example from @VinceVintage

Leverage popular memes to connect instantly with a larger audience, ensuring relatability and humor.

24. Odd Couple

Odd Couple YouTube Thumbnail example from @WillTennyson

Create eye catching thumbnails by combining unlikely characters to intrigue viewers about the scenario, boosting engagement.

25. Explosion

Explosion YouTube Thumbnail example from @theslowmoguys

Everyone loves explosions. 💥 Create stunning thumbnails by using high contrast explosion graphics to capture attention every time.

26. POV

POV YouTube Thumbnail example from @Nemsk

Use a point of view (POV) shot to create a clickbait thumbnail showing a unique perspective of your content. POV shots are great to use with action and sports style content, also popular with gamers.

27. Call to Action

Call to Action YouTube Thumbnail example from @NoTextToSpeech

Call to actions styled branded elements are a simple and effective way to simple instruct your audience to watch your content!

28. Animated

Animated YouTube Thumbnail example from @InkboxSoftware

Using animation style is a simple and effective way to make a clickbait thumbnail visually appealing with minimal effort.

29. Branding

Branding YouTube Thumbnail example from @BigCompanyYT

Use an already popular brand in your thumbnail will result in attracting viewers that might not normally view your channel.

30. Cartoon

Cartoon YouTube Thumbnail example from @CGPGrey

Cartoon style thumbnails are super popular right now due to their high-contrast eye catching aesthetics.

31. Numbers

Numbers YouTube Thumbnail example from @CGPGrey

Using charts, numbers, and statistics is a simple method you can employ to create a stunning thumbnail that captures attention and creates curiosity.

32. Secrets

Secrets YouTube Thumbnail example from @fern-tv

Use a caption relevant to your niche such as "Rich People Secrets", or "Secret Editing Tricks" to create clickbait headlines in your thumbnail creation.

33. Alternatives

Alternatives YouTube Thumbnail example from @MarcusCreates

A good thumbnail idea that both captures attention and increases video views is to create alternative reviews to the most popular ideas or products in your niche.

34. Thirst Trap

Thirst Trap YouTube Thumbnail example from @HasanAbiIndustriesfanchannel

We all know sex sells and thumbnails using misleading tactics like the thirst trap can potentially do well in some niches.

35. Listicles

Listicles YouTube Thumbnail example from @JournalistAI

A listicle is a style of content that outlines "the 7 best products" or other list types which are visually appealing and usually well favored by search engines.

Wrapping Up

By using clickbait thumbnails to target the 3 human emotions: curiosity, desire, and urgency you'll be making world class thumbnails in no time!

Use some or all of the examples in this article to create stunning thumbnails for your next video and boost those critical YouTube algorithm metrics!

Happy editing. 😎