CTR vs retention
Click-through rate (CTR) measures how often people choose your video when shown. Retention measures whether they stay. A shocking thumb that mismatches the video can boost CTR and destroy session performance. Aim for honest curiosity.
Design rules that scale
- One clear subject - face, product, or result, not a crowded collage
- High contrast - subject separates from background at phone size
- 2–4 words of text max - or none if the image carries it
- Large shapes - thin lines and tiny type vanish in the feed
- Consistent brand accents - colour/type so your channel looks intentional
- Safe edges - keep critical elements away from crop risk
Pairing title and thumb
Do not duplicate the full title on the image. Split the job:
- Title = searchable promise
- Thumb = emotion, object, before/after, or short punch word
Example: title “How to Fix Muddy Skin Tones in Premiere” + thumb showing a close-up face with “FIXED” in two letters.
Free recipes and optional AI stills
Keyweaver Campaign Kit turns one video brief into aspect recipes and prompts for YouTube thumbs, TikTok covers, and IG squares. The prompt pack is free forever. Optional AI stills/motion use purchased credits only - no free fal trial burn.
Pair with Video SEO so title and thumb concepts come from the same brief.