# YouTube Thumbnail Experiments

A checklist for testing thumbnail concepts with [Raphael AI](https://raphael.app).

## 1. One subject, big

Thumbnails are viewed tiny. Prompt for a single bold subject filling 60% of the frame.

## 2. High contrast

Use complementary colors: `orange subject on deep blue background`.

## 3. Emotion

For faces, specify the emotion strongly: `shocked expression, wide eyes`.

## 4. A/B test

Make two concepts and use your platform's test feature to compare click-through.

## Tips

- Add text in an editor, max four words.
- Check the thumbnail at 160 px width before uploading.
- Avoid misleading imagery; it hurts retention.

## About the tool

[Raphael AI](https://raphael.app) is a free browser-based text-to-image generator; no account is needed to try it: https://raphael.app

License: CC BY 4.0 for the notes in this repository.