Why Your YouTube Thumbnails Are Costing You Views (And How to Fix Them) 

By ThumbnailSpot

Published: March 29, 2025  

Studies show that 80% of viewers decide to click based on the thumbnail alone. 

If your thumbnails are costing you views, it’s time to identify the mistakes and fix them. Let’s explore why this happens and how you can turn things around.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

Here are five key mistakes that might be hurting your views, along with practical fixes

1. Bland Designs That Blend In

Mistake: Generic stock images or small, hard-to-read text makes your thumbnail unclickable.

Fix: Study a YouTube thumbnail designer portfolio for inspiration, or hire a thumbnail designer.

2. Too Much Clutter, Too Little Focus

Mistake: Cramming text, arrows, and emojis confuses the eye, reducing CTR by 30% according to a VidIQ research.

Fix: Keep it simple with one bold focal point. Check out Linus Tech Tips’ clean, punchy thumbnails for great design examples.

3. Ignoring Color Psychology

Mistake: Random colors fail to trigger emotions; red grabs attention, blue builds trust... but many miss this.

Fix: Use bright, contrasting colors like red and yellow. Data from a Canva research shows red-heavy thumbnails boost clicks by 15%, making them effective for high-quality thumbnail designs. 

4. No Human Connection

Mistake: Faceless thumbnails miss the human touch, with a Nielsen study finding faces increase clicks by 23%.

Fix: Add faces to your thumbnails. PewDiePie’s goofy expressions are a masterclass, consider studying his thumbnails.

5. Skipping Mobile Optimization

Mistake: Over 70% of views are mobile, yet one cannot go a minute without encountering blurry text or tiny details.

Fix: Ensure large, clear fonts and simple designs with 1-2 focal points. Always test your thumbnail on your phone before publishing

Fixing these thumbnail mistakes can significantly boost your CTR and views. If design isn’t your strength, consider hiring a thumbail designer or consulting packaging designers. Your thumbail is your video’s first impression—make it count!