youtube video picture

[staySPOOLIN]

How is it you can change what imagine shows up for your video if someone were to scroll past it in the search listing?

I see mine takes basically the opening clip and puts it there. I see most people who can chose and add words??

 

[O8ride]

At the bottom of the first Page in the upload area, you get the chance to upload a custom thumbnail. Can also change it after. But the thumbnail must not be too big

 

[BKarol]

I think you need to be a partner to change thumbnail

 

[OoxTruExoO]

I think you need to be a partner to change thumbnail

I'm not 100% sure, but I think it's a basic option for anyone now. I don't think you even need to have a adsense account.

Click on the arrow beside the Upload button on your YouTube page
Go to Video Manager
Click the Edit button beside the video you want to add thumbnail to
To the right of the video box, there will be three thumbnail to choose from and a button for custom image.
Upload custom image and then it should change it within a few minutes (sometimes up to an hour)

If you've not got button, then maybe you do need to have one video monetised. I don't have videos on a different channel linked to adsense but I have the custom thumbnail option... that account is over 7 years old though, so might've got it due to the longevity of channel's existence.

 

[TriumfAnt]

I can add a custom thumbnail and I'm not monetized nor with adsense. I was given that option after I had uploaded a few videos. If you go to Features under CHANNEL SETTINGS you will be able to ENABLE Custom thumbnails.

 

[staySPOOLIN]

Thanks everyone! =]

 

[staySPOOLIN]

Turns out all I had to do was verify my account. It does say you have to monetize account to do it. But I just clicked verify. typed in the code. And under my account setting it went from a grayed out bubble to green next to custom thumbnail. Hope this can help some one in the future =]