How to Add Thumbnail to YouTube Shorts (TWO METHODS)

[@TubeBuddy]

What's your favorite video editing software? 😎

[@TCAOFFICALL]

capcut

[@TRAPY496]

Capcut

[@gistestate]

Inshot

[@Useott]

I use Kdenlive

[@tranquilmomentswithme7643]

Capcut and Inshot

[@breakaway2x]

This is crazy. The amount of steps, processes, editing on multiple devices and editing programs from phone to PC and back to phone, re-editing, saving, waiting, just to have a custom thumbnail on a short is crazy!

[@stayreadyto3dprint]

I agree. All because youtube doesnt really want short thumbnails. But we have found a way around it to get more views so here we are lol, I actually use this method, but as of today it stopped letting me. It now will not allow me to trim and cut on shorts. says you cant trim because this is a Short error now. Maybe just me?

[@SweetDurie]

I just started a KZbin channel. Trying to learn what I can. But I don't like complicated stuff. I know how to make my shorts & edit them with one program.

[@stayreadyto3dprint]

@@SweetDurie what program do you use? Enlighten us lol

[@Temponaut_Timelapse]

absolutely crazy, it would be so easy adding a thumbnail on desktop :(

[@ZeroNeedsCoffee]

this is so needlessly complicated its insane

[@WanderingHewitts]

Tried both methods and it seems KZbin may have switched things up again. I don't have the edit pencil in the corner of the thumbnail and when I add a clip at the beginning or end of the short it looks like it takes it and as soon as I edit it out the clip reverts to whatever KZbin wants as the thumbnail.

[@DebbraLupien_AkashicRecords]

I don't have the pencil either. It was a feature supposedly being rolled out to everyone. Any idea when that might happen? Incredibly frustrating to have YT sabotage my efforts by using a less than optimal thumbnail.

[@hoozartz6740]

​​@@DebbraLupien_AkashicRecordsProbably for certain phones/devices only

[@DebbraLupien_AkashicRecords]

@@hoozartz6740 It should be available on all phones now. I solved the problem by reinstalling the app.

[@scoutthedoggie]

Here we are 5 months after your post and I do have the edit pencil, so did it return for you?

[@WanderingHewitts]

Nope. Still nothing

[@OhShiitakeMushrooms]

Followed all the steps up until the final editing Where KZbin won’t let me trim My video in editor because it says “this video can’t be trimmed because it’s a KZbin short” I didn’t add an audio or soundtrack. It was just a raw video that I recorded myself. ???

[@ryanboivin]

Same thing happened to me. Did you ever find a solution?

[@Scamingo]

2:56

[@corpusaethemera]

@@Scamingo I'm not using a trending sound either, and it seems they have dropped the feature.

[@DasCayman]

In the editor... "this video can't be trimmed because it is a youtube short"

[@thisisalbe]

Guys! You have to wait for awhile before the pencil icon shows up. For me it didn't show up like the first 3 times, this time I happened to leave my phone on the table, came back and the pencil icon was there...This still works if you use the upload from your phone method.

[@fazubattlecaster]

Will this ever come to the desktop version? I make shorts, but never from the phone.

[@user-xf7mu7ub9d]

I hope they add this feature on desktop. It doesn't even make sense making it available only on mobile.

[@mattyrossfilms]

​@@user-xf7mu7ub9dIt makes zero sense. It's infuriating.

[@EverydayBBQ]

This is WAAAY too complicated. Why do we need 2-3 different pieces of equipment to upload a Short? That’s straight JUNK!

[@TubeBuddy]

We didn't create the scenario. Hopefully it will become easier.

[@Nash_cash]

Bro it’s not that complicated 😂😅

[@Bullrun1000]

It's not tough just painful. Not sure I understand their rationale lol

[@ASSEENBYSB]

exactly

[@lmkvisuallens]

It isn't really that complicated

[@ludwigwandert]

I did all these steps and when I was in the Editor to trim and cut ... it said "Can't be trimmed, because it is a short video". Is this new, or why can't we trim it anymore?

[@Organicallyblunt]

What tripod is that for the Rhode mic your using?

[@Organicallyblunt]

Did you just add a cold shoe mount to a desktop ball tripod? Please lmk I have this mic and would like to use it in my studio

[@pufflewuffle]

So the edit feature has been disabled since this post, but I’m still using the strategy to add thumbnails at the last frame of my video. The extra clicks are well worth it for a growing channel and I’m pretty sure most of my users don’t watch all the way until the last end frame anyway. If they do I’m sure they don’t notice or care, what matters for me is the click.

[@mkdons22]

My thumbnails are so random sometimes it's beginning middle or end of frame

[@gayegerard]

@@mkdons22 me too and its so annoying.

[@mkdons22]

@gayegerard I figured it out u gotta upload on your mobile app not YT studio just the regular app on your phone and u can choose the thumbnail

[@gayegerard]

Great thanks I will give it a go. 😊

[@Valorius]

All videos like this really highlight is that youtubes uploading tools and software are pure trash.

[@StarTalkDailyScoop]

this is the most accurate and understandable explanation i have come across regarding thumbnail issues with yt shorts! thank you!

[@Beast-Of-Adventure]

Amazing method!

[@durikana]

Thanks for information... its really helpful

[@CharlyBannana]

So it's not working anymore??

[@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker]

How do you do choose a thumbnail on an iPad as you say? I don't seem to have the option on mine. I do on the iPhone though.

[@DrHesterSpeaks]

Thank you for giving start-to-finish detail instructions! And under 4 minutes. Wonderful!!

[@Mythicsshorts]

Mine doesn't show the pencil icon

[@Lyhdaninja]

bro! thanks.

[@MinutoBiblico23]

thanks for the tip, i needed that!

[@BrownCandyPaint]

What if the pencil to edit is not available though? It used to be for me but not anymore

[@BlackPeerama]

Nice work man

[@TubeBuddy]

THANK YOU!

[@BlackPeerama]

@@TubeBuddy no problem

[@SLMENTERTAINMENTS]

@@TubeBuddy for appreciating comments only you are responsing... but you are not clariffying the doubts of viewers !

[@shpresim43]

I feel like it shouldn't be this hard! KZbin needs to offer the Thumbnail option for shorts just like for regular videos!

[@manvspower313]

Thank you, PERFECT straight to the point.

[@TRAPY496]

Thank you always wanted custom thumbnail

[@TubeBuddy]

It's such a helpful thing to do!

[@StoryTimeAtRobinsTreehouse]

Thanks, great tip, I was having trouble with my thumbnail and now it worked!

[@genquint]

thank you for sharing this

[@TubeBuddy]

You are so welcome!

[@SWR]

Will def use this trick on some of our channels!

[@ThisSoundsGood100]

Thanks, really useful!

[@OhShiitakeMushrooms]

This strategy is obviously insider knowledge that MrBeast, dude perfect and a very few select others has known for MONTHS and the rest of us are now just finding this out. The Playing field is obviously not even on YT.

[@clothandstitches23]

Great method

[@AeroTurtle]

Thank you for the quick and concise video. You've earned a like!!!!

[@TheDarrelXperience]

1:05 was spot to the on for me now that I know how to custom, I can create at that point TY!

[@elm162]

I just tried this and it failed for the last few times, so frustrating youtube keeps choosing my thumbnail which looks terrible. 😮

[@BowenOrg]

EXACTLY!!!! See my comment above please. If the new CEO is pushing "shorts" so much, why hasn't he allocated funds to developers to fix this PROBLEM immediately!????

[@JMVLOGS82321]

thank you for sharing congrats🎉🎉🎉🎉🤟🤟🤟👏👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏

[@TubeBuddy]

Thanks for visiting :)

[@iamaro36]

Also thanks for the guide

[@TubeBuddy]

ayeee

[@iamaro36]

Ayeeeeeeee

[@ivandjuricic92]

FOR EVERYONE HAVING TROUBLE: i didn’t have the pencil when uploading from the Studio app. Make sure you upload from KZbin app, not YT STUDIO. Tried it on the normal YT app, the middle button for making a short, and after a few “nexts” you get the pencil icon at the top left

[@seputaryoutube]

Good👍

[@URBCLIPZ]

Thanks 🙏🏾 very helpful

[@english-khlisten]

thank you

[@UrbanShaolin-v2l]

Excellent helped me alot

[@elsitaskitchen]

The best video EVER!! Thank you so much!!! I needed this information to improve my shorts. Gracias mi Amigo!

[@DiDotes]

Looks like they removed features again for some reason, no more trimming allowed on KZbin shorts - "This video can't be trimmed because it is a KZbin Short."

[@BetterLifeBetterLiving]

How can I download my short in my Mobile Devic?

[@DamiKnight]

I use Adobe Premiere

[@TubeBuddy]

That used to be my baby 🥹

[@DamiKnight]

do you have a new favorite now?@@TubeBuddy

[@hovermotion]

Thanks this had me stuck on how to do this.

[@Marquetica]

This is what I knew. But I was wondering how to edit it after I publish it 😂

[@CoolStuff458]

but how do you transfer from the computer to the phone/ipad???

[@basketball4dummies]

Thanks for sharing it was super helpful

[@factswithpriya123]

woah...how clear tutorial was that😍🙏thanks a lot man

[@truecrimepodcastofficial]

Thanks❤

[@acephysics123]

Davinci Resolve. Is that one recommended?

[@RosieCooks]

Is there anyone who does not get the pencil icon in the top left corner? I understand that I am not supposed to upload before adding the thumbnail. I do even get the pencil icon option. Support does not help. I am very frustrated.

[@Ekvex]

same

[@RosieCooks]

@@Ekvex It has to do with getting the lasted KZbin update.

[@Dengkee]

This was insanely helpful, thanks for the great vid. Also, I really like the editing and filming done, may try and replicate some of this in my upcoming vids!

[@3MinutesOftheInternet]

thank you this was really helpful

[@VizGaming]

Well explained, but the main concern is the Video Quality We Can't Upload Hi Res Video Through Mobile App Even If Did It Reduce The Actual Quality of the Video, But on Desktop We Can Upload The High Quality Video in Shorts But Again. There's no Option to Change the Thumbnail on PC

[@TYSO_official]

So frustrating.. dont suppose you found a way around this?? Immediate sub if so as would greatly appreciate it. Basically how to upload in full resolution and choose thumbnail...

[@ChrYpTic-Toons]

thank you. i was struggling with this.

[@RBsPOV]

Is the shorts video music copyright free music

[@Story_Fuel]

Omg I’ve wracking my brains thanks!!!!

[@TwiceTheBitsGames]

It seems this no longer works. the moment you trim out the thumbnail part of the video KZbin just reverts to another frame of the edited video.

[@motowalkph]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@the_cerebro]

but uploading via phone is greying out my publish to subscribers option how to fix it ?

[@SLMENTERTAINMENTS]

how to edit in 'edit' option in desktop ? for me editor option is not appearning in youtube studio in my system

[@R5MindsetMax]

Thanks for Sharing!

[@user-xf7mu7ub9d]

I tried the first method but KZbin picks a random frame 😠

[@VinnyBrando]

Hey Buddy, I did everything but in the end, when I went to the editor page of my Short, KZbin tells me that "This video can't be trimmed because it is a KZbin Short." I'm getting crazy here, do you know how to fix this and what is the deal? Thank you so much in advance!

[@DipanshiGarg-e7p]

Thanks, it works ❤

[@smartdrivetest]

What are your thoughts about different types of content and *text on thumbnails* for SHORTS? Curious. I'm not sure why this process is so complicated!? Other platforms chose the first frame, which is where I put the thumbnail. Also, interesting is the conflict between what's being said in the video and what's being shown - NO text in the thumb. The thumb in the second part of the video uploaded had text. I'm certain that for famous entertainment channels text is great, but for education channels, it is my opinion that text helps the thumbnail. FCPX Cheers Rick

[@fivenineshaq]

Useful video!

[@Islamicsheen]

Let me try it in capcut.

[@stayreadyto3dprint]

is this still working? it was for me until today. now i get error msg saying I cant trim a short

[@Valorius]

if i upload from my phone, my shorts are all in 720 standard def, even 4k videos. Why?

[@dawnkravagna3200]

It amazes me that you’re in a large room but the sound quality is great.

[@TubeBuddy]

;) we know a thing or two

[@FigureFever]

@@TubeBuddy I just upgraded on your service. Hopes this works. 🙏

[@salil6330]

Thanks buddy 🤗

[@MajorettesDANC]

thanks Buddy, it works uploading from phone , nice tutorial :)

[@lDeepakRaj190]

Thanks you always wanted custom Thumbnail ❤

[@CryptoGrit]

this is awesome :) I was doing this on tiktok and ig but now I can do it for youtube as well :)

[@DylanGamesOfficial]

Seen this method a couple months ago

[@TrueHaven727]

Cap cut is my favorite ngl that stuff is just fire to use

[@salpavone]

Thank you man!

[@itsreginatv]

To the point and easy to follow. Wow! Thanks for the video. 👍🏾🙂

[@fatburning1000]

Great content as always I want to know if creating AI VIDEOS can be monitized without any problem with youtube policies ? Thank you

[@MarioBrosJediKnightXD]

This was a great advice, but in 2023 KZbin didn't allow me to change the thumbnail of my KZbin Short, it didn't have that pencil to edit and select the frame of the thumbnail from the video. I will try again in 2024.

[@daywickbd]

Great tips! That was super useful!!

[@exploringnewhites]

THIS WORKED but here’s the deal. All you need to do is everything up until around 1:00. The rest is if you want a custom thumb instead of a frame from your short. You don’t have to do that part. HOWEVER, I usually upload from Studio on a browser and for some reason doing it this way from the app, it didn’t pull in my default description info. SO I went in and added that later. Too bad YT can’t make it easier! It often defaults to the WORST part of my short for a thumb 😢

[@Rahulx173]

How to change the yt shorts audio to our logo

[@transcendentalalchemy]

I hope this helps. I noticed when I upload from PC or KZbin Studio from my phone I don't have the pencil option on the image. If I upload from the KZbin app on my phone I have the pencil option to edit Thumbnail for short.

[@quizlava]

Thank you. That worked!

[@transcendentalalchemy]

You're welcome glad to help.​@@quizlava

[@FrenchBehindScreens]

Amazing video, you genuinely answered my questions 😅..thanks

[@AD_kind]

Why the pen icon doesn't show on my phone

[@BioHealthAlchemy]

I guess KZbin is not allowing the trimming of shorts anymore.

[@Dirt2travis]

not working for me youtube editor say you can't cut this video because is a youtube short

[@Dirt2travis]

So now after have tried everything in this video the results was worse then my usual method. Is probably very random if KZbin push out the videos. And if you already have a massive following is gonna be pushed out anyway

[@Playstation1]

"this video can't be trimmed because it is a youtube short" :/

[@TheMalVivant]

When I go to YT Studio on my laptop, I do not see the "editor" button on the lefthand side. Why is this?

[@sportstrikes]

Great

[@rm15-ism]

This still works, I just did it. Everyone is right that the pencil is gone. I added the thumb to the beginning and the app automatically made it the thumb. You just have to get the short uploaded to YT, mark it private then go into the editor in YT studio (on desktop/laptop) and do all the same things

[@mgt9937]

On my iPad, there's no frame selector, but I can directly choose a picture from my photos as the thumbnail. However, KZbin still selects a random frame as the thumbnail, and I can only see the custom thumbnail in KZbin Studio. In short, I can't see the specified thumbnail on the actual short.

[@devanddilu]

Love from Nepal 🇳🇵

[@EVnStevenApp]

Honestly, what is KZbin thinking? This is a major flaw.