YouTube will finally let creators test multiple thumbnails at once

YouTube is finally rolling out the ability for creators to test and compare the performance of multiple video thumbnails, the company announced Tuesday. The feature was first announced last June, but at the time it was only available to a few hundred creators.

With the new tool, which YouTube calls “Thumbnail Test and Compare,” creators can test up to three thumbnails of a video. “YouTube will show chosen thumbnails evenly across your video’s viewers and then select a winning thumbnail based on which one generates the highest share of watch time,” according to a post signed by “Meaghan” on the YouTube team. (This idea is also known as A/B testing.)

Creators will be able to see data on how their miniatures are performing, although “it may take a few days or up to two weeks to get the finalized test results for their miniatures,” says Meaghan. The final report may show a “Winner” label for the thumbnail that “clearly outperforms” the others, but creators may also see a “Preferred” label that “means the thumbnail *likely* outperformed other thumbnails based on time share display,” according to Meaghan.

Creators aren’t stuck with the thumbnail that the tool determines is best; they can still select thumbnails manually if they wish.

YouTube expects all eligible creators to have access to the tool “in the coming weeks,” according to Meaghan. The tool will only be available in YouTube Studio on a computer, and you will need access to advanced features.

YouTube shared some additional updates in a video from Tuesday. Last month, YouTube began testing a feature that uses AI to help you skip to the good part of a video. This feature is now officially available on Android for YouTube Premium subscribers. The company is also experimenting with QR codes for creators, as well as the ability to mention a channel in comments using the @ symbol.