My old thumbnail trick got roasted in a YouTube comments section yesterday

I used to put big red arrows pointing at people's faces in my thumbnails. Thought it was the standard move. Then someone commented that it looked like I was trying to sell them a timeshare. They said it made the video feel cheap and desperate. So I tried something different this week. I just used a close-up of my actual reaction face with no text or arrows. First video with that style got 20% more clicks in the first day. What small feedback changed your approach to thumbnails or headlines?

2 comments

2 Comments

nathankim5d ago

Arrows scream used car salesman to me honestly.

phoenixk645d ago

Wait, are we talking about the actual arrow icon or like those dudes with arrow tattoos on their forearms? I saw a guy with a full sleeve of compass arrows and he tried to sell me a warranty on my truck.