thumbnail Factor

Text on Thumbnail

Whether the thumbnail has text overlaid on the image. This could be a few bold words reinforcing the hook, a quote, a label, or a full sentence.

Thumbnail text gives you a second hook beyond the title. While the title might be truncated in mobile feeds, the thumbnail is always fully visible. A few bold words on the thumbnail can reinforce the title's promise or add a complementary hook that catches different viewers.

Regular Videos
-7%
trend only
Shorts
+28%
trend only
Top 10% Video
+10%
trend only

Average Video is the effect on a typical video. Top 10% Video is the effect on the videos that broke out (top decile of views) — so you can see whether a factor helps most videos a little, or pushes the top performers much higher.

When present

The thumbnail includes text overlay that reinforces or complements the title's hook.

Videos with this factor

American families are struggling to keep food on the table
American families are struggling to keep food on the table
Pramila Jayapal · 179K views
I asked a filmmaker who exposed Putin's propaganda machine if Trump is following Putin's playbook.
I asked a filmmaker who exposed Putin's propaganda machine if Trump is following Putin's playbook.
Elizabeth Warren · 10K views
Press Conference on January 6 Subcommittee
Press Conference on January 6 Subcommittee
Hakeem Jeffries · 3K views
Always Ready to Score for Maryland
Always Ready to Score for Maryland
Wes Moore · 2K views
Can’t afford groceries? Donald Trump thinks that is “a little disturbance.”
Can’t afford groceries? Donald Trump thinks that is “a little disturbance.”
Brian Schatz · 1K views

When absent

The thumbnail is purely visual with no text overlay.

Videos without this factor

What was Trump truly after in Fulton County?
What was Trump truly after in Fulton County?
Sheldon Whitehouse · 173K views
Don Beyer Demands Investigation After ICE Officer Murders US Citizen in Minneapolis
Don Beyer Demands Investigation After ICE Officer Murders US Citizen in Minneapolis
Donald Beyer · 11K views
Newsom: They Want to Put America in Reverse. We're Fighting Back.
Newsom: They Want to Put America in Reverse. We're Fighting Back.
Gavin Newsom · 3K views
Reed Shines Spotlight on Trump-Republicans’ Big, Beautiful Betrayal of Working Families
Reed Shines Spotlight on Trump-Republicans’ Big, Beautiful Betrayal of Working Families
John Reed · 2K views
Beatty Confronts Treasury Secretary in Fiery Exchange on Housing and Harriet Tubman $20
Beatty Confronts Treasury Secretary in Fiery Exchange on Housing and Harriet Tubman $20
Joyce Beatty · 1K views