AI YouTube Thumbnail Prompts That Get More Clicks

Creating effective YouTube thumbnails used to take a considerable amount of time, but AI tools can save time while delivering professional results. However, in 2025, AI tools will have made it significantly easier. Three AI tools that use natural language processing— ChatGPT, Nano Banana, and SeeDream, can help you create professional thumbnails in just minutes.

This guide provides you with the exact words and prompts needed to utilize these three tools. You’ll get examples you can copy and paste, simple formulas to follow, and templates that actually work.

Why thumbnails matter

Videos with custom thumbnails get up to 80% more views. Most YouTube videos achieve a 0.65% click rate, but high-quality thumbnails can increase this to 8% to 12%. With over 51 million YouTube channels, your thumbnail is what makes people click on your video instead of someone else’s.

Using ChatGPT for thumbnail ideas

ChatGPT helps you generate ideas, write explanations, and create detailed instructions that Nano Banana and SeeDream can utilize. By using large language models, you can quickly brainstorm concepts, write catchy text, and turn your ideas into prompts.

We’ve already written about using ChatGPT to write YouTube scripts, including helpful prompts you can use.

Step 1: Start with the basics

Every time you start a new thumbnail project, use this as your first command to ChatGPT:

I’m creating a YouTube video about [TOPIC]. My target audience is [AUDIENCE]. I need thumbnail concepts that are [STYLE/MOOD]. The thumbnail should convey [KEY EMOTION/MESSAGE] and make viewers want to click immediately.

Example:

I’m creating a YouTube video about a 10-minute healthy meal prep for college students. My target audience is busy college students on a budget who want to eat healthy. I need thumbnail concepts that are vibrant, energetic food photography with bold text overlays. The thumbnail should convey excitement and simplicity, making viewers want to click immediately.

Step 2: Use a sample prompt to generate multiple ideas

Use this prompt to get different options:

Generate 6-8 unique thumbnail concepts and suggest ways to make each idea distinctly different from the others for my ‘[VIDEO TOPIC]’ video. For each idea, describe:

• The main visual elements

• Suggested text overlay (keep it under six words)

• Color scheme

• Overall composition

• The emotion it should evoke

Ensure that each concept is distinctly different from the others.

What you’ll get:

Concept 1:

• Visual: Close-up of colorful meal prep containers in a grid

• Text: “Prep Once, Eat All Week”

• Colors: Bright greens, oranges, and yellows

• Layout: Overhead shot, symmetrical

• Feeling: Organization and satisfaction

Concept 2:

• Visual: Student holding a fork over a fresh meal, looking excited

• Text: “10 Minutes to Healthy!”

• Colors: Warm tones with green

• Layout: Person on left, food on right

• Feeling: Joy and easy to do

Step 3: Add your brand style

Once you have ideas, make them match your channel’s look:

Refine these thumbnail concepts to match my channel branding:

• Primary colors: [HEX CODES]

• Brand personality: [ADJECTIVES] – consider your unique voice, personal anecdotes, and content style

• Must include: [LOGO PLACEMENT, FONTS, GRAPHIC STYLES]

• Preferred style: [DESCRIPTION]

• Avoid: [WHAT TO AVOID]

Regenerate the top 3 concepts with these branding elements integrated.

Example:

Refine these thumbnail concepts to match my channel branding:

• Primary colors: Orange #FF6B35, Yellow #F7931E, Blue #4A90E2

• Brand personality: Fun, energetic, educational, but not boring

• Must include: Small logo in bottom right corner

• Preferred style: Hand-drawn doodle accents mixed with photography

• Avoid: Dark or cluttered designs

Regenerate the top 3 concepts with these branding elements integrated.

Step 4: Make changes to your favorites

Improve your favorite concepts with this prompt:

I love concepts #[NUMBER], #[NUMBER], and #[NUMBER]. However, I need you to improve them:

What I like:

• [SPECIFIC ELEMENT in #NUMBER]

• [SPECIFIC ELEMENT in #NUMBER]

• [SPECIFIC ELEMENT in #NUMBER]

What needs improvement:

• [SPECIFIC CHANGE NEEDED]

• [SPECIFIC CHANGE NEEDED]

• [SPECIFIC CHANGE NEEDED]

Please regenerate these three concepts with the following improvements.

Example:

I love concepts #2, #4, and #7. However, I need you to improve them:

What I like:

• The vibrant colors in #2

• The text placement in #4

• The overall energy in #7

What needs improvement:

• Make the food look more appetizing and professional

• Increase the contrast between text and background

• Add more dynamic elements to create urgency

Please regenerate these three concepts with the following improvements.

Step 5: Create instructions for AI tools

Now turn your final concepts into instructions for your chosen AI tool.

Using Nano Banana for thumbnail ideas

Nano Banana excels at creating realistic photos featuring attractive individuals. You can find it on Lovart.ai, and it uses Google Gemini 2.5 Flash.

Turning ChatGPT ideas into Nano Banana instructions

Use this prompt in ChatGPT:

Take concept #[NUMBER] and convert it into a detailed prompt optimized for the Nano Banana thumbnail creator. Include:

• Specific visual elements and their placement

• Exact text overlay with font suggestions

• Color codes in hex format

• Mood/style keywords that work well with Nano Banana

• Any template suggestions, if applicable

Format this as a ready-to-use Nano Banana prompt.

AI Prompts Library: Ready-to-use Nano Banana Templates

Gaming Thumbnail:

Create a vibrant gaming thumbnail featuring an excited male gamer with headphones, holding a controller, against a bright neon blue (#00FFFF) and purple (#8B00FF) background, with bold white text and a black shadow that reads ‘Top 10 Epic Game Wins!’ Center the gamer, use dramatic lighting, ensure the text is large and clear, in a photorealistic style, with a resolution of 1280×720 and an aspect ratio of 16:9.

Cooking/Food Thumbnail:

Bright, warm kitchen scene with smiling chef holding a freshly baked chocolate cake with steam rising, soft natural lighting from window on left, text overlay in elegant serif font ‘Easy 5-Minute Desserts!’ in white with subtle orange (#FF6B35) glow, warm color palette with golden browns and creamy whites, overhead angle showing decorated cake details, inviting and appetizing mood, photorealistic food photography, 1280×720, 16:9.

Tech Review Thumbnail:

Modern, sleek gradient background blue (#4A90E2) to black, surprised presenter holding latest smartphone with glowing screen showing interface, bold white text with drop shadow ‘Best Phone 2025!’, high contrast clean design, presenter on right third of frame, phone prominent in hands, studio lighting with rim light, professional photography style, sharp focus on device, 1280×720, 16:9 ratio.

Fitness Thumbnail:

Energetic gym environment with muscular athlete mid-exercise doing deadlift, intense focused expression with sweat, dramatic side lighting creating definition, bold yellow (#F7931E) text with black outline ‘Workout Secrets Revealed!’, dynamic motion blur effect on weights, high contrast lighting, powerful and motivating mood, action photography style, 1280×720, 16:9.

Education/Tutorial Thumbnail:

Calm but engaging classroom setting with friendly teacher pointing at chalkboard filled with colorful diagrams, text in clear serif font ‘Math Made Easy’ in blue (#4A90E2) and orange (#FF6B35), bright and inviting color scheme, teacher on left, chalkboard centered, soft natural lighting, approachable and confident expression, educational photography style, clean composition, 1280×720, 16:9.

How to use Nano Banana

Step 1: Go to aistudio.google.com or use the Google Gemini app (select “tool” then “Nano Banana”)

Step 2: Type commands or copy and paste your prompt

Step 3: Make 3-5 different versions

Step 4: Use the editor to change:

• Facial expressions (excited, surprised, curious)

• Background stuff

• Text styles and where they go

• Color brightness

Step 5: Save as PNG or JPEG at 1280×720 size

Example: Gaming Thumbnail

Prompt Used:

Create a vibrant YouTube thumbnail for a gaming video featuring an excited male gamer with headphones, holding a controller, against a bright neon blue and purple background, with bold white text and a black shadow that reads ‘Top 10 Epic Wins!’ Center the gamer, use dramatic lighting, and ensure text is large and clear.

Results: Dynamic picture with bright colors, clear text you can read on phones, and expressive emotions that make viewers curious. Channels using Nano Banana report getting 120% to 180% more clicks.

Using SeeDream for thumbnail ideas

SeeDream excels at creating high-quality images (up to 4K) that resemble real photographs. It’s particularly effective at inserting text into images and can create multiple pictures simultaneously. ByteDance powers it and makes 2K images in about 1.8 seconds.

Turning ChatGPT ideas into SeeDream instructions

Use this prompt in ChatGPT:

Transform concept #[NUMBER] into a comprehensive SeeDream prompt for a photorealistic YouTube thumbnail. Include:

Positive prompt elements:

• Detailed scene description

• Lighting specifications

• Composition details

• Quality modifiers (8K, professional photography, sharp focus)

• Style keywords

Negative prompt elements:

• Blurry, distorted, amateur, cluttered, watermark

Also, suggest aspect ratio and any SeeDream-specific settings.

ChatGPT Prompts for SeeDream: Template Collection

Gaming Thumbnail:

Positive Prompt:

Photorealistic gaming thumbnail, excited young gamer wearing RGB headset, holding PlayStation controller, intense focused expression, neon blue and purple cyberpunk lighting, dramatic rim lighting from behind, bold white text “EPIC GAME WINS!” with strong black drop shadow, centered composition, bokeh background with gaming setup visible, professional studio photography, 8K resolution, sharp focus, cinematic lighting, high contrast, vibrant colors, dynamic mood.

Negative Prompt:

blurry, distorted, amateur, low quality, cluttered, watermark, text artifacts, uncanny valley faces, oversaturated, noisy, pixelated, dull colors

Settings: Aspect ratio 16:9, photorealistic style, high detail mode

Cooking/Food Thumbnail:

Positive Prompt:

Professional food photography, vibrant appetizing chocolate cake with glossy ganache, steam rising naturally, chef’s hands presenting dish, warm kitchen background with soft bokeh, natural window lighting from left creating soft shadows, text overlay “5-Minute Desserts” in elegant serif font, golden hour lighting, overhead angle 45 degrees, sharp focus on cake texture, 4K resolution, magazine quality, inviting warm color palette, professional culinary photography style.

Negative Prompt:

no blur, no artificial colors, avoid plastic-looking food, no watermark, no cluttered background, no harsh shadows, no text mistakes, no overexposed areas

Settings: Aspect ratio 16:9, high resolution 4K, natural lighting preset

Tech Review Thumbnail:

Positive Prompt:

Modern tech review thumbnail, surprised young woman holding latest smartphone with glowing screen interface visible, bright blue to orange gradient background, studio lighting with soft box from front, rim light creating edge definition, bold white sans-serif text “Best Phone 2025!” with subtle shadow, clean minimalist composition, subject on right third, phone prominent and in focus, professional product photography, 8K sharp focus, high contrast, vibrant but realistic colors, editorial style.

Negative Prompt:

blurry, low quality, cluttered composition, watermark, amateur lighting, oversaturated, artificial skin texture, text errors, dark muddy colors, noisy background

Settings: Aspect ratio 16:9, photorealistic mode, commercial photography style

Fitness Thumbnail:

Positive Prompt:

Athletic fitness photography, muscular athlete performing deadlift with perfect form, intense determined facial expression, sweat visible on skin, dramatic side lighting creating muscle definition, bold yellow text “WORKOUT SECRETS” with black outline, gym environment with selective focus, motion blur on moving weights, high contrast dramatic lighting, powerful motivational mood, professional sports photography, 8K resolution, sharp detail on subject, dynamic composition, energetic atmosphere.

Negative Prompt:

blurry, distorted anatomy, amateur, poor lighting, cluttered background, watermark, fake-looking muscles, oversaturated, noisy, text artifacts, unrealistic poses

Settings: Aspect ratio 16:9, action photography preset, high shutter speed effect

Education/Tutorial Thumbnail:

Positive Prompt:

Educational thumbnail, friendly teacher in casual professional attire pointing at colorful mathematical diagrams on chalkboard, warm smile and approachable expression, soft natural classroom lighting, text “Math Made Easy” in clear readable font with blue and orange colors, bright inviting atmosphere, teacher positioned on left third, chalkboard centered and clearly visible, shallow depth of field, professional educational photography, 4K sharp focus, clean composition, trustworthy and accessible mood.

Negative Prompt:

blurry, poor lighting, cluttered background, watermark, illegible text, unfriendly expression, dark, moody colors, amateur quality, distracting elements, text spelling errors

Settings: Aspect ratio 16:9, natural portrait mode, soft lighting preset

How to use SeeDream

Step 1: Go to seedream.pro for free (you don’t need to sign up)

Step 2: Type your positive prompt in the main box

Step 3: Add negative prompts in the special box for them

Step 4: Set aspect ratio to 16:9 and quality to 2K or 4K

Step 5: Make multiple versions (SeeDream can make up to 9 pictures at once)

Step 6: Use the tools to improve:

• Facial expressions through text instructions

• Background details

• Lighting changes

• Text placement and clarity

Step 7: Save your final thumbnail as a PNG at the highest quality

Example: Tech Review Thumbnail

Prompt used:

Positive:

Create a vibrant, eye-catching YouTube thumbnail for a tech review video featuring a surprised young woman holding a smartphone with glowing effects. Use a bright blue and orange contrast background, bold white text with shadow, saying ‘Best Phone 2025!’. Emphasize clean composition and dynamic lighting, 4K, professional photography.

Negative:

no blur, no text artifacts, avoid watermark, no cluttered elements, no dull colors

Results: It is a genuine photo featuring vivid colors, strong emotional expression, and crisp, easy-to-read text that displays well on phones. The final thumbnail is in 4K with improved text clarity compared to other tools.

Prompt generator templates for different video types

Copy these templates and change them to fit your videos.

Gaming Videos

ChatGPT Foundation:

I’m creating a gaming video about [GAME/GENRE]. My audience is [AGE GROUP – young adults, teens, etc.] gamers who love [GAMEPLAY TYPE]. I need an energetic, exciting thumbnail with neon colors and bold text that conveys [EMOTION: victory/excitement/challenge].

Nano Banana:

Vibrant gaming thumbnail, excited gamer with [HEADSET/NO HEADSET], holding [CONTROLLER/KEYBOARD], neon [COLOR 1] and [COLOR 2] background, bold white text “[YOUR TEXT – MAX 5 WORDS]” with black shadow, dramatic lighting, centered composition, photorealistic, 1280×720, 16:9.

SeeDream:

Positive:

Professional gaming photography, [EXCITED/FOCUSED/SHOCKED] gamer with [RGB/STANDARD] headset, [GAME-SPECIFIC ELEMENT], neon cyberpunk lighting [COLORS], bold text “[YOUR TEXT]” with drop shadow, cinematic lighting, 8K, sharp focus, high contrast.

Negative:

blurry, amateur, cluttered, watermark, text errors, uncanny faces

Aspect ratio: 16:9, Style: Photorealistic

Cooking/Recipe Videos

ChatGPT Foundation:

I’m creating a cooking video about [DISH TYPE]. My audience is [HOME COOKS/BEGINNERS/ADVANCED]. I need a warm, appetizing thumbnail with [BRIGHT/MOODY] colors and text that emphasizes [SPEED/EASE/FLAVOR].

Nano Banana:

Professional food photography, [DISH NAME] with [STEAM/GARNISH/TEXTURE], [CHEF/HANDS] presenting, warm [KITCHEN/RUSTIC/MODERN] background, natural lighting from [LEFT/RIGHT], text “[YOUR TEXT]” in [SERIF/SANS-SERIF] font [COLOR], golden hour mood, overhead [ANGLE] degrees, photorealistic, 1280×720, 16:9.

SeeDream:

Positive:

Magazine-quality food photography, [DISH DESCRIPTION], [CHEF/HANDS] [ACTION], warm [SETTING] background, natural lighting creating soft shadows, text “[YOUR TEXT]” in elegant font, 4K resolution, sharp focus on [FOOD ELEMENT], inviting warm palette, professional culinary style.

Negative:

no plastic-looking food, no harsh shadows, no cluttered background, no watermark, no overexposed

Aspect ratio: 16:9, Resolution: 4K

Tech Review Videos

ChatGPT Foundation:

I’m conducting a technical review of [PRODUCT]. My audience is [TECH ENTHUSIASTS/GENERAL CONSUMERS/SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS]. I need a clean, modern thumbnail with [BRIGHT/SLEEK] design emphasizing [INNOVATION/VALUE/COMPARISON].

Nano Banana:

Modern tech thumbnail, [SURPRISED/EXCITED] presenter holding [PRODUCT], [GRADIENT/SOLID] background [COLORS], studio lighting with rim light, bold [COLOR] text “[YOUR TEXT]” with drop shadow, presenter on [LEFT/RIGHT] third, product prominent, professional photography, sharp focus, 1280×720, 16:9.

SeeDream:

Positive:

Professional product photography, [PRESENTER DESCRIPTION] holding [PRODUCT WITH DETAILS], [BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION], studio lighting with soft box, bold text “[YOUR TEXT]”, clean minimalist composition, 8K sharp focus, high contrast, editorial style, vibrant, realistic colors.

Negative:

blurry, cluttered, watermark, amateur lighting, oversaturated, text errors, dark colors

Aspect ratio: 16:9, Style: Commercial photography

Fitness/Workout Videos

ChatGPT Foundation:

I’m creating a fitness video about [WORKOUT TYPE]. My audience is [BEGINNERS/INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED]. I need an energetic, powerful thumbnail with dynamic movement and text conveying [RESULTS/INTENSITY/SIMPLICITY].

Nano Banana:

Athletic fitness photography, muscular [PERSON] performing [EXERCISE], intense expression, [SWEAT/DETERMINATION] visible, dramatic [SIDE/FRONT] lighting showing definition, bold [COLOR] text “[YOUR TEXT]” with black outline, gym environment, [MOTION BLUR/SHARP] effect, high contrast, motivational mood, 1280×720, 16:9.

SeeDream:

Positive:

Professional sports photography, athletic [PERSON] [EXERCISE WITH FORM], [EXPRESSION] facial expression, dramatic lighting creating muscle definition, bold text “[YOUR TEXT]”, gym environment, selective focus, 8K resolution, sharp detail, dynamic composition, energetic, powerful atmosphere.

Negative:

distorted anatomy, amateur, poor lighting, cluttered, watermark, fake muscles, unrealistic poses

Aspect ratio: 16:9, Preset: Action photography

Educational/Tutorial Videos

ChatGPT Foundation:

I’m creating an educational video about [TOPIC]. My audience is [STUDENTS/PROFESSIONALS/HOBBYISTS]. I need a clear, trustworthy thumbnail with [BRIGHT/PROFESSIONAL] colors emphasizing [SIMPLICITY/EXPERTISE/RESULTS].

Example for career development content: ‘I’m creating an educational video about career development strategies. My audience is young professionals looking to advance their careers.

For creative content, such as a rap song tutorial or music production, adjust the mood to be energetic and artistic.

Nano Banana:

Educational thumbnail, friendly [TEACHER/EXPERT] [ACTION: pointing/demonstrating], [VISUAL AIDS: chalkboard/props], warm smile, soft [NATURAL/STUDIO] lighting, text “[YOUR TEXT]” in readable font [COLORS], bright inviting atmosphere, [COMPOSITION DESCRIPTION], professional educational photography, clean design, 1280×720, 16:9.

SeeDream:

Positive:

Professional educational photography, approachable [EXPERT] [ACTION], [BACKGROUND WITH VISUAL AIDS], soft natural lighting, text “[YOUR TEXT]” in clear font [COLORS], 4K sharp focus, clean composition, trustworthy accessible mood, bright inviting colors.

Negative:

blurry, cluttered, watermark, illegible text, unfriendly expression, dark colors, amateur quality

Aspect ratio: 16:9, Mode: Natural portrait

How to use all three tools together

Here’s how to use ChatGPT, Nano Banana, and SeeDream together to work faster.

For regular videos: ChatGPT → Nano Banana

Step 1: Use ChatGPT to come up with ideas

I’m creating a YouTube video about [TOPIC]. My target audience is [AUDIENCE]. I need thumbnail concepts that are [STYLE]. The thumbnail should convey [EMOTION] and make viewers want to click immediately.

Step 2: Ask for 6-8 ideas and pick the best 3

Step 3: Turn your favorite into a Nano Banana prompt

Take concept #2 and convert it into a detailed prompt optimized for the Nano Banana thumbnail creator. Include specific visual elements, exact text overlay, color codes, and mood keywords.

Step 4: Make it in Nano Banana (quick, make 3-5 versions)

Step 5: Save and upload

Best for: Weekly uploads, video series, and keeping a consistent look

For important videos: ChatGPT → SeeDream

Step 1: Use a detailed ChatGPT prompt with your brand style

Step 2: Ask for ideas and keep improving them until they’re perfect

Step 3: Turn it into SeeDream format

Transform concept #4 into a comprehensive SeeDream prompt with positive elements (scene, lighting, composition, quality modifiers) and harmful elements (artifacts to avoid). Suggest an aspect ratio of 16:9 and 4K resolution.

Step 4: Make it in SeeDream with batch processing (make 5-9 versions)

Step 5: Use SeeDream’s tools to make improvements

Step 6: Save at 4K quality

Best for: Launch videos, main content, sponsored videos, important announcements

Mixed approach for active channels

• Monday-Wednesday uploads: ChatGPT → Nano Banana (for speed)

• Friday main video: ChatGPT → SeeDream (for quality)

• Weekend evergreen content: ChatGPT → Nano Banana (for efficiency)

Comparison table

Tips for better prompts

1. Always include size details

Always write: “YouTube thumbnail, 1280x720px, 16:9 aspect ratio”

2. Compare to famous YouTubers

“Similar to [Mr. Beast/MKBHD/Tasty] style but with [your unique element]“

Example:

Similar to Mr. Beast thumbnail energy but with warmer colors and an educational tone, featuring [your content].

3. Ask for psychology-based elements

“Use colors that convey urgency” or “Include facial expression showing curiosity”

Example:

Create a thumbnail featuring red and yellow colors (conveying urgency and excitement), a surprised facial expression with wide eyes (triggering curiosity), and bold, contrasting text (ensuring readability).

4. Make it work on phones

“Ensure text is readable on mobile devices” or “Design for dark mode YouTube interface”

Example:

Bold sans-serif font minimum 72pt, high contrast white text with black outline or shadow, test readability at 320px width (mobile screen), avoid thin fonts or small details.

5. Keep the series looking similar

“This video is part of a series; maintain visual consistency with [previous thumbnail].”

Example:

This is episode 5 of my cooking series. Maintain the same layout: the chef on the left third, the dish on the right, with a warm orange background (#FF6B35) and a handwritten font for the episode number in the top right.

6. Use the “Act as” method

“Act as an expert thumbnail designer with 10 years of experience. I’m seeking guidance on creating viral YouTube thumbnails.“

Example:

Act as an expert YouTube thumbnail designer who has created viral thumbnails for channels with 1M+ subscribers. Design a thumbnail for [topic] that maximizes click-through rate by using proven psychological triggers and composition rules.

7. Say what you don’t want (Negative prompts)

“No blur, no watermark, avoid clutter, no dark muddy colors”

Example for SeeDream:

Negative prompt: blurry, distorted faces, amateur lighting, cluttered composition, watermark, text artifacts, oversaturated colors, noisy background, uncanny valley, plastic-looking, poor contrast

8. Ask for different versions

“Generate three versions: one with warm colors, one with cool colors, one with high contrast black and white.”

9. Add emotional triggers

“Emphasize surprise, curiosity, excitement, satisfaction, or urgency”

Examples:

• Surprise: “Wide eyes, open mouth, raised eyebrows”

• Curiosity: “Questioning expression, tilted head, finger on chin”

• Excitement: “Big smile, energetic pose, dynamic movement”

• Urgency: “Red/orange colors, action words, countdown elements”

10. Build up your prompts

Start simple, then get more specific with follow-up prompts

Example sequence:

1. “Generate gaming thumbnail concepts for Fortnite victory video”

2. “Refine concept #3 with neon purple and blue colors”

3. “Add text ‘INSANE WIN’ in bold impact font”

4. “Increase contrast between subject and background”

5. “Make facial expression more excited and surprised”

Fixing common problems

Problem: Faces look fake or weird

Solution for Nano Banana:

Photorealistic human face, natural skin texture, realistic lighting, genuine expression, professional portrait photography, avoid over-smoothing, natural shadows on face, imperfect skin details

Solution for SeeDream:

Positive:

natural human face, realistic skin pores and texture, authentic emotion, professional photography lighting

Negative:

uncanny valley, over-smoothed skin, artificial face, plastic-looking, CGI appearance, unrealistic features

Problem: The text is complex to read or is spelled incorrectly

Solution for Nano Banana:

Bold sans-serif font, minimum 72pt size, white text with 4px black outline, high contrast against background, precise letter spacing, text “[EXACT SPELLING IN CAPS]”, verify spelling: [spell it out letter by letter]

Solution for SeeDream:

In positive prompt:

crisp, readable text, professional typography, bold, clear lettering, high contrast text, sharp focus on text

In negative:

no text artifacts, no spelling errors, no blurry text, no distorted letters

Pro tip: Sometimes, create the thumbnail without text, then add text in Canva or Photoshop for precise control.

Problem: Colors don’t match your brand

Solution:

Use exact colors: Primary #[HEX], Secondary #[HEX], Accent #[HEX]. Background must be [COLOR], text must be [COLOR], highlights must be [COLOR]. Match the brand style guide exactly—Color-accurate, professional color grading with calibrated colors.

Problem: Thumbnail doesn’t grab attention

Solution:

High contrast design, bold vibrant colors [SPECIFIC], dramatic lighting with strong shadows, dynamic composition with rule of thirds, subject in sharp focus against blurred background, eye-catching visual hierarchy, professional color grading, punchy saturated colors, clear visual separation between elements.

Problem: It looks too much like AI made it

Solution for Nano Banana:

Natural realistic style, professional photography, authentic textures, realistic lighting and shadows, imperfect details, genuine atmosphere, shot on [CAMERA MODEL], natural color grading, photojournalistic style

Solution for SeeDream:

Positive:

Professional photography, natural imperfections, authentic scene, realistic textures, genuine lighting, shot on a professional camera

Negative:

artificial, CGI, over-processed, too perfect, synthetic, computer-generated look, plastic appearance, fake lighting

Testing and getting better

Track your results

After you start using AI-made thumbnails, watch these numbers:

• Customer satisfaction – Are viewers happy with your content after clicking?

• Click-through rate (CTR) – Your primary measurement

• Watch time – Do clicks turn into actual views?

• Impressions – Is YouTube showing your video more?

• Audience retention – Does the thumbnail match what’s in the video?

Write down what works

Make a simple tracking sheet:

Build your own example database of successful thumbnails to reference for future projects.

Make changes based on your data.

If your click rate is low (less than 4%):

• Try bolder colors

• Make text bigger

• Add more emotional expressions

• Make the design simpler

Prompt for improvement:

My current thumbnail achieved [X%] CTR. Regenerate with these changes: [increase contrast/bolder colors/larger text/more emotion]. Make it impossible to scroll past.

Test different versions

YouTube lets you test different thumbnails. Make 2-3 versions:

• Version A: Bright, high-energy, warm colors

• Version B: Dark, mysterious, cool colors

• Version C: Simple, high-contrast

Prompt for variations:

Create three thumbnail variations for the same video:

Version 1: Bright, energetic, warm orange and yellow tones

Version 2: Dark, dramatic, cool blue and purple tones

Version 3: Minimalist, high contrast, black and white with one accent color

Keep the same composition and text, only change the color, mood, and lighting.

Capping off

Using these three tools together provides everything you need to create great thumbnails. ChatGPT helps you generate ideas and craft the perfect instructions. Nano Banana enables you to quickly and easily develop numerous high-quality thumbnails. SeeDream lets you make amazing, high-quality thumbnails for your most important videos.

AI gives you speed and technical quality, but you bring the strategy, understanding of your audience, and creative choices that turn good thumbnails into ones that actually make people click.

Begin by using the templates in this guide, modify them to suit your brand, and refine them based on their performance. The tools are ready, and your prompts are prepared. Now, create thumbnails that make people want to click on your videos.