Instagram allows you to put a thumbnail or a snippet as a cover of your video post. It’s best to be creative with your thumbnails since it’s a glimpse of what your video is about and is extremely helpful in gaining attention.

But, sometimes, we don’t like the automatic thumbnail that Instagram generates when we click that post button. So how do we change the thumbnail of a post on Instagram?

If you have recently tried uploading something on Instagram, you must have noticed that it allows you to choose a frame within the video as a thumbnail. But did you know you could create a custom thumbnail and post it to your upcoming videos? After reading this article, you’ll learn how to create and choose a custom thumbnail.

Method #1: Changing the Thumbnail Image

Once you are done making a video for your Instagram and are ready to post it, this one last detail can be a game-changer.

Whichever thumbnail you decide on will also be the still picture on your profile grid. Let’s see how you can choose the thumbnail for your next post:

  • Open Instagram on your mobile device.Click on the ‘+‘ button at the top.Select the video you want to post.Tap ‘Next.’Edit the video if you want and tap ‘Next‘ again.Tap the ‘Cover‘ option at the top left. You will see your video and a small carousel at the bottom that you can slide through to change the thumbnail.Keep sliding till you find a frame you like for the thumbnail or cover photo.Click “Done,” and you are good to go!Now, just share your video.

Method #2: Changing the Thumbnail to a Custom Image

Sometimes the automated thumbnail or any of the frames within the video don’t match your Instagram’s aesthetic. This is why you can create a custom thumbnail in another app like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Procreate and upload that to the video.

Here’s how you do it:

  • Open Instagram on your mobile device.Tap the ‘+‘ button to upload a post.Select the video you want to post.Tap ‘Next.’Modify the video if necessary and tap ‘Next” one more time.Tap the ‘Cover‘ option in the top left corner.Instead of sliding through the frames, tap on ‘Add from camera roll.’Select the image you have previously created.Click ‘Done,’ and you are ready to share the video.

Importance of Choosing an Attractive Thumbnail

A good cover photo can also help you gain a lot of views which can be helpful for your profile, especially if you are a creator account.

It is impossible to be interested in all of the hundreds of videos we view every day. Thumbnails are how you can make your video stand out amongst the crowd. They are a glimpse into the actual content of the video. 

Endnote

Instagram and Facebook have become more than just platforms for posting pictures and videos. Your account aesthetics matter a lot too!

Knowing how to change your thumbnail or create a new one is highly beneficial for you. Managing your thumbnails will keep your accounts organized and make them look fresh.