Are you happy with the current click-through rate of your YouTube videos?
If you're getting a lot of click-through rate on a YouTube thumbnail, it means that your
thumbnail design sucks.
In this video, you'll learn how to split test YouTube thumbnails so you can get more views
on your videos.
If one thumbnail performs better that the other, you'll know which one to use.
Stay tuned to the end of the video where I compare the before and after test results
of a YouTube thumbnail.
My name is Herman Drost from drostdesigns.com.
If you want to grow your audience on YouTube and generate traffic, leads, and sales on
autopilot, hit the subscribe button and click the bell notification icon so you'll be notified
whenever I upload a new video.
Here are the steps to split test a YouTube thumbnail using TubeBuddy.
Step one, it's to install TubeBuddy Chrome extension.
You'll need to upgrade the legend version of TubeBuddy to use their Video A/B Tests.
If you do this, you'll also be able to use all the bulk update features, such as bulk
update playlists, end screens, cards, overlays; bulk find, replace & append, bulk delete end
screens, cards, et cetera.
You'll also be able to get keyword rank tracking and use the auto translator.
Click the link below to get your copy of TubeBuddy.
If you use the coupon code HermansBuddy at checkout, you'll be able to get 20% off.
Step two, set up your A/B split test.
After you install TubeBuddy, you'll see the TubeBuddy icon at the top of your window.
Click on TubeBuddy.
Click on A/B Tests.
Click Create A/B Test.
You can test thumbnails, tags, titles and descriptions.
It says, ''Which video would you like to run the test on?''
I'm going to choose this video, How to Monetize YouTube Videos Without 4000 Hours and 1000
Subscribers.
''How many days would you like the test to run for?''
The default is 14 days, but you can select up to 28 or one year, whatever.
I'm just going to leave it at 14 days.
Down the bottom here, it's got a note, ''Changes to your Titles, Description and Tags will
cause your video to temporarily drop out of the search results while YouTube recalculates
your video ranking.
Changing your Thumbnail does not have this effect.''
Click Next.
Here's the current thumbnail.
It's got some general tips here.
Accurately represents the content.
Upload high-resolution images.
Suggested 1280x720 with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Use visual cues, colors, images, shapes, personalities, that are consistent with your brand.
Use a bright, high-contrast image.
Consider using close-ups of faces.
Use visually compelling imagery.
Here's my current thumbnail.
Here's the new thumbnail that I designed.
I'm going to click choose file.
Here's my new thumbnail and here's the original thumbnail.
I have the option change my tags, but I don't want to do that.
Click next.
I have the option t change my title, but I don't want to do that either.
Click next.
I have the option to change the description, but I don't want to do that either.
I'm just going to click submit.
It says, "The changes you have made will be applied to your video and the test will start
at midnight pacific time.''
Click yes, start the test.
Now, it's got a split test sign on the left.
It says that it's in progress and waiting to start.
Here's the A/B test status window that shows the original and the variation.
It's also telling me that the initial results will be ready in a few days.
Step three, view the A/B test results.
Here are my initial results after running the test for a few days.
The original received 463 views, and the variation 402 views.
The original got 53.5% and the variation got 46.5%.
Average view duration, the original was two minutes and the variation 2.07 minutes.
The average view duration was a little higher.
Daily views, the original thumbnail got more views.
Overall, the traffic source are shares, comments and subs gained was better with the original
than the variation.
Overall, my original thumbnail did better that the new one that I created, which was
a great surprise.
Click the link in the description below to get your copy of TubeBuddy.
Here are some important things to keep in mind.
Number one, avoid testing new videos.
New videos haven't accumulated enough data to run a split test.
Number two, only run split tests on videos that are getting at least 100 views per day.
If the video is getting less that 100 views per day, you won't be able to get the best
results.
Number three, split test thumbnails for old videos.
Some of your old videos could probably do with better designed thumbnails.
Split testing the performance of two different thumbnails will help you to choose the best
thumbnail that will get you more views.
If you want to learn how to make clickable thumbnails without using Photoshop, click
the link in the card.
You'll not only get design ideas, but you'll learn how to make a better thumbnail.
If you need help growing your YouTube channel, click the subscribe button below and check
out the related videos over here.
Thanks for watching.
I'll see you in the next video.