đ Availability
AI Thumbnail generation, custom thumbnails, platform cover settings, and direct publishing options can depend on your plan, connected accounts, and destination platform permissions. For YouTube, custom thumbnails may require a verified account.
Use AI Thumbnail when you want a stronger cover image for a clip before exporting, sharing, or publishing it.
You can create or choose a thumbnail from the Video Editor, from the publish popup, or from the standalone YouTube Thumbnail Maker.
Choose the right thumbnail workflow
Workflow | Best for |
Video Editor > Details | Setting a thumbnail while editing a single clip |
Publish popup | Choosing the final thumbnail right before publishing or scheduling |
Bulk Publish | Setting thumbnails for multiple clips before scheduling several posts |
YouTube Thumbnail Maker | Creating standalone thumbnails from a video upload or YouTube link |
For most WayinVideo clips, start from Video Editor or the publish popup. Use the standalone thumbnail tool when you only need a thumbnail and are not editing a clip project.
Create an AI thumbnail in Video Editor
Open your clip in Video Editor.
Click Details in the left toolbar.
Find Thumbnail.
Click the + button.
Choose AI Thumbnail.
Wait for WayinVideo to generate thumbnail options.
Choose the option you want to use.
Click Set as Thumbnail.
After setting a thumbnail, review it with the title and description. A strong thumbnail should make the clip easy to understand at a small preview size.
Upload an image or select a frame from the video
If you do not want to generate an AI thumbnail, you can choose another thumbnail source from the same + menu.
Option | When to use it |
Upload Image | Use your own designed cover, brand image, or prepared thumbnail |
AI Thumbnail | Generate thumbnail options from the clip |
Select from Video | Pick a frame from the clip timeline |
When selecting from the video, move through the timeline, choose the frame you want, and click Set as Thumbnail.
Add a thumbnail from the publish popup
You can also set the thumbnail when you are ready to publish.
Click Publish or open the publishing flow for your clip.
Select the social account or platform you want to publish to.
Find Custom Thumbnail in the publish popup.
Click the + button.
Choose a thumbnail option, such as AI Thumbnail, Upload Image, or Select from Video when available.
Set the thumbnail.
Review the post content before publishing or scheduling.
If no thumbnail is selected, the destination platform may automatically choose one for the post.
đ Thumbnails depend on the destination platform
Whether a thumbnail appears on a published post can depend on the destination platform and content type. If you set a thumbnail but do not see it after publishing, this may be due to the platform's own rules. If you are unsure, check the platform's current guidelines for your content type.
Set thumbnails during Bulk Publish
When you bulk publish or schedule multiple clips, thumbnails are configured per clip.
In the Bulk Publish window:
Review the selected social accounts.
Scroll through the list of clips in the center panel.
For each clip that needs a custom thumbnail, click the + button in that clip's Custom Thumbnail area.
Choose or generate the thumbnail for that clip.
Continue scrolling until every selected clip has the correct thumbnail.
Review the schedule, resolution, time zone, and total post count.
Click Schedule posts when everything is ready.
Do not assume one thumbnail setting applies to every clip. If you selected multiple clips, check each clip before scheduling.
Use the standalone YouTube Thumbnail Maker
WayinVideo also has a standalone YouTube Thumbnail Maker:
Use this tool when you want to create thumbnails without opening a clip project.
The standalone tool lets you:
Paste a YouTube link
Upload a video file
Upload an optional portrait or reference image
Generate multiple thumbnail options
Download thumbnail variations for testing
It is useful when you want a YouTube-ready thumbnail from a video upload or link, especially if you are preparing a thumbnail outside the clip publishing flow.
Tips for choosing a thumbnail
Choose a thumbnail that:
Clearly represents the clip
Has readable text at small sizes
Shows the main person, product, scene, or action when possible
Matches the title and description
Does not cover important faces, UI, gameplay action, or product details
Fits the destination platform's thumbnail rules
If the generated options do not fit the clip, regenerate or choose a frame from the video.