Thumbnail Settings

Channel-level thumbnail settings let you configure default assets, style preferences, and visual instructions that influence every thumbnail you generate. Setting these up once saves time and improves consistency across all your thumbnails.

Accessing Thumbnail Settings#

Open your channel, click Settings in the channel navigation, and find the Ideation section. This is where you configure both title guidelines and thumbnail style settings.

Thumbnail settings include:

• Thumbnail Style Instructions -- Freeform text describing your preferred visual style.
• Default Assets -- Uploaded images (your face, logo, products) that are automatically available during generation.
• Import from Channel -- Analyze an existing YouTube channel to generate style instructions automatically.

Uploading Default Assets#

Default assets are images you upload once and make available for all future thumbnail generations. Common assets include:

• Your face -- A clear photo of yourself for thumbnails that feature you.
• Logo -- Your channel logo or brand mark.
• Product images -- Products you frequently feature in your content.
• Style references -- Example images that show the visual style you prefer.

Adding an Asset#

1. In the Ideation settings, scroll to the assets section.
2. Click to add a new asset.
3. Give it a descriptive name (e.g., "My headshot", "Brand logo").
4. Select the usage type that describes what it is (style reference, face, product, etc.).
5. Upload the image file. Supported formats are JPG, PNG, GIF, and WebP, up to 10MB.
6. Click Save to store the settings.

Removing an Asset#

Click the remove button next to any asset, then save your settings. The asset is permanently deleted and will no longer be available for future generations.

Setting Style Preferences#

The Thumbnail Style Instructions field lets you describe the visual style you want across all your thumbnails. Think of it as a style guide for the AI.

Good style instructions are specific and visual:

• "Use bold, high-contrast colors with a dark background. Text should be large, white, and slightly tilted. Always include my face with an expressive reaction."
• "Clean, minimal style. Light backgrounds, sans-serif text, product centered. Use brand colors: navy blue and gold."
• "Dramatic lighting with cinematic feel. Dark tones with a single bright accent color. Text should be minimal -- 3 words max."

These instructions are passed to the AI during every thumbnail generation, ensuring visual consistency even when you do not provide per-generation feedback.

Importing Style from Existing YouTube Thumbnails#

If you already have a YouTube channel with thumbnails you like (or you admire another creator's thumbnail style), use the Import from channel feature to automatically generate style instructions.

How to Import#

1. Click Import from channel in the Ideation settings.
2. Enter a YouTube channel handle (e.g., @mkbhd) or the channel URL.
3. Click Search to find the channel.
4. Review the channel preview to confirm it is the right one.
5. Click Generate title & thumbnail instructions.
6. The AI analyzes the channel's recent thumbnails and writes style instructions based on the patterns it finds.
7. Review the generated instructions, edit if needed, and click Save.

What Gets Analyzed#

The import process looks at:

• Recent video thumbnails and their visual characteristics.
• Thumbnail descriptions and composition patterns.
• Color palettes, text treatments, and recurring visual elements.
• The channel's overall visual identity.

The generated instructions describe what the AI found in plain language, giving you a starting point you can refine.

How Settings Influence All Future Generations#

Once configured, your thumbnail settings are automatically used every time you generate a thumbnail in that channel:

• Style instructions are included in the AI prompt during both concept generation (Brainstorm) and final rendering.
• Default assets appear as available references when you open the detail panel, ready to be included in your generation.

You do not need to re-enter style preferences or re-upload assets each time. They persist across all your thumbnail projects in that channel.

Next Steps#

• Get started with Brainstorm mode to generate your first concept sketches with your new settings.
• Understand credits and usage to plan your monthly thumbnail generation budget.