You can either choose a strong in-video thumbnail, or choose to start your video on a strong frame that will more effectively capture user attention.
One of the oldest and best tricks for making your thumbnails grab attention is to include real human faces. Research shows that social media posts with faces tend to do way better than those without.
A study from Georgia Tech found that Instagram photos with faces get 38% more likes and 32% more comments compared to photos without faces. The researchers think it's because faces have this emotional impact - they make viewers feel a sense of connection and relatability.
The same thing applies to TikTok thumbnails. When people are quickly scrolling through their feed or the Explore page, a thumbnail with a friendly, familiar face is way more likely to make them stop and click.
Match your thumbnails to your TikTok content strategy
It's possible the best thumbnail strategy on TikTok is no strategy at all. The platform thrives on authenticity, and overly polished or designed thumbnails may not always resonate.
But that doesn't mean you should completely ignore your thumbnails. Used strategically, they can still be a valuable part of your TikTok toolkit. Custom thumbnails can help you:
Capture attention with eye-catching visuals
Provide context about your video's content (which is huge for winning in TikTok search)
Build a cohesive, recognizable brand across the platform
The most successful TikTok creators understand that every element of their videos — from the first frame to the final hashtag — is an opportunity to connect with their audience. So as you're building out your TikTok strategy, don't overlook the potential of your thumbnails.
