Transforming Smartphone Videos Into Earnings: A 2024 Guide to Monetization

YouTube makes money easier and more accessible than ever in 2024. Create videos from the convenience of your mobile device and earn money from your passion. Your dreams can become a reality when you explore them. The goal of every YouTube creator is to monetize their channel. They can start side businesses, turn YouTube into a full-time job, or sell physical products. With today’s technology, the possibilities are endless!

This article is here to guide you on making money from your YouTube channel in 2024. You’ll discover steps and tips that can help boost your earnings. Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, monetizing your content can work for you. Get ready to increase your YouTube income potential as your journey on the platform is set to get even better.

YouTube Monetization Editor A cross-platform helps create attention-grabbing thumbnails and enhance your videos on YouTube easy!

Free Download Free Download Learn More

Part 1. What you need to know about YouTube Monetization

Rules and requirements for YouTube Monetization

YouTube Monetization means making money from YouTube content. For monetization, you need to join the YouTube Partner program and for this, you need to follow some requirements. In order to benefit from YPP fan funding, such as Super Chats and Super Thanks, here are the minimum requirements:

• A subscriber base of 500
• 90-day history of public uploads
• Within the last 90 days, public YouTube Shorts have been viewed 3 million times.

Video advertisements can make you money if you meet the following requirements:

• Subscribers of 1,000
• Watches by the public of 4,000 hours or views of 10 million YouTube Shorts in 90 days.

Promote your channel and create quality content to increase these numbers.

Join the YouTube Partner Program

In order to participate in the YouTube Partner Program, you must apply (YPP). YouTube is the top platform for content creators, offering them the chance to monetize their work.

Applications are reviewed by YouTube for at least one month before a decision is made. Due to YouTube’s actual specialists reviewing each application, it may take longer than a month.

To join the YPP, you must meet the following requirements:

• A minimum of 1,000 subscribers subscribe to your channel
• In the last 12 months, you’ve logged at least 4,000 public watch hours
• You live in an area that offers the YouTube Partner Program
• In terms of YouTube channel monetization policies, you follow them all
• Your YouTube channel must be secured with 2-Step Verification via your Google Account.
• Your YouTube channel is associated with an AdSense account
• The Community Guidelines strike on your channel is not active

Part 2. The Step-by-Step Guide for Monetizing Your YouTube Channel on Your Phone

YouTube Monetization Steps for Mobile

Following YPP’s requirements, you should follow these steps. Several steps must be followed in order to enable YouTube monetization using a mobile device:

A Quick Navigation

• Step 1 - Create an account on YouTube
• Step 2 - Get YouTube Studio access
• Step 3 -Monetize your site with Google Adsense
• Step 4 -Accept YouTube’s terms and conditions
• Step 5 -Creating ad formats
• Step 6 -Monetizing videos
• Step 7 -Content Promotion
• Step 8 -Analyze the results
• Step 9 -Ensure compliance

Step - 1 . Create an account on YouTube

Simply open YouTube on your mobile device, and sign in with your Google account right there on your device.

Step - 2 . Get YouTube Studio access

To access the YouTube Studio dashboard, click the icon of your channel or profile picture.

Step - 3 . Monetize your site with Google Adsense

To view YouTube Studio’s monetization options, click on the “Monetization” tab. The “Enable” option will appear if you meet the eligibility criteria. To receive your earnings, follow the instructions onscreen to set up Google AdSense.

Step - 4 . Accept YouTube’s terms and conditions

Read and accept YouTube’s terms and conditions for the Partner Program.

Step - 5 . Creating ad formats

In your videos, you can choose whether you want skippable or non-skippable advertisements.

Step - 6 . Monetizing videos

To enable or disable monetization on specific videos, select “Videos” from the YouTube Studio menu.

Step - 7 . Content Promotion

Continue producing high-quality content that engages viewers. It is crucial to create engaging content in order to increase ad revenue.

Step - 8 . Analyze the results

YouTube Studio lets you monitor channel performance, identify improvements, and monitor ad revenue.

Step - 9 . Ensure compliance

Keep in mind YouTube’s content policies if you want to maintain your monetization status.

Your YouTube channel may need some time to be approved for monetization. Engagement with your audience is the key to increasing viewership and revenue for your videos.

Part 3. Monetizing YouTube channels on mobile devices: Some Proven Ways

It is beneficial for creators to use YouTube AdSense, although it is not a reliable source of income. The advertising rates fluctuate, so making the same amount of money every year is hard. At last, here are some methods for monetizing YouTube:

Ads on YouTube

Monetizing a website has many methods, but this is the most basic and straightforward one. Various YouTube ad formats provide control over ad placement before or during a video.

Sponsorships that are paid

Sponsorship involves paying a content creator to use, demonstrate, or test a brand’s product in a video. It benefits both the sponsors and the viewers when brands sponsor creators.

Affiliates

Using affiliate programs is another way of monetizing your YouTube videos. With affiliate marketing, your audience is directed to a brand’s landing page or product by clicking an affiliate link. A commission is earned when the user purchases successfully. It is possible to earn extra income through affiliate programs. Offer discounts to your followers when you become an affiliate for a product you already use.

The merchandise

A similar tactic has already been discussed. Your fans can buy branded goods from a wide range of merchant platforms available today.

Premium YouTube subscriptions

Using YouTube Premium, users can watch videos ad-free and download videos. Fortunately, you can still earn money by uploading videos to this service. Video creators receive subscription revenue payments in the same manner as ad revenues. You earn money based on the number of times Premium members watch your videos.

Crowdfunding on YouTube

Creators can unlock this feature once they reach 500 subscribers and watch 3000 hours. Through three main avenues, they can directly monetize their audience:

• Fans can earn exclusive loyalty badges and watch private streams with channel memberships. Offering YouTube monetization options that can be customized.
• Live streams on YouTube can also be monetized through Super Chats. Viewers send creators “donations” or “tips” between $1 and $500 during live streams.
• The Super Thanks feature on YouTube lets viewers show appreciation for your content by buying digital goods.

Part 4. Wondershare Filmora’s Power: Elevating YouTube Content for Monetization

Keeping YouTube revenue high in 2024 means ensuring high-quality content. Introducing Wondershare Filmora, a tool that allows you to edit videos on your mobile device. You can use it to make your YouTube content stand out.

Creating attention-grabbing thumbnails and enhancing your videos is easy with Filmora. A package for trimming, adding music, overlaying text, and applying captivating effects to videos.

For your channel to succeed, you need to create eye-catching thumbnails. With Filmora, you can create thumbnails that pique interest and boost click-through rates.

You can elevate your content with Filmora whether you’re experienced or starting out. You can maximise your YouTube earnings in 2024 if your videos connect with your audience.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Features for Editing Videos or Images for YouTube

1. AI Copywriting

Using the ChatGPT API, Filmora’s AI Copywriting feature generates scripts based on AI. Assists in the generation of text during the editing of videos. Automates YouTube title and description creation and simplifies the process.

2. Keyframing

The keyframing capabilities of Filmora enhance the quality and energy of your videos. Adding smooth animated effects to capture your audience’s attention.

3. AI Image

With Text to Image, you can use images directly in your video project in three resolutions. And explore limitless image styles, enhancing the visual appeal of your content.

4. Video Templates for All Your Needs

Start with Filmora’s built-in video templates, creating creative videos with ease. You can also save templates on the cloud. Streamline your video production process by sharing them with fellow creators.

Conclusion

You have now learned how to enable monetization on YouTube in mobile in 2024. From your mobile device, you can turn your passion into income. The possibilities are endless once you achieve monetization. No matter if you’re starting a side gig, launching a business, or going full-time on YouTube.

We have covered key steps for meeting YouTube’s requirements and monetizing videos. Following these steps and using the available strategies will assist you in achieving your goals. Making monetization easy with quality content is easy with Filmora’s above mentioned features. The road to success is open. Maximize your YouTube revenue potential today to make your YouTube journey truly rewarding.

Free Download Free Download Learn More

Part 1. What you need to know about YouTube Monetization

Rules and requirements for YouTube Monetization

YouTube Monetization means making money from YouTube content. For monetization, you need to join the YouTube Partner program and for this, you need to follow some requirements. In order to benefit from YPP fan funding, such as Super Chats and Super Thanks, here are the minimum requirements:

• A subscriber base of 500
• 90-day history of public uploads
• Within the last 90 days, public YouTube Shorts have been viewed 3 million times.

Video advertisements can make you money if you meet the following requirements:

• Subscribers of 1,000
• Watches by the public of 4,000 hours or views of 10 million YouTube Shorts in 90 days.

Promote your channel and create quality content to increase these numbers.

Join the YouTube Partner Program

In order to participate in the YouTube Partner Program, you must apply (YPP). YouTube is the top platform for content creators, offering them the chance to monetize their work.

Applications are reviewed by YouTube for at least one month before a decision is made. Due to YouTube’s actual specialists reviewing each application, it may take longer than a month.

To join the YPP, you must meet the following requirements:

• A minimum of 1,000 subscribers subscribe to your channel
• In the last 12 months, you’ve logged at least 4,000 public watch hours
• You live in an area that offers the YouTube Partner Program
• In terms of YouTube channel monetization policies, you follow them all
• Your YouTube channel must be secured with 2-Step Verification via your Google Account.
• Your YouTube channel is associated with an AdSense account
• The Community Guidelines strike on your channel is not active

Part 2. The Step-by-Step Guide for Monetizing Your YouTube Channel on Your Phone

YouTube Monetization Steps for Mobile

Following YPP’s requirements, you should follow these steps. Several steps must be followed in order to enable YouTube monetization using a mobile device:

A Quick Navigation

• Step 1 - Create an account on YouTube
• Step 2 - Get YouTube Studio access
• Step 3 -Monetize your site with Google Adsense
• Step 4 -Accept YouTube’s terms and conditions
• Step 5 -Creating ad formats
• Step 6 -Monetizing videos
• Step 7 -Content Promotion
• Step 8 -Analyze the results
• Step 9 -Ensure compliance

Step - 1 . Create an account on YouTube

Simply open YouTube on your mobile device, and sign in with your Google account right there on your device.

Step - 2 . Get YouTube Studio access

To access the YouTube Studio dashboard, click the icon of your channel or profile picture.

Step - 3 . Monetize your site with Google Adsense

To view YouTube Studio’s monetization options, click on the “Monetization” tab. The “Enable” option will appear if you meet the eligibility criteria. To receive your earnings, follow the instructions onscreen to set up Google AdSense.

Step - 4 . Accept YouTube’s terms and conditions

Read and accept YouTube’s terms and conditions for the Partner Program.

Step - 5 . Creating ad formats

In your videos, you can choose whether you want skippable or non-skippable advertisements.

Step - 6 . Monetizing videos

To enable or disable monetization on specific videos, select “Videos” from the YouTube Studio menu.

Step - 7 . Content Promotion

Continue producing high-quality content that engages viewers. It is crucial to create engaging content in order to increase ad revenue.

Step - 8 . Analyze the results

YouTube Studio lets you monitor channel performance, identify improvements, and monitor ad revenue.

Step - 9 . Ensure compliance

Keep in mind YouTube’s content policies if you want to maintain your monetization status.

Your YouTube channel may need some time to be approved for monetization. Engagement with your audience is the key to increasing viewership and revenue for your videos.

Part 3. Monetizing YouTube channels on mobile devices: Some Proven Ways

It is beneficial for creators to use YouTube AdSense, although it is not a reliable source of income. The advertising rates fluctuate, so making the same amount of money every year is hard. At last, here are some methods for monetizing YouTube:

Ads on YouTube

Monetizing a website has many methods, but this is the most basic and straightforward one. Various YouTube ad formats provide control over ad placement before or during a video.

Sponsorships that are paid

Sponsorship involves paying a content creator to use, demonstrate, or test a brand’s product in a video. It benefits both the sponsors and the viewers when brands sponsor creators.

Affiliates

Using affiliate programs is another way of monetizing your YouTube videos. With affiliate marketing, your audience is directed to a brand’s landing page or product by clicking an affiliate link. A commission is earned when the user purchases successfully. It is possible to earn extra income through affiliate programs. Offer discounts to your followers when you become an affiliate for a product you already use.

The merchandise

A similar tactic has already been discussed. Your fans can buy branded goods from a wide range of merchant platforms available today.

Premium YouTube subscriptions

Using YouTube Premium, users can watch videos ad-free and download videos. Fortunately, you can still earn money by uploading videos to this service. Video creators receive subscription revenue payments in the same manner as ad revenues. You earn money based on the number of times Premium members watch your videos.

Crowdfunding on YouTube

Creators can unlock this feature once they reach 500 subscribers and watch 3000 hours. Through three main avenues, they can directly monetize their audience:

• Fans can earn exclusive loyalty badges and watch private streams with channel memberships. Offering YouTube monetization options that can be customized.
• Live streams on YouTube can also be monetized through Super Chats. Viewers send creators “donations” or “tips” between $1 and $500 during live streams.
• The Super Thanks feature on YouTube lets viewers show appreciation for your content by buying digital goods.

Part 4. Wondershare Filmora’s Power: Elevating YouTube Content for Monetization

Keeping YouTube revenue high in 2024 means ensuring high-quality content. Introducing Wondershare Filmora, a tool that allows you to edit videos on your mobile device. You can use it to make your YouTube content stand out.

Creating attention-grabbing thumbnails and enhancing your videos is easy with Filmora. A package for trimming, adding music, overlaying text, and applying captivating effects to videos.

For your channel to succeed, you need to create eye-catching thumbnails. With Filmora, you can create thumbnails that pique interest and boost click-through rates.

You can elevate your content with Filmora whether you’re experienced or starting out. You can maximise your YouTube earnings in 2024 if your videos connect with your audience.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Features for Editing Videos or Images for YouTube

1. AI Copywriting

Using the ChatGPT API, Filmora’s AI Copywriting feature generates scripts based on AI. Assists in the generation of text during the editing of videos. Automates YouTube title and description creation and simplifies the process.

2. Keyframing

The keyframing capabilities of Filmora enhance the quality and energy of your videos. Adding smooth animated effects to capture your audience’s attention.

3. AI Image

With Text to Image, you can use images directly in your video project in three resolutions. And explore limitless image styles, enhancing the visual appeal of your content.

4. Video Templates for All Your Needs

Start with Filmora’s built-in video templates, creating creative videos with ease. You can also save templates on the cloud. Streamline your video production process by sharing them with fellow creators.

Conclusion

You have now learned how to enable monetization on YouTube in mobile in 2024. From your mobile device, you can turn your passion into income. The possibilities are endless once you achieve monetization. No matter if you’re starting a side gig, launching a business, or going full-time on YouTube.

We have covered key steps for meeting YouTube’s requirements and monetizing videos. Following these steps and using the available strategies will assist you in achieving your goals. Making monetization easy with quality content is easy with Filmora’s above mentioned features. The road to success is open. Maximize your YouTube revenue potential today to make your YouTube journey truly rewarding.

Mastery in YouTube Ads: Thumbnails & Banners

How to Make YouTube Banners and Thumbnails

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

The art on your YouTube channel – banners, thumbnails, icons, and watermarks – will help to determine how viewers feel about your vlog. If your art does not look like it all goes together then people will get a sloppy, amateurish, impression of your channel. However, if your different pieces of channel art all seem to complement each other and match the tone and theme of your channel then it will help viewers to have a pleasant browsing experience. They will get the impression that you take your YouTube channel seriously and that they can trust you as a source of information, comedy, or general entertainment.

How to Make YouTube Banners and Thumbnails

YouTube Banners and Thumbnails are two of the most important pieces of channel art you will need. This article will explain the best practices for both, and suggest sites where you will be able to build your own banners and thumbnails for free.

1. YouTube Banners

Quick Tips:

1. The image you upload for your YouTube banner should be 2560 x 1440px (pixels).
2. The ‘safe area’ for text, logos, and other important visual information (like faces) is 1546 x 423px.

Your banner is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about channel art. Banners are the headers that rest at the tops of channel pages on YouTube. Your banner should be 2560 x 1440 px, although not all of it will always be visible. On a desktop computer or mobile device only a 1546 x 423 px ‘safe area’ will be visible. When viewed on a TV screen your entire image will be visible. YouTube does support PNG, but if your PNG file does not upload properly (as has been the case for some YouTubers) then changing your file type to JPEG might help.

YouTube Banners are extremely important to the success of your channel. If you do not have a banner then it looks like you do not really care about your vlog. If you have a basic banner that is not at all personalized then it certainly looks like you care, but it might also look like you are new to YouTube.

The best banners are customized to reflect the kind of experience you want viewers to have on your channel. The banner of a comedic YouTube channel might use bright colors, where the banner for a gaming channel will probably use darker colors similar to the ones that are in the games the vlogger plays. Connecting your banner to the theme of your channel is part of how you define the style of your vlog. It is the difference between being a Beauty Guru and a general YouTuber who gives makeup tips sometimes.

Including a photo of yourself, or your logo if you have one, is a great way to personalize your banner.

2. YouTube Thumbnails

Quick Tips:

1. Search for your video’s topic to see the thumbnails your thumbnail will be competing against.
2. Make any text huge so people can read it on their smartphone screens.
3. Emojis, colored boarders, and graphics are all potential ways to stand out.

Thumbnails are often ignored by newer YouTubers. YouTube selects a thumbnail for every one of your videos and it is always a still image from that video. You can choose which frame you want to use and a lot of people feel like that is good enough. When you create a custom thumbnail, however, you get to not only choose your image but insert a title.

If you are choosing the images you are using for thumbnails you can make sure they are always similar frames. This will help people identify your videos quickly in searches. Using titles in your thumbnails will also help searchers identify your videos, if you always use the same title style. Another benefit of titles is that they capture the attention of people looking for your specific topic. Remember when building your thumbnails that they will appear smaller on YouTube than they probably are while you edit them. On mobile devices, they will look even smaller. So, if you are going to use text in your thumbnail, make sure it is huge.

One thumbnail taboo that you should never break is using an image that has nothing to do with your video. Using an image of a cute cat for a vlog post that has nothing to do with cats is misleading and will anger viewers. You may draw in a lot of viewers who want to see a cat video, but they will leave right away when they do not see a cat and they will never watch anything by you again.

3.Where To Create Banners and Thumbnails

There are sites online that will allow you to edit images and use them in templates for YouTube banners. You can also use these services to edit your thumbnails. Two of the most popular, free, online photo editors are PicMonkey.com and Canva.com.

Canva has templates you can use to create YouTube banners, as well as a variety of stock images you can use in combination with your own when creating channel art. It is free to edit images on Canva, but they do have some premium features which cost $1 each to access. This service has both a desktop version and an iPad app.

PicMonkey lets you import images from your computer or social media accounts, edit them, and use them in templates for YouTube banners or other kinds of social media graphics. PicMonkey is free to use, but you can only access their more advanced editing tools if you buy a paid subscription. Monthly subscriptions are $4.99 per month, and yearly subscriptions are $2.75 per month.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

The art on your YouTube channel – banners, thumbnails, icons, and watermarks – will help to determine how viewers feel about your vlog. If your art does not look like it all goes together then people will get a sloppy, amateurish, impression of your channel. However, if your different pieces of channel art all seem to complement each other and match the tone and theme of your channel then it will help viewers to have a pleasant browsing experience. They will get the impression that you take your YouTube channel seriously and that they can trust you as a source of information, comedy, or general entertainment.

How to Make YouTube Banners and Thumbnails

YouTube Banners and Thumbnails are two of the most important pieces of channel art you will need. This article will explain the best practices for both, and suggest sites where you will be able to build your own banners and thumbnails for free.

1. YouTube Banners

Quick Tips:

1. The image you upload for your YouTube banner should be 2560 x 1440px (pixels).
2. The ‘safe area’ for text, logos, and other important visual information (like faces) is 1546 x 423px.

Your banner is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about channel art. Banners are the headers that rest at the tops of channel pages on YouTube. Your banner should be 2560 x 1440 px, although not all of it will always be visible. On a desktop computer or mobile device only a 1546 x 423 px ‘safe area’ will be visible. When viewed on a TV screen your entire image will be visible. YouTube does support PNG, but if your PNG file does not upload properly (as has been the case for some YouTubers) then changing your file type to JPEG might help.

YouTube Banners are extremely important to the success of your channel. If you do not have a banner then it looks like you do not really care about your vlog. If you have a basic banner that is not at all personalized then it certainly looks like you care, but it might also look like you are new to YouTube.

The best banners are customized to reflect the kind of experience you want viewers to have on your channel. The banner of a comedic YouTube channel might use bright colors, where the banner for a gaming channel will probably use darker colors similar to the ones that are in the games the vlogger plays. Connecting your banner to the theme of your channel is part of how you define the style of your vlog. It is the difference between being a Beauty Guru and a general YouTuber who gives makeup tips sometimes.

Including a photo of yourself, or your logo if you have one, is a great way to personalize your banner.

2. YouTube Thumbnails

Quick Tips:

1. Search for your video’s topic to see the thumbnails your thumbnail will be competing against.
2. Make any text huge so people can read it on their smartphone screens.
3. Emojis, colored boarders, and graphics are all potential ways to stand out.

Thumbnails are often ignored by newer YouTubers. YouTube selects a thumbnail for every one of your videos and it is always a still image from that video. You can choose which frame you want to use and a lot of people feel like that is good enough. When you create a custom thumbnail, however, you get to not only choose your image but insert a title.

If you are choosing the images you are using for thumbnails you can make sure they are always similar frames. This will help people identify your videos quickly in searches. Using titles in your thumbnails will also help searchers identify your videos, if you always use the same title style. Another benefit of titles is that they capture the attention of people looking for your specific topic. Remember when building your thumbnails that they will appear smaller on YouTube than they probably are while you edit them. On mobile devices, they will look even smaller. So, if you are going to use text in your thumbnail, make sure it is huge.

One thumbnail taboo that you should never break is using an image that has nothing to do with your video. Using an image of a cute cat for a vlog post that has nothing to do with cats is misleading and will anger viewers. You may draw in a lot of viewers who want to see a cat video, but they will leave right away when they do not see a cat and they will never watch anything by you again.

3.Where To Create Banners and Thumbnails

There are sites online that will allow you to edit images and use them in templates for YouTube banners. You can also use these services to edit your thumbnails. Two of the most popular, free, online photo editors are PicMonkey.com and Canva.com.

Canva has templates you can use to create YouTube banners, as well as a variety of stock images you can use in combination with your own when creating channel art. It is free to edit images on Canva, but they do have some premium features which cost $1 each to access. This service has both a desktop version and an iPad app.

PicMonkey lets you import images from your computer or social media accounts, edit them, and use them in templates for YouTube banners or other kinds of social media graphics. PicMonkey is free to use, but you can only access their more advanced editing tools if you buy a paid subscription. Monthly subscriptions are $4.99 per month, and yearly subscriptions are $2.75 per month.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

The art on your YouTube channel – banners, thumbnails, icons, and watermarks – will help to determine how viewers feel about your vlog. If your art does not look like it all goes together then people will get a sloppy, amateurish, impression of your channel. However, if your different pieces of channel art all seem to complement each other and match the tone and theme of your channel then it will help viewers to have a pleasant browsing experience. They will get the impression that you take your YouTube channel seriously and that they can trust you as a source of information, comedy, or general entertainment.

How to Make YouTube Banners and Thumbnails

YouTube Banners and Thumbnails are two of the most important pieces of channel art you will need. This article will explain the best practices for both, and suggest sites where you will be able to build your own banners and thumbnails for free.

1. YouTube Banners

Quick Tips:

1. The image you upload for your YouTube banner should be 2560 x 1440px (pixels).
2. The ‘safe area’ for text, logos, and other important visual information (like faces) is 1546 x 423px.

Your banner is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about channel art. Banners are the headers that rest at the tops of channel pages on YouTube. Your banner should be 2560 x 1440 px, although not all of it will always be visible. On a desktop computer or mobile device only a 1546 x 423 px ‘safe area’ will be visible. When viewed on a TV screen your entire image will be visible. YouTube does support PNG, but if your PNG file does not upload properly (as has been the case for some YouTubers) then changing your file type to JPEG might help.

YouTube Banners are extremely important to the success of your channel. If you do not have a banner then it looks like you do not really care about your vlog. If you have a basic banner that is not at all personalized then it certainly looks like you care, but it might also look like you are new to YouTube.

The best banners are customized to reflect the kind of experience you want viewers to have on your channel. The banner of a comedic YouTube channel might use bright colors, where the banner for a gaming channel will probably use darker colors similar to the ones that are in the games the vlogger plays. Connecting your banner to the theme of your channel is part of how you define the style of your vlog. It is the difference between being a Beauty Guru and a general YouTuber who gives makeup tips sometimes.

Including a photo of yourself, or your logo if you have one, is a great way to personalize your banner.

2. YouTube Thumbnails

Quick Tips:

1. Search for your video’s topic to see the thumbnails your thumbnail will be competing against.
2. Make any text huge so people can read it on their smartphone screens.
3. Emojis, colored boarders, and graphics are all potential ways to stand out.

Thumbnails are often ignored by newer YouTubers. YouTube selects a thumbnail for every one of your videos and it is always a still image from that video. You can choose which frame you want to use and a lot of people feel like that is good enough. When you create a custom thumbnail, however, you get to not only choose your image but insert a title.

If you are choosing the images you are using for thumbnails you can make sure they are always similar frames. This will help people identify your videos quickly in searches. Using titles in your thumbnails will also help searchers identify your videos, if you always use the same title style. Another benefit of titles is that they capture the attention of people looking for your specific topic. Remember when building your thumbnails that they will appear smaller on YouTube than they probably are while you edit them. On mobile devices, they will look even smaller. So, if you are going to use text in your thumbnail, make sure it is huge.

One thumbnail taboo that you should never break is using an image that has nothing to do with your video. Using an image of a cute cat for a vlog post that has nothing to do with cats is misleading and will anger viewers. You may draw in a lot of viewers who want to see a cat video, but they will leave right away when they do not see a cat and they will never watch anything by you again.

3.Where To Create Banners and Thumbnails

There are sites online that will allow you to edit images and use them in templates for YouTube banners. You can also use these services to edit your thumbnails. Two of the most popular, free, online photo editors are PicMonkey.com and Canva.com.

Canva has templates you can use to create YouTube banners, as well as a variety of stock images you can use in combination with your own when creating channel art. It is free to edit images on Canva, but they do have some premium features which cost $1 each to access. This service has both a desktop version and an iPad app.

PicMonkey lets you import images from your computer or social media accounts, edit them, and use them in templates for YouTube banners or other kinds of social media graphics. PicMonkey is free to use, but you can only access their more advanced editing tools if you buy a paid subscription. Monthly subscriptions are $4.99 per month, and yearly subscriptions are $2.75 per month.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

The art on your YouTube channel – banners, thumbnails, icons, and watermarks – will help to determine how viewers feel about your vlog. If your art does not look like it all goes together then people will get a sloppy, amateurish, impression of your channel. However, if your different pieces of channel art all seem to complement each other and match the tone and theme of your channel then it will help viewers to have a pleasant browsing experience. They will get the impression that you take your YouTube channel seriously and that they can trust you as a source of information, comedy, or general entertainment.

How to Make YouTube Banners and Thumbnails

YouTube Banners and Thumbnails are two of the most important pieces of channel art you will need. This article will explain the best practices for both, and suggest sites where you will be able to build your own banners and thumbnails for free.

1. YouTube Banners

Quick Tips:

1. The image you upload for your YouTube banner should be 2560 x 1440px (pixels).
2. The ‘safe area’ for text, logos, and other important visual information (like faces) is 1546 x 423px.

Your banner is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about channel art. Banners are the headers that rest at the tops of channel pages on YouTube. Your banner should be 2560 x 1440 px, although not all of it will always be visible. On a desktop computer or mobile device only a 1546 x 423 px ‘safe area’ will be visible. When viewed on a TV screen your entire image will be visible. YouTube does support PNG, but if your PNG file does not upload properly (as has been the case for some YouTubers) then changing your file type to JPEG might help.

YouTube Banners are extremely important to the success of your channel. If you do not have a banner then it looks like you do not really care about your vlog. If you have a basic banner that is not at all personalized then it certainly looks like you care, but it might also look like you are new to YouTube.

The best banners are customized to reflect the kind of experience you want viewers to have on your channel. The banner of a comedic YouTube channel might use bright colors, where the banner for a gaming channel will probably use darker colors similar to the ones that are in the games the vlogger plays. Connecting your banner to the theme of your channel is part of how you define the style of your vlog. It is the difference between being a Beauty Guru and a general YouTuber who gives makeup tips sometimes.

Including a photo of yourself, or your logo if you have one, is a great way to personalize your banner.

2. YouTube Thumbnails

Quick Tips:

1. Search for your video’s topic to see the thumbnails your thumbnail will be competing against.
2. Make any text huge so people can read it on their smartphone screens.
3. Emojis, colored boarders, and graphics are all potential ways to stand out.

Thumbnails are often ignored by newer YouTubers. YouTube selects a thumbnail for every one of your videos and it is always a still image from that video. You can choose which frame you want to use and a lot of people feel like that is good enough. When you create a custom thumbnail, however, you get to not only choose your image but insert a title.

If you are choosing the images you are using for thumbnails you can make sure they are always similar frames. This will help people identify your videos quickly in searches. Using titles in your thumbnails will also help searchers identify your videos, if you always use the same title style. Another benefit of titles is that they capture the attention of people looking for your specific topic. Remember when building your thumbnails that they will appear smaller on YouTube than they probably are while you edit them. On mobile devices, they will look even smaller. So, if you are going to use text in your thumbnail, make sure it is huge.

One thumbnail taboo that you should never break is using an image that has nothing to do with your video. Using an image of a cute cat for a vlog post that has nothing to do with cats is misleading and will anger viewers. You may draw in a lot of viewers who want to see a cat video, but they will leave right away when they do not see a cat and they will never watch anything by you again.

3.Where To Create Banners and Thumbnails

There are sites online that will allow you to edit images and use them in templates for YouTube banners. You can also use these services to edit your thumbnails. Two of the most popular, free, online photo editors are PicMonkey.com and Canva.com.

Canva has templates you can use to create YouTube banners, as well as a variety of stock images you can use in combination with your own when creating channel art. It is free to edit images on Canva, but they do have some premium features which cost $1 each to access. This service has both a desktop version and an iPad app.

PicMonkey lets you import images from your computer or social media accounts, edit them, and use them in templates for YouTube banners or other kinds of social media graphics. PicMonkey is free to use, but you can only access their more advanced editing tools if you buy a paid subscription. Monthly subscriptions are $4.99 per month, and yearly subscriptions are $2.75 per month.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

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