Video's Title: "The Only Google Ads Tutorial You Will Ever Need In 2024 (FOR BEGINNERS)"

In this case study, I will cover exactly what I fixed AND what was wrong with the original

1. Low Quality Images/Assets

You need to always avoid using low quality assets as much as possible.

- They can be hard to tell what they are from a glance, so you skip over it on the homepage of YouTube.

- If a potential viewer sees a low-quality thumbnail, they might assume the video content is also subpar and skip it.

- Low-quality images can make your channel seem amateurish and unreliable.

2. Lack of Contrast in Certain areas

Text VS Background:

- The "FULL GUIDE" text is light blue and partially transparent, blending into the background image, making it hard to read.

Face VS Background:

- The background is a busy mix of colours (GOOGLE ADS AREA) and text, which competes for attention with the face. There's not enough visual separation between the two.

Contrast is super important in thumbnails, especially at different sizes, so that certain assets are identifiable or legible.

3. Cluttered/Poor Focus

Overlapping Elements:

- The text overlaps with the person's face + the rotated text creates almost a chaotic look.

- Multiple text elements (cost, conversions, conversion value) are presented in a way that adds to the visual clutter.

- Distracting elements like the text on his shirt.

It's unclear what the viewer should look at first. The face, text, and stats all compete for attention equally.

THE REDESIGN:

Here's how I fixed the major issues and made the thumbnail great.

1. Enhanced any low quality images

- I cut the face from the original thumbnail and enhanced it with AI

- Removed the distracting elements (text on shirt)

- Removed hand and fixed shoulder (I don't think the hand was really needed but can be altered if needed)

- Added Cam Raw Filter to enhance the look of him

- Added Shadows and Exposure to face (Dodge/Burn)

- Whiten Teeth + Eyes as they enhance the overall look + humans are more attracted to more clear eyes in thumbnails

And fixed the slanted head with the Puppet Wrap tool (so the overall composition doesn't lose balance)

2. Fixed Contrast

Text VS Background:

- The "FULL GUIDE" text is now bold and white against a bright red box, creating a high contrast that makes it easily legible.

Face VS Background:

- The background is simplified with a dark, clean design, allowing the face to stand out more.

- The face is better lit and more defined, creating a clear visual separation from the background.

3. Avoided any clutter

- Elements are spaced out more effectively, avoiding overlap and clutter. The face, text, and logo each have their own distinct areas.

- The background is minimalistic, removing unnecessary details and focusing on key elements.

Boom! 💥

Just like that I turned a OK thumbnail into a great thumbnail!