1. Start with the click reason
Use the video title, the cover text, or the one question viewers should ask before they click.
Make vertical thumbnail directions for Shorts, Reels, and TikTok-style edits with big mobile text and a clear first impression.
Shorts brief
Tall crop, big text, one clear subject
Quick SEO answer
The fastest path is not to ask for a finished design first. Write the click reason, compare a few cover angles, then only polish the direction that feels strongest.
Starter hook
I tried this for 7 days
First check
Choose 9:16 for vertical-first publishing.
Use the video title, the cover text, or the one question viewers should ask before they click.
If the video depends on a face, object, score, result, or before-and-after moment, make that the main subject.
Once one direction feels promising, open the full workbench to add assets, save history, and generate with credits.
Try hooks like
Design for the phone first
Cover direction examples
Search visitors need proof quickly. These examples show the ThumbAI workflow: start with a plain video idea, then compare curiosity, bold text, and subject-focused directions before editing.
Rough hook
A/B-ready directions
Rough hook
A/B-ready directions
Rough hook
A/B-ready directions
Shorts cover ideas for vertical feeds
Shorts covers need to work quickly. The crop is tighter, the text is larger, and the subject has to read at phone size.
Use the face or turning point as the subject. The text should set up the reason to wait.
Show the step or result. A vertical cover has less room, so the promise needs to be sharper.
Turn the best moment from a 16:9 video into a tighter 9:16 cover without keeping every detail.
Best for
Before you generate
Shorts thumbnail notes
Often yes. Vertical covers need bigger text, tighter crops, and less detail because people see them on a phone.
Yes. Switch the output size in the generator when you need a standard YouTube cover.
They are usually seen smaller and faster. Bigger text gives the viewer a reason to stop before the next swipe.
Sometimes, but a direct crop often cuts off the subject or makes the text too small. A vertical direction is safer.
Keep exploring
Switch by channel type and start with a thumbnail direction that already fits the video.
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ThumbAIThumbAI
Generate three 9:16 directions and check whether the subject and hook still work at phone size.