> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://publer.com/help/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# How to add a custom thumbnail for YouTube videos

| To add a custom thumbnail for YouTube ( **not shorts**), first you need to verify your YouTube channel to comply with their spam and abuse policy.

### How to verify your YouTube channel:

* Sign in to your YouTube account.
* Go to YouTube Studio.
* Access Channel **Settings**.

![Verifying your YouTube channel](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/eefbebed3e091800/screen-shot-2023-05-19-at-4482_11euebp.png)
* Check your account status on **Channel status and features**.

![Verifying your YouTube channel](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/eefbebed3e091800/screen-shot-2023-05-19-at-4483_uhjw90.png)
* Go to the **Future eligibility** tab.
* Afterwards click on the arrow next to the **Intermediate features** option.
* At the bottom, there will be an option “Verify your phone number”, click that if it's not already verified.

![Verifying your YouTube channel](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/eefbebed3e091800/screen-shot-2023-05-19-at-4490_16btklf.png)
* You will be redirected to the [YouTube verification tab](https://www.youtube.com/verify).
* Enter your phone number and country.
* Click on **Get Code** to receive the code on your mobile phone.
* **Submit**  the six-digit verification code sent to your phone.

### How to add/change a custom thumbnail for YouTube videos:

After verifying, you can choose a custom thumbnail for **YouTube Videos** (not shorts).

* Go to **Create**.
* Design the video post to your liking.
* Click on the little **camera icon** underneath the thumbnail.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/eefbebed3e091800/2024-12-22-181342_1i4g091.png)
* Choose the thumbnail you wish to set/change. You can also choose to create a thumbnail with [Canva](https://help.publer.io/en/article/how-to-design-illustrations-with-the-canva-integration-xavxfk/) or [VistaCreate](https://help.publer.io/en/article/how-to-design-illustrations-videos-and-gifs-with-the-vistacreate-crello-integration-9pg2ey/) (Crello).
* Once you finish have uploaded the custom thumbnail, you will see it applied on Publer.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/eefbebed3e091800/2024-12-22-181422_19b1rav.png)
* You can also check the live preview on the right to make sure the it will be posted correctly to the social media, and finally schedule away.

|| To learn more about adding thumbnails to different social accounts go [here](https://help.publer.io/en/article/how-to-set-a-custom-thumbnail-for-a-video-4d7i7q/).
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*Written by: [Brikena Cani](https://publer.io/about/brikenacani)*