# Thumbnails

### **What is a personalized thumbnail?**

Personalized thumbnails serve as customized previews of your video content, designed specifically for each recipient. They display a short, attention-grabbing snapshot of the video that can include the viewer’s name or a personalized message. Thus, making it far more engaging than a static image.<br>

You can easily **copy these thumbnails** and **paste them directly** into your **email editor**, **WhatsApp**, or **Slack** to share personalized video previews seamlessly.

#### **Why Use Personalized Thumbnails?**

* Personalized thumbnails attract attention: **A thumbnail that includes the viewer’s name or company creates a sense** of “**this is for me,**” which drives **higher click-through rates**.
* They improve consistency across your campaign: When thumbnails match the personalization in the video itself (name, company, dynamic visuals), it strengthens the message and credibility.
* They reduce manual work: Instead of creating dozens or hundreds of static thumbnail images per recipient, the system lets you use variables and generate customized versions automatically.

***

#### **How to Set Up Personalized Thumbnails?**

**Step 1: Navigate to the Thumbnails Section**

* In your personalized project, go to the “**Settings**” tab and select the "**Thumbnail**" option.

<figure><img src="https://257817639-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FN7z5QEbLCyykfR50Gdpy%2Fuploads%2FirEpg2qQOWcEvw8ZBXjb%2Funknown.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1a151e3f-cb60-4f09-aba8-57f757542c9c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://257817639-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FN7z5QEbLCyykfR50Gdpy%2Fuploads%2FTLabAjbKBA9VbiIPzSBq%2Funknown.png?alt=media&#x26;token=43a5846b-ab8f-4c64-b6d9-bfb1b93b10d2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 2: Select the Thumbnail Preview type**

1. Studio by Gan.AI supports multiple thumbnail types for flexibility:

* **Static**: A still image from your video or a custom image upload (JPG/PNG).
* **Animated**: A short, silent GIF extracted from your video (movement can increase engagement).
* **Custom Upload**: Upload your own designed image (JPG/PNG) to act as the thumbnail.

<figure><img src="https://257817639-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FN7z5QEbLCyykfR50Gdpy%2Fuploads%2F1YPH1jUjKeWVtuSKDiZU%2Funknown.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0cde3efa-ddc5-4464-b938-ec08065b1504" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* You can also select a specific part of the video to use as the preview.
* If you choose an animated preview, the selected segment will be generated as a GIF.

**Step 3: Personalized Thumbnail Text**

* In the “**Thumbnail Text**” field (or editable area), type your default text. For example: “**@FirstName** from **@Company** – Your personalized video is here”
* To insert a variable: **type @**, then select from the drop-down list (or **type the exact variable name**).
* You may use multiple variables in one thumbnail line if needed (e.g., @FirstName, @ProductName, @City).
* If you’re already using variables for subtitles or landing pages, you can reuse the same variable names here for consistency.

<figure><img src="https://257817639-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FN7z5QEbLCyykfR50Gdpy%2Fuploads%2F35bNa9X0S24Cz1SPpnAd%2FThumbnail%20personalization.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=bd8dd822-7e24-4773-a28f-7bcef6954495" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 4: Edit Thumbnail Design**

* Click “**Edit Thumbnail Design**” to open the design editor.
* **Text Size:** Select an appropriate size for the text.
* **Text Color:** Choose contrast colours for readability (e.g., white text on dark background).
* **Text Transparency:** Adjust the Transparency for better readability.
* **Text Background / Padding:** Adjust padding or background colour/transparency for clarity. Text background can also be disabled here.
* **Positioning:** Drag and position the text box so it doesn’t overlap critical parts of the image or avatar.\
  After editing, click Save Changes.

<figure><img src="https://257817639-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FN7z5QEbLCyykfR50Gdpy%2Fuploads%2FGwVQ2JC2RxKSQlE268H0%2FEdit%20Thumbnail%20Design.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=d35d35fc-176f-4dad-bb95-aba507754639" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Best Practices for Thumbnail Personalized Setup

* Use **short and impactful text** — lengthy sentences may become unreadable in thumbnail format.
* Place your variable text in the top third or centre of the image so it remains visible in preview snippets across email clients or mobile devices.
* When using multiple variables, test examples with long values (e.g., long names or company names) to ensure the design accommodates all variations.
* Avoid placing the variable text near image edges or over busy backgrounds; ensure readability across devices.
* **Maintain brand consistency** — use your brand colours, logo, or fonts in the thumbnail design.

#### Troubleshooting Thumbnail Issues

| **Issue**                                             | **Possible Fix**                                                                                        |
| ----------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Thumbnail image appears blurry or low quality         | Use high resolution image for custom uploads. For GIFs, ensure source video quality is sufficient.      |
| Multiple variables overlap or text becomes unreadable | Reduce number of variables, shorten text, increase font size or redesign layout to allow more space.    |
| Animated thumbnail doesn’t play / appears as static   | Confirm GIF format is supported; re-upload as animated type; test in your email client or landing page. |
| Thumbnail image appears blurry or low quality         | Use high resolution image for custom uploads. For GIFs, ensure source video quality is sufficient.      |

Personalized thumbnails are a simple but powerful way to boost engagement, making each viewer feel the content was created just for them. By combining variables, clean design, and consistent branding, you can generate high-impact thumbnail previews at scale—without manual editing. A well-designed personalized thumbnail not only increases click-through rates but also strengthens the overall experience across your personalized video campaign.