Field notes for creators

Get more clicks on YouTube

No-fluff playbooks on thumbnails, titles, and packaging: the part of YouTube that decides whether anyone watches. Written for creators who don't have a design team.

Start here · 9 min

How to Make a YouTube Thumbnail That Gets Clicks (2026 Guide)

The complete, practical walkthrough: the 3-second rule, the anatomy of a high-CTR thumbnail, mobile-first design, and a repeatable workflow you can run for every upload.

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Cheat sheet · 6 min

YouTube Thumbnail Size & Dimensions: The 2026 Cheat Sheet

The exact pixel size, aspect ratio, file limits, and safe zones. Plus why your thumbnail looks tiny on mobile.

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Fix-it list · 8 min

7 Reasons Your Thumbnails Aren't Getting Clicks (And the Fixes)

The most common mistakes small channels make, plus the simple changes that lift click-through rate fast.

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Teardown · 7 min

MrBeast Thumbnail Strategy: 8 Rules You Can Steal

What the most-clicked thumbnails on the planet have in common, and how to apply those lessons to a channel of any size.

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Formulas · 7 min

How to Write YouTube Titles That Get Clicks (12 Formulas)

Copy-paste title formulas that pair with your thumbnail to create curiosity without turning into clickbait.

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