# YouTube Thumbnail Text Options

**VIDEO TITLE:**
iPhone 15 vs Samsung S24: Honest Review After 30 Days

**VIDEO TOPIC:**
Comparison review after using both phones for a month, with a clear winner

**THUMBNAIL STYLE:**
Split comparison with face reaction

---

## PRIMARY TEXT OPTIONS

### Option 1: Outcome Tease
```
CLEAR WINNER
```
**Why It Works:** Creates curiosity about which won, complements title without repeating
**Emotion:** Anticipation, curiosity
**Best Placement:** Center or bottom third

---

### Option 2: Surprise/Reversal
```
I WAS WRONG
```
**Why It Works:** Implies you changed your mind, viewers want to know why
**Emotion:** Intrigue, surprise
**Best Placement:** Near your face

---

### Option 3: Controversy Trigger
```
NOT EVEN CLOSE
```
**Why It Works:** Strong opinion triggers clicks from both camps
**Emotion:** Controversy, debate
**Best Placement:** Center, large font

---

### Option 4: Direct Reveal
```
THE TRUTH
```
**Why It Works:** Promises honest information viewers crave
**Emotion:** Trust, curiosity
**Best Placement:** Bottom third

---

### Option 5: Question Style
```
WHICH ONE?
```
**Why It Works:** Directly engages viewer decision-making
**Emotion:** Engagement, participation
**Best Placement:** Center between both phones

---

## SECONDARY TEXT OPTIONS

Smaller supporting text if needed:

| Text | Use Case |
|------|----------|
| 30 DAYS | Emphasize the testing period |
| HONEST | Reinforce authenticity |
| 2024 | Time relevance |
| $$$$ | If price is discussed |
| WINNER | Alternative to CLEAR WINNER |

---

## TEXT COMBINATIONS

If using two text elements:

**Combo 1:**
- Main: CLEAR WINNER
- Sub: 30 DAYS

**Combo 2:**
- Main: NOT EVEN CLOSE
- Sub: THE TRUTH

**Combo 3:**
- Main: I WAS WRONG
- Sub: (no sub needed - face says it all)

---

## DO NOT USE

These repeat the title or add no value:

| Avoid | Why |
|-------|-----|
| iPHONE vs SAMSUNG | Already in title |
| HONEST REVIEW | Already in title |
| COMPARISON | Too generic |
| WATCH THIS | Weak, generic |
| BEST PHONE | Does not add curiosity |

---

## FORMATTING RECOMMENDATIONS

### Font Style:
- **Sans-serif bold** (Arial Black, Impact, Bebas Neue)
- ALL CAPS for impact
- Slight letter spacing for readability

### Size:
- Main text: 15-25% of thumbnail width
- Must be readable at 120x68px (mobile browse size)

### Colors:

| Background | Recommended Text | Outline |
|------------|------------------|--------|
| Dark/Black | White or Yellow | Black stroke |
| Light/White | Black or Red | White stroke |
| Busy/Mixed | White with black outline | Heavy stroke |
| Blue tones | Yellow or White | Black stroke |
| Red tones | White or Yellow | Black stroke |

### Contrast Rule:
Always use dark outline/stroke on light text (or vice versa). Text should pop regardless of background.

---

## PLACEMENT GUIDE

```
+---------------------------+
|  [SAFE: Secondary text]   |
|                           |
|      [MAIN TEXT]          |
|    [Your face here]       |
|                           |
| [Product] [BADGE] [Product]|
+---------------------------+
```

**Best Zones:**
- Center: Maximum impact, main message
- Bottom third: Safe from UI elements
- Near face: Draws eye to expression

**Avoid:**
- Top right: YouTube duration overlay
- Bottom right: Watch Later/Queue icons
- Extreme edges: Gets cropped on some devices

---

## THUMBNAIL TEXT FORMULAS

### For Comparison Videos:
| Formula | Example |
|---------|---------|
| [OUTCOME] | WINNER / LOSER |
| [REACTION] | SHOCKED / WOW |
| [VERDICT] | THE TRUTH / HONEST |
| [CONTRAST] | NOT EVEN CLOSE |

### For Tutorial Videos:
| Formula | Example |
|---------|---------|
| [TIME] | 5 MIN / FAST |
| [EASE] | SO EASY / SIMPLE |
| [RESULT] | WORKS / FIXED |
| [FREE] | FREE / $0 |

### For Storytime Videos:
| Formula | Example |
|---------|---------|
| [TEASE] | GONE WRONG / DISASTER |
| [EMOTION] | CRYING / SHOCKED |
| [STAKE] | $10,000 / FIRED |
| [HOOK] | STORYTIME / TRUE |

### For Review Videos:
| Formula | Example |
|---------|---------|
| [VERDICT] | WORTH IT? / SKIP |
| [RATING] | 10/10 / PERFECT |
| [WARNING] | DON'T BUY / AVOID |
| [SURPRISE] | SHOCKED / WOW |

### For List Videos:
| Formula | Example |
|---------|---------|
| [NUMBER] | TOP 5 / #1 |
| [BEST] | THE BEST / WINNER |
| [RANKING] | RANKED / RATED |
| [SUPERLATIVE] | WORST / CHEAPEST |

---

## A/B TESTING STRATEGY

Test these variations:

| Test | Version A | Version B |
|------|-----------|----------|
| Emotion | CLEAR WINNER | I WAS WRONG |
| Specificity | THE TRUTH | NOT EVEN CLOSE |
| Question vs Statement | WHICH ONE? | CLEAR WINNER |
| With vs Without | Text included | No text |

**How to Test:**
1. Upload video with Version A thumbnail
2. After 48 hours, check CTR in analytics
3. Change to Version B
4. After 48 hours, compare CTR
5. Keep the winner

---

## EMOTION TRIGGER REFERENCE

| Emotion | Trigger Words |
|---------|---------------|
| Curiosity | SECRET, TRUTH, REVEALED, HIDDEN |
| Urgency | NOW, STOP, MUST, IMMEDIATELY |
| Fear/Risk | DANGER, AVOID, WARNING, MISTAKE |
| Excitement | WOW, INSANE, AMAZING, SHOCKED |
| Controversy | WRONG, LIES, EXPOSED, VERSUS |
| Achievement | WINNER, BEST, PERFECT, SUCCESS |
| Savings | FREE, CHEAP, SAVE, BUDGET |
| Exclusivity | ONLY, FIRST, NEW, RARE |

---

## READABILITY CHECKLIST

Before finalizing, verify:

- [ ] Readable at phone size (120x68px)?
- [ ] High contrast with background?
- [ ] 5 words or fewer?
- [ ] Does NOT repeat title?
- [ ] Triggers emotion?
- [ ] Complements (not competes with) face expression?
- [ ] Clear of YouTube UI elements?
- [ ] Works without context (scroll test)?

---

## COMMON MISTAKES

| Mistake | Problem | Fix |
|---------|---------|-----|
| Repeating title | Wastes space, no new info | Add complementary angle |
| Too many words | Unreadable at small size | 3-5 words max |
| Low contrast | Disappears into background | Add stroke/outline |
| Tiny font | Cannot read on mobile | Make it 15-25% of width |
| Boring text | No emotional trigger | Use power words |
| Cluttered | Too much going on | One main message |
| Wrong placement | Covered by UI | Avoid corners |