How to Change the Thumbnail on a Facebook Video

A custom video thumbnail on Facebook can be the difference between a user scrolling right past your post and stopping to click play. It's your video's first impression and your single best chance to convince someone that what you’ve made is worth their time. This guide will walk you through exactly how to change the thumbnail on your Facebook videos, both for new uploads and posts that are already live, and share a few tips for creating images that actually get results.

Why Does My Facebook Video Thumbnail Even Matter?

In a feed crowded with photos, text updates, and ads, your video has fractions of a second to grab someone’s attention. The thumbnail is your most powerful tool for this fight. Before we get into the "how," let's quickly cover the "why." A well-designed thumbnail isn't just a cosmetic touch, it's a strategic asset.

• It Represents the Entire Video: For autoplaying videos, the title might be covered and the first few frames don't always capture the video’s feel. The thumbnail serves as the most prominent preview, showing what you believe best represents the full content.
• It Sets Expectations: Does your video teach something specific? Is it a funny skit? A product demo? A great thumbnail communicates the topic and tone of the video before a single frame is played, attracting the right audience and filtering out those who wouldn't be interested anyway. This leads to higher engagement and better watch times from viewers who knew what they were signing up for.
• It Boosts Branding: Consistently using your brand's fonts, colors, and logo on your thumbnails creates instant recognition. When your followers see your distinct style in their feed, they'll immediately know the content is from you, building brand recall and trust over time.
• It Increases Click-Through Rate (CTR): A professional and captivating thumbnail naturally encourages more clicks. It signals quality and sparks curiosity, making a person on social media interested enough to stop and view it. A higher CTR also sends a positive signal to the platform's algorithm, which may show your content to more people.

Putting in the extra effort to create and upload a custom thumbnail sends a clear message: you're a serious creator who cares about the quality of the end-product.

How to Change a Thumbnail on an *Existing* Facebook Video

Ever posted a video and realized Facebook selected the worst possible frame - like an awkward moment where you're mid-sentence or a blurry shot of the background? It happens to everyone. Thankfully, fixing it is straightforward, even after the video's been published.

Since Facebook's interface can vary slightly depending on whether you're using the standard Page view or Meta Business Suite, we'll cover both methods.

Method 1: Directly on Your Facebook Page (New Pages Experience)

Editing a video from your Page's feed is quick and easy for simple changes.

1. Navigate to your business Facebook Page.
2. Find the video you want to edit on your Page's timeline. You can also go to the "Videos" tab for an easier view of all your video content.
3. Click the three dots (...) icon in the top-right corner of the video post.
4. From the dropdown menu, select "Edit post."
5. In the pop-up window, you should see your video preview and post details. Look for the button labeled "Video Options." Click it.
6. A new window will open with more settings. Click on the "Change Thumbnail" tab or button.
7. Now you'll see your options:
   • Upload Image: This lets you upload a custom thumbnail you designed. This is the recommended option for a professional look.
   • Choose from Video: This option lets you scrub through your entire video and pick a specific frame to use as the thumbnail. It's better than letting Facebook choose, but often less effective than a custom image.
   • Auto-generated: Facebook provides a selection of frames from your video. You can select one of these if it happens to capture the moment well.
8. After selecting or uploading your new thumbnail, click the "Save" button. The change will take effect within a few moments.

That's it! Your video now has a new and improved first impression.

Method 2: Using the Meta Business Suite

For more detailed editing and management, especially if you handle multiple Pages, the Meta Business Suite is the way to go. It offers a more robust content management experience.

1. Go to Meta Business Suite and select the page you're working with from the top of the left-hand menu.
2. In the left-hand navigation menu, click the "Content" tab. Here you will see a comprehensive view of all published content across your Facebook and Instagram profiles. You can use the filters to narrow down by page, content type, and date.
3. Scroll to the video of your choice and click the three dots (...) icon next to it to open the options menu.
4. Click "Edit Post" from the dropdown menu.
5. This will open the post editor window. On the right side, you'll see the video details. Locate the "Thumbnail" section and click on it. Your options will include:
   • Custom Image: Upload your pre-made JPEG or PNG graphic from your saved files.
   • Choose Frame: Scrub your entire uploaded video and click exactly where you want a single frame to be your thumbnail.
   • Auto: Choose one of the automatically generated thumbnail options that Facebook provides.
6. Once you've selected your new thumbnail, click "Save" to make the changes live.

How to Set a Custom Thumbnail During the Upload Process

The most efficient way is to set your custom thumbnail during the initial upload process. This saves you from having to edit the post later. Here's how to ensure your new video looks professional from the start.

Uploading a Video on Your Page Feed Directly

1. On your business Page, click the "What's on your mind..." box to create a new post, then select "Photo/Video".
2. Select your video file from your device to begin the upload. After the video has finished processing, the "Video Options" button will appear. Click on it to access more settings.
3. In the "Video Options" menu, you'll see a section for editing the "Thumbnail." Click it to see your choices.
4. You will have the same options as before: upload a new custom image, choose a frame from the video, or select from auto-generated options. Uploading a custom thumbnail is usually the best choice, but choosing a specific frame can work if it captures a compelling moment.
5. After selecting your thumbnail, add your video title and description, then click "Post" to publish your video.

Best Practices for Creating Thumbnails That Grab Attention

What's the difference between an okay thumbnail and one that's compelling enough to click? A few key design principles can make all the difference.

• High-Resolution Matters: Facebook compresses images, so start with the highest quality possible. Design your thumbnail at a 1920x1080 pixel resolution (16:9 aspect ratio) to ensure it stays sharp.
• Show Close-Up Human Faces with Emotion: People are naturally drawn to faces. Use close-ups showing clear emotions like surprise, laughter, or excitement. Emotion is contagious and can intrigue viewers.
• Use Big, Bold, Readable Text: Add bold, readable text to your thumbnail to provide context. Use just a few key words to spark interest. Ensure the text color has a high contrast with the background so it's easy to read, even on small mobile screens.
• Maintain Consistent Branding for Series: If you have a video series, use consistent templates with your brand's fonts and colors. This helps your followers instantly recognize your content in their feeds.
• Keep Designs Clean and Clutter-Free: A strong thumbnail is often simple. Stick to one main focal point (like a person's face), bold text, and a clean background. Don't try to cram too much information into the image.

Good design is simple design. Always ask yourself, "How will this look on a small mobile screen?" Zoom out on your design during the creation process to test its clarity.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the art of the perfect Facebook video thumbnail is a small step in your content creation process that delivers major rewards. An effective thumbnail can significantly boost your video's visibility. By following these steps, you can create a better viewing experience for your audience. Don't worry - if you make a mistake, you can always edit it after posting!

When we built Postbase, we designed it to understand the demands of video-centric social media. Managers needing to plan video series across various platforms can do so seamlessly on Postbase's visual calendar. Our reliable video publishing support for formats like Reels and Shorts means you can focus on creating great content instead of worrying about how it will post. Postbase handles the scheduling, publishing, and platform integrations so you can focus on what matters most: your content.