How to Change a Video Thumbnail on Instagram

That incredible Instagram video you worked on for hours isn't getting the views it deserves, and the culprit might just be its thumbnail. A video's cover image is its first impression, and getting it right is the difference between a scroll-stopper and a scroll-by. This guide breaks down exactly how to change your video thumbnail on Instagram - for Reels and in-feed videos - both before and after you post, so your content can finally get the attention you worked so hard to earn.

Why a Thumbnail Can Make or Break Your Video's Success

Think of your Instagram video thumbnail as its movie poster. It’s the single visual cue that has to convince someone to stop scrolling and press play. In a sea of endless content, a lazy, blurry, or uninteresting thumbnail is a guaranteed way to be ignored. On the other hand, a well-chosen cover image can do all the heavy lifting for you before your video even starts.

A great thumbnail has three jobs:

• Stop the Scroll: It needs to be visually arresting enough to pause someone’s thumb mid-flick. Bright colors, clear faces, and dynamic action shots are powerful tools.
• Create Curiosity: It should hint at the value, story, or emotion inside the video without giving everything away. A thumbnail that poses a question or shows a surprising moment makes people want to know what happens next.
• Set Expectations: It must accurately represent the content. A misleading thumbnail might get an initial click, but it will quickly lead to viewer drop-off and frustration, hurting your video's performance in the long run.

The psychology is simple. When you're browsing Netflix, what makes you click on a new show? Often, it's the compelling cover art. The same principle applies directly to your Instagram feed, profile grid, and the Reels tab. Your thumbnail is the front door to your content - make it an inviting one.

Getting It Right from the Start: Choosing a Thumbnail Before Publishing

The easiest and most effective way to manage your video thumbnail is to set it before you hit the "Share" button. Instagram gives you full control during the upload process, allowing you to select the perfect image to represent your work. Here’s how to do it for each video format.

Setting Your Instagram Reel Thumbnail

Reels are all about grabbing attention quickly, and the cover image is your first move. A custom, on-brand thumbnail makes your Reels tab look like a polished collection rather than a random series of clips. Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Create Your Reel: Record your video clips directly in the Instagram app or upload a pre-edited video from your camera roll. Add your audio, text, effects, and stickers as usual.
2. Proceed to the Share Screen: Once you're finished editing, tap "Next." This brings you to the final screen where you write your caption and add hashtags.
3. Edit Your Cover: On the preview of your Reel at the top of the screen, you’ll see an "Edit cover" option. Tap it.
4. Choose Your Thumbnail: Now you have two fantastic options:
   • Select a Frame from the Video: At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a filmstrip of your entire Reel. Drag the slider to scrub through the video and find a frame that is clear, engaging, and representative of the content. Look for a shot where your face is clear, the action is at its peak, or the main subject is perfectly framed.
   • Add a Custom Image: Tap the "Add from camera roll" button. This allows you to upload a completely custom image you've designed separately. This is a game-changer for creators and brands who want to maintain a consistent aesthetic on their profile grid. You can create templates with your brand fonts, colors, and a catchy title for the video.
5. Adjust for the Profile Grid: After selecting your cover, tap "Profile grid" at the top. Here, you can drag and reposition the crop of your thumbnail to control how it looks as a square on your main profile feed. This is a vital step to avoid awkwardly cutting off your head or important text. Once you're happy, tap "Done."

Taking a minute to complete these steps ensures your Reels look professional from the moment they go live, both in the Reels feed and on your personal profile.

Choosing a Thumbnail for In-Feed Videos

For standard in-feed videos (formerly IGTV posts), the process is nearly identical and just as important. These videos live permanently on your grid, and a consistent set of thumbnails can transform your profile's appearance.

1. Upload Your Video: From your profile, tap the "+" icon and select "Post." Choose the video you want to upload from your gallery.
2. Navigate to the Share Screen: Apply any filters or trims you'd like and tap "Next" until you reach the final screen where you write your caption.
3. Select Your Cover: On the preview image, tap the "Cover" option. This will open the thumbnail selection interface.
4. Pick Your Best Look: Just like with Reels, you can either drag the slider at the bottom to choose the best frame from your video or tap "Add from camera roll" to upload a branded, custom-designed thumbnail.

For any video that will become a permanent fixture on your grid, opting for a custom cover image can drastically improve your overall brand vibe. It signals to new visitors that you produce high-quality, thoughtful content.

The Moment of Truth: Can You Change Your Thumbnail After Posting?

This is one of the most common questions creators have. You've posted a video, and only after seeing it on your grid do you realize the thumbnail is a blurry, awkward, mid-sentence frame. Your heart sinks. So, what can you do?

The Short Answer: No, but There's a Workaround

Let's get the bad news out of the way first: Instagram does not currently allow you to edit or change the cover image of a Reel or in-feed video after it has been published. Once it's live, the thumbnail you chose is locked in. This is a huge point of frustration for marketers and creators alike, as a simple mistake can hamstring a post's potential performance.

But don't give up just yet. While there isn't an "edit" button, there is a well-known workaround that can save your content - if you're willing to make a small sacrifice.

The Fix: The "Delete and Re-upload" Method

The only way to truly fix a bad thumbnail on a live video is to delete the post and re-upload it with the correct cover image. It's a blunt instrument, but it's effective. Before you frantically tap "delete," you need to weigh the pros and cons.

When to use this strategy:

• The video was posted very recently (within the last few hours).
• It has very low engagement so far (few likes, comments, and views).
• You are absolutely certain that a better thumbnail will give it a better chance to succeed.

Here’s what you lose and what you gain:

• Con: You will lose all the engagement the original post has already earned - every single like, comment, share, save, and view. For a post that's already picking up steam, this is a major loss.
• Pro: You get a second chance to make a first impression. A phenomenal thumbnail can attract a far wider audience, potentially resulting in better long-term engagement than the original post ever would have achieved.

If you've decided it's worth it, here's how to execute the plan without losing your content:

1. Save Your Work: Take a screenshot of your post's insights if it's been up long enough to have any. Copy your caption and all the hashtags and paste them into a notes app on your phone.
2. Download the Video: If you don't still have the final video file saved on your device, use the three dots on the Reel and select "Save to your device." Note: This may not include any music you added within Instagram due to licensing. Ideally, you still have the original video.
3. Delete the Original Post: Go to the post, tap the three dots in the corner, and select "Delete."
4. Re-upload it Correctly: Start the upload process again. This time, be meticulous. Use the steps outlined in the first half of this article to choose a compelling frame or upload a stellar custom cover. Paste your saved caption and hashtags, and share it with the world - the right way this time.

Crafting Thumbnails That Stop the Scroll: Best Practices

Knowing how to change a thumbnail is good, but knowing what makes a great thumbnail is even better. Here are some proven best practices for creating cover images that get clicks.

• Bright and Clear Is a Must: Nobody clicks on a dark, grainy, or confusing image. Choose a frame that's well-lit and in sharp focus. If you're designing a custom thumbnail, make your design bright and high-contrast to pop on the feed.
• Faces Command Attention: Human brains are hardwired to notice faces. A clear shot of a person, especially showing emotion (surprise, joy, concentration), is almost always more compelling than a shot of an object or landscape. Eye contact is especially powerful.
• Use Text Overlays Thoughtfully: If you're creating a custom cover, adding a text overlay can provide context and build curiosity. Use a bold, easy-to-read font and keep the text minimal. "My #1 Secret," "You're Doing This Wrong," or "3 Easy Steps" are all effective hooks.
• Stay On-Brand: Use your brand’s colors, fonts, and logo consistently in your custom thumbnails. This creates a cohesive, professional-looking profile grid that signals credibility to anyone who visits your profile. It makes your brand instantly recognizable.
• Frame the "Aha!" Moment: The best thumbnail often comes from the most impactful moment in the video. Is there a dramatic reveal? A hilarious reaction? A beautiful finished product? Tease that peak moment to entice viewers to watch the full journey.

Final Thoughts

Perfecting your video content means focusing on every detail, and the thumbnail is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. Your best plan of attack is to always select a bright, clear, and compelling cover image before you publish, using Instagram’s built-in tools to your advantage. Planning ahead saves you the headache of deciding whether to delete and re-post down the line, allowing you to preserve that valuable initial engagement.

Putting in that consistent effort, from the thumbnail to the caption to the posting time, can feel like a lot. That's why having a solid planning and scheduling workflow is so helpful. We designed Postbase with exactly this in mind, especially for today's video-first creators. Our visual calendar lets you organize all your Reels and videos in one place, so you can see your entire strategy at a glance and never forget important steps like selecting the perfect cover image. Since we built it for how social media actually works today, you can schedule your content and trust it will go live just as you planned it, without the glitches that often disrupt a well-made strategy.