How to add thumbnail on instagram video
How to add a thumbnail to an Instagram video
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that a thumbnail is your video’s deal maker or breaker. It not only conveys the video’s gist in a few seconds but also encourages viewers to see it.
By default, Instagram sets the first video frame as its thumbnail. To gain traction, you may want to customize it. Fortunately, it’s not challenging to do! Let me show you how to add a thumbnail to your Instagram video.
1. Using Instagram app’s Cover Feature
- Go to Instagram and tap the plus icon at the top.
- Select the video you want to post and tap Next.
- Tap Cover at the bottom right.
- Slide using a finger on the video strip and choose the desired thumbnail.
- Tap Next, write the video caption and hit Share.
You can only choose a thumbnail from the video you are going to upload in the above steps. But what if you wish to have a completely different cover image that is not a part of the video? Well, for that, you can use Instagram’s Creator Studio or third-party editing apps. Let’s see how.
2. Using Instagram Creator Studio
If you edit photos/videos on your Mac or PC, this is the most straightforward method. To use Instagram Creator Studio:
- You must have an Instagram business or creator account. For this, go to your Instagram profile → Tap Edit Profile → Switch to Professional account. This is free and easily reversible.
- You should have a Facebook page that is connected to your Instagram account. If you haven’t, create a Facebook page (even if it is of no use). Next, open Instagram → tap Edit Profile → Page.
Once you satisfy the above conditions, here is how to use the Instagram Creator Studio to post videos with a custom thumbnail.
- Visit Creator Studio on your computer. Click the Instagram icon at the top and log in. If you see Connect Your Account, do that.
- Once logged in, click Create Post and choose Instagram Feed.
- Click Add Content and upload your video.
- Click Add cover from the right side.
- Now, click Custom Upload and choose the desired thumbnail image.
- Finally, click Publish.
3. Using third-party video and photo editing apps
In addition to the above methods, you can create the perfect thumbnail for your video using video editing apps. After this, upload the video and choose the thumbnail following method one.
It is recommended to add the thumbnail at the starting of the video (the first 5 frames). But even if it’s not, you can select it manually.
If you already use a photo editing app like Canva, go ahead and design your thumbnail.
If you need some recommendations, check out our list of the best photo editing and video editing apps for iPhone and iPad.
Once you have the thumbnail, you can use the free iMovie app to add the thumbnail to the video.
I understand that each of the three methods has its caveats. But unless Instagram officially rolls an option in the inbuilt app, you will have to depend on these.
FAQs
Q. Can you change the thumbnail on an Instagram video after posting?
No. You cannot change the thumbnail after posting. You will have to delete and repost the video.
Q. What is a thumbnail on Instagram?
A thumbnail is the first screen a user sees before he watches the Instagram video post. It is to give an idea about the video. Thumbnails on YouTube and other video platforms do the same thing.
You may also like to read:
- How to recover deleted Instagram posts on your iPhone
- Best Instagram Collage Maker Apps for iPhone
- How to turn on post and story notifications on Instagram for iPhone
- How to use Instagram Remix Reels on iPhone
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I have been an Apple user for over seven years now. At iGeeksBlog, I love creating how-tos and troubleshooting guides that help people do more with their iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch. In my free time, I like to watch stand up comedy videos, tech documentaries, news debates, and political speeches.
How to Change Instagram Video Thumbnail & Cover with Preview App?
Alexandra | Mar 5, 2021
As you might have noticed, you cannot change the Instagram video thumbnail after posting on Instagram.
But can use your Preview App to check if your video thumbnail and cover image look fine in your grid.
You can upload different thumbnails and cover images.
You can see which one looks the best or catches people’s attention the most – before you post on Instagram.
Ready?
Here’s how to change Instagram video thumbnail in Preview.
1. Upload your Instagram video
The first thing you want to do is upload a video in Preview.
You can upload a normal video, IGTV or an Instagram Reels.
To upload your video:
- Press on the “+” button
- “Library”
- Choose your video
Done!
Your video will appear in your Preview feed.
Click here to use it
2. Open the caption
Now press on the video and open your caption.
3. Press on “Edit” to change the Instagram video thumbnail and cover
Press on the “Edit” button that is on your cover image.
This will allow you to change your Instagram video cover frame.
4. Choose “Set Cover Image”
Now choose “Set Cover image”.
5. Change Instagram video thumbnail
You have 2 options.
Option 1:
Slide the slider to choose a video clip as your cover image.
Let’s look at option 2.
6. Upload your custom video thumbnail
Press on “Upload image” to upload a cover image from your camera roll.
This is to upload your own custom cover image for your IGTV videos and Instagram Reels.
As you can see you have different options:
- Library: Upload a photo from your camera roll / gallery
- Repost: Repost an image from Instagram
- Free Photos: Don’t have an image? Choose any of these beautiful photos for free
- Take Photo: Take a photo
- Other: Upload an image from Google Drive or Dropbox
7. Post on Instagram
Once you’re happy with your video thumbnail, you can post your video on Instagram.
Here is how to post:
- Press on your video
- Press on the “Share” button
- Your video and cover image will automatically be saved to your camera roll by Preview (along with your prepared caption if you added one)
- Post on Instagram!
And you’re done!
That’s it!
Now you know how to change your Instagram video thumbnail and cover image!
Let me know if you have any questions.
And have fun planning your posts!
– Alex
You might also like:
- Download Preview
- How to schedule Instagram Reels?
- How to Save Instagram Reels in Gallery with Audio, and Without Posting
Click here to use it
How to Add a Thumbnail to an Instagram Video
It would be wrong to say that a thumbnail is a deciding factor or an obstacle to your video. It not only conveys the essence of the video in a few seconds, but also encourages viewers to see it.
By default, Instagram sets the first video frame as the thumbnail. To get traction, you can tune it. Luckily, it's not difficult! Let me show you how to add a thumbnail to your Instagram video. nine0003
1. Using the Instagram app cover function
- Go to Instagram and tap the plus icon at the top.
- Select the video you want to publish and click Next.
- Click Cover in the lower right corner.
- Slide your finger across the videotape and select the desired thumbnail.
- Click "Next", write a caption for the video and click "Share".
You can only select a thumbnail from the video you are about to upload in the above steps. But what if you want to have a completely different cover image that is not part of the video? Well, you can use Instagram Creator Studio or third-party editing apps for that. Let's see how. nine0003
2. Use Instagram Creator Studio on Mac or PC.
If you edit photos/videos on your Mac or PC, this is the easiest way. To use Instagram Creator Studio:
Windows programs, mobile applications, games - EVERYTHING is FREE, in our closed telegram channel - Subscribe :)
- You must have a business account on Instagram or an author account. To do this, go to your Instagram profile → click "Edit Profile" → "Switch to Pro Account". It's free and easily reversible.
nine0010 - You must have a Facebook page connected to your Instagram account. If not, create a Facebook page (even if it's useless). Then open Instagram → click "Edit Profile" → "Page".
Once you meet the above conditions, here's how to use Instagram Creator Studio to post a custom thumbnail video.
- Visit Creative Studio on your computer. Click the Instagram icon at the top and sign in. If you see "Connect your account", do so. nine0010
- After logging in, click Create Post and select Instagram Feed.
- Click "Add Content" and upload your video.
- Click Add Cover on the right.
- Now click "Custom Upload" and select your desired thumbnail image.
- Finally, click Publish.
3. Using third-party video and photo editing applications.
In addition to the above methods, you can create the perfect thumbnail for your video with video editing apps. After that, upload the video and select the thumbnail by the first method.
nine0003
It is recommended to add a thumbnail at the beginning of the video (first 5 frames). But even if it is not, you can choose it manually.
If you're already using a photo editing app like Canva, create a thumbnail. If you need recommendations, check out our list of the best photo and video editing apps for iPhone and iPad.
Once you have the thumbnail, you can use the free iMovie app to add the thumbnail to your video.
I understand that each of the three methods has its drawbacks. But unless Instagram officially adds the option to the built-in app, you'll have to rely on them.
FAQs
Q. Can I change the thumbnail of an Instagram video after posting it?
No. You cannot change a thumbnail after it has been published. You will have to delete and re-post the video.
Q. What is an Instagram thumbnail?
The thumbnail is the first screen a user sees before viewing an Instagram video post. This is to give an idea of the video.
Thumbnails on YouTube and other video platforms do the same. nine0003
You can also read:
Programs for Windows, mobile applications, games - EVERYTHING is FREE, in our closed telegram channel - Subscribe :)
Share!
The Instagram video cover is the preview frame you choose. It is able to attract the attention of users, display the essence of the video. In addition, you can add a call to action and branding elements to the cover to improve the company's reputation. nine0003
Setting a custom cover for a video is not provided by the social network, but there are simple and convenient options for choosing a cover. They will be discussed in today's article. You will learn all the ways how to set a cover photo on Instagram video. We will consider some of the methods in detail.
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Read also : Auto-post video to IGTV
All ways to put cover on Instagram video
There are three main ways to change cover.
- Gallery . This is the fastest and easiest way to keep your feed posts consistent. You need to put an attractive image before the video through the "Select Multiple Photos" function. By scrolling through the gallery, subscribers will be able to watch the video itself. Please note that once the preview has been uploaded, it cannot be edited. The optimal cover format is 1:1.55, and the size is 420x654. nine0010
- Frame from video. This method is ideal when there is an attractive frame in the video. To change the cover, you need to select a video to publish, click on the "Cover" section at the bottom of the screen. There, your video is presented frame by frame - just select the most appropriate picture.
- Applications and programs . If you want to make a cover image that is not in the video, use third-party software. One of the most popular options is the Inshot mobile app. This free program allows you to add cover art to videos as well as edit content.
A little later, we will take a closer look at its capabilities. nine0010
Interesting : How to download video from Instagram
How to add or change video cover on Instagram
Let's move on to step by step instructions.
Selecting a preview frame from a video
Post your video to Instagram first. To do this, go to your page and click on the "+" icon.
Select content from the gallery or go to the Video section and record a new video by holding the record button. nine0003
After recording the video, click on "Next" at the top of the screen.
Click the Cover tab at the bottom of the screen.
Select a suitable preview frame and click Next.
If necessary, add a description to the video and mark the geolocation. You can also repost to other social networks. At the end, click "Share".
Done - the video is published with the cover of your choice!
If you want to change the cover, you will have to delete the published video and add it again, choosing a different preview during the posting stage.
Inshot app cover selection
Go to Google Play and install the app on your mobile device.
Launch this video editor on your phone and click on Video.
Create a new file by clicking on the plus. Go to the section with your videos and photos. After that, select a photo - a check mark will appear on the photo selected for the cover. nine0003
The selected photo can be edited: crop, copy, rotate, zoom.
Next, go to "Video" and tick the desired video for which the preview is intended.
You can also edit it: cut, insert music, add text and apply a filter.
Click Save at the top of the screen. A green check mark will appear, which means that the application is connecting the video with the picture, processing the request. nine0003
Select the video quality you want.
Once the on-screen video conversion reaches 100%, your video with a new cover will be ready.
To make the transition from the cover image in the video almost imperceptible, go to the "Speed" section. Select the desired frame - the "Time" tab will appear. Set the slider to one second. In this case, the screensaver will not interfere with the comfortable viewing of the video.
Topic 9 article0104 : Instagram video ideas
Tips for creating and choosing a cover
In order not to make a mistake when choosing a cover, take into account the recommendations of SMM specialists.
- The cover should arouse interest and desire to watch the video. Choose a photo that does not stand out from the general style of the page. You can add an appeal and a corporate logo to the preview.
- The splash screen should display the content of the video. The ideal solution is to add the title as easy-to-read text. nine0010
- Remember the compositional rule of thirds. To improve the expressiveness of the frame, the object in the picture should be at the intersection points of imaginary horizontal and vertical lines (you can use a special grid in a SLR camera or in Adobe Photoshop).
