.webp)
Did you know that 90% of top YouTube videos use custom thumbnails?
You're mindlessly scrolling through YouTube, and suddenly, a YouTube video thumbnail catches your eye. You click without giving it a second thought.
That's the magic of the How Ridiculous YouTube channel. They know this too well. Their videos of dropping objects from insane heights have pulled in millions of views, but a huge part of their success is just those wild stunts.
That's also how ridiculous YouTube's thumbnail strategy works. Here is a quick overview of their YouTube channel.
Let's break down their thumbnail strategy and see what makes their challenge thumbnails stand out in the crowded world of YouTube.
Spoiler alert: It's not just their crazy tricks; it's also about crafting eye-catching YouTube thumbnails that are impossible to scroll past.
What Makes How Ridiculous YouTube Thumbnails So Ridiculously Effective?
Bold, Bright Colors
- Color grabs people's attention. How Ridiculous uses this to its full advantage by packing its thumbnails with bold, bright colors that stand out against the sea of neutral backgrounds on YouTube
- Bright yellow, red, and blue are the top colors they use. This color strategy immediately screams, "Click me"! in your face.
- Why does this matter? Well, it's scientifically proven that certain vibrant colors are more likely to catch viewers' attention. They are not playing it safe with muted tones; they go all out in vibrant shades.
Tip for your channel
Use bold, contrasting colors to make your YouTube thumbnails pop. Don't be afraid to get vibrant and a little wild.
Close-up Reactions in their YouTube Video Thumbnails
- How Ridiculous nails the emotional connection game with their audience by featuring their reactions in many of their thumbnails.
- These guys aren't afraid to make those goofy or exaggerated faces, which pulls viewers in and gives a personal touch to their content.
- The takeaway here is that people connect with other people. Faces are naturally engaging, especially when they show strong emotions be it shock, excitement or suspense.
Tip for your channel
Don't be fair to feature your face or any of your team's faces. Adding a human element can make your videos feel more relatable.
Huge, Clear Text
- Another major win for How Ridiculous YouTube channel is that they don't shy away from adding big bold text in their YouTube thumbnail images, But trust me this is the key, they keep it simple.
- You're not going to see paragraphs on their thumbnails, just a few words that sum up the crazy stunt.
- For example: "Giant Axe vs. Car" or "World's Longest Basketball Shot". It is short, punchy, and impactful.
Tip for your channel
Keep your text short, sweet, and to the point. It should complement the image, not overwhelm it.
Crazy Stunts, Front and Center
- Let's be real. Everyone who watches How Ridiculous's YouTube channel is looking for those larger-than-life stunts, and their thumbnails match this vibe. Every thumbnail shows a jaw-dropping action moment.
- Whether a watermelon mid-explosion or a giant dart flying through the air, these thumbnails give viewers a sneak peek of the epic action that awaits.
- Here's why this works: viewers are generally curious, especially when they see something unusual or out of the ordinary, like a giant dart. A car suspended in mid-air? Of course, I'm clicking.
Tip for your channel
Show your most engaging moment in your thumbnails. Action shots are a game changer; viewers will likely click if they feel they're getting an instant payoff.
Epic Scale
- How Ridiculous always goes big, from dropping bowling balls off a 45-meter tower to smashing objects with a giant axe, they know how to convey a sense of scale and grandeur in their thumbnails.
- These thumbnails don't just include a person or an object but also the environment around them, whether it's a massive tower or a wide-open field. It gives viewers a sense of just how epic their stunts are.
Tip for your channel
If you're doing something big, literally or figuratively, make sure your thumbnails capture that. Show the environment that adds scale to your content.
The Step-by-Step Breakdown: Creating a How Ridiculous-Inspired Thumbnail
Here's how you can create your own How Ridiculous style thumbnails in a few steps
Choose a Moment of Peak Action
Whether it’s an explosion or someone reacting to a prank, pick the most exciting moment in your video for your thumbnail image.
Use Bright, Contrasting Colors
Add a bright background (think yellow, red, or blue) that makes your thumbnail pop in the YouTube feed.
Add Bold, Clear Text
Make sure your text is easy to read and straight to the point—no more than 4-5 words max.
Feature a Reaction (if possible)
A shocked face or excited expression is a surefire way to engage viewers.
Convey a Sense of Scale
If your video features something BIG, make sure your thumbnail reflects that, whether it’s a huge object or a wide landscape.
Why Does How Ridiculous Thumbnail Strategy Work?
How Ridiculous knows how to play the YouTube thumbnail game. The platform is competitive, so standing out is essential.
Their thumbnail strategy works because it,
Grabs Attention Instantly
Just like their YouTube videos their bold colors and action shots, in their thumbnails are impossible to ignore.
Creates Curiosity
They give viewers a taste of what’s to come, but not the full picture, leaving you wanting more.
Emphasizes Clarity
You always know what you’re getting into with their videos because the thumbnails are so clear and to the point.
Establishes a Brand Look
Over time, their thumbnails have become instantly recognizable. The moment you see a bright, bold thumbnail with an epic stunt, you know it’s How Ridiculous.
How Ridiculous vs. YouTube Thumbnail Guidelines
When creating custom thumbnails, it’s crucial to follow YouTube’s thumbnail guidelines to ensure the best performance and avoid policy violations. According to YouTube, custom thumbnails should have clear image balance, minimal clutter, and compelling visuals to engage viewers.
Let's take a look at How Ridiculous YouTube thumbnails are compared to these guidelines, focusing on aspects like image balance, contrast, emotions, word impact, and blank spaces.
How You Can Learn From How Ridiculous
To boost your YouTube game, consider experimenting with some of these elements. Whether you're creating gaming content, tutorials, or vlogs, applying these strategies can help you level up your thumbnails.
However, creating these thumbnails from scratch could be time-consuming and tedious. What if you choose AI to create eye-catching and engaging YouTube thumbnails?
When designing custom YouTube thumbnails, Rizzle AI's thumbnail maker is here to level up your game! Whether you're a YouTuber or a content creator, Rizzle's tools can help you create thumbnails that instantly pop and catch your viewers' attention.
The best part? It also aligns with YouTube thumbnail practices while generating your custom thumbnails.
Here's why Rizzle stands out
Why is Rizzle's AI Editor a Game-Changer for Custom Thumbnails?
Optimized Image Balance
Rizzle applies the Rule of Thirds and advanced compositing techniques to ensure your thumbnails are visually balanced and compelling.
Eye-Catching Color Contrast
With a focus on color theory, Rizzle ensures the perfect contrast between foreground and background, making your thumbnails stand out even in crowded feeds.
Emotional Impact
Expressive facial recognition technology helps Rizzle pick the best emotions to create YouTube thumbnails that engage viewers at first glance.
Text Readability
Rizzle’s AI ensures the text on your thumbnail is always clear and easy to read, even on smaller screens.
High Flexibility
Whether you're creating thumbnails for vlogs or tutorials, You can choose from a variety of custom YouTube thumbnail templates at Rizzle.
Rizzle's templates follow Youtube thumbnail best practices and adapt to any content type, ensuring brand consistency. With Rizzle creating YouTube thumbnails is a hassle free task.
Time to Get Ridiculously Creative
At the end of the day, How Ridiculous nails their thumbnail strategy by combining bold colors, crazy action, and clear, punchy text. They know how to grab attention and keep viewers curious. So, these thumbnail strategies can level up your YouTube game, whether you're creating content about epic stunts or something entirely different.
And if you want to save time while still making killer thumbnails, Rizzle’s AI-powered tools help you create eye-catching thumbnails that stand out.
Ready to get ridiculously creative? Let Rizzle take your thumbnails to the next level.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
