What is a thumbnail?
The termthumbnailcan be translated literally as "thumbnail." In a digital context, however, it means "preview image," "image preview," or "miniature image."Thumbnailsusually serve asplaceholdersfor larger versions of the same image.
Why are thumbnails important?
Unlike text, images grab theattentionofpotential customers much more quickly. If they are interested, they will click on the thumbnail, which in turn increasesinteractivityonthe website.
Where do we encounter thumbnails today?
Onvideo platformssuch as YouTube, a thumbnail can be uploaded for each video. These images are displayed before a visitor to the platform clicks on the video. The choice of image can therefore playa decisive rolein whether a video isselectedand subsequently played.
In the WordPress content management system, for example, afeatured imagecan be added to eachpost. These images also serve as a preview of the article or post behind them.
The first view ofimage search resultsfrom search engines such as Google also consists of thumbnails. Only when you click on the thumbnail in the image preview is the "real" image loaded infull size.
What are the advantages of thumbnails forSEO?
Sinceloading speedhas become an importantranking factorfor search engines, the use of thumbnails has a fundamental advantage: theyreducetheoverall sizeof the website. By only loading certain graphics in their original size when needed, thumbnails streamline the file size of the page. The less data that needs to be loaded, thefasterthe page can be displayed.
How can I use thumbnails to my advantage?
Exciting thumbnails withboldcolors, clear images, high contrast, andmeaningfulkeywordswill get youmore clicks because they stand out.
The repeated use of thecompany logoandspecific color combinations increases recognition value and creates a more professional impression.
How do I create a thumbnail?
Many content management systems alreadyautomatically provideminiature versionsof thecontent. However, if you want to create a thumbnail yourself, programs such as Photoshop or Gimp are suitable.
There are a few things to keep in mind, such as theresolution(at least HD with 1280×720 pixels) and theformat(16:9, the same format used for videos).