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GIF as video thumbnail

Video marketing poses the most challenging part when it comes to getting video exposure, generating high click-through rates, and creating engagement.

But there is a way to bring your viewer's attention. A thumbnail that shows a GIF will do the trick. You can increase your video play rates by using GIF thumbnails correctly. This will lead to greater engagement and lead generation.

Note: Personalization is not supported for GIF Preview.

Here’s how you can set a GIF as the thumbnail to your video in two ways with Hippo Video:

To set a GIF as a thumbnail for new videos:

  1. Log-in to  Hippo Video with your existing credentials.

  2. Click on the +Create button at the top right and select Camera Only.


  1. Click on the red Circle button to record a video and once you complete the recording, click on the red Square button.

  1. Your video will now be available for playback.

  2. Click on Edit & Personalize button and then click on the respective icons to implement the changes to the video. E.g., click Trim icon to trim out the beginning or end of the video.

  1. Below the video preview page, click on the Video Thumbnail icon.

Note: Always recommended to choose a GIF thumbnail. In the GIF preview (animated), the First and Last few portions of your video will be merged and shown as a thumbnail (endless loop/loop continuously). Your customer will get to know that it is a video attached and not an image (static).
Note: You can also check Set GIF as default for all new videos box, to make the GIF Preview thumbnail as a default for all videos.


To set a GIF as a thumbnail for existing videos:

  1. Click on the Assets icon from the left navigation bar All Assets and open the video for which you want to set the GIF thumbnail. 

  2. Below the video preview page, click on the Video Thumbnail icon.

  1. By default, the GIF preview option will be selected. If not then select the GIF preview option, by default, the first and last few seconds of your video will be converted into a GIF and set as the thumbnail.

Note: You can also check Set GIF as default for all new videos box, to make the GIF Preview thumbnail as a default for all videos.



Well, now it’s high time you attach a GIF thumbnail to your video and grab your viewer’s attention.


To learn more about setting a personalization for your video thumbnail.



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