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Personalize video thumbnail

Do you want to attract more viewers to your videos? Use thumbnails, which are the key to getting clicks and views on multiple platforms. A thumbnail is a reduced-size version of an image or video. Video thumbnails are the face of a video; most users choose videos with catchy thumbnails. A personalized video thumbnail works similar to a book cover and people are more likely to click through to your video. It sells your video to potential customers. 

Steps on how to personalize your video thumbnail for your existing videos:

  1. Login to Hippo Video with your credentials.

  2. Click on +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.

  1. In the Thumbnail slider, select the default frame, upload a new frame or select a frame from your video and set it as the thumbnail image.

Note: Default frame and GIF preview are created automatically by the Hippo Video after the video creation.


GIF Preview - Always recommended, but personalization is not supported. Learn more. 


Default frame - It is a static image. 

  1. Select the default frame and click the Personalize button.

  1. You can add text, merge fields, and logo to your thumbnail image.

  2. To add text - Click the Add Personalized Text button upon which the text box will appear. 

  1. Click inside the box and add a preferred text. 

Note: You’ll find an option below the thumbnail to format the text such as font, style, size, alignment, etc.
  1. To add merge fields - Click the Add Personalized Text button upon which the text box will appear. 

  2. Click your preferred merge field from the drop-down.

  1. The selected merge field tag is added. 

  1. To add a logo - Click the Add Placeholder Image button. You’ll notice that the placeholder image is added to your video thumbnail.

  1. Once you’re done personalizing your thumbnail image, click Save.

  2. You’ll be able to see the preview of your video thumbnail that is personalized with tags.


  1. Now, your video thumbnail is personalized and ready to share.


Upload Frame - select the image from your local drive or library images. 

  1. Select the image and click the Import button.

  1. Click the Personalize button.

  1. Then, follow the instructions explained below Default Frame (steps 2 to 11).


Choose Frame - select the image from your video. 

  1. Click the Choose Frame.

  1. Move the slider and click the Set Frame to choose the thumbnail. 

  1. The selected frame is set as a thumbnail. 

  1. Then, follow the instructions explained below Default Frame (steps 2 to 11).


Steps on how to personalize your video thumbnail for your existing videos:

  1. Click on the Assets icon from the left navigation bar All Assets.

  1. Open the video for which you want to choose the thumbnail. 

  2. Click the Video Thumbnail icon below the video preview.

  1. In the Thumbnail slider, select the default frame or upload a new frame or select a frame from your video and set it as the thumbnail image.

  1. Then, follow the instructions explained below Default Frame (steps 2 to 11).


To check out the preview of your video thumbnail:

  1. Click the Copy Link button.

  1. The added merge field and logo fields will be added here.

  1. Fill in the details such as Title and Logo (mandatory) and then click the Copy Link button.


  1. Open a new tab and paste the link, to see the preview of your personalized video thumbnail. 



That’s it, now go ahead and start creating personalized thumbnails to improve your video open-rates.




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