For YouTube Shorts, which are vertical videos, you don't typically "upload" a separate image file as a vertical thumbnail like you would for a standard horizontal video. Instead, you select a frame directly from your video content during the upload process.
Setting a Thumbnail for YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts use a vertical format, and their thumbnails are derived from the video itself. The process for setting a thumbnail for a Short is different from that for regular videos:
- Select a Frame During Mobile Upload: The primary way to set a thumbnail for a YouTube Short is by choosing a specific frame from the video while uploading it via the YouTube mobile app.
- No Custom Image Upload: You cannot upload a custom JPG, PNG, or other image file from your device to serve as the thumbnail for a YouTube Short. This differs significantly from the thumbnail options available for standard YouTube videos.
As seen in references regarding the upload process for Shorts, such as "upload short here's a short that I upload to Youtube. Containing.", the workflow focuses on the video content itself.
Steps for Setting a Thumbnail on YouTube Shorts (Mobile App)
While the exact steps might vary slightly with app updates, the general process during upload is:
- Upload your vertical video (Short) through the YouTube mobile app.
- On the final upload screen (where you add details like caption, visibility, etc.), there should be an option to select a frame for your thumbnail. This is often indicated by a pen or pencil icon on the video preview.
- Tap the thumbnail selection option.
- Scroll through your video frames to find the desired moment you want to use as the thumbnail.
- Select the frame and confirm.
- Proceed with adding your caption ("Caption is short"), selecting visibility (Public, Unlisted, Private, or schedule), and tapping "upload short".
Important Note: If you upload a Short from a desktop browser, YouTube typically auto-generates a thumbnail from your video without giving you the option to select a specific frame. Mobile upload is the recommended method for thumbnail selection control.
In summary, "uploading a vertical thumbnail" on YouTube specifically refers to selecting a frame from your vertical Short video during the mobile upload process, rather than uploading a separate image file.
