YouTube has launched new tools that simplify thumbnail creation for short‑form videos. It now allows creators in the YouTube Partner Program to upload custom thumbnails for Shorts, ensuring eye‑catching images that reflect their content.

Creators can also add thumbnails retroactively by visiting the Content tab in YouTube Studio on desktop and uploading images for existing Shorts. The company plans to expand this feature to more users in the near future.

On desktop, creators choose between three suggested frames pulled from their videos to use as a thumbnail for Shorts. This option, previously exclusive to long‑form content, is now available for short‑form videos. On mobile, they can select any frame from their video.

The update also introduced Ask Studio, an internal AI tool that can generate thumbnails. Creators supply prompts to tweak layout, color, and other elements, resulting in thumbnails tailored to each video's theme and style. However, some viewers worry about the surge in AI‑generated thumbnails.