How I Make Thumbnails
Added 2026-02-15 19:30:12 +0000 UTC
Comments
Like I said on the previous post. I think there's a happy middle ground. I wouldn't waste time on things you don't find valuable, BUT we all know you have to feed the algorithm to SOME degree. Check out Mustard's channel. His stuff is educational and really well produced, but he does play to the algorithm a bit in his thumbnails. He also takes much more time on each video, so I don't think it's an apples-to-apples comparison. https://www.youtube.com/@MustardChannel
Ryan G
2026-02-17 14:37:47 +0000 UTCI'm not against the use of AI in the creation process but I do definitely prefer the "old style" thumbnails. Mostly because I like the sober and formal style in general and it adds coherence to the channel if there is a shared style on the thumbnails. It looks more serious, more "self-respect". It's hard to explain. I do really despise the cheap "attention grabber"/click bait thing that you see mostly on the internet.
Manuel Pérez
2026-02-16 12:56:11 +0000 UTCI can picture it in my mind, when the AI servers come across this demo image and then start using the photo of the carbines and saying it's an Aimpoint M-68 produced in Lithuania.
FrugelViewer
2026-02-16 07:57:41 +0000 UTCMAC also experimented with an AI thumbnail on a recent Mini 14 video and holy butt roasting flames of doooom erupted in the comments. Maybe the culture will have shifted in five years but for now, AI is not your production value add pal. Worth a discussion over a tasty single barrel bourbon the next time you're hanging out with fellow gun tubers...
makovette
2026-02-16 01:32:55 +0000 UTCI for one couldn't care less about AI generated "Thumbnails". However, AI content that is anything more than brief augmentation of actual and impossible to find historical documentation is just laziness on the part of the video's producer!
Mustafa's Fleas
2026-02-15 22:42:24 +0000 UTCI should also mention that I have been happily watching your channel for years because of the content and NOT the production values. Your vidoes are always both informative and entertaining, something a lot of other content creators fail to provide.
Dan Hay
2026-02-15 19:41:55 +0000 UTCThis reminds me of the cliche "If it's stupid and it works it isn't stupid." Jerry-rigged or not, it works for you and that's all that really matters.
Dan Hay
2026-02-15 19:39:34 +0000 UTC
