Instagram videos are an important aspect of the channel’s promotion. In the first quarter of 2017, 5.2 million people viewed sponsored videos on Instagram alone, and those numbers have almost definitely increased since the advent and popularity of video-heavy features like Stories, Reels, and IGTV.
Videos can help you tell a brand narrative successfully, express the genuine value or use case of a product, and demonstrate the human components behind your brand. This is true on Instagram as much as any other platform, and with an engaged audience eager to hear what you have to say, spending time generating more videos is a wise decision.
While Instagram videos are luckily quite easy to make, there are a few strategies that can help you dramatically enhance performance by getting more clicks (if necessary) and drawing attention. Making Instagram video thumbnails is one of those techniques. The thumbnail size for Instagram IGTV videos is 420 x 654 pixels. Thumbnail size for Instagram in-feed videos are: Vertical = 1080 x 608 pixels. Horizontal = 1080 x 1350 pixels. Portrait = 1080 x 1080 pixels. Thumbnail size for Instagram reels are: Main feed = 1080 x 1080 pixels. Reels feed = 864 x 1080 pixels.
In this blog, we’ll discuss what the Instagram video thumbnail size is and how to construct Instagram video thumbnails for your content to halt viewers as they scroll down their feeds.
Why Do You Need Instagram Video Thumbnails?
It’s a popular misperception that video thumbnails are unnecessary on Instagram since many will autoplay throughout the stream.
This is not the case. While video thumbnails aren’t necessary for Reels or Stories unless you want a lightning-fast opening screen, they are essential for Instagram posts and IGTV videos.
While Instagram videos can automatically play in feeds, you want people to view them even when they aren’t in their feeds. When people look at your profile, for example, they will see the thumbnail picture.
This is also true for the ‘Explore’ area, which is a fantastic chance to interact with new members of your target audience; you don’t want to squander this opportunity by utilizing a thumbnail that doesn’t instantly grab attention.
Choosing a good video thumbnail could be the difference between engaging people, boosting purchases, and drawing new users and users just scrolling through their feeds without looking.
What Should Be the Instagram Video Thumbnail Size?
If you want to communicate and engage with your followers via videos, you’ll also want to be aware of the proper size and proportions. In your stream, you can choose between square, horizontal, and landscape movies.
1. For IGTV Videos
The ideal Instagram video thumbnail size for Instagram IGTV videos is 420 x 654 pixels and a 1:1.55 aspect ratio.
2. For In-feed Videos
The ideal Instagram video thumbnail sizes for Instagram in-feed videos are:
- Vertical = 1080 x 608 pixels and a 1.9:1 aspect ratio
- Horizontal = 1080 x 1350 pixels and a 4:5 aspect ratio
- Portrait = 1080 x 1080 pixels and a 1:1 aspect ratio.
3. For Instagram Reels
The ideal Instagram video thumbnail sizes for Instagram reels are:
- For main feed = 1080 x 1080 pixels and a 1:1 aspect ratio.
- For reels feed = 864 x 1080 pixels and a 4:5 aspect ratio.
What About Instagram Stories?
There is no thumbnail choice for Stories videos since they play instantly when viewers hit on your profile photo.
However, if you opt to archive your Stories for IG highlights, each Highlight you make must have a tiny thumbnail. Although you may provide square photos to be cropped, we highly advocate producing branded thumbnails that look fantastic next to one other.
Since they are so little, stick to basic patterns that are easy to read.
Tips to Create Engaging Instagram Video Thumbnails
The following recommended practices will help you catch user attention, increase clicks, and improve views when producing Instagram video thumbnails for in-feed posts, reels, and IGTV:
1. Use Text to Explain the Video
Sometimes the greatest method to persuade folks to watch your video is to convey what it’s about right away in the thumbnail. Using a tool like Predis.ai to add text overlay to a thumbnail picture can make all the difference in whether or not people stop to watch. Concentrate on delivering value, and you’ll be OK.
2. Leverage Bold and Contrasting Colors
Here at Predis, we love bright, clashing hues. They stand out in users’ feeds and direct attention to a focus point.
3. Consider what your audience wants to see
This is a terrific option if you have the potential to display a strong, fascinating visual that quickly gets someone’s attention.
Wrapping It Up
Apart from IGTV, Instagram makes it difficult to add video thumbnails and cover pictures to your on-platform content. You’ll need to attach photos to the video itself before posting it to Instagram for in-feed content, but as the examples above show, it’s well worth the work.
When it comes to making video thumbnails, using simple, no-experience-required graphic design software is a sure bet. At Predis.ai, you can utilize drag-and-drop technology (along with any of our pre-loaded designs!) to generate stunning thumbnails and cover photographs for your audience.
You may also like,
Facebook videos thumbnail size guide
