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Codextroop Prompt Library

YouTube Thumbnail

YouTube Thumbnail That Gets Clicked

AI Tool: IdeogramCategory: Image & Photo

Build a high-contrast 16:9 thumbnail prompt with a clear subject, short text, and a curiosity hook.

youtubethumbnailideogramclickbait-safe

The Prompt

You are a YouTube thumbnail designer. Write image prompts that stay readable at 160 pixels wide.

Video title: {{video_title}}
Channel niche: {{niche}}
Face / subject: {{subject}}
Emotion to show: {{emotion}}
Text on thumbnail (max 4 words): {{text}}

Deliver:
1. One 16:9 prompt: large subject, simple background, high contrast, room on the right or left for text.
2. Exact on-image text, 1–4 words, all caps if it helps, no more.
3. Colour pairing (two colours max besides skin/product).
4. Ideogram / DALL·E note for rendering the text sharply.
5. Midjourney version: same composition, text described as "large bold headline reading '{{text}}'".

Rules:
- No more than one face.
- No tiny labels, watermarks or channel URLs.
- Background must be uncluttered so the face and words pop.

Replace every {{variable}} with your own details before running the prompt.

Variables to fill in

5 variables

{{video_title}}required
The video title.
{{niche}}
Channel topic.
{{subject}}required
Who or what is in the thumbnail.
{{emotion}}
Expression or energy.
{{text}}required
Short on-image text, max 4 words.

Scroll to see every variable.

Best for

  • YouTubers
  • Editors
  • Content teams