> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.pickfu.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# YouTube thumbnail comparison

> Test YouTube thumbnail variants with real viewers and pick the image that earns the most clicks and improves watch-time before publishing your video.

Improve watch metrics by testing your YouTube thumbnails before publishing videos.

<Frame caption="A real youtube thumbnail comparison poll — the question and options respondents saw.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pickfu/nrohUWUaawyBgKuI/images/use-cases/youtube-thumbnail-comparison.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=nrohUWUaawyBgKuI&q=85&s=d4670e990aded24d067cf7db9bbabda2" alt="YouTube thumbnail comparison example poll" width="1800" height="835" data-path="images/use-cases/youtube-thumbnail-comparison.png" />
</Frame>

[See the full interactive result →](https://www.pickfu.com/results/T8V816UuJo)

## When to use

Built for marketers and entrepreneurs. Reach for it when your options are ready and you want a fast, real-audience read before you commit.

## The test at a glance

| Setting   | Value                                                                                                                                                                   |
| --------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Poll type | Ranked                                                                                                                                                                  |
| Question  | "Which thumbnail would make you more likely to click on the YouTube video?"                                                                                             |
| Options   | 2-4 thumbnails                                                                                                                                                          |
| Audience  | 30 targeted respondents                                                                                                                                                 |
| Reporting | Gender identity, Racial or ethnic identity, Age of kids, Age range, Favorite social media platforms, Favorite mobile game genres, Pet owner, Cryptocurrency investments |

## Run it

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="One-click">
    [Use this template →](https://app.pickfu.com/ask/template/youtube-thumbnail-comparison?regular=true)
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="AI · MCP">
    ```text theme={null}
    Create a PickFu ranked poll titled "YouTube thumbnail comparison".
    Question: "Which thumbnail would make you more likely to click on the YouTube video?"
    Setup: Ranked poll.  Respondents will see all thumbnails in a random order, rank them in order of preference, and tell you why they made that choice.
    Audience: 30 respondents, targeting Custom trait; report by Gender identity, Racial or ethnic identity, Age of kids.
    Publish it, then summarize the result when responses arrive.
    Tools: save_survey, publish_survey, get_survey_responses.
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="CLI">
    ```bash theme={null}
    # Create + publish with the PickFu CLI — see /integrations/cli
    pickfu survey create --type ranked --question "Which thumbnail would make you more likely to click on the YouTube video?" --sample-size 30
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="API">
    ```bash theme={null}
    # POST /v1/surveys — see /api-reference/surveys
    curl -X POST https://api.pickfu.com/v1/surveys \
      -H "Authorization: Bearer $PICKFU_API_KEY" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -d '{"questions":[{"type":"ranked","prompt":"Which thumbnail would make you more likely to click on the YouTube video?"}],"sampleSize":30}'
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="URL parameters">
    ```
    https://app.pickfu.com/ask/survey?q1-type=ranked&q1-prompt=Which+thumbnail+would+make+you+more+likely+to+click+on+the+YouTube+video%3F&sample_size=30
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Customize

* **Audience** — swap or add [targeting traits](/docs/guides/url-parameters#targeting-and-settings) (e.g. `amznpr` for Amazon Prime shoppers).
* **Sample size** — `15` for a fast read, `30` (default), `100`+ for higher confidence.
* **Country** — add `country=US` (or CA, GB, DE, …) to target a locale.