Set and Customize Thumbnails

A thumbnail is the preview image for your project on Descript web links and share pages. You can choose any frame from your video or upload a custom image.

Need to save a frame as an image file instead? Learn how to save a frame from your video.

Thumbnails for exports and YouTube

Thumbnails set in Descript do not appear in locally exported files or YouTube videos. YouTube thumbnails must be updated in YouTube Studio after publishing. Learn more about exporting directly to YouTube.

Thumbnails on share pages and Descript web links

When exporting a composition to a Descript web link, the thumbnail is the first thing viewers see on your share page. You can choose a frame from your project or upload a custom image.

To change the share link thumbnail:

From the editor:

  1. Click Export
  2. In the export window, click the thumbnail image to choose a new one

Export window with thumbnail option

From the share page:

  1. Click the Settings icon
  2. Click the thumbnail image
  3. Choose a different frame or upload an image

Share page thumbnail settings

 

Thumbnail behavior and limitations

  • Share page thumbnails only affect Descript web links and embeds
  • Thumbnails do not appear in exported/downloaded files
  • Thumbnails are not transferred to YouTube—use YouTube Studio to change them