YouTube Thumbnail
YouTube Thumbnail That Gets Clicked AI Photo Prompt
Build a high-contrast 16:9 thumbnail prompt with a clear subject, short text, and a curiosity hook.
Example output - YouTube Thumbnail That Gets Clicked
The Prompt
youtube-thumbnail-that-gets-clicked.md
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.
Negative prompt
Included when you copy the prompt
tiny text, watermark, channel URL, multiple faces, cluttered background, low contrast, unreadable headline, busy patterns, extra logos, blurry face, overcrowded composition
Fill in your details below - this prompt updates as you type, then copy it.
Fill in your details
0 of 5 filled. Preview updates as you type - then copy the finished prompt (negative prompt included when present).
youtube-thumbnail-that-gets-clicked.md
Prompt preview
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.
Examples
Example input
Video title: I Quit My Job to Sell Handmade Mugs. Niche: maker / small business. Subject: creator holding a finished mug, surprised grin. Emotion: excited disbelief. Text: I QUIT MY JOB.
What you should get
A 16:9 high-contrast prompt with one large face, simple background, room for text; on-image text I QUIT MY JOB; two-colour pairing; Ideogram sharp-text note; Midjourney variant with the headline described - readable at 160px wide.
How to use this AI photo prompt
- Upload a clear reference photo of your face (well-lit, front-facing works best).
- Fill any placeholders on this page, then tap Copy Prompt.
- Paste into Ideogram (also works with DALL·E, Midjourney) and generate.
- Keep your face locked - only wardrobe, pose, and scene should change.
Privacy: If you attach a face reference, do it in the AI tool. Codextroop Prompt Library never receives or stores your photos.
Works best with Ideogram / DALL·E / Midjourney
Identity-preserving image-to-image prompts need a strong face reference. Avoid heavy beauty filters on the upload and use the negative prompt when your tool supports it.
Tips for better youtube thumbnail results
- Match the example aspect ratio when your tool allows it (often 4:5 for portraits).
- If the face drifts, re-upload a sharper photo and keep the same prompt text.
- Copy related youtube thumbnail prompts below to try alternate looks with the same identity lock.
When to use this prompt
Use it when
- You need help with youtubers.
- You need help with editors.
- You need help with content teams.
Skip it when
- You only need a one-line ask with no constraints, format, or context.
- You cannot supply the fill-in details the template asks for.
- You want a modern digital look or heavy filter effect instead of the era/style this prompt targets.
How to get a good result
Done when
A 16:9 high-contrast prompt with one large face, simple background, room for text; on-image text I QUIT MY JOB; two-colour pairing; Ideogram sharp-text note; Midjourney variant with the headline described - readable at 160px wide.
Common mistakes
- Leaving video_title, niche, subject vague - the model then invents placeholders.
- Asking Ideogram, DALL·E, or Midjourney for a shorter answer after a long structured prompt - that throws away the format rules.
- Stopping when the first draft appears instead of checking it against the success criteria below.
FAQ
- What do I fill in before I copy this prompt?
- Replace these placeholders with your details: video_title, niche, subject, emotion, text. Required fields are marked on the page. The prompt text updates as you type.
- Which AI tools is this prompt written for?
- It works best with Ideogram, DALL·E, Midjourney. Copy the filled prompt and paste it into the tool you already use.
- What should a good result look like?
- A 16:9 high-contrast prompt with one large face, simple background, room for text; on-image text I QUIT MY JOB; two-colour pairing; Ideogram sharp-text note; Midjourney variant with the headline described - readable at 160px wide.
- What are common mistakes with this prompt?
- Leaving video_title, niche, subject vague - the model then invents placeholders. Asking Ideogram, DALL·E, or Midjourney for a shorter answer after a long structured prompt - that throws away the format rules. Stopping when the first draft appears instead of checking it against the success criteria below.
Best for
- YouTubers
- Editors
- Content teams
Related Prompts
More prompts like this — same topic and style.
