YouTube is rolling out new tools designed to streamline custom thumbnail creation for both short-form and long-form content. The update aims to reduce friction in the video creation process.
The platform's latest feature set addresses a common pain point for creators who want to customize how their videos appear in feeds and search results.
Custom thumbnails have long been important for video discoverability and click-through rates. YouTube's new tools make the process faster and more accessible, whether creators are uploading Shorts or traditional longer videos.
The simplified workflow reduces the number of steps required to upload and apply custom thumbnails, lowering the barrier to entry for creators who may lack design experience. The update applies across YouTube's ecosystem, standardizing the process across content formats.
This move follows YouTube's broader effort to improve creator tools and workflows. The platform has steadily added features aimed at reducing technical overhead, allowing creators to focus on content production rather than administrative tasks.
No pricing changes or premium requirements have been announced with this update.
Facebook is testing a full-screen "immersive video" player that replaces the newsfeed when users open the app. The test will roll out in select international markets this year, with potential U.S. expansion planned for 2024.
Waymo is reportedly considering ending its partnership with Uber. The companies' contract is set to expire in May 2028, according to Uber's statement to TechCrunch.
Nothing cofounder Akis Evangelidis acknowledged staff reductions and company reorganization but dismissed reports of a 12-market exit as exaggerated. The smartphone maker also defended Phone 4B sales figures against criticism of weak demand.