Creating Thumbnail Text with ChatGPT - AI Copywriting Tips

Introduction

According to YouTube research, thumbnails with human faces record an average of 154% higher click-through rate. Especially expressions showing emotions stimulate viewers' curiosity. But which expression should be placed "how"? Let's find out with AI tools!

Why Are Faces Effective?

Instinctive Human Response

Our brains are designed to automatically recognize human faces, especially eyes. This is a survival instinct that evolved over thousands of years.

Scientific Evidence:

• Face recognition speed: 0.1 seconds (2x faster than other images)
• Emotion expression recognition: 0.15 seconds
• Eye contact effect: 3x increase in attention

Emotional Connection

Expressions instantly convey the video's "tone" and "expectations" to viewers.

Effects by Expression:

• Surprise 😲: Triggers curiosity, induces clicks
• Smile 😄: Positive expectations, comfort
• Serious 🤨: Trust, professionalism
• Questioning 🤔: Empathy, curiosity

Removing Backgrounds and Emphasizing Faces with Canva AI

Using Background Remover

Step-by-Step Practice:

Step 1: Upload Photo

In Canva:
1. Create YouTube thumbnail project
2. Upload your photo (one with clear face)
3. Click photo → "Background Remover"

Step 2: AI Automatically Removes Background

• Canva's AI removes background in 1-2 seconds
• Cleanly leaves only face and upper body
• Fine-tune with "Eraser" tool if needed

Step 3: Place on New Background

Effective Placement:
- Face size: 40-60% of thumbnail
- Position: Right or left (opposite text)
- Margins: Ensure sufficient space around face

Recommended Backgrounds by Expression

Getting Combination Ideas from ChatGPT:

My Input:

I'm using a "surprised expression" photo in a YouTube thumbnail,
recommend 3 matching background colors and text styles.

ChatGPT's Response:

1. Shock/Urgency Concept

   • Background: Bright red → dark red gradient
   • Text: White, thick black outline
   • Additional elements: "!" exclamation mark, yellow highlight
   • Example: "Is this for real?!"

2. Curiosity Inducing Concept

   • Background: Deep purple → dark blue gradient
   • Text: Bright yellow, white outline
   • Additional elements: "?" question mark, mysterious light effect
   • Example: "The secret nobody knew"

3. Discovery/Tip Concept

   • Background: Orange → yellow gradient
   • Text: Dark navy, white outline
   • Additional elements: Light bulb icon, star effect
   • Example: "Didn't know this method?"

Optimizing Face Size and Position

Golden Ratio Layouts

Layout 1: Right Face + Left Text

Composition:
- Left 60%: Text area
- Right 40%: Face (eye level at top 1/3 of thumbnail)

Advantages:
- Western reader friendly (left→right reading habit)
- Read text first then gaze moves to face

Suitable for:
- Informational content
- Tutorials
- Explanation videos

Layout 2: Center Face + Top/Bottom Text

Composition:
- Top 20%: Sub text
- Center 50%: Large face
- Bottom 30%: Main text

Advantages:
- Face stands out most
- Strong first impression

Suitable for:
- Reaction videos
- Vlogs
- Interviews

Layout 3: Left Face + Right Text

Composition:
- Left 45%: Face (slightly turned to look right)
- Right 55%: Text + additional elements

Advantages:
- Face gaze points to text
- Natural flow

Suitable for:
- Storytelling
- Product reviews
- Recommendation content

Analyzing Expressions with AI

Using ChatGPT Image Analysis

Real Example:

My Input:

[Upload photo]

I'm using this photo for a YouTube thumbnail.
Analyze what kind of feeling the expression gives,
what topics it suits, and if there's anything to improve.

ChatGPT's Response Example:

Expression Analysis:
- Smile is natural and friendly
- Eyes are bright and positive
- Slightly tilted head gives comfortable feeling

Recommended Topics:
✓ Daily vlogs
✓ Beginner guides
✓ Product unboxing
✓ Q&A sessions

Not Recommended Topics:
✗ Urgent news
✗ Shocking revelations
✗ Controversial issues

Improvement Suggestions:
1. Lighting: Left side of face slightly dark → brighten it
2. Background: Clean but white wall is monotonous → recommend removal and color background
3. Composition: Slightly shot from above → eye level would be better

Canva AI Photo Enhancement Features

Emphasizing Expression More with Magic Edit

1. Auto-Adjusting Brightness/Contrast

In Canva:
1. Select face photo
2. "Edit" → "Auto Adjust"
3. AI automatically sets optimal brightness and contrast

2. Focus Effect on Face

Method:
1. Apply blur effect to background
2. Vignetting around face (dark border)
3. Subtle sharpen effect on face

Result:
→ Face stands out more and attracts gaze

3. Color Temperature Adjustment

Warm feeling (friendliness):
- Color temperature: +10~15
- Suitable: Daily, cooking, healing content

Cool feeling (professionalism):
- Color temperature: -10~15
- Suitable: Tech, finance, education content

Text Combinations by Expression

Finding Optimal Combinations with ChatGPT

My Input:

Thumbnail topic: "Making Café Latte at Home"
Expression: Brightly smiling while holding latte

Recommend 3 matching texts.
Include both main and sub phrases for each.

ChatGPT's Response:

1. Simplicity Emphasis Type

   • Main: "Done in 3 Minutes"
   • Sub: "Café Latte at Home"
   • Placement: Text left, smiling face right

2. Cost Emphasis Type

   • Main: "Make with $1"
   • Sub: "Premium Latte"
   • Placement: Text top, face center bottom

3. Transformation Emphasis Type

   • Main: "Start Home Café"
   • Sub: "I'm a Barista Too"
   • Placement: Text bottom, face top center

Real Tips: Face Angle and Gaze

Using Gaze Direction

1. Direct Gaze (Looking at camera)

Effect: Strong eye contact, direct communication
Click-through rate: High (especially for friendly content)
Suitable: Greetings, Q&A, sincere stories

2. Side Gaze (Looking at text)

Effect: Gaze points to message
Click-through rate: Very high (gaze guidance effect)
Suitable: Product introduction, tip sharing, recommendations

3. Up/Down Gaze

Effect: Thinking appearance, seriousness
Click-through rate: Medium
Suitable: Analysis, comparison, in-depth reviews

Verifying Gaze Direction Optimization with AI

Using Thumbnail.ai:

1. Upload thumbnail
2. Check AI analysis results:
   - "Gaze points to text, which is good"
   - "Face is too small, emotions not visible"
   - "Expression and text tone don't match"
3. Apply improvement suggestions

Face + Text Complete Templates

Template 1: Reaction Impact

Composition:
- Background: Solid color (bright)
- Face: Center large (60% of thumbnail)
- Expression: Exaggerated surprise/shock
- Text: Top or bottom (short and powerful)

Example:
- Expression: 😱 mouth open surprise
- Background: Red gradient
- Text: "Is this real?!"

Template 2: Friendly Guide

Composition:
- Background: Gradient (warm tone)
- Face: Right 45% (smile)
- Text: Left 55% (friendly tone)
- Additional: Arrow or icon

Example:
- Expression: 😊 natural smile
- Background: Orange→yellow gradient
- Text: "Easy Even for Beginners / Cooking Recipe"

Template 3: Expert Trust

Composition:
- Background: Dark color (blue/gray)
- Face: Left 40% (serious expression)
- Text: Right 60% (clear information)
- Additional: Data, numbers

Example:
- Expression: 🤔 serious contemplation
- Background: Navy blue
- Text: "Expert's / Investment Strategy"

2 Minutes 30 Seconds Completion Workflow

Full Process:

1. Photo Selection and Upload (20 seconds)

   • Select photo with clear expression

2. Background Removal (15 seconds)

   • Click Canva Background Remover
   • Wait for AI automatic processing

3. Background Design (40 seconds)

   • Generate solid or gradient background
   • Select color matching expression

4. Face Placement and Adjustment (30 seconds)

   • Adjust size (40-60%)
   • Position placement (left/right/center)

5. Add Text (30 seconds)

   • Message matching expression
   • Adjust size and color

6. Final Enhancement (15 seconds)

   • Optimize brightness with auto-adjustment
   • Mobile preview

Total Time: 2 Minutes 30 Seconds

Conclusion

Human faces are powerful weapons in thumbnails. With AI tools, you can effectively emphasize expressions and perfectly harmonize them with text, even without a professional designer.

In the next article, I'll show you how to add "arrows and emphasis icons" to thumbnails to guide gaze and make messages even clearer!

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💡 Today's Tip: Even the same expression can feel completely different depending on lighting. Using Canva's "Auto Adjust" feature, AI finds the optimal brightness for you!