MrBeast Spends $10K on Each Thumbnail—Here’s How You Can Copy Him for Just a Few Dollars

If you’ve ever wondered why MrBeast’s videos consistently dominate YouTube, here’s one big reason: he spends up to $10,000 on every thumbnail.

Yep, ten grand for a single image. Sounds wild, right? But when you think about how much his thumbnails grab attention and pull in millions of views, it starts to make sense.

Now, the great news is, you don’t need $10,000 to create thumbnails that get clicks. In fact, with the right approach (and a little help from AI tools), you can achieve similar results for just a few bucks. Let’s break it all down.

Why Does MrBeast Drop $10K on Thumbnails?

For MrBeast, thumbnails aren’t just some afterthought—they’re a massive part of his success. They’re like billboards for his videos, and he knows they have to be perfect.

Here’s where his money goes:

• Telling a Story: each thumbnail is designed to spark curiosity in seconds. Think oversized objects, bold concepts, or dramatic emotions.
• High-Quality Visuals: from professional photoshoots to custom props, his thumbnails are all about standing out.
• Expert Editing: a team of designers meticulously crafts every detail—color, composition, text—you name it.
• Testing for Success: he tests different versions to see which one gets the most clicks.

Basically, MrBeast’s thumbnails are built to be irresistible. And while his methods are pricey, the strategies behind them can work for anyone.

MrBeast’s 3 Golden Rules for Thumbnails

If there’s one thing MrBeast is clear about, it’s that good thumbnails need to be simple, colorful, and visual.

1. Simple: less is more. A clean, straightforward design lets the story shine.
2. Colorful: bright, contrasting colors help your thumbnail pop on YouTube’s busy interface.
3. Visual: show, don’t tell. The image should immediately convey what your video is about.

And then there’s his face. It’s practically a trademark. He’s got a few tricks here too:

• Smooth and Polished: it’s always camera-ready.
• Expressive: whether it’s excitement, shock, or curiosity, his expressions create hype.
• Eye Contact: looking directly at the camera builds a connection with viewers.
• Big and Bold: his face takes up a huge portion of the thumbnail, making it impossible to miss.

These aren’t just random choices—they’re designed to grab attention and make you click.

How to Make Thumbnails Like MrBeast Without the $10K Price Tag

Alright, let’s get into the good stuff. Here’s how you can take MrBeast’s strategies and make them work for you—even on a tight budget.

1. Start with a Strong Idea

Before you do anything else, ask yourself: what’s the most interesting or exciting moment from my video? That’s your hook.

• What MrBeast Does: his thumbnails are like mini-mysteries—they make you want to know more.
• What You Can Do: think about the one thing that will grab attention. Need help brainstorming? Tools like ChatGPT or Claude can turn your ideas into visually striking concepts.

2. Use High-Quality Images

You don’t need professional gear to capture great visuals, but clarity and sharpness are non-negotiable.

• What MrBeast Does: he stages photoshoots with top-tier cameras and props.
• What You Can Do: use your phone, natural lighting, and some DIY props to get the job done.

3. Master the Edit

Editing is where the magic happens. This is your chance to make your thumbnail pop.

• What MrBeast Does: his team fine-tunes every detail to perfection.
• What You Can Do: free tools like Canva or Fotor are great for adding bold text and vibrant colors. For more advanced options, AI platforms like ThumbGenie can help you create polished designs in minutes.

Pro tip: Make sure any faces in your thumbnails are expressive, big, and looking directly at the viewer—it’s an easy way to boost engagement.

4. Test and Tweak

Even MrBeast doesn’t get it perfect on the first try. He runs tests to see which thumbnails perform best.

• What MrBeast Does: he A/B tests multiple designs to find the winner.
• What You Can Do: while you might not have access to fancy testing tools, YouTube Analytics can give you insights. Experiment with different designs and see what works for your audience.

Why Thumbnails Are Worth the Effort

Let’s face it: people judge videos by their thumbnails.

A killer thumbnail means more clicks, better engagement, and a higher chance of going viral. And YouTube’s algorithm? It loves videos with high click-through rates.

It’s no surprise that 90% of top-performing YouTube videos have custom thumbnails.

The Budget-Friendly Shortcut: AI Tools

If you’re working on a budget, AI tools like ThumbGenie are a total game-changer. They make it easy to:

• Design thumbnails that match your channel’s style.
• Generate multiple options in seconds.
• Get pro-level results without spending a fortune.

With tools like this, you can focus on creating great content while letting AI handle the heavy lifting.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need $10K to Succeed

MrBeast’s $10,000 thumbnails show just how powerful good design can be. But you don’t need deep pockets to create click-worthy thumbnails.

By keeping things simple, colorful, and visual—and using affordable tools like ThumbGenie—you can craft thumbnails that grab attention and grow your channel.

Remember, it’s not about spending a fortune. It’s about understanding what makes people click. Start experimenting, refine your process, and watch as your thumbnails take your channel to the next level.

If MrBeast can do it with $10K, imagine what you can do with just a few bucks and a little creativity!