YouTube Now Lets Creators Test Video Titles Alongside Thumbnails in Studio

The goal is to identify the most engaging combinations before fully publishing content. 

YouTube is rolling out a powerful new feature to help creators enhance their content strategy — the platform has begun testing video titles as part of its “Test & Compare” tool in YouTube Studio. This comes alongside the ongoing expansion of YouTube’s thumbnail A/B testing, offering creators deeper insights into what grabs viewer attention and drives watch time.

As part of this latest update, creators can now A/B test video titles, helping them determine which headlines generate more interest and engagement. This is especially valuable for improving click-through rates (CTR) and overall video performance on the platform.

“We’re starting to experiment with a feature that gives creators the ability to test titles as well as thumbnails using our ‘Test & Compare’ feature in Studio,” YouTube shared. “We’re rolling this out to a small percentage of creators initially, with plans to expand further.”

How YouTube Title and Thumbnail Testing Works

The thumbnail comparison feature, introduced in 2023, allows creators to upload up to three thumbnail images. YouTube then displays these thumbnails evenly to viewers, tracking watch time share to determine which performs best. The winning thumbnail is automatically selected based on user behavior — ensuring that your video has the most appealing visual presentation.

Now, a similar methodology is being applied to video title testing, where YouTube will track which title drives higher watch time and engagement. Since YouTube considers watch time a key ranking factor, this feature can significantly boost video visibility, channel growth, and audience retention.

Top creators like MrBeast are known to invest heavily in thumbnail and title optimization, recognizing the role these elements play in attracting clicks and sustaining viewer interest. By giving all creators access to these tools, YouTube is empowering them to experiment, refine, and succeed with data-driven insights.

With this expanded feature set, YouTube Studio’s Test & Compare tool becomes a must-use resource for creators aiming to fine-tune their content and increase their success on the platform.