# Courses: Pick a Video Frame as Lesson Thumbnail > Capture a video frame or upload a custom image to set lesson thumbnails in GHL Customer Care. Improve branding, clarity, and engagement across your courses. - Source: https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/memberships-and-communities/membership-courses-sites/courses-pick-a-video-frame-as-lesson-thumbnail - Section: Memberships & Communities / Membership/Courses Sites - Reading time: 3 min - Images: 4, each explained below - Modified on Fri, 26 Sep, 2025 at 7:18 AM --- Make your GHL Customer Care course content stand out by setting a compelling thumbnail for each lesson. You can either capture an exact frame from your uploaded video or upload a custom image. Clear thumbnails improve navigation, boost click-through rates, and keep your branding consistent across lessons. --- ## **Key Benefits of Video Frame Thumbnails** Choosing a thumbnail strategically helps learners recognize content quickly, improves perceived production value, and supports a consistent brand experience across your course library. - **Brand consistency**: Keep lesson visuals aligned with your brand style and course theme. - **Higher engagement**: Use dynamic, relevant frames to attract more plays and reduce bounce. - **Faster workflow**: Set a thumbnail in a click without leaving GHL Customer Care or using external editors. - **Improved navigation**: Distinct thumbnails make it easier for learners to find the right lesson. --- ## **Where Thumbnails Display (Lesson vs. Video)** Understanding where your chosen image appears helps you set expectations for the learner experience and maintain consistency. - After saving, the selected image appears as the **Lesson thumbnail** and the **Video thumbnail** inside that lesson. - Want a different image for the lesson tile than the video player? Upload a separate **lesson thumbnail** image to override it. --- ## **Requirements & Limitations** Ensure you’re working within supported scenarios so the thumbnail you select behaves as expected. - Works with **videos uploaded directly** to the lesson in GHL Customer Care. - For lessons using **embedded third‑party players**, select **Upload custom thumbnail** to control the lesson tile image. - Always click **Save** to confirm your thumbnail selection. --- ## **Best Practices for Effective Thumbnails** Thoughtful thumbnail design improves learner clarity and course professionalism, especially for longer programs. - Use clear subject matter (speaker face, key graphic, or product) centered in frame. - Add minimal, readable text if needed (3–5 words max) to communicate the lesson’s focus. - Ensure good contrast and sharpness; avoid dark, blurry, or busy frames. - Keep visual style consistent across lessons (colors, typography, framing). --- ## **How To Setup a Lesson Thumbnail** Following a simple, repeatable process ensures your thumbnail updates consistently and displays correctly in both the lesson and video contexts. 1. Go to **Sites > Memberships > Courses** and open your course. ![Step 1 of 5: Go to Sites > Memberships > Courses and open your course](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155054619172/original/aJwSc-Pinywdi_PxJo3uhTlyWpri66Oiag.png) **Step 1 of 5: Go to Sites > Memberships > Courses and open your course** This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 5 in the "How To Setup a Lesson Thumbnail" section of "Courses: Pick a Video Frame as Lesson Thumbnail". At this point in the walkthrough you go to Sites > Memberships > Courses and open your course. The navigation path used here is Sites > Memberships > Courses. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below. The next step is to select the Lesson you want to edit and upload the video. - Path: Sites > Memberships > Courses - Where to go: Go to Sites > Memberships > Courses and open your course. - Fields: Important - Lesson vs. Video Thumbnail, To use different images: - Controls: Sites > Memberships > Courses, Lesson, Choose a frame, Use current frame as thumbnail, Save, Important - Lesson vs. Video Thumbnail, Video thumbnail (1), Lesson thumbnail (2), Video thumbnail, Lesson thumbnail, video frame, Upload - Next: Select the Lesson you want to edit and upload the video. Full procedure: 1. Go to Sites > Memberships > Courses and open your course. <- this image 2. Select the Lesson you want to edit and upload the video. 3. Choose a frame: Play to the desired moment, pause, then click Use current frame as thumbnail. 4. Important - Lesson vs. Video Thumbnail 5. Return to your course list to confirm the Lesson and Video thumbnails match your selection. 2. Select the **Lesson** you want to edit and upload the video. ![Step 2 of 5: Select the Lesson you want to edit and upload the video](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155054619273/original/Y-AS3F51JprnOyh_VOiWI0M0PF97BVzMsg.png) **Step 2 of 5: Select the Lesson you want to edit and upload the video** This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 5 in the "How To Setup a Lesson Thumbnail" section of "Courses: Pick a Video Frame as Lesson Thumbnail". At this point in the walkthrough you select the Lesson you want to edit and upload the video. The navigation path used here is Sites > Memberships > Courses. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below. The next step is to choose a frame: Play to the desired moment, pause, then click Use current frame as thumbnail. - Path: Sites > Memberships > Courses - What to choose: Select the Lesson you want to edit and upload the video. - Fields: Important - Lesson vs. Video Thumbnail, To use different images: - Controls: Lesson, Sites > Memberships > Courses, Choose a frame, Use current frame as thumbnail, Save, Important - Lesson vs. Video Thumbnail, Video thumbnail (1), Lesson thumbnail (2), Video thumbnail, Lesson thumbnail, video frame, Upload - Next: Choose a frame: Play to the desired moment, pause, then click Use current frame as thumbnail. Full procedure: 1. Go to Sites > Memberships > Courses and open your course. 2. Select the Lesson you want to edit and upload the video. <- this image 3. Choose a frame: Play to the desired moment, pause, then click Use current frame as thumbnail. 4. Important - Lesson vs. Video Thumbnail 5. Return to your course list to confirm the Lesson and Video thumbnails match your selection. 3. **Choose a frame**: Play to the desired moment, pause, then click **Use current frame as thumbnail**. - Confirm the preview updates. - Click **Save** in the lesson editor. ![Step 2 of 2: Click Save in the lesson editor](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155054619596/original/9AnDc5l1PGHRHoAUqSsnrTfh-KjiskJZ1g.png) **Step 2 of 2: Click Save in the lesson editor** This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 2 in the "How To Setup a Lesson Thumbnail" section of "Courses: Pick a Video Frame as Lesson Thumbnail". At this point in the walkthrough you click Save in the lesson editor. For context, this section explains: Following a simple, repeatable process ensures your thumbnail updates consistently and displays correctly in both the lesson and video contexts. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below. - How to confirm: Click Save in the lesson editor. - Fields: Important - Lesson vs. Video Thumbnail, To use different images: - Controls: Save, Sites > Memberships > Courses, Lesson, Choose a frame, Use current frame as thumbnail, Important - Lesson vs. Video Thumbnail, Video thumbnail (1), Lesson thumbnail (2), Video thumbnail, Lesson thumbnail, video frame, Upload Full procedure: 1. Confirm the preview updates. 2. Click Save in the lesson editor. <- this image 4. **Important - Lesson vs. Video Thumbnail** - Selecting **Use current frame as thumbnail** sets both the **Video thumbnail (1)** (the image shown before playback) and **Lesson thumbnail (2)** (the image on the course/lesson tile) ![Step 1 of 2: Selecting Use current frame as thumbnail sets both the Video thumbnail…](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155054619676/original/RKqhWqXfIw4y_oDk8sUdJdfwJCYGSB_ZrA.png) **Step 1 of 2: Selecting Use current frame as thumbnail sets both the Video thumbnail…** This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 2 in the "How To Setup a Lesson Thumbnail" section of "Courses: Pick a Video Frame as Lesson Thumbnail". At this point in the walkthrough you selecting Use current frame as thumbnail sets both the Video thumbnail (1) (the image shown before playback) and Lesson thumbnail (2) (the image on the course/lesson tile). This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below. The next step is to to use different images. - What this covers: Selecting Use current frame as thumbnail sets both the Video thumbnail (1) (the image shown before playback) and Lesson thumbnail (2) (the image on the course/lesson tile) - Fields: Important - Lesson vs. Video Thumbnail, To use different images: - Controls: Use current frame as thumbnail, Video thumbnail (1), Lesson thumbnail (2), Sites > Memberships > Courses, Lesson, Choose a frame, Save, Important - Lesson vs. Video Thumbnail, Video thumbnail, Lesson thumbnail, video frame, Upload - Next: To use different images: Full procedure: 1. Selecting Use current frame as thumbnail sets both the Video thumbnail (1) (the image shown before playback) and Lesson thumbnail (2) (the image on the course/lesson tile) <- this image 2. To use different images: - To use different images: 1. Keep your chosen frame for the **Video thumbnail** inside the lesson. 2. For the **Lesson thumbnail** (course/lesson tile), either: Switch to **Lesson thumbnail** and choose a different **video frame** (pause on the moment and click **Use current frame as thumbnail** again), or **Upload** a separate image in the lesson details/thumbnail settings. 5. Return to your course list to confirm the **Lesson** and **Video** thumbnails match your selection. --- ## **Frequently Asked Questions** **Q: Does selecting a video frame also set the thumbnail inside the video player?** A: Yes. After you save, the image is used as both the Lesson and Video thumbnail for that lesson. **Q: Can I upload a different image for the lesson tile than the video player?** A: Yes. Upload a dedicated lesson thumbnail to override the shared image, while keeping a different video thumbnail if needed. **Q: Does this work with embedded videos like YouTube or Vimeo?** A: The “Use current frame as thumbnail” option applies to videos uploaded to GHL Customer Care. For embedded players, upload a custom lesson thumbnail image to control the lesson tile. **Q: What image size should I use for best results?** A: Use a 16:9 image (1280×720 or larger), optimized for clarity and contrast. **Q: Will changing the thumbnail affect existing students?** A: Yes, once saved, new and returning learners will see the updated thumbnail anywhere it appears. **Q: Can I change the thumbnail later?** A: Absolutely. Repeat the selection or upload process and **Save** to apply the new image. --- ## **Related Articles** - [Courses Email Notification Preferences and Video Thumbnail Enhancements](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/memberships-and-communities/membership-courses-sites/courses-email-notification-preferences-and-video-thumbnail-enhancements)  - [Adding Closed Captions and Subtitles to your video courses](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/memberships-and-communities/membership-courses-sites/adding-closed-captions-and-subtitles-to-your-video-courses) - [Courses Mobile — How to Navigate the New Lessons & Courses UI](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/memberships-and-communities/membership-courses-sites/courses-mobile-how-to-navigate-the-new-lessons-courses-ui)  - [Notification Preferences for Courses in the Client Portal](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/client-portal/client-portal-2/notification-preferences-for-courses-in-the-client-portal) --- Documentation for GHL Customer Care. Support: support@ghlcustomercare.com