Can I find my channel through only recommended videos?

this was actually kind of easy
Join the Discord server: / discord
Check out my second channel: ‪@Ryanshark7‬
Music:
Sticker Battle - Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Cherry Lake - Paper Mario: Color Splash
Seaside Settlement, Surfshine Harbor - Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Radio Theme (uncompressed) - Portal
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[@kszyrzfot]

Hi this will be a “bit” longer comment because I did some research on the Spelunky 2 thumbnails and youtubers and have a bit to share. I have found a very similar channel to yours that is really really similar and I think you could learn from it but first let me talk about the video.
It was a really enjoyable idea where I felt involved looking for your channel with you. The Wikifeet bookmark is hilarious I always love the little things you hide or in this example forgot to hide 🤨 also I’m in the video yay.
Now for the thumbnail analisis that I did, keep in mind I’m just a guy that doesn’t make videos anymore and spent 2 hours on the “research” of Spelunky content. I do know a lot about youtube. I love it just like helping others out. Also everyone I mention is to show an example and not to discriminate or humiliate.
WARNING ALMOST ALL THE INFORMATION BELOW IS ONLY TAKING IN CONSIDERATION SPELUNKY CONTENT AND THUMBNAILS.
KYGaming , I must admit I have watched multiple of his videos and probably got recommended your channel because of him. From what I researched he got popular in the community thanks to posting tutorial and easter egg videos after that he transitioned to making mod showcases. HIs current thumbnails are decent. Those thumbnails sadly don't bring a lot of new viewers except for dedicated Spelunky viewers, that can be checked with viewstats (Mr.Beasts’ Social Blade like website). I don’t think following his footsteps will work because what you need is to find an audience. So copying thumbnails from channels like GrandPooBear and DougDoug won’t work because they use their faces since that strategy is heavily dependent on the recognizability of the person. It won't work for you unless you are secretly famous.
So how should your thumbnails look? And who is that channel really similar to yours?
Let’s start with analyzing one of the biggest people in the Spelinky niche: Twiggle… R.I.P
He was the best Spelunky 2 player and speedrunner. There are a lot of similarities between yours and his thumbnails. Both are mostly just a screenshot but his thumbnails are a bit more explosive and random because his most viewed series Spelunked is a bunch of clips. It works amazingly.
Your thumbnails just look like screenshots; they are too basic. You had a good observation that they would look better with text and that is totally true.
The next part is applicable to all content not just Spelunky:
So what text should it be? Just a simple “oops” or “I PLAYED SPELUNKY WITH MRBEAST BUT HE IS INVINCIBLE I SWEAR JUST TRUST ME BRO SSSSNIPERWOLF WAS THERE TOO BUT SHE LEFT”.
First we have to establish branding to do that we have multiple options a lot of people use multiple at once:
Banners or logo: an og strategy of having every thumbnail have the same banner or logo that allows viewers to easily recognise who the video is made by.
Character: it can be a real person or a character (wow no way) . You seem to try to implement this strategy by using the Spelunky Guy in your Spelunky videos but with the next two things you will make sure your viewers are sure that this is your video.
Color: this can be used in everything like text, characters and just the thumbnail, Having a consistent color scheme is a neat way to be recognizable.
Text: When using text in the thumbnail make sure it is consistent throughout the videos. Try to stick to the same color and font.
If you want examples of how you can improve right now I recommend you check out JackHasGames. I have found his channel while doing the research and his videos are just like yours but slightly improved in a lot of aspects. Only what his thumbnails are missing is the rule of thirds in some but I like his “coming soon” I find this strategy cute but effective. I recommend you try to message him and maybe talk about TH-cam or even collab. TH-cam is way easier with others.
I have way more to say like what titles you should use, how to collaborate with others, how to make sure you stand out etc. but
I’m going to stop here because I have been writing and researching this for over 2 hours and I don’t want to sound annoying by just saying “do that” “this sucks” . I know that is how criticism works but I still feel bad.
If you want to learn more but from people that are way better than me I recommend the channels:
Colin and Samir - a podcast for creators by creators I learned a lot of valuable information from them and their quest.
Isaac - A really informative channel but I hate his voice. His editing is good for keeping retention but it is necessary to pause sometimes to 100% process the knowledge.
If you liked what I had to say and didn’t find it annoying I can provide more knowledge and show you what you can improve using your thumbnails as examples over discord just let me know. I’m also willing to make thumbnails as proof of concepts, again just let me know and I can help. This comment is already too long. I swear to god I’m almost over. Just let me know if you want. I think I can be helpful, sorry for being a bit of a narcissist. I just want you to succeed and as always
Have an amazing day/night you have helped me a lot in my personal life. Thank you, please let me repay you somehow.
R.I.P Jonas Biden
also for the future do you want me to send those long messages on discord or are the comments are fine?
You are amazing!

[@ryanshark6]

Holy shit thanks for the free college lecture. I've recently been thinking a lot about how I should actually try to make thumbnails that aren't just screenshots. I've always liked the idea of having a Scott the Woz esque border on thumbnails for branding purposes, so I may create something like that with my "brand colour" (the one in my outro screen). I also may do my own 2 hour research session on thumbnails to find specific fonts, text colours, characters, ect. that work for me. I'll probably make a prototype thumbnail and post it on Discord to see what people think.
I honestly don't care if you post long comments here or on Discord, so whichever one you prefer works.
Kindest of regards - Jedediah Bdden
Edit: please ignore wikifeet I thought I got rid of that bookmark