A long-requested feature is finally making its way to YouTube Music. Reports suggest that YouTube is testing the ability to upload custom thumbnails for playlists, offering users a new way to personalize and organize their music collections. Currently, YouTube Music uses a standard grid system to display album covers or automatically generated artwork for playlists. While functional, this system can make it difficult for users, especially those with large libraries to quickly identify and navigate between playlists.
The potential for custom playlist thumbnails, however, could change this. According to a recent report by PhoneArena, some users have spotted a new "pencil" icon on YouTube Music’s web app when viewing their playlists. Clicking this icon reveals two options: "Choose from library" and "Remove custom image." The “Choose from library” option allows users to select a custom image from their device, giving them control over the visual representation of their playlists. While still in the testing phase, this feature suggests that YouTube is working to improve the playlist experience based on user feedback.
The introduction of custom playlist thumbnails brings a range of benefits for YouTube Music users. Here’s how this feature can enhance the platform's usability and personalization:
Custom thumbnails allow users to visually distinguish between playlists, especially in larger libraries. With personalized images representing different playlists, users can easily identify and select the right playlist at a glance.
Users can now express their individuality by adding custom images to playlists. Whether it’s a personal photo, a piece of artwork, or even a meme, this feature opens up opportunities for users to get creative with how they present their playlists.
Well-chosen custom thumbnails can elevate the overall look and feel of a playlist, making browsing through music collections a more visually appealing experience. For those who care about the design and visual aspects of their playlists, this feature adds an extra layer of customization.
At present, only a small group of users is being targeted by Youtube music to test this feature. And it does not provide any details about the timelines where this feature will be available to the wider audience. By such, users using the app on the web version of site can surely perceive that the company is addressing users’ complaints about the app and working on improving playlist creation functionality minimally, at least.
For now, users eager to see this feature should keep an eye on YouTube Music updates. The addition of custom playlist thumbnails could mark a significant step toward improving the overall user experience on the platform, giving music lovers even more control over how they organize and enjoy their music.