Face Looking Left vs Right in Thumbnails

Compare thumbnails with faces looking left versus right. Learn how eye direction affects viewer attention and clicks.

Quick answerUpdated dailyEditorial comparison for creators

Quick answer

Generally have faces look toward the center of the thumbnail or toward key elements. Use direction to guide viewer attention. Face looking at text or important elements is most effective.

Face Looking Left

Thumbnails where the person looks toward the left.

Pros
  • Looks into text area
  • Natural reading flow
  • Guides to title
  • Balanced composition
  • Western convention
Cons
  • May look away from action
  • Less dynamic feel
  • Convention dependent
  • Limits placement
  • May seem disengaged
Face Looking Right

Thumbnails where the person looks toward the right.

Pros
  • Looking into content
  • Forward motion feel
  • Action oriented
  • Directs to future
  • Dynamic appearance
Cons
  • Away from title
  • May need text on right
  • Composition challenges
  • Against reading flow
  • Context dependent
Our Verdict

Generally have faces look toward the center of the thumbnail or toward key elements. Use direction to guide viewer attention. Face looking at text or important elements is most effective.

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