Bring your ads to life: AI tools to animate Native Video Thumbnails

Are you an Advertiser looking to make an impact on your Native ad zones? Well, incorporating Native Video Thumbnails can help you do that. In this article, we will look at AI tools to animate Native Video Thumbnails. So you can start creating short video loops or GIFs without a videographer!

What are Native Video Thumbnails?

Traditional Native thumbnails are the images displayed in Native ads. Instead, Native Video Thumbnails feature a short video loop that provides the end user with a preview of your offer. On desktop, the video plays when the user hovers over the image with their cursor, and it pauses to show the static image when the mouse is moved away. On mobile devices, the video activates when the user taps the image, and it reverts to the static image when the user taps away or scrolls away. The Native Video thumbnail does not include an audio element.

Benefits of using Native Video Thumbnails for ad campaigns

1. Increased Click-Through Rates (CTRs) 

Video content engages viewers more than static images by delivering compelling storytelling and clear product demonstrations. This increased engagement can boost your CTRs when end users see a preview of your content.

2. Improved Brand Recognition

Research shows that consistent and eye-catching ads make brands 3.5 times more visible. So you can increase the memorability of your ad by incorporating Video Thumbnails into your campaigns!

3. Enhanced Retention

A Wyzowl survey found that over two-thirds of respondents remembered seeing a video ad in the previous week, 20% more than those who recalled a static ad. Native Video Thumbnails encourage users to interact with your content, improving brand recall for retargeting.

4. Better Ad Performance 

Higher CTRs and engagement can lead to lower customer acquisition costs. Native ads with Video Thumbnails typically have similar costs to static ads but can generate more impressions and clicks, making your campaigns more efficient.

Why use AI to create Video Thumbnails?

For small advertising teams with limited resources, AI tools can help create animated Native Video Thumbnails. This will help you stay ahead in the industry. So, let’s explore some top  AI tools to animate Native Video Thumbnails.

Top AI image to video generators: Pika AI

Pika AI is a versatile and user-friendly video creator that focuses on dynamic motion and camera control. Its key features include Pikaframes, Pikaswaps, advanced cinematic techniques, and improved prompt understanding for better video outcomes. Pika Art is known for its ability to generate videos from text prompts and animate static images. It offers various video styles, meaning you can make it fit your branding.

Pros:

• High Quality movement: It is clear from the example above that Pika Art creates high-quality graphics that are realistic. It has advanced motion control and cinematic techniques. Therefore, you will be able to create a video thumbnail with smooth transitions. 
• Enhanced Prompt Understanding: Based on reviews, users have found that the AI interprets your prompt clearly rather than literal translations to images and videos. If you say ‘cat walking in the street’, it will automatically assume the cat should be walking on four legs rather than two, giving you realistic options.

Example: If you have a Casino offer, you could show a 5-second video of a machine hitting a jackpot or dollar bills flying towards the end user to really grab their attention. 

Cons:

• Limited animation quality in free versions. You may need to pay for the full version to get access to the full range of animation abilities.
• Free versions also often include watermarks and prompt limitations.

Top AI image to video generators: Open Art 

Open Art provides a platform featuring diverse artistic styles and tools for creating high-resolution, customizable artwork. Users can generate images using pre-built or custom-trained AI models, with editing tools available. A key feature is the “photo to video converter,” which animates images. OpenArt emphasizes creative freedom, allowing image generation without specific prompts.

Pros:

• Diverse Artistic Styles & Tools: Offers a vast range of styles and creative art generation features.
• Accepts a wide range of sources for creation: You can animate everything from Casino to Dating with high quality customization options.

Example: With eCommerce, you could do a short demonstration of the product working. If it were a back massager, you could ask the AI to show it rotating or how to use it.

Cons:

• Resource Intensive & Detailed Input: Can require powerful hardware and specific prompts for best results.
• Limited Creative Control: Users may have less direct control over the AI’s artistic process.

Top AI image to video generators: Imagine. Art 

Imagine Art is an AI art generator that creates beautiful, realistic, or animated images from text prompts. It produces high-resolution images in different styles. In addition to making images, it has an “AI Video Generator” that can create HD videos from scripts or ideas. This means it can also animate your campaign images.

• Effortless & Fast Creation: Imagine.Art is a straightforward tool you can use to create video thumbnails. It works quickly and can be prompted easily, even if you are not an artist.
• Versatile Styles & Editing: Offers a wide range of styles and tools for refining images, if you would like advice, they have a community where they share tips and tricks to get the best results, as well as providing a free option to try. If you are promoting Dating offers, this is a great option.

Example: You could use the image of one of your daters and have them entice the end user by waving or using a beckoning sign to draw the end user in.

Cons:

• Unpredictable Results & Prompt Interpretation: AI output may not always match expectations or understand prompts perfectly.
• Limited Control & Potential Detail Issues: You may have less direct control over the creative’s fine details.

Top AI image to video generators: Leonardo.Ai

Primarily focused on generative AI art, Leonardo.Ai allows users to create high-quality digital content such as images, textures, 3D models, and game assets from text prompts. The platform provides pre-trained AI models along with fine-tuning capabilities, all designed to enhance user experience. In addition to image generation, it also includes features for animating still images, enabling users to bring their photos to life with short animations.

Pros 

• High-Quality Images: Leonardo is known for having high quality images with a stylised animated element.
• High contrast colors: It offers various AI models and customization options, including color theory. You can add the color codes of your brand to really make your campaigns stand out while remaining consistent, and the AI will tastefully incorporate them.

Example: This AI could be highly effective for Games offers due to its stylized final product.  You could show a snippet of the gameplay, like a character collecting coins, or show the character customization screen and some of the armour options available! 

Cons 

• Video Capabilities Less Mature: Image-to-video features might be less advanced than dedicated tools.
• Potential Animation Limitations: May have restrictions on motion types and styles due to the product being in its infancy.

Other AI tools to transform your website photos to moving images include Domo AI  and Vision Story. These AIs are open to all content types.

Conclusion: AI tools to animate Native Video Thumbnails

When choosing an AI to create video content, even simple short GIFs, it is important to test different programs till you find the right one for you. Now, you know the best AI tools to animate Native Video Thumbnails. Consider factors like the length and complexity of the desired animation and the consistency of motion. If you would like to start using Native Video Thumbnails for yourself today, sign up for ExoClick today and gain access to all of our Advertiser features and high-quality ad formats!