The last design export is not always the file that reached the video page. An archive should preserve the published state as well as the production history.
Confirm the live selection
After upload, inspect the image associated with the intended video. Compare it with the approved export, allowing for any platform resizing or display treatment. Make sure a similarly named draft was not selected accidentally.
Save the record
Keep the original export, video URL, publication or change date, and relevant project notes. If you download an available published variant for verification, label it as a retrieved copy rather than the editable original.
Preserve later changes
When replacing a thumbnail, archive the previous version instead of overwriting its only copy. Note why the replacement happened and whether the title changed too. This creates a reliable timeline for future review and helps collaborators avoid drawing conclusions from an image that was not active during the period they are discussing.