History thumbnails may use maps, artifacts, photographs, or reconstructions. Viewers should not be led to mistake an imagined scene for authentic documentary evidence.
Choose the visual's role
Decide whether the image identifies a location, shows an object, or illustrates a narrative moment. Use source material appropriate to that role. An atmospheric reconstruction can support a story, but it should not be presented as a historical photograph.
Check concrete details
Verify visible dates, map labels, symbols, and named subjects against reliable references. A striking error in the image can undermine an otherwise careful video. Keep source and permission information with the artwork.
Align with the script
Select a moment or theme that the video actually examines rather than adding an unrelated battle scene for intensity. If the thumbnail uses a reconstruction, explain that use where viewers can find the context. Preserve the distinction between evidence and illustration throughout the title, description, and video itself.