That’s how all the thumbnails work now. Even HCR started a lighter version of it post Trump win, and she was very basic, straight up content prior.

Thumbnails/algorithm have killed hobby channels, like woodworking and sewing, all of it.

We need an “anti” algorithm slam on YT to fix it, but I doubt there are enough creators/makers/whatevers willing to engage such an operation en masse. Journalism/podcasts have always leaned on the present state of the algorithm.

The other issue is the thumbnails exist as they do due to the predominance of phone users over laptops/desktops. It’s a size thing. The thumbnail is designed for small phone screen reading.