Netflix reveals how it knows what you'll click on

Apparently there’s a trick to get users to click on your programme or film. Netflix just released data that indicates how people decide what to watch.

The thumbnail selected was cited as the biggest influence on people looking for a movie or show to watch. Users are more likely to click on a thumbnail featuring an emotional face over a simple logo. The data shows that animated faces perform better than a neutral expression.

We’re also suckers for villains; the appearance of a villainous character in a thumbnail “significantly outperformed” all other thumbnails. This trend holds true across both adults and kids alike.