What are thumbnails commonly used for in multimedia?

Thumbnails are commonly used in multimedia as small representations of larger images or videos that allow users to preview the content before clicking on it. This functionality is particularly valuable on platforms with extensive galleries or libraries of visual media, where loading full-sized images can be time-consuming and consume significant bandwidth.

Providing these previews helps users quickly scan and decide which images or videos they are interested in, enhancing user experience by facilitating easier navigation and selection. Instead of waiting for a large file to load, thumbnails offer a visual guide that indicates what the full content will look like, thus aiding efficiency and engagement.

While thumbnails may appear alongside detailed descriptions, their primary purpose is not to explain content but to visually indicate what lies within. They do not specifically enhance text visibility, nor do they function as navigation buttons, as their main objective is simply to represent content visually.