hey - i know there's quite some negativity in this thread, but i just wanted to let you know that you don't have to change something if you don't want to
if that specific facial expression is getting you more views, i see that as justified. it's up to you whether or not you want to keep the thumbnail or not
It depends on which audience they care about more. Do they want the HN crowd—old and cynical curmudgeons who dislike most of what is trending on social media—or the peers who cause such things to trend? If they decide they want the HN types as an audience, listening to their feedback is a good start.
I appreciate the comment, I really do! Fwiw I play around with thumbnails and titles quite a bit to try to learn what seem to work, and I think the underlying sentiment in the comment rings true for most in my audience. Aaand, it may be a coincidence but the views just hockey-sticked when I changed it :D
if that specific facial expression is getting you more views, i see that as justified. it's up to you whether or not you want to keep the thumbnail or not