How to make faceless explainer videos with AI (2026)

The Rise and Reach of Explainer-Style Videos

0:00 to 1:31 in the video, about 2 minutes

Explainer-style videos simplify complex or catalog-style subjects into accessible overviews. The creator points to channels in this format with millions of views from few uploads, and argues the format is not saturated because newer channels are still growing.

Topics range across diverse subjects, including food, technology hardware, weapons, animals, business, and pop culture. Their minimalist visual design and straightforward informational delivery make them appealing to broad audiences.

Brainstorming and Video Idea Generation

1:32 to 2:59 in the video, about 1 minute

Coming up with topics follows a proven naming formula centered around comprehensive breakdowns, such as titling videos with the phrasing of every item in a category explained. Creators can feed a specialized prompt into ChatGPT to generate lists across multiple distinct categories.

Choosing a viable topic involves looking for subjects where audience interest already exists. Verifying that similar concepts have generated views on YouTube confirms demand before moving forward with production.

Writing the Explainer Script with AI

3:00 to 3:19 in the video, under a minute

Once a topic is selected, a structured prompt is pasted into ChatGPT to produce a modular script. The prompt instructs the model to omit lengthy introductory greetings or channel calls-to-action, directing it to start straight into the items.

The script organizes each item under its own paragraph, opening with the specific name of the subject and concisely detailing its background, characteristics, or cultural significance.

Gathering Media and Generating Voiceovers

3:20 to 4:03 in the video, under a minute

With the script finalized, production requires matching visual assets and voiceover audio.

Each line in the script dictates what visuals to collect. The creator finds photos, transparent PNGs and video clips through search engines, YouTube and royalty-free stock sites like Pexels. Images from search results and clips from other videos can be copyrighted, and YouTube does not monetize channels that mostly reuse other people's content, so prefer stock you are allowed to use or visuals you generate.

For narration, text-to-speech tools such as ElevenLabs or Google AI Studio provide voice generation. Choosing a natural, middle-aged male tone with storytelling qualities helps avoid the robotic feel common in basic automated voices.

Designing Grid Thumbnails with Image Generators

4:04 to 5:27 in the video, about 1 minute

A hallmark of the explainer format is the grid-style thumbnail, which displays the featured items neatly arranged on a clean white background. This visual serves as both the thumbnail and the video intro graphic.

Using ChatGPT's integrated image generator, creators input the specific count and names of the items. The prompt requests a photorealistic or vector-style grid with centered labels under each object. Any unnecessary generated props, such as plates or kettles, can be removed through follow-up prompts.

Video Editing and Animation Workflow

5:28 to 8:12 in the video, about 3 minutes

Editing can be accomplished in software like Adobe Premiere Pro or CapCut using a straightforward, repeatable timeline structure.

The project begins with a 16:9 sequence containing the voiceover and a solid white background layer. The grid thumbnail image is placed at the start, with transform keyframes zooming into individual items as the voiceover introduces each topic.

For each section, corresponding images or video clips appear in the upper center, while descriptive text set in Comic Sans MS appears directly below. Background music should be kept subtle, typically set between -15 dB and -20 dB to avoid overpowering the narration.

Final Thoughts

Creating explainer videos does not require expensive equipment or complex motion design skills. By combining AI-assisted scripting, targeted image generation, and a disciplined editing layout, creators can produce clean, engaging educational content efficiently.