Unlike the additions, I really don't see how that feature is benefiting the platform except for some uploaders by, as you succinctly put it, providing click bait.

I really wish the video image would have to be a frame taken from the video. Make it any frame, if the uploader cares so much they can include the image as a title card and pick a frame from that.

Before the option to put a custom image existed, assholes would put the click-bait image for a few frames in the middle of the video. You can't win with such idiots.