Using a company’s logo on your LinkedIn profile is a common question that many employees have when setting up their profile. The short answer is yes, you can use your company’s logo on LinkedIn, but there are some important guidelines to follow.
Why Use Your Company Logo on LinkedIn?
Adding your company’s logo to your LinkedIn profile can be beneficial for both you and your employer. Here are some of the main reasons to use your company logo:
- It visually associates you with your employer and shows that you work there
- It helps promote brand awareness for your company
- It demonstrates pride in your employer and commitment to your role
- It helps networking contacts identify where you work
- It looks more professional to have a logo included
Simply put, incorporating your company logo helps showcase your professional affiliation in your LinkedIn profile. Just make sure to follow your employer’s guidance on using the logo appropriately.
Does Your Company Allow Use of the Logo?
Before adding any company branding to your LinkedIn profile, it’s important to check if your employer allows usage of the logo. Many companies encourage employees to use the logo and want the brand awareness, but some may have restrictions in place.
Check your employee handbook or any social media policies your company has. If it is not clearly addressed, reach out to your manager or HR department and ask about the policy for using the logo on LinkedIn. Make sure to get clear confirmation in writing before proceeding.
Proper Use of Company Logos on LinkedIn
If your employer grants permission to use the company logo, make sure to follow these best practices:
- Use the approved, official logo artwork provided by your company. Do not alter or recreate the logo.
- Make sure the logo resolution is high quality and not blurry or pixilated.
- Only use the logo in the designated profile image section. Do not embed it throughout your profile content.
- Add a disclaimer in your profile summary stating that your views are your own and do not represent your employer.
- Use good judgement and don’t post any content that could risk harming your employer’s reputation.
Adhering to these guidelines helps ensure proper use of trademarks and branding. It also shows respect for your employer’s brand reputation in how you represent them online.
What Image Sizes Should You Use?
LinkedIn specifies recommended image dimensions for your profile. Here are the correct sizes to use:
- Profile photo: 400 x 400 pixels (minimum 200 x 200)
- Cover photo: 1584 x 396 pixels
- Company logo: 300 x 300 pixels (square)
Be sure to use high resolution versions of your logo at the specified dimensions. Low resolution or oddly sized logos can reflect poorly on your employer’s brand.
Where to Place Your Company Logo
LinkedIn has a dedicated spot to add your company logo on your profile. Here’s how to find it:
- From your LinkedIn homepage, click on “View Profile”
- In the right column of your profile, find the “Experience” section
- Click on your current company listing
- Click the pencil “Edit” icon for that position
- Scroll down and there will be a section called “Company Details”
- In this section click “Add Company Logo”
- Upload your properly sized company logo image file
The logo will now be featured alongside your current company details on your profile.
What if I Change Companies?
If you end up leaving your current employer, you should remove their logo from your LinkedIn profile.
Once you have left the company, you are no longer representing the organization or have rights to use their branding. Make sure to delete the company logo from your profile once you are no longer an employee.
You can replace it with the logo for your new employer after confirming their guidelines permit its use. Just be sure the use of branding is always current and up to date.
Mistakes to Avoid
When using company logos on LinkedIn, there are a few mistakes individuals commonly make. Be sure to avoid:
- Stretching or distorting the logo dimensions
- Althering the logo colors or design
- Using an outdated version of the logo
- Placing the logo anywhere except the designated profile section
- Keeping a logo of a past employer after leaving the company
- Using the logo without consent from your employer
Strictly follow your company’s guidance and brand standards to avoid any improper use. And check that you have documented approval to display the logo on your profile.
Personal Branding Caution
One note of caution when using your company logo – don’t let it overshadow your personal brand entirely. You want your own name and reputation to stand out as well.
Have a strong professional headline and summary that conveys your skills, experience, and unique value. Make sure your photo, content, and activity reflect your own identity in addition to your employer’s branding.
Find the right balance of showcasing your company and yourself to advance your career. Don’t let your personal brand get drowned out by only focusing on promoting your employer.
Inspect Your Profile Regularly
After adding your logo, check back regularly that it appears properly on your profile. Logos may need to be updated if they become too low resolution as profile images resize. The placement can also shift as LinkedIn evolves its layouts.
Periodically inspect that your use of the company branding continues to follow best practices. Your profile should accurately reflect your current employer with a pristine version of their logo.
Conclusions
Using your company logo on a LinkedIn profile can be a great way to demonstrate your professional affiliation, if done properly. Always secure permission, follow brand guidelines, and maintain the accuracy of your employment status. With some careful thought, you can effectively use company branding to enhance your LinkedIn presence.
