With the rise of mobile usage, vertical videos have become increasingly popular across social media platforms. However, many users wonder if vertical videos are allowed on LinkedIn. In this comprehensive guide, we will examine if LinkedIn supports vertical videos and the best practices for creating effective vertical video content on the platform.
The Growth of Vertical Video
Vertical video refers to video content that is taller than it is wide, made for viewing in portrait mode on mobile devices. Rather than letterboxing to fit a horizontal 16:9 aspect ratio, vertical videos fill the entire mobile screen.
Vertical video has exploded in popularity with the growth of mobile social media. In 2018, viewership of vertical videos on Snapchat increased over 60% year-over-year. By 2020, vertical video ad spending surpassed $10 billion globally.
Social platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube have embraced vertical video, optimizing their apps and feeds for mobile portrait orientation. As mobile continues to dominate internet usage, vertical orientation is becoming the new normal for video content creation and consumption.
Do LinkedIn Videos Have to Be Horizontal?
The short answer is no — LinkedIn does support uploading and viewing vertical videos in mobile feeds and pages.
LinkedIn notes that while landscape video is preferred, portrait (vertical) video uploads are enabled on both mobile apps and desktop. Vertical videos appear inline in the mobile feed without black bars or cropping.
However, there are a few caveats to keep in mind with LinkedIn vertical videos:
- Desktop presentation: On desktop, vertical videos are centered with black bars on the sides. So they will not fill the entire browser window.
- Video specs: Vertical videos must have an aspect ratio between 1.91:1 and 4:5 and have a minimum resolution of 720 pixels.
- Video restrictions: Vertical video is not enabled for LinkedIn Live or in-email videos. These require landscape 16:9 orientation.
In general, while horizontal video is still the expected format, vertical video can work for most standard video uploads on LinkedIn. The vertical orientation will be preserved across mobile in-feed views.
Best Practices for Vertical LinkedIn Videos
If creating vertical video content for LinkedIn, keep these best practices in mind:
Phone Orientation
Record vertical videos holding your smartphone in portrait orientation. When uploading, make sure the orientation is vertical and has not been rotated horizontally.
Aspect Ratio
Choose a vertical aspect ratio between 1.91:1 to 4:5 that best fits your video content. 1:1, 4:5, and 16:9 are common vertical ratios.
Framing and Composition
Carefully frame shots in a vertical perspective. Place key subjects in the upper two-thirds of the frame and avoid too much dead space at the top.
Text and Graphics
Add text, captions, titles, logos, and graphics oriented for vertical viewing. Keep critical information away from the far edges.
Video Stability
Use a tripod or stabilizer grip to minimize shakiness in handheld vertical shots. This helps improve watchability.
Sound
Record audio and mix sound for vertical videos viewed on mobile devices. Don’t forget high-quality narration and sound FX.
Length
Optimize vertical videos for mobile attention spans. Shorter videos under 60 seconds tend to see higher completion rates on small screens.
Examples of Effective Vertical LinkedIn Videos
Here are a few real-world examples of brands using vertical video effectively on LinkedIn:
Microsoft Advertising
Microsoft creates engaging vertical video ads for LinkedIn Campaign Manager. These mobile-optimized promos highlight Microsoft 365 features.
Volvo Trucks
Volvo Trucks shares short vertical videos of truck safety tech and driver experiences to connect with B2B audiences.
Groove
The sales CRM Groove posts vertical videos of customer testimonials, product updates, and startup culture content.
Hootsuite
Social media management platform Hootsuite uploads vertical social videos to demonstrate tips, trends, and thought leadership.
HubSpot
HubSpot drives leads and brand awareness with vertical videos optimized for mobile viewers. Content spans tutorials, ads, event recaps and more.
The Takeaway on LinkedIn Vertical Video
While horizontal video remains the dominant format, LinkedIn does support vertical videos as well. Following LinkedIn’s specifications and best practices can help produce effective vertical content.
With the surging mobile video landscape, vertical orientation helps companies better connect with audiences on small screens. As video consumption shifts increasingly to mobile, expect vertical formats to become even more prevalent across platforms like LinkedIn.