When posting a video on LinkedIn, one of the key elements that can help catch viewers’ attention is the thumbnail image. The thumbnail appears next to your video post in the LinkedIn feed and is often the first thing people see before deciding whether to click and watch the full video. So choosing an eye-catching, relevant thumbnail is an important part of amplifying your LinkedIn video content.
What is a LinkedIn video thumbnail?
A LinkedIn video thumbnail is a static preview image that represents your video post on LinkedIn. It gives viewers a visual cue about what your video is about before they click to watch.
When you share a video on LinkedIn, you have two options for selecting a thumbnail:
- Use the default thumbnail autogenerated by LinkedIn
- Upload a custom thumbnail image
The default LinkedIn thumbnail is automatically extracted from a frame within the video file itself. LinkedIn’s algorithm selects what it determines to be the most representative, informative frame to display as the thumbnail.
With a custom thumbnail, you manually choose the exact image you want to represent your video in the feed. This allows you full creative control over the look, feel, and messaging of the thumbnail. You can upload images in horizontal formats up to 2048×1152 pixels and vertical (portrait) formats up to 1136×1136 pixels.
Should you use the default or custom thumbnail?
Here are some pros and cons to weigh when deciding between using LinkedIn’s auto-generated thumbnail or uploading your own custom thumbnail:
Default LinkedIn thumbnail
Pros:
- Easy – Requires no extra work to select an image
- Visually consistent – Has a similar style and format to other default thumbnails
- Algorithmically optimized – Selected to draw in viewers
Cons:
- Less customizable – You have no control over the look and feel
- May not align with branding – Color scheme and imagery may not match branding
- Might not showcase key visuals – Algorithm may not select the most ideal scene
Custom thumbnail
Pros:
- Brand focused – Allows consistency with visual branding
- Intentional messaging – Can highlight key points or people in the video
- Eye catching – Can be designed to grab attention
- Relevant imagery – Can include logos, products, text, etc
Cons:
- Requires extra effort – Need to create or source appropriate custom image
- May feel disjointed – If style deviates too much from other thumbnails
- Trial and error – Harder to predict what imagery will perform well
Best practices for custom thumbnails
If creating a custom thumbnail for your LinkedIn video, here are some best practices to follow:
- Choose relevant imagery – Select a representative screenshot or image directly related to the video content
- Highlight key subjects – Feature important people, products, text, or visuals from the video
- Use high resolution images – Crop and export thumbnail images at 2048×1152 or 1136×1136 pixels
- Optimize text – Make any text clear and legible, limit to key words or phrases
- Consider vertical thumbnail – Portrait thumbnails stand out in the feed
- Match brand style – Maintain visual consistency with color schemes, logos, and imagery
- Create multiple options – Produce a few variations and A/B test to see what performs best
Tools to create custom LinkedIn video thumbnails
Here are some tools that can help you easily create custom thumbnails for your LinkedIn videos:
| Tool | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Canva |
|
| Adobe Photoshop |
|
| Adobe Premiere Pro |
|
| Kapwing |
|
Many other graphics, photo editing, and video editing tools also have capabilities to export specific frames or create custom thumbnails optimized for LinkedIn and other social media platforms.
Tips for an effective LinkedIn video thumbnail
Follow these tips to create a compelling, high-converting custom thumbnail for your LinkedIn videos:
- Choose a thumbnail frame 1-2 seconds into the video, after the title screens.
- Select a frame with recognizable faces, visuals, products, or text.
- Make sure the central subject is obvious and draws the eye.
- Zoom in on the key visual element and crop tightly.
- Use bright, contrasting colors that stand out in the feed.
- Include simple, descriptive text like titles or keywords.
- Leverage consistent branding like logos and color schemes.
- Check for clarity and legibility at small thumbnail sizes.
- Export a few different variations and see which ones perform best.
- Analyze click-through rate data to optimize future thumbnails.
Conclusion
In summary, while LinkedIn provides default thumbnail options, taking the time to create custom thumbnails can help make your video stand out in the feed, reinforce branding, highlight key messages, and ultimately attract more viewers. With the proper tools and strategy, you can produce compelling thumbnails tailored specifically to represent each video effectively. Follow best practices for imagery, text, and design when crafting custom thumbnails. Analyze performance data and continuously test new variations to improve CTR over time. Investing in impactful custom thumbnails is worth the effort to amplify the reach and results of your LinkedIn video content.
