Yes, LinkedIn does allow users to post videos on their platform. LinkedIn offers several options for sharing video content, including native video uploading, linking to YouTube videos, and more. Understanding the video features available can help LinkedIn users maximize their engagement and get the most out of the platform.
Uploading Native Videos to LinkedIn
One of the simplest ways to post videos on LinkedIn is to upload them directly through the LinkedIn interface. On both desktop and mobile, users can select the “post” option, then choose to upload a video file from their computer or device. LinkedIn supports common video formats like MP4 and MOV files. The maximum file size for uploaded videos is 5GB.
Native video posting allows users to share original video content that lives directly on the LinkedIn platform. Videos appear in the LinkedIn feed and on user profiles just like any other post. Users can add a description and tags to optimize the video for discovery. Embedded videos can be up to 10 minutes long. Views and engagement metrics are displayed to gauge the video’s performance.
Benefits of Native Video Uploading
- Videos are hosted by LinkedIn
- Full analytics and controls
- No need for third-party platform like YouTube
- Videos appear directly in the LinkedIn feed
Linking to YouTube Videos
In addition to uploading videos directly, users can also link to videos hosted on YouTube. To do this, users simply need to paste the YouTube video URL into the LinkedIn post editor. The video will appear embedded in the post.
YouTube linking is a good option for longer videos, since LinkedIn has a 10 minute cap on native uploads. It also avoids uploading and hosting a separate copy of the video. The viewer experience is seamless, with the YouTube video playing right within the LinkedIn feed.
Benefits of Linking to YouTube Videos
- No video size restrictions
- Leverage videos already hosted on YouTube
- Save storage space on LinkedIn
- Integrated viewing experience
Other Video Options
In addition to native uploads and YouTube linking, LinkedIn offers some other options for sharing video content:
- LinkedIn Live – Broadcast real-time video streams through LinkedIn’s live streaming platform.
- LinkedIn Events – Pre-record videos and make them available to event participants.
- Company Pages – Upload longer videos with more flexible controls and analytics through Company Pages.
- SlideShare – Add video files to SlideShare presentations.
- Sponsored Content – Promote video content to a target audience as sponsored posts.
Video Specifications
LinkedIn has some limitations when it comes to video uploads and linking:
| Video Source | Max Length | Max File Size |
|---|---|---|
| Native Upload | 10 minutes | 5GB |
| YouTube Link | No limit | N/A |
Supported file formats for native upload include: MP4, MOV, AVI, FLV, WMV, MPEG, WEBM.
Video Best Practices
To increase views and engagement with video content on LinkedIn, keep these best practices in mind:
- Keep videos short and concise – 1-2 minutes is ideal.
- Use eye-catching preview images to represent the video.
- Customize video titles and descriptions for SEO and clarity.
- Post videos natively when possible for better analytics.
- Use YouTube for longer videos or repurposed content.
- Experiment with different video styles like live-action, animated, screencasts, etc.
- Promote your videos through company pages, ads, and influencer sharing.
Video Usage Guidelines
LinkedIn also prohibits certain types of video content. Users should avoid posting:
- Copyrighted or illegal material
- Violent, graphic, or abusive content
- Dangerous or illegal acts
- Misleading metadata or thumbnails
- Hateful or derogatory content
- Harassment, bullying, or defamation
It’s important to follow LinkedIn’s guidelines to avoid account restrictions or bans when posting videos.
Analytics for LinkedIn Videos
LinkedIn provides data and metrics to help analyze video performance. For natively uploaded videos, users can see:
- Number of video views
- Average percentage watched
- Total watch time
- Demographics like job role, industry, etc.
For YouTube link videos, more limited analytics are available, including number of views and likes. Integrating YouTube Analytics provides more insight. Sponsored videos offer the most in-depth analytics through LinkedIn’s advertising tools.
Increasing Reach With LinkedIn Video Ads
Running paid video ads through LinkedIn’s advertising platform can expand reach. Options include:
- Sponsored Video – Promote uploaded videos or YouTube links with in-feed ads or targeted through LinkedIn’s audience tools.
- Dynamic Ads – Reach audiences with automatically generated video ads tailored to their interests and profile data.
Paid promotion allows targeting specific demographics, locations, job roles, and member interests. Video ads have up to 98% viewability according to LinkedIn. Overall, LinkedIn video ads can drive greater brand awareness and engagement at scale.
Conclusion
Posting videos on LinkedIn can be a highly effective tactic for increasing engagement and promoting content. Native video uploading, YouTube linking, live streaming, and paid ads provide diverse options for sharing video. Optimizing video content and analytics for the LinkedIn platform and audience is key to success. Following best practices and guidelines ensures an account remains in good standing when posting videos. Overall, video gives brands, organizations, and professionals a dynamic medium to interact and connect with the LinkedIn community.
