When uploading videos to LinkedIn, it’s important to understand which video formats are supported on the platform. LinkedIn only supports certain video codecs and container formats in order to ensure maximum compatibility across devices and web browsers. The two most common video container formats are MP4 and MOV. But which one does LinkedIn actually support?
LinkedIn’s Supported Video Formats
According to LinkedIn’s help documentation, they officially support the uploading of MP4 and MOV video files. However, they do have some specific requirements and recommendations around the video codecs and encoding parameters.
For MP4 files, LinkedIn recommends using the H.264 video codec and AAC audio codec. These are very common codecs that should be compatible with most modern devices and web browsers. The H.264 video should have a bitrate of at least 2 Mbps for optimal quality and compression efficiency.
For MOV files, LinkedIn requires these to contain H.264 video and AAC audio just like with MP4. The MOV container does support other codecs like H.265, but these aren’t yet supported by LinkedIn.
Advantages of MP4 vs MOV
MP4 and MOV files can both contain the same H.264 video and AAC audio codecs that LinkedIn requires. However, there are some advantages of using MP4 over MOV in certain situations:
- MP4 is more universally compatible across devices and web browsers. There is wider device hardware support for decoding H.264/AAC in the MP4 container.
- MP4 files tend to be smaller in file size than MOV for the same video quality. This makes MP4 faster to upload and stream.
- Converting video files to MP4 can be faster than MOV in many encoding tools.
The MOV container format does have some advantages as well:
- MOV supports more advanced features like alpha transparency, animations, and interframe compression.
- MOV files can store video metadata like color profiles and timecodes.
- Some professional video editing software works natively with MOV files.
Maximum Video Resolution and Aspect Ratios
In addition to video format, LinkedIn also has recommendations on maximum video resolution and aspect ratios:
- Maximum resolution of 720p HD (1280 x 720 pixels)
- Minimum resolution of 480p SD (854 x 480 pixels)
- Aspect ratios between 1.91:1 – 4:5 (Landscape orientation is recommended)
Videos with higher resolution like 1080p full HD will be transcoded by LinkedIn to meet their requirements. Ultrawide or vertical aspect ratios may also be cropped or pillarboxed.
Recommended Video Encoding Settings
To get the best quality and compatibility with LinkedIn’s video formats, here are some recommended encoding settings:
MP4 Recommended Settings
Video Codec | H.264 |
---|---|
Resolution | 720p (1280 x 720) |
Bitrate | 2-5 Mbps |
Framerate | 30 fps |
Audio Codec | AAC-LC |
Audio Bitrate | 128+ kbps |
MOV Recommended Settings
Video Codec | H.264 |
---|---|
Resolution | 720p (1280 x 720) |
Bitrate | 2-5 Mbps |
Framerate | 30 fps |
Audio Codec | AAC-LC |
Audio Bitrate | 128+ kbps |
Following these resolution, bitrate, and codec recommendations will ensure maximum quality and compatibility for LinkedIn videos in both MP4 and MOV containers.
How to Convert Video to MP4 or MOV for LinkedIn
If you need to convert your video files to MP4 or MOV for LinkedIn, here are some options:
Online Converters
Many free online tools allow converting videos to MP4 or MOV:
These online converters are quick and easy to use, but may not offer many encoding customization options.
Desktop Software
Installing video encoding software on your computer allows access to more advanced settings and options:
- Handbrake (Mac & PC) – Free open source video converter
- Shutter Encoder (Mac & PC) – Simple interface, presets for LinkedIn
- Adobe Media Encoder (Mac & PC) – Part of Creative Cloud subscription
- Final Cut Pro (Mac) – Video editing and encoding software for Mac
These tools allow fine-tuning resolution, bitrates, codecs, and other encoding parameters for optimal quality and compatibility with LinkedIn.
Command Line Tools
For advanced video encoding automation, command line tools like FFmpeg (Mac & PC) allow scripting the conversion process with exact settings and parameters tailored for LinkedIn.
Uploading Videos to LinkedIn
Once you have converted or encoded your video to a compatible MP4 or MOV file, uploading to LinkedIn is simple. Just follow these steps:
- On LinkedIn’s website, click the “Upload” button when creating a new post or update.
- Select your MP4 or MOV video file to upload.
- Fill out any post details and click publish.
Your compatible MP4 or MOV video will now be successfully uploaded to LinkedIn. The maximum file size for uploads is 5GB.
Conclusion
In summary, both MP4 and MOV video files are supported for uploading to LinkedIn. The optimal formats are MP4 or MOV containers with H.264 video encoding and AAC audio encoding. Encoding video at 720p resolution with bitrates between 2-5 Mbps provides excellent quality while meeting LinkedIn’s specifications. Following LinkedIn’s recommended resolutions, aspect ratios, codecs, and bitrates ensures your videos look fantastic regardless of whether you choose MP4 or MOV format. Converting video to MP4 can provide the most universal compatibility, while MOV offers some additional professional features. With the proper preparation and encoding settings, both MP4 and MOV can be used to upload high quality, great looking videos to LinkedIn.