LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 800 million members. With so many professionals on the platform, video has become an extremely popular and effective way for brands and influencers to reach their target audience and build engagement.
When uploading a video on LinkedIn, it’s important to use an eye-catching thumbnail that will grab people’s attention as they scroll through their feeds. Using the right thumbnail size and dimensions optimized for LinkedIn can increase your views, shares, and overall reach.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at the ideal thumbnail sizes and dimensions you need for your LinkedIn videos in 2023 and beyond. We’ll also provide tips on creating effective thumbnails that convert viewers.
What is the LinkedIn video thumbnail size?
The recommended size for LinkedIn video thumbnails in 2023 is 1280 x 720 pixels. This is the minimum size LinkedIn recommends for optimal video performance across desktop and mobile.
Here are the key LinkedIn video thumbnail size requirements:
Minimum size:
– Width: 1280 pixels
– Height: 720 pixels
This minimum 1280 x 720 size ensures your thumbnail looks sharp on both desktop and mobile in feeds. Using anything smaller will decrease quality.
Aspect ratio:
– 16:9
– Landscape orientation
LinkedIn thumbnails must be in landscape 16:9 aspect ratio. Portrait thumbnails won’t work properly.
File type:
– JPG or PNG
LinkedIn recommends using JPG or PNG image file formats for best quality and performance.
File size:
– Under 2 MB
Keep your thumbnail file size under 2 MB so it can load quickly across networks. Compress larger files.
So in summary, your LinkedIn video thumbnails should be:
– Minimum 1280 x 720 pixels
– 16:9 landscape aspect ratio
– JPG or PNG file
– Under 2MB file size
This ensures your thumbnails will look and perform optimally across LinkedIn.
Ideal thumbnail dimensions
While 1280 x 720 is the minimum size for LinkedIn thumbnails, larger sizes can improve quality and performance.
Here are the ideal thumbnail dimensions to aim for:
1280 x 720 pixels – Minimum size
As mentioned the minimum 1280 x 720 size will ensure your thumbnails render properly across LinkedIn. This is the smallest recommended size.
1920 x 1080 pixels – Full HD
A 1920 x 1080 thumbnail is full HD resolution. This larger size will look sharper on high resolution displays like Retina screens. Full HD is ideal for professional quality thumbnails.
2560 x 1440 pixels – 2K QHD
2560 x 1440 is a 2K resolution providing even crisper image quality on the latest displays. While not essential, a 2K thumbnail will look great.
3840 x 2160 pixels – 4K UHD
3840 x 2160 is 4K ultra HD resolution. 4K will look incredibly sharp but isn’t necessary as most viewers won’t be on 4K displays. Save 4K for your actual video.
So in summary, the ideal dimensions are:
– Minimum: 1280 x 720
– Full HD: 1920 x 1080
– 2K QHD: 2560 x 1440
– 4K UHD: 3840 x 2160
Aim for 1920 x 1080 or 2560 x 1440 for a professional level of quality. Just ensure your file size stays under 2 MB.
Creating effective LinkedIn video thumbnails
Beyond just technical specifications, the most important part is creating compelling, eye-catching thumbnails.
Here are tips for making effective LinkedIn video thumbnails that convert viewers:
Use high-quality, relevant images
Use only high-quality, crisp images that are relevant to your video topic. Stock photos and graphics can look generic. Capture or commission custom thumbnail images that pop.
Incorporate text headlines
Overlaying engaging headlines and titles on your thumbnails can pique interest and get more clicks. Use bold fonts and high contrast colors that are readable.
Add branding for recognition
Include your brand colors, logo, imagery, etc. to make your thumbnails instantly recognizable to your followers amidst their feeds.
Use faces and expressions strategically
Faces naturally attract attention. Use expressions like smiles, surprise, and laughter to connect on a human level. But don’t overdo it.
Focus on eye contact
Making “eye contact” with the camera engages viewers and prompts them to click. Guide your models to gaze directly at the camera lens.
Highlight your value proposition
Communicate your key value proposition, whether it’s “expert advice,” “actionable tips,” or “exclusive behind-the-scenes”. Let viewers know what they’ll gain.
Optimize thumbnail text for SEO
Incorporate SEO keywords and optimization best practices into your headline text to improve video discoverability. But avoid keyword stuffing.
Test different thumbnail options
Try out multiple thumbnails using A/B testing. Analyze performance data to determine which thumbnails convert viewers best. Refine over time.
Analyze competitors and leaders
Research what top performers in your industry do with their LinkedIn thumbnails. Draw inspiration from their successes while adding your own flair.
By following these best practices, you can create stunning LinkedIn video thumbnails that capture attention, communicate value, and inspire viewers to click. Optimize based on continual testing.
Design tools and resources
Here are some useful design tools and resources for creating amazing LinkedIn video thumbnails:
Canva
Canva makes gorgeous, professional thumbnails with an easy drag-and-drop interface. It has templates sized specifically for LinkedIn videos.
Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop is the premium tool for thumbnail design, offering advanced image editing capabilities for stunning results.
Adobe Lightroom
Lightroom provides excellent photo enhancement tools to touch up and polish your thumbnail images.
Snappa
Snappa is a user-friendly graphic design program with many templates sized for LinkedIn thumbnails.
Shutterstock
Shutterstock has a huge library of stock photos and images at affordable prices to use in your thumbnails.
Getty Images
Similar to Shutterstock, Getty Images provides premium stock photos for all your thumbnail needs.
Unsplash
Unsplash offers beautiful, free stock photos you can use to create stunning LinkedIn video thumbnails.
Creative Market
Creative Market has unique templates, graphics, fonts, and more to enhance your thumbnails.
So take advantage of these amazing tools and resources to produce truly captivating thumbnails that will make your LinkedIn videos stand out and succeed.
Thumbnail design tips and examples
Here are some pro tips and examples for creating compelling LinkedIn video thumbnails that convert:
Use contrasting colors
Using highly contrasting colors like black and yellow grabs viewer attention. The high contrast makes text and images pop.
Include numbers in headlines
Headlines with numbers and stats like “10 Ways to Get Promoted” pique viewer curiosity and interest them to click.
Pose questions in headlines
Posing questions like “Are You Making This Common Mistake?” engages viewers by making them think and want to find the answer.
Try polarizing headlines
Controversial or hyperbolic headlines spark strong reactions and debate, driving comments and shares. But don’t overdo it.
Feature people’s faces
Faces are eye-catching. Have real professionals joyfully using your product or service to attract human interest.
Use unique perspectives
Unique camera angles, close-ups on details, dramatic lighting, and other atypical perspectives grab attention.
Overlap text and graphics
Overlapping your headline text over your graphics adds depth and a modern, energetic style.
Include emojis and icons
Strategically placed emojis and icons ✅ can draw the eye, convey emotion, and make your message more relatable.
Studying what’s working for top performers on LinkedIn and continually testing thumbnails is key for maximizing viewer conversion. Optimize and refine over time.
Common LinkedIn thumbnail mistakes to avoid
While creating your LinkedIn video thumbnails, be sure to avoid these common mistakes:
Low resolution images
Pixelated, blurry images look unappealing and unprofessional. Always use high-resolution images.
Text that’s too small to read
Tiny thumbnail text is impossible to read when scrolling on mobile. Use large, readable fonts.
Too much text
Cramming long headlines and paragraphs makes thumbnails feel cluttered. Keep text short and scannable.
Outdated graphics and templates
Using cheesy clipart, dated fonts, and tired templates gives a cheap, obsolete impression. Stay current.
Unclear messaging
Your thumbnail should clearly communicate your subject and value proposition at a glance. Don’t leave viewers confused.
Passive poses and expressions
Boring, emotionless poses don’t engage viewers. Capture authentic smiles, excitement, and interest.
Overly salesy and promotional
Avoid hard sells and promotions. Focus on providing value to the viewer instead.
Cliché stock images
Generic stock photos of businessmen shaking hands feel impersonal. Show real professionals in action.
Complex backgrounds
Busy backgrounds distract from the main subject. Use simple backgrounds to maximize focus.
Avoid these mistakes and test what works to create LinkedIn video thumbnails that perform!
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about LinkedIn video thumbnail sizes and specifications:
Do thumbnail sizes change if uploaded via mobile?
No, the same ideal dimensions apply whether uploading your LinkedIn video thumbnail via desktop or mobile. Minimum 1280 x 720 and 16:9 landscape.
Can I use vertical thumbnails?
No, you must use horizontal landscape thumbnail orientations. Vertical portraits won’t work properly. Always stick to 16:9 aspect ratio.
What thumbnail format does LinkedIn recommend?
LinkedIn recommends using JPG or PNG file formats for optimal image quality and performance in thumbnails.
Does LinkedIn crop thumbnails to fit?
Yes, LinkedIn automatically crops square thumbnails down to fit the 16:9 horizontal aspect ratio. But it’s better to upload proper sized landscape thumbnails.
Do I need a paid LinkedIn account to upload videos?
No, you can upload videos on both free and paid LinkedIn accounts. However, paid accounts allow you to view deeper analytics.
Can I edit my video thumbnail after uploading?
Yes, you can go back and replace your video’s thumbnail with a new one later if you want to redesign it or test alternatives.
Optimizing your LinkedIn video thumbnails is an impactful way to increase viewership and engage your professional audience. Follow the tips in this guide to create effective thumbnails that convert.
Conclusion
The ideal LinkedIn video thumbnail size in 2023 is 1280 x 720 pixels minimum, with 1600 x 900 or 1920 x 1080 being optimal for quality. Thumbnails must be in 16:9 horizontal landscape orientation using JPG or PNG file formats under 2MB in size.
Beyond just technical specs, the most crucial factor is creating compelling, professional thumbnails that capture viewers’ attention and inspire them to click. Use high-quality relevant images, strategic text headlines, recognizable branding, and strong calls to action that communicate your value proposition. Continually test and refine your thumbnails over time.
By putting thought and effort into your LinkedIn video thumbnails, you can significantly increase viewership, shares, engagement, and overall success with LinkedIn video marketing.