LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, with over 810 million members worldwide as of 2022. Many professionals and businesses use LinkedIn to share content, connect with others, build their brand, and more. One popular type of content shared on LinkedIn is video. However, not all video formats are supported on the platform. Knowing which video formats will work best on LinkedIn is key to creating effective and shareable video content.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about uploading and sharing videos on LinkedIn. We will discuss the supported video formats, recommended specifications, how to upload videos, tips for optimizing your video content, and more. Whether you are new to creating videos for LinkedIn or looking to improve your existing video strategy, this guide will provide valuable insights and best practices.
Overview of Supported Video Formats
LinkedIn supports the upload and sharing of MP4 and MOV video files. These are the most common video formats used online today. Here is a quick overview of each:
MP4
MP4 is the most widely supported video format on the web. It was developed by the Moving Pictures Expert Group (MPEG) as a multimedia container format. Reasons why MP4 is highly compatible with LinkedIn include:
– MP4 files are compressed, meaning smaller file sizes that are easier to share on social media. The compression maintains good video quality.
– MP4 supports high-quality HD videos.
– MP4 is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems.
– MP4 works seamlessly with all modern web browsers and mobile devices.
MOV
MOV is a common video format developed by Apple. It is compatible with LinkedIn for the following reasons:
– Like MP4, MOV files are compressed while preserving video quality.
– MOV supports high-resolution 4K videos.
– MOV files work well across Apple’s ecosystem including macOS, iOS, iMovie, Final Cut Pro and more.
– MOV has good cross-platform support for Windows, Android, websites, and apps.
In summary, both MP4 and MOV are versatile, compressed, high-quality formats ideal for uploading and sharing professional brand videos on LinkedIn.
Recommended Video Specs for LinkedIn
While MP4 and MOV formats are supported, you also need to mind the video specifications to ensure a seamless viewing experience on LinkedIn. Here are the recommended specs:
Length
– Videos less than 10 minutes are ideal. LinkedIn auto-embeds videos less than 10 minutes right in the feed.
– For videos longer than 10 minutes, viewers have to click through to watch on LinkedIn’s native video player. Avoid going over 20 minutes maximum.
Dimensions
– Height: Minimum 400 pixels, but 720 pixels or higher preferred.
– Width: Minimum 500 pixels, but 1280 pixels or higher recommended.
– Orientation: Landscape, horizontal formats work best.
– Aspect Ratio: 16:9 is the ideal aspect ratio. Avoid vertical or square videos.
Resolution
– Minimum 720p HD
– For best quality, upload 1080p full HD or 4K videos.
Bitrate
– 2 Mbps (Megabits per second) minimum
– 3-5 Mbps recommended for optimal quality.
File Size
– Max file size limit on LinkedIn is 5GB.
– For quickly shareable videos, aim for file sizes under 100MB if possible.
Frame Rate
– Minimum 24fps, but shoot at 30fps or 60fps for smooth playback.
By following these recommended specs, you can ensure your branded videos have high visual impact on LinkedIn. Properly optimized videos will keep viewers engaged.
How to Upload Videos to LinkedIn
Uploading videos to LinkedIn is a quick and simple process. Here are the steps:
1. Download the Video File
First, download the video file from your camera or video editing software onto your computer. Make sure it is formatted as an MP4 or MOV file. Optimize the video specs according to the best practices covered earlier.
2. Write the LinkedIn Post
Draft the LinkedIn post where you wish to embed the video. Write an engaging caption that piques interest and provides context.
3. Click “Add multimedia”
When creating the post, click on the “Add multimedia” icon (it appears as a small landscape video image).
4. Select Your Video
A window will open allowing you to select a video file from your computer. Choose the relevant MP4 or MOV file you wish to upload.
5. Fill Details
Fill out the video title, description, and preview image. The preview image appears before the video is played and should represent your brand well.
6. Publish
Preview your post and make any final edits. When ready, click “Post” to publish your video on LinkedIn.
That’s it! The video will now be live and viewable by your connections on LinkedIn.
Tips for Creating Quality LinkedIn Videos
Beyond just technical specs, follow these tips to develop compelling, professional videos for LinkedIn:
Hook viewers quickly
Grab attention within the first 3 seconds. Open with a striking visual, question, stat, etc.
Keep it short
Concise videos under 2 minutes have the highest engagement. Get your message across efficiently.
Highlight benefits
Focus on how your brand solves problems, delivers value, and helps the viewer achieve goals.
Showcase expertise
Position employees and subject experts to establish authority and trust.
Use minimal text
Avoid overloading the screen with text. Use sparingly for key points only.
Add subtitles
Enables viewing without sound. Great for mobile users.
Boost branding
Include logos, color schemes, fonts, and other branding elements.
Following these best practices will take your LinkedIn video marketing results to the next level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upload videos longer than 20 minutes to LinkedIn?
LinkedIn recommends keeping videos under 20 minutes maximum. Videos over 20 minutes are difficult to hold viewer attention on social media. For longer videos, it is better to break them into a series of shorter segments.
What happens if my video exceeds the 5GB file size limit?
If your video file is larger than 5GB, it will fail to upload to LinkedIn. You will need to use video compression software to reduce the file size below 5GB before uploading.
Do I need a premium LinkedIn account to upload videos?
No, you can upload videos to LinkedIn with a free account. However, premium accounts provide more analytics on video views and engagement.
Can I edit or delete a video after posting on LinkedIn?
Unfortunately no, once a video is published on LinkedIn it cannot be edited or deleted. You will need to post an updated version as a new video.
What’s the optimal video length for the best LinkedIn engagement?
Data shows the highest engagement comes from videos under 2 minutes in length. Strive to convey key messages powerfully within a 120 second video.
Conclusion
Posting high-quality videos on LinkedIn that align with the recommended formats and specs is key to expanding your reach and engagement. Focus on informative videos that provide value for your professional audience. With compelling visual storytelling that builds authority and trust, video is an impactful tool to showcase your brand, thought leadership, products, and more on the world’s top professional network.
