LinkedIn supports a few different video formats for uploading and sharing videos on the platform. Here is a quick overview of the supported formats:
MP4
MP4 is one of the most commonly supported video formats on the web and is fully supported by LinkedIn. MP4 is a digital multimedia container format most commonly used to store video and audio, but can also be used to store other data such as subtitles and still images.
Key features of MP4 videos on LinkedIn:
- High quality
- Compatible across devices and operating systems
- Support for high resolution videos up to 720p HD
- Widely supported by all major browsers and apps
MOV
MOV is a common video format developed by Apple. Like MP4, it can contain video, audio, subtitles, images, and metadata. MOV files are fully supported for uploading to LinkedIn.
Key features of MOV videos on LinkedIn:
- High quality videos
- Works seamlessly on iOS devices
- Compatible with both Mac and Windows
- Supports 720p HD resolution for upload
AVI
AVI is an older container format developed by Microsoft. It is less commonly used today but still has fairly broad cross-platform support. AVI files can be uploaded to LinkedIn.
Key things to know about AVI videos on LinkedIn:
- Standard definition quality
- Compatibility issues on some mobile devices
- Maximum 720p resolution for uploading
- Large file sizes compared to more modern formats
WMV
WMV stands for Windows Media Video and is a format developed by Microsoft. WMV files are accepted by LinkedIn but have limited support compared to more widely used formats.
Key limitations of WMV videos on LinkedIn:
- Primarily designed for Windows only
- Limited compatibility on non-Windows devices and browsers
- Standard definition quality
- Maximum resolution of 720p for uploads
Formats Not Supported
While the formats above can be uploaded and played on LinkedIn, there are some other common video formats that are not supported:
- FLV (Flash Video) – requires Flash which is being phased out
- WMV HD (High Definition WMV) – capped at 720p
- MKV (Matroska Multimedia Container)
- WEBM
- MPG/MPEG
- 3GP
Recommended Video Format for LinkedIn
Based on the format support and limitations outlined above, MP4 is highly recommended as the best format to use for LinkedIn videos. Here is a quick recap of the key advantages:
- Nearly universal device and browser compatibility
- High quality HD playback up to 720p resolution
- Efficient compression leading to smaller file sizes
- Wide industry adoption makes it a future-proof format
MOV and AVI files also work well on LinkedIn as secondary options if MP4 is not available. But MP4 should be considered the top choice.
How to Convert Video to MP4 for LinkedIn
If you have video in a non-supported format or a format like MOV or AVI that you want to optimize for LinkedIn, converting to MP4 is recommended. Here are some ways to convert video files to MP4 format:
Using Video Converter Software
Dedicated video converter tools make it easy to batch convert multiple video files to MP4 in just a few clicks. Some top converter software options include:
- HandBrake – Free and open source converter
- VLC Media Player – Free converter built into VLC playback app
- Wondershare UniConverter – Powerful paid converter for Windows and Mac
- CloudConvert – Web and API-based converter
Using Online Converters
For quick one-off conversions, free online video converters can be handy:
- Convertio – Supports over 200 formats
- Online-Convert – Wide format support
- ClipConverter.cc – Popular for YouTube downloads
- OnlineVideoConverter – Fast MP4 conversions
Using Video Editing Software
Most video editing tools like Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, iMovie, etc. allow exporting videos into MP4. This is handy if you want to trim or edit footage before uploading to LinkedIn.
Using Command Line Tools
On Mac and Linux platforms, command line tools like FFmpeg allow automating batch video format conversions. This requires some technical skill but is very powerful.
Optimizing Video for LinkedIn
In addition to using the right format, make sure to optimize your video files for the best results on LinkedIn:
- 720p HD resolution is recommended
- Landscape 16:9 aspect ratio works best
- Encode with H.264 video codec and AAC audio codec
- Target bitrate around 8 Mbps
- Keep length under 5 minutes if possible
Uploading Videos to LinkedIn
Once you have your video converted and optimized for LinkedIn, uploading is easy. You can add videos when:
- Posting an update
- Sharing an article
- Creating a LinkedIn event
- Adding to your LinkedIn profile
Simply attach or embed the MP4, MOV, AVI, or WMV file up to a max of 10 GB.
Conclusion
To summarize, MP4 is the best video format for LinkedIn, providing the optimal balance of quality, file size, and device compatibility. MOV and AVI can also work well, while WMV has more limited browser support. Convert files to MP4 where possible using converter software, online tools, editing applications, or command line utilities before uploading for best results.
