Many LinkedIn users want to customize their profile by changing the background photo. However, unlike other social media platforms, LinkedIn does not allow users to upload a custom background photo. There are a few reasons why LinkedIn has this policy in place.
Maintaining a Professional Appearance
LinkedIn aims to provide a professional networking platform, unlike more casual social media sites like Facebook. Allowing customized backgrounds could lead some users to upload unprofessional or inappropriate photos. LinkedIn wants to maintain a consistent, business-oriented aesthetic across the site. Having all profiles look similar puts the focus on a user’s credentials rather than their personal style.
Technical Limitations
With over 800 million users, LinkedIn profiles are viewed on many different devices and platforms. Custom backgrounds would be difficult to optimize for all screens. Standardized backgrounds ensure that profiles look cohesive across all devices. Custom images could also slow down load times.
Brand Consistency
LinkedIn’s standard blue background with the LinkedIn logo has become an iconic part of their brand. Allowing users to customize it would dilute their recognizable visual identity. They want the background to be consistent so that users know they are on a legitimate LinkedIn page.
What Background Options Does LinkedIn Offer?
While you can’t upload your own background photo, LinkedIn does allow users to choose from several preset background options. Here are the LinkedIn background choices:
Standard Blue Background
This is LinkedIn’s default background, featuring their blue branded gradient and white logo. It’s the most common background used on LinkedIn.
Career-Themed Backgrounds
LinkedIn offers background images related to different careers and industries, such as technology, education, healthcare, and media. The imagery reflects the work environment and tools used in those fields.
Photographic Backgrounds
These backgrounds feature aesthetic photographic images of landscapes, architecture, office environments, and more. They add visual interest while remaining professional.
Backgrounds for Causes
LinkedIn creates special backgrounds that users can add to promote certain causes like Pride Month, Black History Month, and non-profits. These allow users to share causes important to them.
University Backgrounds
Alumni of certain universities can add backgrounds that showcase their school colors, logos, and imagery. This allows users to highlight their academic affiliations.
How to Change Your LinkedIn Background
Changing your LinkedIn background is simple. Just follow these steps:
Step 1
Log into your LinkedIn account and go to your profile page.
Step 2
Click on the pencil “Edit public profile & URL” button to edit your profile.
Step 3
Scroll down and click on the gear icon that says “Background photo.” This will open your background options.
Step 4
Browse through the available backgrounds and select one you like.
Step 5
Click “Save.” Your new background will now be set!
Why LinkedIn Limits Background Choices
While LinkedIn’s background limitations may be disappointing to some users, there are good reasons for these policies:
Maintain a Professional Tone
Allowing fully customizable backgrounds risks profiles looking more casual, playful, or informal. LinkedIn aims to provide a serious platform for career networking.
Prevent Inappropriate or Offensive Content
Offensive, unprofessional, or inappropriate background photos could reflect poorly on LinkedIn’s brand. LinkedIn can limit this risk by restricting options.
Reduced Distractions
Visually busy or colorful backgrounds can distract from profile content. Standardized backgrounds keep the focus on a user’s skills, experience, and goals.
Brand Consistency
LinkedIn wants their platform to have a cohesive look and feel. Customizable backgrounds would make profiles look disjointed. Their preset options ensure visual consistency.
Technical Limitations
Custom uploads would be difficult to optimize across LinkedIn’s huge user base. Preset backgrounds can be sized appropriately for all devices and platforms.
Side-by-Side Comparison of Preset vs. Custom Backgrounds
| Preset Backgrounds | Custom Backgrounds |
|---|---|
| Maintain professional appearance | Allows personalization & self-expression |
| Visually consistent | Unique to each user |
| Load quickly | Potential performance issues |
| Aligned with LinkedIn’s brand | Dilutes LinkedIn’s brand identity |
| Lower risk of inappropriate content | Higher risk of inappropriate content |
The Pros of Customizable Backgrounds
Although limited backgrounds support LinkedIn’s goals, customizable photos would offer some benefits:
Personalization and Self-Expression
Custom backgrounds would allow users to express their personalities and share their interests. Preset backgrounds feel more generic.
Standing Out
A unique background photo could help a user’s profile stand out when networking and searching for jobs. It’s a way to be memorable.
Reinforcing Brand Identity
For companies and influencers, a custom background could reinforce their personal or business brand identities.
Engagement
Interesting backgrounds may get users more profile views and engagement. A stunning landscape or clever graphic could capture people’s attention.
The Cons of Customizable Backgrounds
However, custom backgrounds also have some potential drawbacks:
Inappropriate or Offensive Content
Offensive, unprofessional, or inappropriate backgrounds reflect poorly on the user and LinkedIn. Custom images increase the risk.
Distractions from Content
Visually busy backgrounds with colors, graphics, and photos can distract from a user’s profile content.
Slow Load Times
Custom images require more optimized compression and sizing to load quickly on all devices. Preset backgrounds are pre-optimized.
Inconsistent Tone and Branding
Custom backgrounds could dilute LinkedIn’s professional aesthetic and make profiles feel disjointed.
Accessibility Issues
Custom backgrounds increase the risk of accessibility problems for users with visual impairments. Standard backgrounds are designed to be accessible.
Best Practices for Using LinkedIn Backgrounds
Although custom uploads aren’t allowed, you can still make the most of LinkedIn’s preset background options:
Choose Industry-Relevant Backgrounds
Select a career-themed background that fits your field to reinforce your professional brand.
Use Backgrounds to Showcase Causes
Promote philanthropic causes and non-profits you support through cause-related backgrounds.
Be Mindful of Visual Clutter
Avoid backgrounds with too many graphics or colors that detract from profile content.
Refresh Regularly
Change your background photo occasionally to give your profile a refreshed look.
Coordinate with Profile Photo
Make sure your background photo complements your profile picture stylistically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can some users upload custom backgrounds?
Currently, regular LinkedIn members cannot upload custom backgrounds. However, some corporate company pages that purchase LinkedIn services allow custom backgrounds.
Can I design my own LinkedIn background?
Users cannot design fully custom backgrounds. However, you can use graphics editing tools to modify existing backgrounds with overlays like logos.
Is there a hack or workaround to allow custom backgrounds?
There are no official ways to enable custom background uploads on standard LinkedIn profiles. Hacks may violate LinkedIn’s terms of service.
Can I use a background photo that includes text or people?
LinkedIn’s backgrounds only include abstract graphics, landscapes, architecture, office settings, and career-related imagery. They do not include photos with text, logos, or people.
Why was I able to customize my background before?
In the past, LinkedIn had more flexible background options, but changed their policy to limit custom backgrounds. Any older customized backgrounds were grandfathered in but can’t be changed now.
Conclusion
LinkedIn offers users a range of attractive, professional preset backgrounds but restricts custom uploads to maintain brand consistency and quality. While customizable backgrounds have some benefits like personalization, LinkedIn’s approach minimizes risks and technical issues. Overall, the preset backgrounds still allow users creative ways to express themselves professionally within LinkedIn’s ecosystem. With careful selection from the available options, users can find backgrounds that effectively complement their personal brand.