Yes, you can choose a custom thumbnail for videos posted on LinkedIn. When uploading a video, LinkedIn gives you the option to select a thumbnail from the video to represent it in the feed. You can preview different thumbnails and choose the one you want before posting.
Why Choose a Custom Thumbnail?
Choosing a custom thumbnail is important for a few reasons:
- It allows you to put your best visual foot forward. The thumbnail acts as a “cover image” for your video in the feed. You want something eye-catching that will make people want to click and watch.
- It gives you creative control. Rather than settling for a random thumbnail selected automatically, you can intentionally pick something representative of the video content.
- It impacts perceptions and engagement. An appealing, high-quality thumbnail can improve your chances of getting views and shares.
The right thumbnail can maximize the impact of your video content on LinkedIn.
How to Select a Custom Thumbnail on LinkedIn
Selecting a custom thumbnail for your LinkedIn videos is easy:
- Upload your video when creating a new post. Under “Media,” click “Add video.”
- Choose the video file you want to upload from your computer.
- Once uploaded, LinkedIn will process the video and generate preview thumbnails from different timestamps.
- Click the “Thumbnails” tab to preview the auto-generated options.
- Scroll through and select the thumbnail you want to feature.
- Click “Done” to confirm your thumbnail selection.
- Finish creating your post and hit “Share” when ready to post.
The chosen thumbnail will now be featured with your video in the LinkedIn feed.
Thumbnail Specs
When selecting a LinkedIn video thumbnail, keep the following specs in mind:
- Dimensions: Minimum of 200×200 pixels. Square thumbnails look best.
- File Size: Less than 8MB.
- Image Format: JPG or PNG preferred.
- Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (square).
- Text: Minimal text is best. The thumbnail’s purpose is visual intrigue.
Aim for a high-quality, eye-catching image that looks good small and enlarged.
Thumbnail Design Best Practices
To create effective LinkedIn video thumbnails, incorporate these best practices:
- Show faces. Videos with people’s faces or eyes prominently featured tend to perform better.
- Use high-contrast colors. Bold colors and sharp contrasts grab attention.
- Include graphics or visuals. Infographics, illustrations or abstract backgrounds work well.
- Highlight branding elements. Include logos, products, or identifiable visual details.
- Minimize clutter. Keep it simple and uncluttered for maximum impact.
- Convey the value. Depict something representative of the content itself.
Ideal Thumbnail Examples
Here are some examples of excellent LinkedIn video thumbnails:
Thumbnail | Analysis |
---|---|
Features a close-up of a person’s face for human connection. Uses a light background with dark text for contrast. | |
Incorporates bold, contrasting colors. Conveys the video topic through graphics and minimal text. | |
Shows a speaker in a way that feels engaging and approachable. Simple, uncluttered background. |
These thumbnails stand out, convey value, and entice people to learn more.
Tools to Create Custom Thumbnails
You don’t need fancy design skills to make great LinkedIn video thumbnails. Many tools can help you create custom thumbnails easily:
- Canva: Provides templates and easy editing for building thumbnails.
- Bannerbear: Generates thumbnail templates with custom text and images.
- ThumbGen: Creates thumbnails by entering a URL to pull images from.
- Snappa: Features a large thumbnail maker with templates and stock photos.
- Adobe Spark: Enables quick and simple thumbnail creation for free.
Try out a few options to see which thumbnail creator works best for your needs.
Tips for an Effective Thumbnail
Keep these tips in mind for creating a compelling LinkedIn video thumbnail:
- Spotlight faces and eyes to make a human connection.
- Use contrasting colors for vibrancy.
- Include relevant graphics and text.
- Focus on visual simplicity and clutter avoidance.
- Pick something descriptive of the video content itself.
- Make sure the image resolution is high quality.
With a well-designed thumbnail that aligns to LinkedIn’s specifications, you can maximize views and engagement for your video.
Common Thumbnail Mistakes to Avoid
When selecting thumbnails, be sure to avoid these common mistakes:
- Picking a low-quality or blurry image.
- Choosing a thumbnail not relevant to the video.
- Using a boring image without color contrast.
- Overcrowding the image with too many distracting elements.
- Depicting something misleading or clickbait-y.
- Letting LinkedIn auto-generate a poor thumbnail.
- Forgetting to customize the thumbnail before posting.
With a thoughtful, well-designed thumbnail, you can avoid these errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about LinkedIn video thumbnails:
What size should my LinkedIn thumbnail be?
The ideal size is a minimum of 200×200 pixels. Square images work best.
Can I use text on my video thumbnail?
Minimal text is recommended, as the purpose of the image is visual intrigue. A few choice keywords can work if done tastefully.
What file types can I use?
JPG and PNG file types are recommended for optimal image quality.
Where do I go to upload a custom thumbnail?
When creating a new LinkedIn post, select “Add video” under the “Media” section. After uploading a video, you can choose a custom thumbnail on the “Thumbnails” tab.
How can I edit or change the thumbnail after posting?
Currently, LinkedIn does not allow users to alter a video’s thumbnail after publishing the post. The only option is to delete and re-upload the video with a new thumbnail.
Conclusion
Selecting custom thumbnails for LinkedIn videos is a smart strategy to improve visibility and engagement. Take the time to intentionally choose an eye-catching, high-quality image that represents your content well. With compelling thumbnails that align to LinkedIn’s recommendations, you can maximize the impact of your video marketing.