LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, with over 800 million members. Many people use LinkedIn to network, build their professional brand, find jobs, share content and more. One common question that comes up is whether you can include YouTube links in your LinkedIn posts and profile.
The short answer is yes, you can include YouTube links on LinkedIn. However, there are some best practices you should follow to ensure your YouTube links are optimized for LinkedIn.
Why Put YouTube Links on LinkedIn?
Here are some of the main reasons you may want to post YouTube links on LinkedIn:
Share Educational/Expert Content
Posting YouTube videos allows you to share presentations, webinars, conference talks, training videos, and other educational or expert content with your professional network. This helps position you as a thought leader in your industry.
Demonstrate Skills
YouTube can be a great platform for showcasing hard skills and talents through tutorials, product demos, examples of your work and more. Sharing these videos on LinkedIn enables you to demonstrate your abilities to new connections.
Promote Your Brand
Including links to company or product YouTube videos is an excellent way to boost brand awareness and get more eyes on your content.
Increase Engagement
Video content tends to drive higher engagement on LinkedIn through likes, comments, and shares compared to plain text posts. Adding YouTube links can help get your content in front of more people.
Establish Trust
Video allows your personality, passion and expertise to shine through in a more personable way. This helps establish trust and rapport with your connections.
LinkedIn Guidelines for YouTube Links
While you can post YouTube links on LinkedIn, there are some guidelines provided by LinkedIn you should keep in mind:
Quality Over Quantity
LinkedIn recommends maintaining a 3:1 ratio of non-promotional to promotional content. Only about 1 out of every 4 posts should directly promote your company, products, or services. The rest should provide value for your connections.
relevance
Videos shared should be relevant to your industry and the interests of your connections. Don’t post random YouTube videos just for the sake of posting – make sure they provide value.
Concise Descriptions
Use the description field when sharing a YouTube link to summarize what the video is about. Give viewers context so they can quickly decide if it’s worth watching.
Ownership and Permissions
Only post YouTube videos that you have ownership or permissions to share publically. Don’t share pirated or copyrighted materials.
Calls to Action
You can include polite calls to action, such as asking viewers to “like and comment if they find the video helpful.” But avoid hard sells or pushy CTAs.
Link to Full Video
When possible, link directly to the full YouTube video instead of embedding the clip. This provides a better experience for LinkedIn users.
Best Practices for Posting YouTube Links on LinkedIn
Here are some recommended best practices to optimize your YouTube links for LinkedIn:
Custom Thumbnails
Take the time to create custom thumbnail images for your videos instead of using the default YouTube thumbnails. This makes your content stand out more in the LinkedIn feed.
Mobile Optimization
Since many people access LinkedIn via mobile, ensure your YouTube videos are optimized for mobile viewing with vertical dimensions and easily readable titles/text.
Keep Videos Concise
Shorter videos tend to get more engagement on social media. Aim to keep your YouTube clips under 5 minutes – and ideally around 1-2 minutes long.
Calls to Action in Video
Include clear calls to action within your actual YouTube videos, such as asking viewers to like, comment or subscribe if they found it helpful.
Hashtags and @ Mentions
Strategically use hashtags and @ mentions in your video titles and descriptions to extend reach and spark engagement with relevant people and groups.
Promote Your Videos
Don’t just post your YouTube links and leave them. Actively promote your videos by sharing them in relevant LinkedIn groups, engaging with commenters, and promoting via other channels.
Track Performance
Use YouTube and LinkedIn analytics to see which videos drive the most traffic and engagement. Double down on what works well.
Examples of YouTube Links on LinkedIn
Here are a few examples of effective YouTube video links on LinkedIn profiles and posts:
Company Page Video
Preview Image | Video Description |
![Product Demo Thumbnail] | Check out our latest product demo video highlighting key features and how our product can benefit your business. |
This company page includes a custom thumbnail image and clear, concise description letting visitors know exactly what the video is about and why they should watch it.
Conference Presentation
Preview Image | Video Description |
![Speaker at Podium] | Missed my presentation at the Digital Marketing Summit? You can view the full 30-minute talk here where I overview our social media marketing strategy and results. |
The speaker lets visitors know the context of the video (conference talk), top-level topic, and key details to pique viewers’ interest.
LinkedIn Post
Preview Image | Post Text + Video Description |
![Close up of Laptop] | Remote work is here to stay. In this video, I share my top 5 productivity tips for effectively working from home. Click below to view the full video! |
This post uses a relevant image, engaging text, and clear video description to provide value and get viewers interested in watching the linked YouTube content.
Tips to Avoid Problems with YouTube Links
While YouTube links are allowed on LinkedIn, there are some potential issues to avoid:
Don’t Spam Links
Posting YouTube links excessively or irrelevantly can come across as spammy. Make sure your frequency and content align with the guidelines mentioned earlier.
Watch for Copyrighted Material
Do not link to copyrighted YouTube videos unless you have express permission or rights to share the content. This could result in legal issues.
Avoid Controversial Content
NSFW, inflammatory, or objectionable YouTube videos are risky to share on a professional platform like LinkedIn. When in doubt, avoid posting questionable content.
No Full Embeds
Unlike other social platforms, LinkedIn does not allow for embedding full YouTube videos in posts or profiles. You can only link out.
Keep Personal Brand in Mind
Any YouTube content associated with you on LinkedIn becomes part of your professional brand identity. Make sure videos align with the brand image you want to build.
Don’t Post Too Frequently
Posting YouTube links too often can come across as spammy or self-promotional, even if the content itself is valuable. Space out your video links appropriately.
Conclusion
In summary, yes you can definitely post YouTube links on LinkedIn to share professional videos that provide value for your audience and position you as an industry thought leader. However, be sure to follow LinkedIn’s guidelines and best practices when posting YouTube links to ensure your content is engaging and effective. Avoid potential issues like spamming links, copyrighted material, inappropriate content, and hard selling. With the proper strategy, YouTube and LinkedIn can be a powerful combination for driving views and engagement.