Uploading large videos to LinkedIn can be challenging, especially if you are trying to upload a video that is longer than 10 minutes or larger than 5GB. LinkedIn does have file size limits in place to ensure the platform runs smoothly. However, there are some tips and tricks you can use to successfully upload large videos to LinkedIn.
LinkedIn Video Requirements
Before we get into how to upload large videos, let’s first go over LinkedIn’s video requirements:
- Max File Size: 5GB
- Max Length: 10 minutes
- Recommended Resolution: 1280×720 (HD)
- Recommended Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Supported File Types: .MP4, .MOV, .AVI, .MPEG4, .WMV, .FLV
As you can see, the max file size is 5GB and max length is 10 minutes. So if your video exceeds either of those limits, you won’t be able to upload it directly to LinkedIn.
Option 1: Upload to YouTube & Embed
One of the easiest ways to upload a large video to LinkedIn is to first upload it to YouTube as an unlisted video. YouTube has much higher file size and length limits compared to LinkedIn, so you shouldn’t have any issues uploading your large video there.
Once your video is uploaded to YouTube, simply copy the video URL and paste it into LinkedIn’s embed video uploader when creating your post. This will allow you to embed the YouTube video into your LinkedIn post while circumventing LinkedIn’s file size and length limits.
The benefit of using YouTube is that it handles all the video hosting, so you don’t have to worry about optimizing the file yourself. The limitation is that viewers will have to play the video on YouTube’s platform instead of natively in LinkedIn.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Upload your large video file to YouTube as an unlisted video.
- Copy the video URL from YouTube.
- When creating a LinkedIn post, click the “Embed video” icon.
- Paste your YouTube video URL into the input field.
- The video will now be embedded into your LinkedIn post.
Option 2: Compress & Optimize the Video
If you don’t want to link out to YouTube and would prefer to upload the video directly to LinkedIn, then you need to compress and optimize your video file to meet LinkedIn’s requirements.
Here are some tips for compressing and optimizing large video files:
- Use video compression software like Handbrake or Adobe Media Encoder to compress and convert the video to a supported file type like MP4.
- Aim for a resolution of 1280×720 and 16:9 aspect ratio.
- Lower the bitrate – try a bitrate between 1,500-3,000 kbps.
- Limit length to 10 minutes max.
- Remove any unnecessary audio tracks.
- Use two-pass encoding for better compression.
It may take some trial and error to get your video file within LinkedIn’s 5GB size limit. The more you can compress while maintaining quality, the better. You may need to tweak the resolution, bitrate, codecs, etc. to find the optimal settings.
Recommended Video Compression Software
Here are some of the best video compression software options:
Software | Platform | Price |
---|---|---|
Handbrake | Windows, Mac, Linux | Free |
Adobe Media Encoder | Windows, Mac | Paid (part of Creative Cloud) |
Avidemux | Windows, Mac, Linux | Free |
Movavi | Windows, Mac | Paid |
VLC Media Player | Windows, Mac, Linux | Free |
Step-by-Step Guide
- Download and install a video compression software like Handbrake.
- Import your large video file into the software.
- Adjust the export settings for resolution, bitrate, codecs etc. following the tips above.
- Export the compressed video file.
- Verify the file size is under 5GB.
- Upload the optimized video file to LinkedIn.
Option 3: Break Up the Video
If you are unable to sufficiently compress your large video under 5GB, another option is to break it up into multiple smaller videos that meet LinkedIn’s file size limit.
You can use video editing software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro to divide a longer video into segments under 10 minutes. Then export each segment as a separate video file.
Keep the resolution and bitrate consistent across the different video segments. Then upload each optimized segment to LinkedIn as a separate post and add a note explaining it is part 1, part 2, etc. of a longer video.
The downside to this approach is that viewers have to jump between multiple posts to watch the full video. But it does allow you to work around the 10 minute time limit.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Use video editing software to divide the full video into 10 minute (max) segments.
- Export each segment as an individual video file.
- Optimize and compress each video segment as outlined above.
- Upload each optimized video segment to LinkedIn as a separate post.
- Add captions/notes indicating the part number for each segment.
Option 4: Upload to LinkedIn SlideShare
LinkedIn SlideShare allows uploads of larger file sizes up to 2GB. While this is still smaller than LinkedIn’s 5GB video limit, SlideShare could be an option for videos that you’re unable to sufficiently compress under 5GB.
To upload to SlideShare:
- Convert your video file into a PowerPoint presentation, with each slide containing a segment of the video.
- Optimize the PowerPoint file size to under 2GB.
- Upload the PPT to SlideShare.
- The video will play within the SlideShare embed on LinkedIn.
This avoids LinkedIn’s native video limits. However, viewers will have to watch the video in a SlideShare embed rather than directly in the LinkedIn feed.
Conclusion
Uploading large videos to LinkedIn that exceed the 5GB size limit takes some work. The easiest option is uploading to YouTube first and embedding the video. If you want the video hosted natively in LinkedIn, you need to compress the video using optimization software. As a last resort, you can break the video into segments or upload to SlideShare instead.
The key is reducing the file size through resolution, bitrate, and codec adjustments, while keeping quality high. With the right compression settings, you can upload even lengthy viral videos to LinkedIn. Just be prepared for a trial and error process in getting the file size within the 5GB limit.