LinkedIn videos looking blurry is a common complaint among users of the platform. There are a few main reasons why LinkedIn videos may appear unclear or pixelated.
Compression
One of the biggest factors impacting LinkedIn video quality is compression. When videos are uploaded to LinkedIn, they go through compression to reduce the file size. This makes the videos faster to upload and stream within the platform. However, compression inevitably leads to some loss of visual clarity and sharpness.
LinkedIn uses H.264 video encoding, which is a very efficient compression standard. However, the higher the compression ratio, the more visual quality is sacrificed. LinkedIn aims to balance having small file sizes with maintaining adequate video quality. But with limited bandwidth and storage resources available, compression artifacts like blurring, banding and blocking can occur.
The level of compression applied will also depend on the original video source. Videos recorded in high definition and bitrate will withstand compression better than low quality captures. But regardless of the starting quality, expect some degredation of quality after uploading.
Resolution
The lower the resolution of the original video file, the more pixelated and blurry it will appear after uploading to LinkedIn. Videos shot in 1080p or 4K will retain far more clarity compared to 720p or 480p footage.
Similarly, LinkedIn has resolution limits for their videos. The maximum resolution allowed is 1920×1080 (1080p). Any videos exceeding this resolution will be automatically resized upon upload, lowering the quality.
So if you are uploading from a 4K or ultra HD source, the video will be scaled down. This downsampling reduces video fidelity, introduces blur and makes the compression artifacts more apparent. For best results, record and export videos in 1080p before uploading.
Bitrate
The video bitrate, measured in Mbps or Kbps, indicates the amount of data used per second of video playback. A higher bitrate corresponds to more visual information and detail in each frame. YouTube recommends uploading with at least 8 Mbps for 1080p footage.
LinkedIn has a maximum bitrate of 5 Mbps for uploaded videos. This means videos will have their bitrate lowered to 5 Mbps or below. Again, this reduction in bitrate will discard visual data and introduce more blurring. Using the highest bitrate possible when recording and exporting will help counteract the effects of bitrate limitations when uploading.
Playback Platform
The device and platform used for watching LinkedIn videos also impacts apparent quality. Small smartphone screens can hide flaws compared to larger desktop monitors. And lower resolution mobile devices are inherently more forgiving than 4K screens.
Internet connection speed is another factor. Streaming higher resolution video requires sufficient bandwidth. Buffering or streaming at lower qualities may force LinkedIn videos to appear blurrier than their uploaded quality.
The LinkedIn app may also request lower resolution versions of videos to compensate for slower connections. So the same video can look sharper on a desktop website compared to the mobile app based on delivery quality.
Upload Processing
LinkedIn applies post-processing when videos are uploaded, which can affect clarity. Adaptive bitrate streaming is utilized, which creates multiple quality versions of each video for optimized playback. Transcoding into different resolutions and codecs can introduce generation loss.
Other automated enhancements like stabilization and noise reduction may also cause fuzziness or over-smoothing of details. Display aspect ratio differences between the original video and LinkedIn’s 16:9 player can require cropping or letterboxing, another opportunity for lowered image fidelity.
Tips for Sharper LinkedIn Videos
While some video quality loss is inevitable, you can take steps to get the sharpest results on LinkedIn:
- Record and export video in 1080p resolution
- Use the highest bitrate your camera allows for filming
- Export videos at a high bitrate of 8-10 Mbps before uploading
- Minimize compression of the video during editing
- Upload the original source files if possible
- Use sharp optics and proper lighting when filming
- Focus on composition, framing, and visual interest
- Test videos on the devices and connections your audience uses
With high-quality video sources and proper export settings, you can minimize the impacts of LinkedIn’s compression and limitations. But some minor loss of fidelity may always occur when optimizing videos for streaming online platforms.
Why Does LinkedIn Compress Videos?
LinkedIn applies video compression and limits file parameters to:
- Optimize videos for streaming smoothly across different devices and connections
- Reduce bandwidth usage and costs for serving video content
- Decrease storage space required by using smaller files
- Quickly upload and process videos at scale with limited computing resources
- Deliver a consistent experience across videos
Supporting a massive user base uploading and watching millions of videos necessitates trade-offs between quality and practicality. Heavily compressed videos maximize reach and engagement, even if visual fidelity suffers.
As technology evolves, LinkedIn may adapt their limits and practices to enhance quality while maintaining performance. But platform-specific constraints around video will always exist.
Alternatives to LinkedIn Video
If maintaining pristine video quality is your top priority, alternatives to LinkedIn’s built-in video exist. You could:
- Upload videos to YouTube or Vimeo instead and embed them into LinkedIn posts
- Use Dailymotion, which offers 1080p embeds and higher bitrates
- Host videos on your website and link to them from LinkedIn
- Use LinkedIn’s native image posts to include high-res frames and GIFs from videos
These options bypass LinkedIn’s video compression and quality limits but introduce trade-offs like extra steps for viewers, loss of native platform features, or less control over the user experience.
Conclusion
LinkedIn’s video compression and optimization processes inevitably lead to some reduction in visual quality compared to the source files. But with high-resolution recording and exports, the impacts can be minimized. Focusing more on compelling visuals and content over perfectionist quality will give the best results.
Keep in mind LinkedIn’s audience and use case as a professional social network, not a showcase for pristine videography. As long as your video’s message is communicated clearly at common streaming qualities, some minor artifacts are acceptable. With smart preparation and managing expectations, LinkedIn can still be an effective platform for sharing quality video content.