How to make your social media cover images stand out
Cover images are like the welcome mat of your online profile—they make the first impression. It’s important to consider the size, the device you’re using and what you want to include. We’ve got a handy guide with all the important details to help you create the perfect cover images on Facebook and LinkedIn, with some client examples that we’ve created.
Your Facebook cover photo is one of the most noticeable parts of your page, so getting it right is key. A cover image that’s too big will be cropped, cutting off important parts of your content. On the other hand, a too-small image will look stretched and pixelated, giving a poor first impression. So, what’s the correct size for a Facebook cover image?
- Desktop: 820 pixels wide by 312 pixels tall
- Mobile: 640 pixels wide by 360 pixels tall
As you can see, the sizes vary depending on the device, but designing your cover photo with the desktop view in mind is generally the best approach. Canva offers templates to help you get the right size, so there’s no need to worry about that. However, keep in mind that the left side of your cover photo will be covered by your profile picture and on mobile, up to 75% of your profile picture might overlap into the cover photo. Therefore, make sure the important imagery or text is kept to the right.
Examples
Given the increasing number of people using Facebook on mobile devices, ensure that no important content is missing. If you plan on incorporating text or your logo into your cover image, exporting the file as a PNG will give you the best results.
LinkedIn cover image
Creating a LinkedIn cover image doesn’t have to be complicated. Even though the dimensions are quite specific (1,584px by 396px), the good news is that they stay the same across all devices. The trick is to make the most of this space without overthinking it.
LinkedIn personal profile
For personal profile pages, think of your cover image as a quick introduction. Include your contact details, a headline about yourself and maybe a notable achievement you’re proud of. This way, when someone visits your profile, they get a snapshot of who you are right at the top.
Company pages
For company pages, you may want to utilise this space to show off your projects or team, or add in your contact details or company tagline. This will help communicate your company’s identity and mission in a simple and effective way.
Quick note on profile pictures
Your profile picture should be recent, and your face should take up around 60 percent of the total space. It should match how you would normally look in your work environment so people can easily identify you, for example if they’re briefly met you through networking. Here’s more on elevating your LinkedIn profile.
Whether you’re starting from scratch on social media, or you’re branching out onto different social media platforms, at Get Social with Grace we can set up Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube on your behalf. We’re here to make sure your profiles are set up correctly from the start. Contact us for more info!