How to Add an Image to a LinkedIn Post

Adding an image to your LinkedIn post can dramatically increase its visibility and engagement, yet nailing the execution involves more than just clicking the upload button. This guide provides a complete walkthrough, showing you not only the simple steps to add a picture but also the pro strategies for optimizing your images to stop the scroll and make a real impact. We'll cover everything from step-by-step instructions for desktop and mobile to ideal image specs and accessibility tips.

Why Images are Essential for LinkedIn Success

In a feed of endless scrolling through text-heavy content, a compelling image acts as a visual anchor. It breaks the monotony, grabs attention, and can convey complex ideas or emotions instantly. Posts with images receive significantly more comments and shares than text-only updates because our brains are hardwired to process visual information faster.

Think about your own scrolling habits. What makes you pause? It's often a striking photo, an insightful infographic, or a behind-the-scenes shot. By using images, you're not just sharing information - you're telling a story, humanizing your brand, and making your professional updates far more memorable. It's a simple change that shifts your content from being merely read to being seen and felt, leading to deeper engagement and better algorithm performance.

How to Add an Image on LinkedIn: Step-by-Step

Whether you're posting from your computer during the workday or from your phone while on the go, the process is straightforward. Here's how to do it on both desktop and mobile.

Adding an Image on a Desktop Browser

Posting from your desktop is ideal when you're working with high-resolution graphics you've just created or downloaded. The larger screen makes it easier to review your post before it goes live.

1. Start a Post: Navigate to your LinkedIn homepage and find the "Start a post" box at the top of your feed.
2. Select the Image Icon: In the post creation window, look for the small icons at the bottom. Click on the first icon, which looks like a picture or a mountain landscape. A pop-up window will prompt you to "Add media".
3. Upload Your Image(s): Your computer's file explorer will open. Navigate to the image you want to share, select it, and click “Open.” You can select multiple images at once by holding down the Ctrl/Cmd key while clicking on the files. Once selected, click “Next”.
4. Edit and Add Alt Text: LinkedIn will show you a preview of your image(s). Here, you can crop the image, make basic adjustments, and most importantly, add Alt Text for accessibility by clicking "Alt text." You can also tag people by clicking the tagging icon.
5. Write Your Caption: With your image in place, it's time to write the text for your post. Craft a compelling caption, add relevant hashtags, and mention any people or companies involved.
6. Post It: Once you're satisfied with your caption and image preview, click the blue "Post" button to share it with your network.

Adding an Image on the Mobile App (iOS and Android)

Sharing from your phone is perfect for in-the-moment updates, like photos from a conference, a team event, or an interesting sight that relates to your industry.

1. Start a Post: Open the LinkedIn app and tap the “Post” button located in the center of the bottom navigation bar.
2. Add a Photo: On the post creation screen, you'll see several options. Tap on the “Add a photo” icon (it often appears first or accompanies a small landscape icon). Your phone's gallery will open.
3. Select Your Image(s): Tap on the photo or photos you wish to use. A checkmark will appear on the thumbnail of your selected media assets as confirmation. Tap "Add" at the top right of the page once you are happy with the images to be uploaded.
4. Edit and Optimize: You'll be taken to an editing screen where you can add stickers, text overlays, and Alt Text (look for the "ALT" tag). This is also where you can tag people in the photo. Click “Next” when you're done.
5. Compose Your Post: You're now back on the main editor screen with your selected media attached. Now is your chance to write your post’s main text, add hashtags, and mention others. You can also double-check who can view and respond to your post in the settings menu.
6. Share It: Tap "Post" in the top-right corner, and your message will be instantly published for your network.

Best Practices for Standout LinkedIn Images

Just adding any image isn't enough. To truly leverage the power of visuals, you need to be strategic. Following these best practices will help you create posts that command attention and drive engagement.

Get the Dimensions Right

Nothing looks less professional than a poorly cropped or blurry image. While LinkedIn is flexible, aiming for the optimal dimensions ensures your visuals look crisp and clean on any device.

• For single-image posts (square): A 1:1 aspect ratio is your most reliable choice. An ideal size is 1200 x 1200 pixels. This format performs consistently well on both desktop and mobile feeds.
• For single-image posts (portrait): A 4:5 aspect ratio, such as 1080 x 1350 pixels, can take up more vertical screen space on mobile, making it more eye-catching. LinkedIn may crop it slightly in the main feed preview, so keep the most important elements centered.
• For multi-image (carousel) posts: LinkedIn treats these very specifically. For best results, use a 1:1 aspect ratio (square) for all images in the set. If you mix orientations, LinkedIn's automatic cropping can be unpredictable.
• For a link-post preview image: When you share a URL, LinkedIn pulls a preview image. The ideal aspect ratio for this is 1.91:1, with a recommended size of 1200 x 627 pixels.

Technical Specifications

Keep these technical details in mind to avoid upload errors:

• File types: LinkedIn supports PNG, JPG, and GIF files. Use JPG for photographs and complex images, and PNG for graphics with text, logos, or transparent backgrounds. While GIFs can upload, they play as static images, not animations, in standard posts.
• File size: The maximum file size for an image upload is 5 MB.

Creating and Sourcing High-Quality Images

• Be Authentic: Stock photos have their place, but genuine photos of your team, office, process, or events build trust and humanize your brand. People connect with people, not generic business illustrations.
• Keep It High-Resolution: Always use the highest resolution images available. A grainy or pixelated image reflects poorly on your professionalism.
• Stay On-Brand: Use consistent colors, fonts, and logo placements to make your visual content instantly recognizable. This builds brand equity with every post.
• Minimize Text on Images: If you're creating a graphic, keep text to a minimum. Use a bold headline or a key data point, but put the detailed explanation in the caption. Let the visual do its job.

Advanced Strategies: Go Beyond a Simple Picture

Once you've mastered the basics, you can use images in more sophisticated ways to tell better stories and broaden your reach.

Always Use Alt Text

Alternative text (alt text) is a written description of an image read aloud by screen readers for users who are visually impaired. This isn't just a best practice, it's essential for ensuring your content is accessible to everyone. Accurate alt text also helps LinkedIn's algorithm understand the context of your image, which can improve your post's reach. When you upload an image, LinkedIn will prompt you to add alt text. Be descriptive but concise for the best results.

How to Add Alt Text:

After uploading your image and before publishing, click on the "Alt text" option in the editing window to add your description.

Tell a Story with a Multi-Image Post (Carousel)

Don't be afraid to upload multiple photos at once. This creates a gallery or carousel-style post that invites your audience to click through and engage more deeply with your content. This format is brilliant for:

• How-to Guides: Create a step-by-step guide with one tip per image.
• Event Recaps: Share highlights from a conference, webinar, or company outing.
• Product Showcases: Display different features or use cases of a product.
• Behind-the-Scenes Tours: Give your audience a peek into your company culture or workflow.

Tag Relevant People and Companies

When you post an image that includes team members, clients, or partners, be sure to tag them. Click the "Tag" icon on the image preview and start typing their names to find and select their profiles.

Tagging serves two valuable purposes:

1. It notifies the people and companies you tag, bringing your post to the attention of their networks and significantly expanding your reach beyond your own followers.
2. It adds credibility. Tagging relevant parties provides social proof and authenticates your collaborations or professional relationships. This simple action strengthens your network and signals to the algorithm that your content is valuable and connected within your industry, which can build trust.

Final Thoughts

Adding an image to your LinkedIn post is a simple action with a significant impact. It transforms a text-based update into an engaging piece of content that builds your brand and captures your audience's attention. By following the clear steps for desktop and mobile, and more importantly, applying best practices for image sizing, quality, messaging, and accessibility, your posts will stand out for all the right reasons.

We know that consistently planning and preparing high-quality visuals for platforms like LinkedIn can feel like a full-time job. That's why we designed an effortless planning experience inside Postbase. Our visual content calendar lets you see your entire strategy for the month, allowing you to drag and drop your scheduled image posts, customize captions for each platform, and trust that everything will publish perfectly, every single time.

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