How to Change a LinkedIn Banner

Your LinkedIn banner is some of the most valuable digital real estate you own, so leaving the default blue background in place is a massive missed opportunity for your personal or company brand. This is a space that can immediately tell visitors who you are, what you do, and why they should connect with you. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the simple, technical steps of changing your banner and, more importantly, how to design one that builds your brand and helps you stand out.

Why Your LinkedIn Banner Is More Than Just a Pretty Picture

Many professionals upload a headshot, fill out their experience, and call it a day. But the most successful people on LinkedIn understand that their profile is a dynamic landing page, and the banner image is the headline. It's the first thing people see when they land on your profile, and it sets the tone for everything else they read.

Think of it this way:

• It's your first impression. Before anyone reads your "About" section or scrolls through your posts, their eyes are drawn to that wide banner at the top. A strong banner can instantly convey professionalism, creativity, and authority. A weak or nonexistent one can suggest a lack of attention to detail.
• It's a branding powerhouse. Your banner is the perfect place to reinforce your personal or corporate brand. Using consistent colors, fonts, and imagery that align with your website or other social media channels creates a cohesive and memorable brand identity. It tells people they're in the right place.
• It's a free advertisement. This space can be used strategically to promote your current focus. Are you launching a new book? Hosting a webinar? Hiring for a key role? Your banner can act as a billboard to announce your latest projects, showcase your value proposition, or even include a clear call-to-action (CTA).

Treating your banner as an afterthought means you're ignoring a direct line of communication with potential clients, recruiters, collaborators, and employers. A thoughtfully designed banner turns your profile from a simple resume into a strategic tool for career growth.

The Quick and Easy Steps to Change Your LinkedIn Banner

The good news is that the technical side of updating your banner is incredibly straightforward. The process is slightly different depending on whether you're using a computer or the mobile app.

On a Desktop Computer

Using a desktop gives you more control over the precise placement and cropping of your image, so it's the recommended method for an optimal result.

1. Navigate to Your Profile: Log in to LinkedIn and click on your small profile picture or the "Me" icon in the top right corner of the navigation bar. Select "View Profile" from the dropdown menu.
2. Open the Edit Menu: Once on your profile page, locate the pencil icon (✎,) in the upper-right corner of your main profile card, just below your banner. Clicking this will open the "Edit intro" pop-up window.
3. Change the Banner: In the pop-up window, you'll see your current banner at the top. Click the pencil icon (✎,) located *on* the banner image itself. This prompts a new menu. Click on "Change photo."
4. Upload Your New Image: A file explorer window will open. Navigate to the banner image you've prepared on your computer and select it to upload.
5. Adjust and Position: LinkedIn provides some basic editing tools. You can drag the image around to find the best positioning. There are also options to straighten, zoom, apply filters, and adjust brightness or contrast. Take a moment to ensure key text or a design isn't cut off.
6. Save Your Changes: Once you're happy with the placement and any edits, click the "Apply" button at the bottom right. Then, click "Save" in the main "Edit intro" window to make your new banner live for everyone to see.

On the LinkedIn Mobile App (iOS and Android)

You can also quickly swap out your banner on the go using the mobile app.

1. Go to Your Profile: Open the LinkedIn app and tap your profile picture in the top-left corner. Then, tap "View Profile."
2. Start the Editing Process: On your profile, tap the pencil icon (✎,) located to the right of your name and headline.
3. Select the Banner to Edit: You'll be taken to the "Edit intro" screen. Look for the pencil icon (✎,) superimposed on your current banner image in the top-right corner of that image. Tap it.
4. Upload or Take a Photo: You'll be given the option to "Upload from photos" or "Add a camera photo." Choose the image you have prepared from your phone's gallery.
5. Position and Save: Drag the image with your finger to position it correctly within the frame. Once satisfied, tap "Save" in the top-right corner. This will update your profile banner immediately.

Anatomy of a High-Impact LinkedIn Banner

Now that you know how to change it, what makes a banner effective? It's a blend of correct technical specifications and thoughtful, brand-aligned content. A great banner is clear, professional, and communicates value instantly.

First, Get the Dimensions and Specs Right

Nothing looks less professional than a blurry, pixelated, or poorly cropped banner. Adhering to LinkedIn's guidelines is the first step toward a polished look.

• Recommended Dimensions: 1584 x 396 pixels.
• Aspect Ratio: 4:1.
• File Type: PNG or JPEG are best.
• File Size: Keep it under 8 MB.

The Most Important consideration: The "Mobile Safe" Zone. Your profile picture isn't a simple overlay, it actually takes a chunk out of your banner space, and its position changes between desktop and mobile. On desktop, your photo is lower and covers the bottom-left portion. On mobile, it's more centered and higher up. This means important text, logos, or faces should be kept clear of the bottom-left corner and the lower-central area to remain visible on all devices. Always err on the side of placing text and key visuals towards the right side and upper half of your banner.

Content Inspiration: What to Put on Your Banner

Your banner's content should reflect your professional goals. It's not a one-size-fits-all situation. Here are some ideas tailored to different roles:

For Individuals (Freelancers, Job Seekers, Consultants):

• Your Personal Tagline: What's the one thing you want people to know you do? Example: "Helping SaaS Startups Scale with Content Marketing."
• Speaking or In-Action Shots: A high-quality photo of you speaking at a conference, leading a workshop, or working with a client can build credibility.
• List of Specialties: A few keywords representing your core skills (e.g., SEO | PPC | Content Strategy).
• Social Proof: Logos of reputable publications you've been featured in or well-known companies you've worked with.
• A Personal Touch: A relevant abstract design, a view of your city's skyline, or a tool of your trade (like a camera for a photographer) can add personality.

For Businesses and Corporate Brands:

• Your Company's Value Proposition: A concise statement that explains the benefit you offer customers. For instance, "Simple, Modern Social Media Management."
• Product Showcase: A clean, professional shot of your product in use or highlighting a key feature.
• Visuals of Your Team/Culture: Showcasing your employees can humanize your brand and be a great recruiting tool.
• Event Promotion: Advertise an upcoming webinar, trade show appearance, or virtual summit.
• Company Hashtag & Brand Elements: Reinforce your tagline, brand hashtag, and visual identity with on-brand colors and fonts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Your LinkedIn Banner

Just as a great banner can elevate your profile, a poorly executed one can detract from it. Watch out for these common missteps:

• Using the Default Gray Banner: This is the biggest mistake. It looks like you've abandoned your profile and shows a lack of effort.
• Overloading it with Text: A banner isn't a Word document. Too much text becomes unreadable, especially on a mobile screen. Keep it to a single, powerful sentence or a few keywords.
• Ignoring the Mobile View: Design a great banner, upload it, and then immediately check it on your phone. If your face or headline is cut off by your profile picture, it needs to be redesigned.
• Using a Low-Resolution Image: A fuzzy or pixelated banner instantly cheapens your professional image. Always use sharp, high-quality photos and graphics.
• Making it Too "Salesy": While you can promote something, an obnoxious banner that shouts "BUY NOW!" can feel out of place on a professional networking platform. Aim for value and connection first.

Your banner is a living document. Feel free to update it every few months to reflect your current projects, goals, or campaigns. It's a simple change that keeps your profile relevant and fresh.

Final Thoughts

Changing your LinkedIn banner is a small action with an outsized impact on your professional brand. It’s a fast, free, and effective way to turn your profile from a passive online resume into an active branding tool that immediately communicates what you're all about.

Keeping your visuals consistent across all platforms, from a LinkedIn banner to TikTok videos, helps build a strong, recognizable brand. That’s why we designed Postbase with a clean, visual calendar, so you can see your entire cross-platform content strategy at a glance. It helps you schedule content reliably and ensures cohesive visual branding everywhere, without the usual headache of juggling multiple apps and file versions.