How to Post a Video on LinkedIn

Posting a video on LinkedIn can generate five times more engagement than any other type of content, but figuring out the right way to do it can feel a little confusing. This guide walks you through every step, from the technical specifications you need to know to a simple, step-by-step process for getting your video live. We'll also cover the strategies that turn a simple video post into a powerful tool for building your brand and connecting with your audience.

Why Native Video on LinkedIn is a North Star Metric

Before we get into the "how," let's quickly touch on the "why." While you can share a link to a YouTube or Vimeo video, uploading your video file directly to LinkedIn - known as a native video - is significantly more effective. The LinkedIn algorithm prioritizes native video content because it keeps users on the platform. As a result, native videos autoplay in the feed, capture attention more effectively, and consistently earn higher reach and engagement than posts with external links.

If you take one thing away from this guide, let it be this: always upload your video directly to LinkedIn. It's the single biggest factor for success.

LinkedIn Video Specifications: The Technical Checklist

Getting the technical details right before you upload will save you a lot of headaches. LinkedIn is flexible, but following these guidelines ensures your video looks professional and performs well.

File Format & Size

• Supported Formats: ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, MOV, MP4, WebM, MPEG-1, and MPEG-4. The most common and reliable formats are MP4 and MOV.
• File Size: Between 75KB and 5GB. This is a huge range, so most videos you create will easily fit.
• Video Length: A minimum of 3 seconds and a maximum of 10 minutes for native video uploaded from your profile. For LinkedIn Video Ads, the length can extend up to 30 minutes, but for organic content, shorter is almost always better.

Aspect Ratio & Resolution

Aspect ratio is just a fancy way of saying the shape of your video (e.g., square, wide, or tall). Choosing the right one depends on how you want your content to be viewed.

• 1:1 (Square): A 1080x1080 pixel resolution is perfect for mobile viewing. It takes up a good amount of screen real estate in the feed and works well on both mobile and desktop. This is a safe and highly effective choice.
• 9:16 (Vertical): At 1080x1920 pixels, this is the standard vertical video format you see on TikTok or Instagram Reels. It's fantastic for immersive mobile experiences, as it fills the entire screen.
• 16:9 (Horizontal/Landscape): This is the traditional widescreen format (1920x1080 pixels) you'd see on YouTube. While it works, it can appear smaller in the mobile feed compared to square or vertical formats. It’s best used for videos that need a wide perspective, like interviews or cinematic b-roll.

Captions (SRT Files)

This isn't just a recommendation, it's a necessity. Over 80% of social media videos are watched with the sound off. If your video doesn't have captions, your message is completely lost on most of your audience. LinkedIn allows you to upload a SubRip Subtitle (.SRT) file along with your video. You can create these files easily with free online tools or professional video editing software. Always include them.

How to Post a Native Video on LinkedIn (Step-by-Step)

Now for the main event. Here’s exactly how to upload your video directly to the platform.

On Desktop:

1. Log in to LinkedIn and go to your home feed. At the top of the page, click the "Start a post" box.
2. In the pop-up window, click the "Add media" icon (it looks like a little landscape photo) and then select the video icon.
3. Choose the video file from your computer that you want to upload. A preview of the video will appear.
4. Write Your Post Content. This is your chance to add context. Start with a strong hook - a question or a bold statement - to grab attention. Explain what the video is about and why someone should care.
5. Add Hashtags. Use 3-5 relevant hashtags to help LinkedIn categorize your content and show it to people interested in those topics. Mix broad hashtags (#Marketing) with niche ones (#B2BContentStrategy).
6. Tag People or Companies. If you mention someone in your video or worked with another company, tag their profile using the "@" symbol. They'll get a notification and might share your post.
7. Add Your Video Details. Below the video preview, you’ll see options for "Thumbnail" and "Captions":
   • Thumbnail: Click the thumbnail icon to upload a custom image. A compelling thumbnail can dramatically increase your video’s click-through rate. Don't let LinkedIn choose a random, blurry frame for you.
   • Captions: Click the "Select caption" button to upload your .SRT file.
8. Once everything looks good, click the "Post" button. LinkedIn will take a few moments to process the video, and then it will be live.

On a Mobile Device:

The process on the LinkedIn mobile app is just as simple.

1. Open the app and tap the "Post" button at the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap the "Add a photo/video" icon and select the video you want to share from your phone's gallery.
3. LinkedIn may offer some simple editing tools here, like trimming the video length. Adjust as needed.
4. Write your caption, add hashtags, and tag relevant accounts just like you would on a desktop.
5. When you're ready, tap "Post" in the top right corner.

Hot Tip: While you can add captions via mobile, uploading a custom thumbnail is currently a desktop-only feature. For the most polished look, it’s best to post your videos from a computer.

How to Share a YouTube Video (And Why You Might Reconsider)

If you absolutely must share a video from another platform like YouTube or Vimeo, the process is easy, but be aware of the performance trade-off.

1. Copy the URL of the video you want to share.
2. Paste the URL into the "Start a post" box on LinkedIn.
3. Wait a second for LinkedIn to generate a preview of the video player.
4. Write your caption and publish the post.

The downside? The video won't autoplay in the feed, and users will have to click away from LinkedIn to watch it - a step many won't take. Your reach and engagement will almost certainly be lower than with a native upload. Whenever possible, take the extra minute to upload the file directly.

Strategies for Videos That Actually Get Engagement

Uploading the video is only half the battle. Creating content that people actually want to watch is what really matters. Here are some proven strategies for making effective LinkedIn videos.

1. The 3-Second Rule

You have about three seconds to stop someone from scrolling past your video. Your opening is everything. Start with:

• A specific problem: "Struggling to write good marketing copy?"
• A surprising statistic: "Did you know that 85% of job openings are filled through networking?"
• Intriguing motion: Show a compelling visual or a quick action to draw the eye in.

Don’t waste time with a long logo intro or a slow fade-in. Get straight to the value.

2. Educate, Don't Just Sell

The most successful videos on LinkedIn teach the viewer something useful. Your goal is to be seen as a helpful expert, not a salesperson. Think about common questions your audience has and answer them in a short video.

• Quick software tutorials
• “Behind-the-scenes” look at your process
• Explaining a complex industry trend in simple terms
• A short tip or "hack" that makes their job easier

3. Tell a Human Story

People connect with people, not logos. Videos are a fantastic way to humanize your brand. Share stories about your team's successes, a challenge you overcame, or a client's transformation. This builds trust and makes your content more memorable.

4. Keep It Short and Sweet

While you can post up to a 10-minute video, the sweet spot for engagement is usually between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Deliver your core message quickly and concisely. People are busy, respect their time.

5. End with a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

Tell your viewers what to do next. A good CTA encourages interaction and boosts your post in the algorithm. Try one of these:

• "What's one takeaway you had? Let me know in the comments."
• "If you found this helpful, follow me for more tips."
• "Read the full article on our blog, link in the comments." (Posting the link in the comments can improve your post's initial reach.)

6. Engage with Every Comment

As comments roll in, reply to every single one. Not only is this great for community building, but every comment exchange signals to the LinkedIn algorithm that your post is valuable, pushing it out to an even wider audience.

Final Thoughts

Posting video on LinkedIn is a straightforward process, but getting real results comes from combining the right technical setup with a smart content strategy. By focusing on native uploads, designing for silent viewing with captions, and providing genuine value, your videos can become a cornerstone of your professional brand and a powerful connection tool.

As my team and I ramped up our own video content, we found that planning and scheduling videos across different platforms quickly became a major time drain. We built Postbase to solve that exact problem. It’s designed from the ground up for today's video-first social landscape, letting us load our LinkedIn videos, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts all into one clean, visual calendar. It helps us stay consistent with our content strategy and saves our team hours of work every week.