When it comes to social media, size does, in fact, matter!
We at Random have assembled specific recommendations for size, resolution, and more for Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and TikTok.
Bear in mind, these platforms are constantly evolving and changing under our feet. We'll update this helpful collection as platforms shift“check in every six months or so to ensure your posts are up-to-date!
Everything shared to Instagram will need to be 1080 pixels across - height will vary! Although landscape images can be shared to Instagram, we advise against it - square or portrait is the way to go. Instagram users are typically on mobile, and the goal is to fill as much of their screen as possible with your content. Vertical and square images accomplish that better than landscape!
For in-feed video, the maximum time limit is 60 seconds. When sharing to IGTV, it's another story. Videos can be much longer, but many of the same visual rules still apply: vertical is best!
For Reels, 15-60 second video is preferred. A vertical ratio of 9:16 is recommended, but remember: with Reels, Instagram's UX and interface will take up unexpected space! Due to comments, text, and other features, the safe zone for Reels is smaller than you may think: instead of 1080 x 1920 px, it's actually just 1010 x 1280 px. To be clear: your whole video can and should be 1080 x 1920, but remember that the most important content should be close to the center of the screen. The very bottom and top will be obstructed!
TikTok videos should be 1080p, 287.6 MB maximum file size, up to 10 minutes long. While posting a still image to TikTok is not only inadvisable, but impossible, sharing slideshows, animated photos, or photo montages are all options (but video content will likely get you higher engagement). Image size can be 1080 x 1920 px max.
Bear in mind that, like Instagram Reels, a lot of your video will be covered by TikTok's UX on the very bottom, top, and right of the screen. Users will still be able to see the entirety of the video on their screen, but key information and visuals should be focused on the very center of your content.
Facebook users are on both mobile and desktop, so the best image format is vertical. Remember that Facebook tends to push video content over still images!
Video should be 1080p, 1GB maximum and no longer than 20 minutes. Landscape, portrait, and square video can all be shared, but again, vertical is best for both desktop and mobile purposes.
Stories can be shared simultaneously to Instagram and Facebook, which is convenient! Same size as Instagram: they can be still or video, 1080 x 1920, 20 seconds maximum per frame. Reels can also be shared from Instagram to Facebook for additional content.
Like Instagram, the name of the game for Twitter is vertical or square - for still images only. Unlike Instagram, you can share GIFs to Twitter, and square or horizontal is preferred for video. Videos can be a maximum of 10 minutes long on Twitter.
Twitter supports multi-image posts, but you cannot control the cropping of those images in their thumbnails - be mindful of accidental poor cropping or display when sharing multiple photos.
LinkedIn is similar to Facebook in many respects. Vertical images tend to be best, and videos are limited to 10 minutes or less.
Horizontal video reigns supreme on Youtube. Aim for 1920 x 1080 px, 1080p. Thumbnails for videos should be 1280 x 720 px. 12 hours is the maximum length of any Youtube video.
Upload your own thumbnail for Youtube videos, rather than using a still from your footage “ it'll garner more attention and interest. Include eye-catching colors, an image of your main subject, and a short piece of text, either a quote from your video or a shortened version of the title.
Want help crafting the best-looking posts possible on your socials? Reach out to us below!
