How to Change Background on LinkedIn? A Comprehensive Guide
Here’s how to instantly elevate your LinkedIn profile: You can easily change your background photo on LinkedIn to showcase your brand, industry, or personality, making a powerful first impression.
Why Your LinkedIn Background Matters
Your LinkedIn background photo, also known as the banner image, is prime real estate on your profile. It’s the first visual element people see after your profile picture and headline. It presents a valuable opportunity to visually communicate your professional story, values, and expertise beyond your written resume and experience.
The Benefits of a Strong LinkedIn Background Photo
A well-chosen background photo can significantly enhance your LinkedIn profile and career prospects:
- Enhanced Personal Branding: It allows you to visually represent your brand, highlighting your industry, company, or personal values.
- Increased Profile Views: An engaging and professional background can capture attention and encourage viewers to explore your profile further.
- Improved Credibility: A thoughtfully designed background can convey professionalism and establish you as a credible expert in your field.
- Networking Opportunities: It can spark conversations and connections by providing a visual cue about your interests and expertise.
- Career Advancement: A strong profile, including a compelling background, can improve your visibility to recruiters and potential employers.
The Process: How to Change Background on LinkedIn? (Step-by-Step)
Changing your background photo on LinkedIn is a simple and straightforward process:
- Log in to your LinkedIn account on your desktop or mobile device.
- Navigate to your profile: Click on your profile picture or select “View Profile” from the “Me” dropdown menu.
- Enter Edit Mode: On your profile page, look for the pencil icon (Edit intro) on your profile’s intro card. Click on it. On some versions of LinkedIn, you may need to click the pencil icon located directly on your profile background area.
- Edit Background Photo: If you clicked the “Edit intro” button, hover over the top of your profile where the banner area is. You will see a pencil icon appear. Click on it. A new window will appear.
- Upload or Choose a Photo: You can either upload a new image from your computer or choose from a library of LinkedIn’s suggested backgrounds (if available).
- Adjust and Position: After uploading, you can reposition, zoom in, or zoom out your image to fit the available space. Ensure the focal point of your image is visually appealing within the banner area.
- Save Changes: Click the “Apply” button, then the “Save” button to save your changes. Your new background photo will now be visible on your profile.
Choosing the Right Background Photo
Selecting the appropriate background photo is crucial for making a positive impact. Consider these factors:
- Relevance: Choose an image that aligns with your industry, profession, or personal brand.
- Quality: Use a high-resolution image to avoid pixelation and ensure a professional appearance. The recommended size is 1584 x 396 pixels.
- Simplicity: Avoid overly cluttered or distracting images that detract from your profile content.
- Originality: Opt for a unique and personalized image that sets you apart from other profiles.
- Color Palette: Consider the colors used in your profile picture and headline and choose a background image that complements them.
- Legal Compliance: Make sure you have the rights to use the photo you are uploading.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Background Photo
- Using a low-resolution or pixelated image: This can make your profile look unprofessional.
- Choosing an irrelevant or distracting image: This can confuse viewers and detract from your professional message.
- Using a personal photo that is not related to your career: While showing personality is great, keep your background professional. Family photos or vacation pictures are generally not appropriate.
- Ignoring the recommended image size: This can result in a stretched or distorted image.
- Not updating your background photo regularly: Keep your profile fresh and relevant by updating your background photo periodically.
- Using copyrighted images without permission: This can lead to legal issues.
Tools and Resources for Creating LinkedIn Background Photos
Several online tools and resources can help you create visually appealing LinkedIn background photos:
| Tool/Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Canva | A popular graphic design platform with templates specifically designed for LinkedIn banners. |
| Adobe Spark | Another excellent graphic design tool with a wide range of customizable templates. |
| Snappa | A user-friendly design tool specifically tailored for creating social media graphics. |
| Fotor | An online photo editor and design tool with a variety of features for creating banners. |
| Unsplash/Pexels | Free stock photo websites offering high-quality images that you can use for your banner. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use a video as my LinkedIn background?
No, unfortunately, LinkedIn does not currently support the use of video as a background photo. You can only use static images in JPEG, PNG, or GIF format.
What is the recommended size for a LinkedIn background photo?
The recommended size for a LinkedIn background photo is 1584 x 396 pixels. This ensures that your image looks crisp and clear on various devices.
How often should I change my LinkedIn background?
There’s no fixed rule, but consider updating your background photo every few months or when you achieve a significant career milestone, attend an industry event, or refresh your personal branding.
Can I use a company logo as my LinkedIn background?
Yes, using your company logo can be a great way to showcase your association with a particular organization and strengthen your professional identity, especially if you are looking for a job within that company. Just ensure you have permission to use the logo if you are not the business owner.
What are some alternative ideas for LinkedIn background photos?
Consider using images that represent:
- Your industry (e.g., a cityscape for real estate, a lab for science)
- Your skills (e.g., a keyboard for writing, a camera for photography)
- Your values (e.g., a team collaborating, a sustainable environment)
- A relevant quote or slogan related to your profession
How do I ensure my background photo looks good on both desktop and mobile?
Because LinkedIn crops background images differently on different devices, it’s wise to preview your profile on both desktop and mobile after uploading. Position the most important visual elements of your image in the center to ensure they are visible on all devices.
Is it possible to revert to the default LinkedIn background?
If you don’t like the current background image, you can delete the image you have uploaded and the background will go back to the default gray gradient that LinkedIn provides.
Can I see how my background looks before making it live?
Yes, the editing interface provides a preview of how your background photo will look on your profile. Take advantage of this feature to make adjustments before saving your changes.
Does LinkedIn offer templates for background photos?
While LinkedIn doesn’t offer built-in templates for background photos, you can find numerous templates on graphic design platforms like Canva and Adobe Spark.
How do I find high-quality images for my LinkedIn background?
Use reputable stock photo websites like Unsplash, Pexels, or Pixabay to find high-resolution, royalty-free images for your background.
What if I don’t have a suitable photo to use as my background?
You can create a simple graphic using a design tool like Canva or Adobe Spark, featuring your name, title, and a relevant background color or pattern.
Does changing my LinkedIn background notify my connections?
No, changing your LinkedIn background does not trigger a notification to your connections. It’s a discreet change that only affects your profile’s visual appearance. How to Change Background on LinkedIn? becomes something that is only seen when people go to your profile.