Social Media Creative Specs Cheat Sheet

Jan 24, 2021
Digital Marketing

Welcome to Coyote Website Design's ultimate guide to mastering social media creative specifications. In this comprehensive cheat sheet, we'll walk you through the latest requirements and best practices for creating captivating visuals for your social media campaigns. Stay ahead of the competition and craft stunning visual content that resonates with your audience.

Facebook

Profile Picture

Your Facebook profile picture is the cornerstone of your online presence. It appears on your page, posts, comments, and even ads. To ensure a crisp and clear presentation, use an image with a resolution of 180 x 180 pixels. Keep in mind that the picture will be displayed as a circle, so avoid using images with excessive borders or text that may be cut off.

Cover Photo

Make a lasting first impression with a compelling Facebook cover photo. The recommended dimensions for your cover photo are 820 x 312 pixels. Be creative and use this prime real estate to showcase your brand's personality and key messages. Experiment with different designs and ensure that your cover photo is mobile-friendly and visually appealing across all devices.

Shared Link Image

When sharing links on Facebook, the platform automatically pulls images from the linked page. To control how your content appears, use images with a recommended size of 1200 x 630 pixels. Optimize your images by adding engaging visuals that grab attention, accurately represent your content, and encourage click-throughs.

Twitter

Profile Picture

Your Twitter profile picture is your digital identity and helps users recognize your brand. It is displayed prominently on your profile, tweets, and interactions. To maintain image quality, upload a picture with dimensions of 400 x 400 pixels. Remember, your profile picture will be displayed as a circle, so ensure your logo or design is centered and visible.

Header Photo

Twitter's header photo offers an excellent opportunity to showcase your brand's aesthetics. The recommended dimensions for your header photo are 1500 x 500 pixels. Use this space creatively to tell your brand story, promote a campaign, or highlight a key message. Avoid overcrowding the image and ensure it remains legible across different screen sizes.

Tweet Images

When creating tweet images, consider Twitter's 2:1 aspect ratio, with a recommended size of 1024 x 512 pixels. With limited visual real estate, choose impactful images that stand out from the crowd and align with your messaging. Be mindful of file sizes, as larger files may reduce the image quality and load slower for users.

Instagram

Profile Picture

Your Instagram profile picture represents your brand and appears visibly across the platform. Use an image with dimensions of 110 x 110 pixels for optimal clarity. Remember to choose a picture that is visually appealing and immediately recognizable to help users connect with your brand instantly.

Feed Images

Instagram thrives on visual storytelling, so make sure your feed images are captivating and visually stunning. For square grid images, use a resolution of 1080 x 1080 pixels. For landscape images, aim for 1080 x 566 pixels, and for portrait images, opt for 1080 x 1350 pixels. Ensure that your images are high-quality and attention-grabbing to effectively engage your audience.

Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories provide a dynamic way to keep your audience engaged. The recommended dimensions for Story images and videos are 1080 x 1920 pixels. Use this space to share behind-the-scenes content, promotions, or announcements. Leverage interactive features like polls, stickers, and swipe-ups to encourage active audience participation and foster meaningful connections.

LinkedIn

Profile Picture

Your LinkedIn profile picture helps establish your professional brand and make a positive first impression. Use an image with dimensions of 400 x 400 pixels for optimal clarity. Choose a high-resolution photo that reflects your professionalism and aligns with your industry or personal branding.

Background Photo

Make your LinkedIn profile stand out with a visually captivating background photo. The recommended dimensions for the background photo are 1584 x 396 pixels. Select an image that aligns with your professional goals, showcases your expertise, or highlights your brand. Avoid cluttered images and ensure any text or important details are visible on various screen sizes.

Shared Content Images

When sharing content on LinkedIn, accompany your posts with visually appealing images. The recommended size for shared images is 1200 x 627 pixels. Use high-quality visuals that represent your content accurately and capture attention in the LinkedIn feed. Incorporate relevant text overlays or captions to entice users to engage with your content.

Pinterest

Profile Picture

Make a memorable first impression by selecting an attention-grabbing profile picture for Pinterest. The optimal profile picture dimensions are 165 x 165 pixels. Choose a visual element that embodies your brand, logo, or a product snapshot to resonate with your target audience and encourage them to explore your boards and pins further.

Pin Images

Pinterest is all about visually compelling pins that inspire users. For maximum impact, aim for an aspect ratio of 2:3 and a minimum width of 600 pixels. Heights can vary, but 1000 pixels or more is recommended for optimal quality. Create visually stunning images that align with your content's theme and capture the essence of your brand to maximize engagement and drive referral traffic.

Board Covers

Enhance the visual appeal of your Pinterest boards by designing captivating board covers. The recommended dimensions for board covers are 800 x 800 pixels. Create custom covers that represent the essence of each board, complementing the overall aesthetics of your Pinterest profile. This attention to detail will make your boards stand out and solidify your brand's visual identity.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You are now armed with the latest social media creative specifications and best practices. By leveraging this cheat sheet, you can optimize your visual content to communicate your brand's essence and captivate your audience across various social media platforms. Keep up with the ever-evolving landscape and adapt your strategies to stay ahead of the competition.

Remember, consistency in branding, image quality, and adherence to platform-specific guidelines are key to maximizing your social media presence. Invest time in creating stunning visuals that leave a lasting impression, inspire your audience, and drive meaningful engagement. Combine compelling visuals with thoughtful messaging to create a winning formula for a successful social media campaign.

Oleta McGuire
This cheat sheet is the perfect tool for maximizing your social media visuals. Game changer!
Nov 11, 2023