It’s also a highly visual channel where images can be used to both present your brand and engage in authentic storytelling.
From how you present your company’s profile to the types of images you share to your feed and your Facebook Stories, ensuring your images are up to spec is key.
Facebook Profile Photo
Recommended image size: 196 x 196 pixels.
Your Facebook profile picture will be cropped to appear as a circle, so make sure to keep your photo’s subject or logo within “safe zones” so nothing gets cropped out.
Display size differs depending on the device:
For desktop, it displays at 176 x 176 pixels.
For smartphones, it displays at 196 x 196 pixels.
For most feature phones, it displays at 36 x 36 pixels.
If your profile photo features a logo or text, a PNG file might give you the best results.
Facebook Cover Photo
You have more room to get creative with your cover photo, as it’s much larger than your profile picture. But that also means you need the resolution right, or your image might appear stretched.
Recommended image size: It must be a minimum of 400 pixels wide and 150 pixels tall, though we recommend an image that’s 851 x 315 pixels for the best results.
Display size differs depending on the device:
For desktop, it displays at 820 x 312 pixels.
For smartphones, it displays at 640 x 360 pixels.
Your cover photo will load fastest as an sRGB JPG file that’s less than 100 kilobytes.
Like with your Facebook profile photo, you’ll likely get better results using a PNG file if your cover photo features a logo or text.
Facebook Shared Image
Recommended image size: 1200 x 630 pixels.
While the landscape format above is the recommended image size, you can also post in other image orientations:
Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels.
Facebook Stories
Recommended image size: 1080 x 1920 pixels.
Facebook Stories are vertical image features (much like Instagram Stories) with an aspect ratio of 9:16.
Focus on keeping any text or important information in the center of your image, so that any other elements won’t cover it.
Instagram Image Sizes
Probably the most visual social network of them all, Instagram is beloved by brands and consumers alike.
The very nature of the platform – which centers around sharing photos and videos – has made it extremely popular for visual storytelling, and its reputation for pioneering new features (like Instagram Stories) has cemented it as a space to watch.
Creating a polished profile is the first step to succeeding on Instagram. From there, you’ll want to experiment with different post types – such as Instagram Stories, Instagram Reels, and even photo carousels – to see what your audience finds most engaging.
Instagram Profile Photo
Recommended image size: 320 x 320 pixels is the right size to ensure your photo shows up well (even though it displays at 110 x 110 pixels on mobile).
Like with Facebook, your Instagram profile picture will appear as a circle, so be mindful of what will get cropped out of the edges.
Unlike some platforms, your followers can’t click to expand your Instagram profile image, so make sure it can be clearly seen as it is.
Instagram Feed Posts
When sharing a photo to your Instagram feed, you have several different orientation options to choose from.
The best choice will depend on the content itself – but always keep in mind that you should optimize for a mobile-first audience.
Recommended image sizes:
Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels with an aspect ratio of 4:5.
Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels with an aspect ratio of 1:1.
Landscape: 1080 x 566 pixels with an aspect ratio of 1.91:1.
Instagram supports image aspect ratios between 1.91:1 and 4:5.
For best results, Instagram recommends uploading images with a width of 1080 pixels and a height of between 566 and 1350 pixels, depending on the aspect ratio you’re looking for. If you share a photo at a lower resolution than that, Instagram will enlarge it. Similarly, if you share a photo at a higher resolution, it will be cropped.
Once posted to Instagram, your photo will display as a 161 x 161 pixels thumbnail on your profile.
You can also post an Instagram Carousel of up to 10 images.
Instagram Stories
Instagram stories are ephemeral, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put effort into uploading photos your viewers will love.
Recommended image size: 1080 x 1920 pixels.
With a minimum resolution of 600 x 1067 pixels, it’s a good rule of thumb to keep your images above these numbers.
Instagram Stories is a vertical image format, so your photos will appear in a 9:16 aspect ratio.
There’s a maximum file size of 4 GB for Instagram Stories.
Instagram Reels
Reels have the same sizing and dimensions as Instagram Stories.
Recommended image size: 1080 x 1920 pixels, with an aspect ratio of 9:16.
Your Reels will be cropped down to a 1:1 square image on your profile feed, and a 4:5 portrait in the home feed.
Therefore, you should be mindful to place any text or important visuals in the center “safe zone” of your video.
Twitter Image Sizes
Twitter is a platform of short, succinct tweets – but it’s also about images!
Adding photos and videos to your tweets can be a great way to provide your audience with additional content or tell a deeper story – and often, this can make for more engaging content.
Like with other platforms, using imagery to create a profile that visually reflects your brand will also aid in fostering brand recognition with Twitter users.
Twitter Profile Photo
Recommended image size: 400 x 400 pixels.
Minimum image size: 200 x 200 pixels
The maximum file size for profile photos on Twitter is 2 MB, so make sure your image doesn’t exceed this.
Don’t forget that your profile photo will be circular, as with many other social media platforms.
Twitter Cover Photo
Recommended image size: 1500 x 500 pixels.
The maximum size for header photos on Twitter is 5 MB, though GIFs can be up to 15 MB if you use the website.
The file types that Twitter support are JPEG, GIF, and PNG. It does not accept BMP, TIFF, or other formats.
Aim to get as close to the recommended image size as possible here in order to minimize the likelihood that your header photo will appear blurred or stretched.
Be mindful that your header will appear differently depending on the device on which it is viewed, so it helps to take a look on both desktop and mobile after you’ve uploaded yours.
Twitter In-Stream Images
Recommended image size: 1600 x 900 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Twitter will automatically crop in-feed images to 500 x 335 px, where users can then click to expand to 1600 x 900.
While 1600 x 900px is the ideal size to ensure that nothing is cropped out of your picture in the in-feed preview, you can also upload in different resolutions:
Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels
Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels.
Aspect ratios will be optimized differently depending on the device. Twitter recommends using 2:1 or 1:1 on desktop or 2:1, 3:4, 5:4, or 16:9 on mobile.
Other factors you should consider for Twitter in-stream photos:
The maximum image size is 5 MB.
Twitter accepts GIF, JPEG, and PNG files.
It does not accept BMP, TIFF, or other file formats.
You can post up to four images per post, but doing this will alter how they are displayed and their aspect ratio.
LinkedIn Image Sizes
LinkedIn has cornered the market as the go-to social media network for professional networking.
But it’s more than just a place for recruiters and job seekers to connect; it’s a space where businesses and individuals can build their brands, share their stories, and connect with like-minded people.
Uploading high-quality images, both in your profile elements and in the content you share, is paramount in presenting professionally on LinkedIn – so make sure you adhere to recommended sizing.
LinkedIn Personal Page
Recommended profile photo size: A minimum of 400 x 400 pixels.
Recommended cover photo size: 1,584 x 396 pixels.
LinkedIn Company Profile Photo
Recommended image size: 400 x 400 pixels.
Photos must be an absolute minimum of 268 x 268 pixels.
On LinkedIn, your profile photo will appear as a square with a 1:1 aspect ratio.
Maximum file size of 4 MB.
LinkedIn accepts JPEG, GIF, and PNG file types.
LinkedIn Company Cover Photo
Recommended image size: 1128 x 191 pixels.
Be sure to max out your resolution here so your image isn’t blurry – and bear in mind that it will appear slightly differently on various devices.
Be aware that your company logo will overlap your cover photo in the lower left corner.
LinkedIn Post Image Size
Recommended image size: 1200 x 627 pixels.
LinkedIn defaults to a 1.91.1 ratio for image posts and link posts.
You can also upload images in other dimensions, such as:
Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels.
TikTok Image Sizes
TikTok has quickly risen among the ranks as one of the most popular video-sharing social media apps.
While it goes without saying that you should understand the correct sizing for any videos you upload to TikTok, it’s also important to know the right sizing for other content elements on the platform – such as your profile photo, and any carousel images you might want to post.
Getting these right will lead to more engagement with your target audience.
TikTok Profile Photo
Recommended image size: 200 x 200 pixels.
The minimum size for a TikTok profile photo is 20 x 20 pixels, but adhering to the recommended sizing above will give you the best results.
TikTok Video Size
Recommended video size: 1080 x 1920 pixels.
9:16 is the ideal aspect ratio for TikTok videos.
Maximum video length of 3 minutes.
TikTok Carousel Image Size
Recommended image size: 1080 x 1920 pixels.
For best results, you should aim for a 9:16 or 1:1 aspect ratio for TikTok carousels, but uploading images with a 4:5 ratio is also possible.
Pinterest Image Sizes
Visuals are core to the Pinterest platform, as it’s primarily a place for users to discover things – from recipes to home decor ideas and more.
For brands, Pinterest is a great place to connect with your ideal audience through content that inspires them and catches their eye. It’s also a powerful tool for sharing your products and encouraging people who were previously unaware of your brand to become customers.
So, naturally, you want to make sure your Pinterest images are top-notch.
Pinterest Profile Photo
Recommended image size: 165 x 165 pixels.
Like other platforms, your Pinterest profile photo will appear as a circle – so keep that in mind when choosing an image.
Your profile will display differently on different areas of the site:
On the home page, it displays at 165 x 165 pixels.
On the rest of Pinterest, it displays at 32 x 32 pixels.
The maximum file size is 10 MB.
You can use a JPG or PNG file type for your profile photo.
Pinterest Cover Photo
Recommended image size: 800 x 450 pixels.
Pinterest Pin Image
Recommended image size: 1000 x 1500 pixels for a vertical image.
Pinterest recommends using an image aspect ratio of 2:3 for your Pin images to give your audience the best experience.
Pins will appear on the feed and boards with a width of 236 pixels.
The maximum file size is 20 MB.
Pinterest Board Display Image
Recommended image size: 222 x 150 pixels.
The smaller thumbnail size here will be 55 x 55 pixels.
Other Pinterest Image Sizes
For Story Pins, the recommended image size is 1080 x 1920 pixels.
For Carousel Pins, the company recommends sizing of 1000 x 1500 pixels (portrait) or 1000 x 1000 pixels (square) and an aspect ratio of 1:1 or 2:3. You can include up to five images.
Videos on Pinterest can be a maximum of 15 minutes and should utilize the same recommended sizing and aspect ratios as Carousel Pins above.
As the world’s leading video-sharing platform, YouTube has become a staple platform for social media users.
And while uploading exceptional videos is the goal, there are also other ways you can set yourself up for success on YouTube – such as in your public-facing profile.
YouTube Profile Photo
Recommended image size: 800 x 800 pixels.
This photo will display at 98 x 98 pixels.
Ensure your photo content is centered so nothing is cropped out.
YouTube Profile Banner Photo
Recommended image size: 2560 x 1440 pixels, with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
The minimum size YouTube will accept for your cover photo is 2048 x 1152 pixels.
Make sure your text and logos are within the ‘safe zone’ of 1235 x 338 pixels.
The maximum file size is 6 MB.
YouTube Thumbnail Photo
Recommended image size: 1280 x 720 pixels, with a minimum width of 640 pixels.
YouTube Video Size
Recommended video size: A minimum dimension of 1280 x 720 pixels, with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Snapchat Image Sizes
The leader in ephemeral content, Snapchat is still popular among younger social users.
The app focuses heavily on vertical image content in a 9:16 aspect ratio, and you’ll find that reflected across several of its features.
Snapchat Ads Image
Recommended image size: A minimum of 1080 x 1920 pixels, with a 9:16 aspect ratio.
The maximum file size is 5 MB.
Accepted file types are PNG or JPEG.
Snapchat Geofilter
Recommended image size: A minimum of 1080 x 1920 pixels, with a 9:16 aspect ratio.
The maximum file size is 5 MB.
Read more about Snapchat marketing.
Why Resize Your Images For Every Social Media Channel?
Social media is a competitive space, with many brands and creators vying for audiences’ attention.
To pique the interest of social users, it’s crucial to put your best foot forward in your content – and that means sharing visuals tailored to that platform’s specifications.
If you don’t resize your images to meet the requirements of each channel, they may end up looking pixelated, stretched, awkwardly cropped, or just plain low-quality, which won’t encourage people to engage with your content.
Beyond that, each platform’s algorithm will typically reward you for posting optimized and engaging content, which will help it gain even more traction.
How To Resize Images For Social Media
Looking to resize images for social but don’t know where to start? Here are a few common tools you can use:
In Conclusion
Sizing your images correctly for all your social profiles is a simple step to ensure you optimize your social media presence.
Now that you have all the necessary details on recommended sizing across each platform and the right tools to help you edit your photos, nothing should stop you from sharing high-quality content on social media!
The next step is figuring out exactly what stories you want to tell and how to provide valuable and engaging content to your audience.
Sutherland House Experts is Empowering Quiet Experts through Compelling Nonfiction in a Changing Ideas Landscape
TORONTO, ON — Almost one year after its launch, Sutherland House Experts is reshaping the publishing industry with its innovative co-publishing model for “quiet experts.” This approach, where expert authors share both costs and profits with the publisher, is bridging the gap between expertise and public discourse. Helping to drive this transformation is Neil Seeman, a renowned author, educator, and entrepreneur.
“The book publishing world is evolving rapidly,” publisher Neil Seeman explains. “There’s a growing hunger for expert voices in public dialogue, but traditional channels often fall short. Sutherland House Experts provides a platform for ‘quiet experts’ to share their knowledge with the broader book-reading audience.”
The company’s roster boasts respected thought leaders whose books are already gaining major traction:
• V. Kumar Murty, a world-renowned mathematician, and past Fields Institute director, just published “The Science of Human Possibilities” under the new press. The book has been declared a 2024 “must-read” by The Next Big Ideas Club and is receiving widespread media attention across North America.
• Eldon Sprickerhoff, co-founder of cybersecurity firm eSentire, is seeing strong pre-orders for his upcoming book, “Committed: Startup Survival Tips and Uncommon Sense for First-Time Tech Founders.”
• Dr. Tony Sanfilippo, a respected cardiologist and professor of medicine at Queen’s University, is generating significant media interest with his forthcoming book, “The Doctors We Need: Imagining a New Path for Physician Recruitment, Training, and Support.”
Seeman, whose recent and acclaimed book, “Accelerated Minds,” explores the entrepreneurial mindset, brings a unique perspective to publishing. His experience as a Senior Fellow at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, and academic affiliations with The Fields Institute and Massey College, give him deep insight into the challenges faced by people he calls “quiet experts.”
“Our goal is to empower quiet, expert authors to become entrepreneurs of actionable ideas the world needs to hear,” Seeman states. “We are blending scholarly insight with market savvy to create accessible, impactful narratives for a global readership. Quiet experts are people with decades of experience in one or more fields who seek to translate their insights into compelling non-fiction for the world,” says Seeman.
This fall, Seeman is taking his insights to the classroom. He will teach the new course, “The Writer as Entrepreneur,” at the University of Toronto, offering aspiring authors practical tools to navigate the evolving book publishing landscape. To enroll in this new weekly night course starting Tuesday, October 1st, visit: https://learn.utoronto.ca/programs-courses/courses/4121-writer-entrepreneur
“The entrepreneurial ideas industry is changing rapidly,” Seeman notes. “Authors need new skills to thrive in this dynamic environment. My course and our publishing model provide those tools.”
About Neil Seeman: Neil Seeman is co-founder and publisher of Sutherland House Experts, an author, educator, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate. He holds appointments at the University of Toronto, The Fields Institute, and Massey College. His work spans entrepreneurship, public health, and innovative publishing models.
Hallmark launching a streaming service with two new original series, and Bill Skarsgård out for revenge in “Boy Kills World” are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Alex Garland’s “Civil War” starring Kirsten Dunst, Natasha Rothwell’s heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone” and Sylvester Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” debuts.
NEW MOVIES TO STREAM SEPT. 9-15
— Alex Garland’s “Civil War” is finally making its debut on MAX on Friday. The film stars Kirsten Dunst as a veteran photojournalist covering a violent war that’s divided America; She reluctantly allows an aspiring photographer, played by Cailee Spaeny, to tag along as she, an editor (Stephen McKinley Henderson) and a reporter (Wagner Moura) make the dangerous journey to Washington, D.C., to interview the president (Nick Offerman), a blustery, rising despot who has given himself a third term, taken to attacking his citizens and shut himself off from the press. In my review, I called it a bellowing and haunting experience; Smart and thought-provoking with great performances. It’s well worth a watch.
— Joey King stars in Netflix’s adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s “Uglies,” about a future society in which everyone is required to have beautifying cosmetic surgery at age 16. Streaming on Friday, McG directed the film, in which King’s character inadvertently finds herself in the midst of an uprising against the status quo. “Outer Banks” star Chase Stokes plays King’s best friend.
— Bill Skarsgård is out for revenge against the woman (Famke Janssen) who killed his family in “Boy Kills World,” coming to Hulu on Friday. Moritz Mohr directed the ultra-violent film, of which Variety critic Owen Gleiberman wrote: “It’s a depraved vision, yet I got caught up in its kick-ass revenge-horror pizzazz, its disreputable commitment to what it was doing.”
— The year was 2006. Snow Patrol, the Northern Irish-Scottish alternative rock band, released an album, “Eyes Open,” producing the biggest hit of their career: “Chasing Cars.” A lot has happened in the time since — three, soon to be four quality full-length albums, to be exact. On Friday, the band will release “The Forest Is the Path,” their first new album in seven years. Anthemic pop-rock is the name of the game across songs of love and loss, like “All,”“The Beginning” and “This Is the Sound Of Your Voice.”
— For fans of raucous guitar music, Jordan Peele’s 2022 sci-fi thriller, “NOPE,” provided a surprising, if tiny, thrill. One of the leads, Emerald “Em” Haywood portrayed by Keke Palmer, rocks a Jesus Lizard shirt. (Also featured through the film: Rage Against the Machine, Wipers, Mr Bungle, Butthole Surfers and Earth band shirts.) The Austin noise rock band are a less than obvious pick, having been signed to the legendary Touch and Go Records and having stopped releasing new albums in 1998. That changes on Friday the 13th, when “Rack” arrives. And for those curious: The Jesus Lizard’s intensity never went away.
— Hallmark launched a streaming service called Hallmark+ on Tuesday with two new original series, the scripted drama “The Chicken Sisters” and unscripted series “Celebrations with Lacey Chabert.” If you’re a Hallmark holiday movies fan, you know Chabert. She’s starred in more than 30 of their films and many are holiday themed. Off camera, Chabert has a passion for throwing parties and entertaining. In “Celebrations,” deserving people are surprised with a bash in their honor — planned with Chabert’s help. “The Chicken Sisters” stars Schuyler Fisk, Wendie Malick and Lea Thompson in a show about employees at rival chicken restaurants in a small town. The eight-episode series is based on a novel of the same name.
— Natasha Rothwell of “Insecure” and “The White Lotus” fame created and stars in a new heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone.” She plays Mel, a broke, go-along-to-get-along, single, airport employee who, after a near-death experience, makes the conscious decision to take risks and pursue her dreams. Rothwell has been working on the series for the past eight years and described it to The AP as “the most vulnerable piece of art I’ve ever put into the world.” Like Mel, Rothwell had to learn to bet on herself to make the show she wanted to make. “In the Venn diagram of me and Mel, there’s significant overlap,” said Rothwell. It premieres Friday on Hulu.
— Shailene Woodley, DeWanda Wise and Betty Gilpin star in a new drama for Starz called “Three Women,” about entrepreneur Sloane, homemaker Lina and student Maggie who are each stepping into their power and making life-changing decisions. They’re interviewed by a writer named Gia (Woodley.) The series is based on a 2019 best-selling book of the same name by Lisa Taddeo. “Three Women” premieres Friday on Starz.
— Sylvester Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” debuts Sunday on Paramount+. Stallone plays Dwight Manfredi, a mafia boss who was recently released from prison after serving 25 years. He’s sent to Tulsa to set up a new crime syndicate. The series is created by Taylor Sheridan of “Yellowstone” fame.
— One thing about the title of Focus Entertainment’s Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 — you know exactly what you’re in for. You are Demetrian Titus, a genetically enhanced brute sent into battle against the Tyranids, an insectoid species with an insatiable craving for human flesh. You have a rocket-powered suit of armor and an arsenal of ridiculous weapons like the “Chainsword,” the “Thunderhammer” and the “Melta Rifle,” so what could go wrong? Besides the squishy single-player mode, there are cooperative missions and six-vs.-six free-for-alls. You can suit up now on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S or PC.
— Likewise, Wild Bastards isn’t exactly the kind of title that’s going to attract fans of, say, Animal Crossing. It’s another sci-fi shooter, but the protagonists are a gang of 13 varmints — aliens and androids included — who are on the run from the law. Each outlaw has a distinctive set of weapons and special powers: Sarge, for example, is a robot with horse genes, while Billy the Squid is … well, you get the idea. Australian studio Blue Manchu developed the 2019 cult hit Void Bastards, and this Wild-West-in-space spinoff has the same snarky humor and vibrant, neon-drenched cartoon look. Saddle up on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch or PC.
Former President Donald Trump is on the brink of a significant financial decision that could have far-reaching implications for both his personal wealth and the future of his fledgling social media company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG). As the lockup period on his shares in TMTG, which owns Truth Social, nears its end, Trump could soon be free to sell his substantial stake in the company. However, the potential payday, which makes up a large portion of his net worth, comes with considerable risks for Trump and his supporters.
Trump’s stake in TMTG comprises nearly 59% of the company, amounting to 114,750,000 shares. As of now, this holding is valued at approximately $2.6 billion. These shares are currently under a lockup agreement, a common feature of initial public offerings (IPOs), designed to prevent company insiders from immediately selling their shares and potentially destabilizing the stock. The lockup, which began after TMTG’s merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), is set to expire on September 25, though it could end earlier if certain conditions are met.
Should Trump decide to sell his shares after the lockup expires, the market could respond in unpredictable ways. The sale of a substantial number of shares by a major stakeholder like Trump could flood the market, potentially driving down the stock price. Daniel Bradley, a finance professor at the University of South Florida, suggests that the market might react negatively to such a large sale, particularly if there aren’t enough buyers to absorb the supply. This could lead to a sharp decline in the stock’s value, impacting both Trump’s personal wealth and the company’s market standing.
Moreover, Trump’s involvement in Truth Social has been a key driver of investor interest. The platform, marketed as a free speech alternative to mainstream social media, has attracted a loyal user base largely due to Trump’s presence. If Trump were to sell his stake, it might signal a lack of confidence in the company, potentially shaking investor confidence and further depressing the stock price.
Trump’s decision is also influenced by his ongoing legal battles, which have already cost him over $100 million in legal fees. Selling his shares could provide a significant financial boost, helping him cover these mounting expenses. However, this move could also have political ramifications, especially as he continues his bid for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race.
Trump Media’s success is closely tied to Trump’s political fortunes. The company’s stock has shown volatility in response to developments in the presidential race, with Trump’s chances of winning having a direct impact on the stock’s value. If Trump sells his stake, it could be interpreted as a lack of confidence in his own political future, potentially undermining both his campaign and the company’s prospects.
Truth Social, the flagship product of TMTG, has faced challenges in generating traffic and advertising revenue, especially compared to established social media giants like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Despite this, the company’s valuation has remained high, fueled by investor speculation on Trump’s political future. If Trump remains in the race and manages to secure the presidency, the value of his shares could increase. Conversely, any missteps on the campaign trail could have the opposite effect, further destabilizing the stock.
As the lockup period comes to an end, Trump faces a critical decision that could shape the future of both his personal finances and Truth Social. Whether he chooses to hold onto his shares or cash out, the outcome will likely have significant consequences for the company, its investors, and Trump’s political aspirations.
