What’s a picture worth? In the case of Facebook content marketing, nearly 50% more engagement.
Just one compelling image with your post could get people viewing and “liking” your content as much as 53% more than text alone. In this day of information overload, images get people’s very limited attention.
So, to boost your clicks and shares, go visual. If you know the best dimensions for the three main areas of your page, you’re off to a great start.
Profile Image
Use your logo here. The profile image appears all over Facebook, including search results, so you want your brand to be front and center.
Upload an image with square dimensions. An ideal size is 960×960 pixels—you don’t want visitors seeing a tiny image if they click on it.
Opt for a high-quality vector version of your logo, so it won’t look fuzzy or pixelated. At minimum, the image should be 180×180 pixels. Any profile image you upload will resize to 160×160 pixels, maintaining its square dimension.
Cover Image
Your Facebook cover area provides a great landscape for a colorful, inspiring image. It’s like a billboard for your page. Don’t waste this opportunity to let your organization shine and really brand your space.
Optimal size for this image is 851×315 pixels. If you plan to have text on your image, make sure it isn’t placed within the bottom 64 pixels. This is where Facebook places your page name and category, as well as buttons for liking, following, and messaging.
Also, keep critical info away from the outer 144 pixels on each side of the image for mobile viewing.
Post/News Feed Images
Use images whenever possible to promote blog post links, events, and web pages.
For image-only uploads, the ideal size is 940×788 pixels (works best in news feeds). However, images as small as 504×504 pixels and as large as 1200×1200 pixels will do. These dimensions are square-sized.
For images that appear with your posted links, make sure they are at least 600×315 pixels. This will ensure that you get a large rectangular image along with your link.
Don’t like how Facebook is cropping your link image? Crop it yourself using the aforementioned dimensions and upload when prompted.
If you post a lot of links, mix it up a bit by alternating between posting links (rectangular image) and occasionally posting images that have the link included in the status (square image).
Image File Type
Facebook reduces large file sizes through optimization for faster page loading. So consider posting PNG files instead of JPGs.
Use PNG-24 for images with blended colors and PNG-8 for flat, solid colors. You have a greater chance of preserving gradients and sharp edges with PNGs when the site processes your images.
Image Choice
Be creative and diverse with your visuals.
Ditch the uninspiring stock images. Instead, select ones with filters, interesting angles, and viewpoints.
If you can, invest in original photography as well as eye-popping illustrations, infographics, and image/text compilations to support your content.
Boosting Content
Getting a lot of engagement on a particular post? Boost it to ensure maximum visibility on your page, your audience’s news feed, and to reach more people via specific targeting options.
Promoted post images have strict guidelines: Images must contain no more than 20% text.
Use Facebook’s Grid Tool to determine whether your image complies. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to revise your image before boosting. Facebook will stop boosted content if your specs are not correct.
Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to featuring visual content that resonates with and builds your audience.
