How to Post a Video on LinkedIn (Step-by-Step)

You can post a video on LinkedIn by uploading an MP4 file directly through the post composer on desktop or mobile, or by pasting a YouTube link into your post text. Native uploads (files uploaded straight to LinkedIn) play inline in the feed and generally get better reach than external links. Here is exactly how to do it on every device, plus the specs and fixes for common problems.

Key takeaways

• Native video uploaded directly to LinkedIn plays inline and typically outperforms YouTube links in the feed.
• MP4 with H.264 is the recommended format, with a maximum file size of 5 GB and a length limit of 15 minutes for most accounts.
• You can upload from desktop, record from the mobile app, or paste a YouTube URL for an embedded preview.
• Adding captions matters because most LinkedIn users scroll with sound off.
• Getting genuine engagement in the first hour helps LinkedIn decide to show your video to more people.

How to post a video on LinkedIn from desktop

1. Go to linkedin.com and sign in.
2. Click Start a post at the top of your feed.
3. Click the Video icon (it looks like a small clapperboard or play button) in the toolbar at the bottom of the post composer.
4. Select your video file from your computer. MP4 works best.
5. While the video uploads, LinkedIn will show you options. You can upload a custom thumbnail, add captions (auto-generated or your own SRT file), and trim the clip.
6. Click Next when you are happy with the video settings.
7. Write your post text above the video. Add hashtags if you like, and choose your visibility (public, connections only, etc.) from the dropdown.
8. Click Post to publish immediately, or click the clock icon to schedule it for later.

That is it. The video will process for a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on its length, then appear in the feed.

How to post a video on LinkedIn from mobile

1. Open the LinkedIn app on iOS or Android.
2. Tap the Post button (the plus icon, usually at the bottom center of the screen).
3. Tap the Video icon or Add media to open your camera roll.
4. Select a video from your library, or tap the camera icon to record a new clip right in the app.
5. Use the built-in tools to trim the video, add text overlays, or turn on auto-generated captions.
6. Tap Next.
7. Write your post text and tap Post.

Recording directly in the app is handy for quick, casual clips. For anything polished, record and edit separately, then upload the finished file.

How to share a YouTube video on LinkedIn

If your video lives on YouTube and you do not want to re-upload it natively, you can share it as a link:

1. Open your video on YouTube and tap Share to copy the URL.
2. Go to LinkedIn and click Start a post.
3. Paste the YouTube URL into the text area. LinkedIn will generate a preview card with a thumbnail.
4. Add your post text above the link. Write something that gives people a reason to watch, because they will need to tap through to YouTube.
5. Click Post.

A heads-up: most creators observe that native video gets significantly more reach than YouTube links. LinkedIn's feed favors content that keeps people on the platform, and a YouTube link sends them away. If reach matters, upload the file directly. For a deeper look at all the sharing methods, see our guide on how to share a video on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn video specs and requirements

Getting the specs right avoids upload errors and makes sure your video looks sharp. Here is a quick reference:

Spec	Requirement
File format	MP4 (H.264 codec) recommended
Max file size	5 GB
Max length	15 minutes (most accounts)
Min length	3 seconds
Resolution	1080p recommended; 4K is accepted but downscaled
Aspect ratio	1:1 (square), 16:9 (landscape), or 9:16 (vertical)
Frame rate	30 fps is standard; 60 fps is accepted

Vertical video (9:16) takes up more screen space on mobile, which is where most LinkedIn browsing happens. Square (1:1) is a solid middle ground if your audience is split between desktop and mobile.

For the full breakdown, including safe zones for text and logos, see our complete LinkedIn video specs guide and our video safe zone guide.

How to add captions to your LinkedIn video

Most people scroll LinkedIn with their phone on mute. If your video relies on spoken words and there are no captions, most viewers will scroll past.

You have three options:

1. Auto-captions on LinkedIn. When uploading, toggle on the auto-caption option. LinkedIn generates subtitles automatically. They are not perfect, so preview them before posting.
2. Upload an SRT file. If you have a caption file from your editing software or a transcription tool, you can upload it during the posting flow. This gives you full control over timing and accuracy.
3. Burn captions into the video. Edit the subtitles directly into the video file before uploading. This guarantees they look exactly how you want, on every device, regardless of whether the viewer has captions turned on.

Option three is the most reliable. Options one and two depend on LinkedIn's caption rendering, which can look different across devices.

How to change your video thumbnail

LinkedIn auto-selects a frame from your video as the thumbnail, and it is often an awkward mid-sentence face. You can change it:

• On desktop: during the upload flow, look for the thumbnail option. You can choose a different frame from the video or upload a custom image.
• On mobile: thumbnail options are more limited. If you need a custom thumbnail, uploading from desktop gives you more control.

A clear, readable thumbnail with a short text overlay can significantly improve click-through. For sizing details and design tips, see our LinkedIn video thumbnail guide.

Why your video won't upload (and how to fix it)

If LinkedIn rejects your video or the upload stalls, check these common causes:

File is too large. LinkedIn's limit is 5 GB, but very large files often time out on slower connections. Compress the file or lower the resolution to 1080p.

Wrong format. LinkedIn works best with MP4 (H.264). If your file is MOV, AVI, or WMV, convert it to MP4 first using a free tool like HandBrake.

Video is too long. Most personal accounts are limited to 15 minutes. If your video exceeds the limit, trim it down or split it into parts. See our LinkedIn video length guide for details on limits by account type.

Slow or unstable connection. Video uploads need a steady connection, especially for large files. Switch to Wi-Fi if you are on mobile data, or try a wired connection on desktop.

LinkedIn is having issues. Occasionally the platform itself has upload bugs. If everything else checks out, wait an hour and try again.

Native video vs. YouTube links vs. embedded video

Method	How it works	Reach
Native upload	File uploaded directly to LinkedIn; plays inline in the feed	Generally the best reach
YouTube link	Pasted URL; shows a thumbnail preview card; viewer taps to leave LinkedIn	Lower reach; takes people off-platform
LinkedIn article embed	Video embedded inside a LinkedIn article	Seen only by people who open the article

If your goal is visibility in the feed, native upload is the clear winner. YouTube links still have their place if you are driving traffic to a YouTube channel, but expect the post itself to reach fewer people.

For more on the differences between sharing methods, see how to share a video on LinkedIn.

Tips to get more people to watch your video

Uploading the video is the easy part. Getting people to actually watch it takes a bit more thought.

Write a strong opening line. Your post text appears above the video. The first one or two lines need to stop the scroll and give people a reason to hit play. A question, a bold claim, or a specific result works better than "Check out my new video!"

Keep it short. Most creator studies find that videos under two minutes hold attention best on LinkedIn. Say one thing well rather than covering everything.

Post when your audience is online. Timing matters more for video than for text posts because the first hour of engagement helps LinkedIn decide whether to show it to more people. Check our guide on the best time to post on LinkedIn for data-backed suggestions.

Tag relevant people in your post text. If your video features someone or is a direct reply to a conversation, tagging them can bring their network into the discussion.

Respond to every comment. Comments are the strongest engagement signal on LinkedIn. Each reply you write counts as another comment on the post. See how comments affect your reach for more on why this matters.

Schedule and boost your video with Upshot

If you are posting video regularly, Upshot lets you schedule video posts ahead of time so they go live when your audience is most active. When your post goes live, your crew (friends, colleagues, clients) gets an alert so they can show up with genuine likes and comments in the first hour, which is exactly when that early engagement matters most. Every reaction is done by hand by real people, so your account stays safe. It is free for individuals and crews.

How to post a video to a LinkedIn company page

If you manage a company page:

1. Go to your company page on LinkedIn.
2. Click Start a post at the top of the page.
3. Click the Video icon and upload your file, just like a personal post.
4. Add your post text and click Post.

Company pages follow the same specs as personal accounts. If you are coordinating a team launch or announcement, getting employees to engage with the video early can make a real difference. Our guide on employee ambassador programs covers how to do this well.

Quick checklist before you post

• [ ] Video is MP4, under 5 GB, under 15 minutes
• [ ] Resolution is 1080p or higher
• [ ] Captions are added (burned in, SRT, or auto-generated)
• [ ] Thumbnail is clear and readable
• [ ] Post text has a strong opening line
• [ ] You have tagged anyone featured or relevant
• [ ] You are posting at a time your audience is active

Hit post, reply to the comments that come in, and you are done.