LinkedIn Single Image Ad: Specs, Examples & Best Practices

LinkedIn single image ads remain the most popular ad format on the platform, delivering reliable engagement for brand awareness and lead generation campaigns. Getting the specs right prevents cropping, maintains image quality, and ensures your ads display professionally across all devices. This guide covers the exact LinkedIn single image ad size requirements and best practices for 2026.

LinkedIn Single Image Ad Specs (2026)

Here are the current specifications for LinkedIn single image ads:

Image Dimensions

Specification	Requirement
Recommended size	1200 x 627 pixels
Aspect ratio	1.91:1
Minimum width	400 pixels
Maximum file size	5 MB
File types	JPG, PNG, GIF (non-animated)

Text Specifications

Element	Character Limit	Recommendation
Ad headline	200 characters max	70 characters or less
Introductory text	600 characters max	150 characters above fold
Description	300 characters max	100 characters optimal

According to LinkedIn's 2026 ad specifications, using the 1.91:1 aspect ratio ensures your image displays fully without unwanted cropping across desktop and mobile feeds.

Why Single Image Ads Work

Single image ads deliver consistent results because they balance simplicity with impact.

Performance Characteristics

According to LinkedIn advertising analysis, single image ads provide:

Metric	Single Image Performance
Engagement level	Moderate
Best use case	Brand awareness, updates
Setup complexity	Low
Creative requirements	Simple

When to Use Single Image Ads

Ideal scenarios:

• Brand awareness campaigns
• Company announcements and updates
• Lead generation with clear offers
• Traffic-driving campaigns
• Testing new messaging or audiences

Less ideal for:

• Complex product explanations (use carousel or video)
• Multi-feature showcases (use carousel)
• Detailed demonstrations (use video)

Creating Effective Single Image Ads

Visual quality and composition determine whether your ad stops the scroll.

Image Best Practices

1. Use the full dimensions Upload at 1200 x 627 pixels minimum. Images below this size may appear pixelated or stretch awkwardly.

2. Include faces when relevant Ads featuring real people increase engagement by 20-30%. Use authentic photos, not obvious stock images.

3. Keep text minimal on images LinkedIn is a text-friendly platform—your caption does the heavy lifting. Limit on-image text to key messages or statistics.

4. Ensure brand visibility Include your logo, but don't make it the focal point. Position in a corner where it supports rather than dominates.

5. Use contrast effectively Your image competes with a busy feed. Use contrasting colors to ensure visibility without being jarring.

What to Avoid

• Cluttered compositions: Focus on one clear visual message
• Obvious stock photos: LinkedIn users recognize them immediately
• Low-resolution images: They suggest low-quality offerings
• Text-heavy images: Save detailed copy for the ad text fields
• Misleading visuals: Ensure images match landing page expectations

Headline and Copy Guidelines

Your text elements work together with visuals to drive action.

Headline Structure

Effective formulas:

• [Number] + [Benefit] + [Timeframe]
  • "5 Ways to Cut LinkedIn Ad Costs This Quarter"
• [Question] targeting pain point
  • "Struggling with Low LinkedIn Lead Quality?"
• [Result] + [Audience]
  • "How SaaS Companies Generate 10x More Demos"

Keep headlines under 70 characters to ensure full visibility on mobile devices.

Introductory Text

The intro text appears above your image. Structure it for scanning:

First 150 characters matter most—that's what displays before "see more" truncation.

Effective structure:

1. Hook (problem or benefit) - Line 1
2. Supporting point - Line 2
3. CTA or value proposition - Line 3

Example:

"Most B2B companies waste 40% of their LinkedIn budget on the wrong audiences.

We analyzed 500 campaigns to find what actually works.

Download the free guide →"

Call-to-Action Selection

LinkedIn offers several CTA button options:

CTA Button	Best For
Learn More	Educational content, blog posts
Download	Ebooks, whitepapers, guides
Sign Up	Webinars, newsletters, free trials
Register	Events, demos
Request Demo	High-intent conversion
Get Quote	Pricing-focused offers
Apply Now	Recruitment ads

Match your CTA to the actual landing page action. Mismatched CTAs hurt conversion rates.

Single Image Ad Examples

Here's what works across different campaign objectives:

Brand Awareness Example

Visual: Team photo or office scene showing company culture Headline: "Meet the Team Behind [Company]'s Growth Platform" Intro: Behind-every-great-tool story CTA: Learn More

Lead Generation Example

Visual: Report cover mockup or data visualization Headline: "2026 B2B Marketing Benchmarks Report" Intro: Stats that highlight report value + download offer CTA: Download

Traffic Example

Visual: Blog post featured image with key stat overlay Headline: "Why Your LinkedIn CPL Increased 40% (And How to Fix It)" Intro: Problem-agitation-solution hook CTA: Learn More

Direct Response Example

Visual: Product screenshot or demo preview Headline: "See How [Product] Reduces Reporting Time by 80%" Intro: Pain point + transformation promise CTA: Request Demo

Testing Single Image Ads

Systematic testing improves performance over time.

What to Test First

Priority order:

1. Image variations - Different visuals with same copy
2. Headline variations - Same visual, different headlines
3. CTA buttons - Test which drives more clicks
4. Intro text length - Short vs. detailed

Testing Parameters

• Minimum impressions: 10,000 per variation before conclusions
• Test duration: 7-14 days minimum
• Variations: 2-4 per test (more complicates analysis)
• Budget: Equal daily budget across variations

Metrics to Compare

Metric	What It Tells You
CTR	Creative engagement
CPC	Cost efficiency
Conversion rate	Landing page alignment
CPL	Overall efficiency

Common Mistakes and Fixes

Mistake 1: Wrong Aspect Ratio

Using square images (1:1) in single image ad placements causes awkward cropping.

Fix: Always use 1.91:1 ratio (1200 x 627 pixels) for single image ads.

Mistake 2: Text Truncation

Long headlines and intro text get cut off on mobile.

Fix: Keep headlines under 70 characters; front-load key message in first 150 characters of intro text.

Mistake 3: Low Contrast Images

Images that blend into the feed get scrolled past.

Fix: Use bold colors or high contrast to stand out while remaining professional.

Mistake 4: Generic Stock Photos

Overused stock photos signal "advertisement" before users engage.

Fix: Use custom photography, branded graphics, or authentic team photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best size for LinkedIn single image ads?

The recommended LinkedIn single image ad size is 1200 x 627 pixels with a 1.91:1 aspect ratio. This dimension displays optimally across desktop and mobile feeds without cropping. Keep file sizes under 5 MB and use JPG or PNG formats for best quality.

Can I use square images for LinkedIn single image ads?

While LinkedIn accepts various aspect ratios, square images (1:1) are optimized for carousel ads, not single image ads. Using a square image in a single image ad placement may result in cropping or awkward display. Stick to 1.91:1 ratio for single image ads.

How much text should be on a LinkedIn image ad?

Minimize text on the image itself—LinkedIn's feed is text-friendly, so your headline and intro text carry the messaging. If including text on images, keep it to one key statistic or short phrase. Heavy text overlays reduce engagement and can appear unprofessional.

---

Key Takeaways

• Use 1200 x 627 pixels (1.91:1 ratio) for all LinkedIn single image ads
• Keep headlines under 70 characters and front-load intro text for mobile visibility
• Include faces in images to increase engagement—avoid obvious stock photos
• Test image variations first, then headlines and CTAs
• Match your CTA button to the actual landing page action

---

Want help creating effective LinkedIn ads? Talk to our creative team. Contact us | Get a free consultation