The LinkedIn cover photo (banner) is a space many users leave blank, but it contributes to the overall professionalism of your profile. This article covers how to use this space effectively. For general profile optimization, see How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile.
Why Shouldn't You Leave It Blank?
The default LinkedIn background makes your profile look "unfinished." Even a simple design adds a professional sense of completeness to your profile.
What Can You Use?
- A simple brand/color theme. A clean background using a professional color palette is a safe, polished choice.
- A visual that reflects your area of expertise. For example, a designer might use a collage of their own work, and a developer might use a simple code-themed graphic.
- A short value-proposition line. A design with your title or area of expertise written briefly on the banner sends an instant message to anyone visiting your profile.
- A company/event photo. An official image related to an event where you spoke or the organization you work for can also work.
Technical Details
- Size: Use an image sized to LinkedIn's recommended banner dimensions (you can see the current size guidance on LinkedIn's upload screen).
- Readability: Since your profile photo overlaps the lower-left part of the banner, keep important visual or text elements away from that area.
- Quality: Use a sharp, high-quality design rather than a low-resolution, blurry image.
For a consistent brand impression alongside your LinkedIn visuals, build a professionally formatted resume with CV Mimarı too.
Build Your Resume FreeWhat Should You Avoid?
- Overly cluttered, hard-to-read designs
- Irrelevant or personal images (like vacation photos)
- Low-resolution, stretched images
Can You Design It Yourself?
Even if you're not a professional designer, you can put together a clean, effective banner in a few minutes using simple design tools (free platforms that offer ready-made templates) — a complex design isn't necessary.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn banner is a simple but effective detail that contributes to your profile's overall sense of professionalism. A clean, on-brand, high-quality design leaves a far stronger first impression than the default background.