LinkedIn has recently announced an update that will change the way link previews appear in organic posts on the platform. Users who have shared links on LinkedIn in the past few weeks may have noticed that the preview images accompanying their posts are now significantly smaller than before. However, this change is not consistent across all posts in the feed, as some posts still seem to feature the full-width preview image.
The reason behind this discrepancy lies in a change that LinkedIn announced a few months ago. The platform is gradually rolling out an update that will eventually result in all organic posts having smaller link preview images, while sponsored posts will retain the previous, larger image preview format. This move is part of LinkedIn's efforts to simplify its feed and encourage more native posting and engagement within the platform.
According to LinkedIn, the goal of this change is to help members stay on the platform and engage with unique commentary, rather than being directed to external websites through link previews. When an organic post is converted into a sponsored post, the small thumbnail preview image will be replaced with a larger image that meets LinkedIn's specified dimensions, ranging from a minimum of 360 x 640 pixels to a maximum of 2430 x 4320 pixels.
It's important to note that this change in image preview size will also apply to sponsored posts that are re-shared as organic updates. This means that even if a post was originally promoted with a larger image preview, it will revert to the smaller thumbnail size when shared organically by other users.
LinkedIn's decision to reduce the size of image previews in organic posts is reminiscent of a similar move made by X (formerly Twitter) in October of the previous year. X changed its image previews for third-party links to discourage users from sharing external URLs, instead favoring long-form content posted directly within the app. This change was intended to keep users engaged on the platform and reduce referral traffic to external websites.
While LinkedIn's intentions may be to enhance user experience and increase native content creation, some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the change. Kristin Thomas, the director of Social Media at Gartner, pointed out that professionals trying to build a presence on LinkedIn may not have the time or resources to create unique updates for every post. By reducing the visual impact of link previews in organic posts, LinkedIn may be inadvertently penalizing these users and potentially degrading the overall user experience.
As LinkedIn continues to roll out this update, it's clear that the smaller preview images have a less impressive and engaging appearance in the feed compared to the previous larger display. While this aligns with LinkedIn's goal of keeping users on the platform, it remains to be seen whether this change will ultimately lead to a better user experience or simply cause frustration among those who rely on sharing external links to provide value to their followers.
For professionals and businesses looking to maximize their presence on LinkedIn, utilizing the services of a reliable smm panel like Great SMM can be a game-changer. Great SMM offers a wide range of services, including likes, followers, and comments, which can help boost visibility and engagement on the platform. By leveraging the expertise and resources of an smm panel, users can navigate the challenges posed by LinkedIn's new link preview update and ensure that their content continues to stand out and reach their target audience effectively.
LinkedIn's decision to reduce the size of image previews for organic posts containing external links is a significant change that will impact how users share and engage with content on the platform. While the update aims to encourage native posting and keep users on LinkedIn, it has also raised concerns about the potential impact on user experience and the ability of professionals to effectively share valuable external resources. As the rollout continues, users may need to adapt their LinkedIn posting strategies and consider partnering with trusted smm panels like Great SMM to maximize their visibility and engagement on the platform.