Social Media Design Standards

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We’re glad you’re here. On this page you’ll find best practices, universal standards, helpful tips, hacks, and time-savers designed to make your work easier.

Social Media Design Standards Website Helpers & Guidelines Utah Business Networking

📱 Instagram Format Guide

  1. 1. Instagram Reel — 1080 × 1920 px
    ✅ What it is: Vertical full-screen video
    📅 Use for: Short, attention-grabbing videos (up to 90 secs)
    💡 Why it matters: Reels are currently the top-performing format on IG for reach & growth
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 10/10
  2. 2. Instagram Post (4:5) — 1080 × 1350 px
    ✅ What it is: Vertical image or video in feed
    📅 Use for: Regular posts that get more screen space than square
    💡 Why it matters: 4:5 ratio fills more vertical screen real estate
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 8/10
  3. 3. Instagram Story — 1080 × 1920 px
    ✅ What it is: Full-screen 24-hour disappearing content
    📅 Use for: Behind-the-scenes, flash sales, casual daily updates
    💡 Why it matters: Stories drive engagement & keep your brand visible
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 9/10
  4. 4. Instagram Ad (4:5) — 1080 × 1350 px
    ✅ What it is: Paid ad in Instagram feed
    📅 Use for: Promoting services, videos, lead magnets
    💡 Why it matters: Same size as post, but built to convert via CTA buttons
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 7/10
  5. 5. Animated Instagram Post (4:5) — 1080 × 1350 px
    ✅ What it is: Short animations or motion graphics
    📅 Use for: Engaging content without a live video
    💡 Why it matters: Movement increases engagement over still posts
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 6/10
  6. 6. Instagram Story Ad — 1080 × 1920 px
    ✅ What it is: Paid ad in Story format
    📅 Use for: Vertical ads with swipe-up or tap-through actions
    💡 Why it matters: High conversion potential in a casual story context
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 8/10

🎵 TikTok Format Guide

  1. 1. TikTok Video — 1080 × 1920 px
    ✅ What it is: Full-screen vertical video
    📅 Use for: Organic or ad content tailored to TikTok trends
    💡 Why it matters: Native format for viral content and exposure
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 10/10

📘 Facebook Format Guide

  1. 1. Facebook Video — 1080 × 1080 px
    ✅ What it is: Square video post
    📅 Use for: Maximum compatibility in feed and mobile
    💡 Why it matters: Square videos perform well across platforms
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 8/10
  2. 2. Facebook Post — 940 × 788 px
    ✅ What it is: Standard landscape image
    📅 Use for: News, announcements, blog shares
    💡 Why it matters: Works well on desktop and mobile
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 6/10
  3. 3. Facebook Cover — 851 × 315 px
    ✅ What it is: Page or profile banner
    📅 Use for: Branding your business or public profile
    💡 Why it matters: Sets the tone for first impressions
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 7/10
  4. 4. Facebook Story — 1080 × 1920 px
    ✅ What it is: Full-screen temporary content
    📅 Use for: Casual, behind-the-scenes, 24-hr updates
    💡 Why it matters: Drives fast engagement and reactions
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 8/10
  5. 5. Facebook Ad — 1200 × 628 px
    ✅ What it is: Standard feed ad format
    📅 Use for: Services, lead gen, events, offers
    💡 Why it matters: Versatile and performs across devices
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 9/10
  6. 6. Facebook Event Cover — 1920 × 1080 px
    ✅ What it is: Banner for events
    📅 Use for: Lives, webinars, local promos
    💡 Why it matters: Grabs attention with visual clarity
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 7/10
  7. 7. Facebook Shops Logo — 500 × 500 px
    ✅ What it is: Square brand icon for shop
    📅 Use for: Display icon in FB marketplace/shop
    💡 Why it matters: Creates trust and instant branding
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 6/10
  8. 8. Animated Facebook Cover — 851 × 315 px
    ✅ What it is: Motion graphic version of banner
    📅 Use for: Making a bold visual impression
    💡 Why it matters: Grabs attention right when page loads
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 5/10

📺 YouTube Format Guide

  1. 1. YouTube Thumbnail — 1280 × 720 px
    ✅ What it is: Clickable preview image for videos
    📅 Use for: Every single video — no exceptions
    💡 Why it matters: Strong thumbnails = more clicks
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 10/10
  2. 2. YouTube Intro — 1920 × 1080 px
    ✅ What it is: Branded video opening sequence
    📅 Use for: The first 3–10 seconds of your video
    💡 Why it matters: Builds instant recognition and brand feel
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 8/10
  3. 3. YouTube Channel Banner — 2560 × 1440 px
    ✅ What it is: Header image for your channel
    📅 Use for: Branding across desktop, mobile & TV
    💡 Why it matters: Shows your personality and positioning
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 7/10

💼 LinkedIn Format Guide

  1. 1. Background Photo — 1584 × 396 px
    ✅ What it is: Banner image on your profile
    📅 Use for: Making your LinkedIn stand out
    💡 Why it matters: Visually reinforces your expertise
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 7/10
  2. 2. LinkedIn Post — 1200 × 1200 px
    ✅ What it is: Square image in your feed
    📅 Use for: Thought leadership, news, brand updates
    💡 Why it matters: Clean, mobile-friendly, high reach
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 8/10
  3. 3. LinkedIn Video Ad — 1920 × 1920 px
    ✅ What it is: Square video for promoted posts
    📅 Use for: Lead generation, awareness campaigns
    💡 Why it matters: Video boosts engagement & recall
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 7/10
  4. 4. Single Image Ad — 1200 × 627 px
    ✅ What it is: Most common LinkedIn ad type
    📅 Use for: Business offers, services, promotions
    💡 Why it matters: Fast-loading and optimized for conversions
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 9/10

📌 Pinterest Format Guide

  1. 1. Pinterest Pin — 1000 × 1500 px (2:3)
    ✅ What it is: Tall vertical pin
    📅 Use for: Tutorials, lead magnets, infographics
    💡 Why it matters: Vertical pins dominate the feed and get more saves
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 8/10

🐦 Twitter / X Format Guide

  1. 1. Twitter Video — 1600 × 900 px
    ✅ What it is: Standard horizontal video
    📅 Use for: Short-form updates, clips, or trailers
    💡 Why it matters: Native video performs better in feed
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 6/10
  2. 2. Twitter Post — 1600 × 900 px
    ✅ What it is: Wide image for tweets
    📅 Use for: Visual punch with text tweets
    💡 Why it matters: Eye-catching format for scroll-stopping content
    🔢 Universal Use Score: 7/10
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