Optimizing Images for Facebook Posts

Facebook is notorious for aggressively compressing images, often turning beautiful photos into pixelated messes. However, by understanding how their algorithm works, you can minimize quality loss.

Best Dimensions

• Shared Images: 1200 x 630 pixels. This is the standard landscape format that looks good on both desktop and mobile.
• Stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels. Just like Instagram, fill the whole vertical screen.
• Profile Pictures: Upload at least 180 x 180 pixels, but larger is better (e.g., 720 x 720) for when users click to view it full screen.

File Formats: JPG vs. PNG

For photos with many colors (like photographs), JPG is best. Keep the file size under 100KB if possible to prevent Facebook from applying heavy compression.

For graphics with text or logos, PNG is superior as it doesn't suffer from compression artifacts as much as JPG.

The "Text in Images" Rule

Years ago, Facebook penalized ads with more than 20% text. While this rule has been relaxed, images with less text still perform better and look cleaner.

Taking a few extra minutes to resize and export your images correctly can make a huge difference in how your brand is perceived on Facebook.