LinkedIn Tips

Jan 20, 2025

9

min

LinkedIn Text Ads Checklist: Specs and Setup

LinkedIn Text Ads are a simple, cost-effective way to target professionals on desktop. Here's what you need to know:

Key Features:

  • Targeting: Reach professionals by job title, industry, skills, and more.

  • Ad Specs:

    • Headline: 25 characters max

    • Description: 75 characters max

    • Image: 100x100 pixels (JPG/PNG, max 2MB)

  • Metrics: Track performance using CTR, Conversion Rate, and ROAS.

  • Budget: Minimum CPC bid is $2; start with a $50 daily budget.

Steps to Create Ads:

  1. Choose an Objective: Website visits are a common goal.

  2. Define Your Audience: Aim for 50,000–300,000 members.

  3. Set Budget & Schedule: Decide on CPC or CPM bidding.

  4. Create Ad: Use concise messaging and clear CTAs.

Avoid Common Mistakes:

  • Poor targeting (too broad or narrow).

  • Weak ad content (unclear headlines or low-quality images).

  • Budget mismanagement (monitor and adjust regularly).

Tools to Optimize:

  • Podify.io: Helps refine targeting, generate ad copy, and track performance.

Start with clear, engaging content and leverage LinkedIn's targeting tools to connect with your ideal audience.

LinkedIn Text Ads - Get More for Less

LinkedIn Text Ads Specifications

Creating LinkedIn Text Ads that stand out means sticking to the platform's specific guidelines. Pay close attention to both image and text requirements to ensure your ads look great and meet LinkedIn's standards.

Image Specs

Your ad images need to meet these criteria:

  • Format: Only JPG or PNG files

  • Dimensions: 100 x 100 pixels

  • File size: Up to 2MB

Use sharp, high-quality visuals that still look good at the small 100 x 100 pixel size [1]. Make sure the image aligns with your brand and is easy to recognize [2].

Text Specs

Text elements for LinkedIn Ads have strict character limits:

  • Headline: Up to 25 characters

  • Description: Up to 75 characters

  • Destination URL: Up to 500 characters [1][2]

LinkedIn automatically includes a "Learn More" button to encourage clicks, and it doesn’t count toward your character limits [2].

Tips for Writing Effective Text:

  • Keep headlines short and action-driven.

  • Clearly state your value in the description.

  • Use trackable, well-formatted URLs.

  • Combine your call-to-action with LinkedIn's "Learn More" button.

Stick to these rules, as LinkedIn enforces them strictly [1][4]. By working within these limits, you can create ads that grab attention and drive results.

Steps to Set Up LinkedIn Text Ads

Creating LinkedIn Text Ads involves careful planning and attention to detail.

Choose Campaign Objective

For most LinkedIn Text Ads, "Website Visits" is a popular and effective option [5]. Make sure your objective aligns with your campaign goals, whether you're focused on driving traffic, generating leads, or building awareness.

Define Target Audience

LinkedIn's targeting features allow you to connect with the right professionals. Use parameters like:

| Targeting Parameter | Examples |
| --- | --- |
| **Job Titles** | Marketing Directors, CTOs |
| **Company Size** | 50-200, 500+ employees |
| **Industry** | Technology, Finance |
| **Skills** | Digital Marketing, AI |
| **Geography** | Specific countries or regions

Aim for an audience size of 50,000–300,000 members to strike the right balance between reach and relevance [1].

Set Budget and Schedule

Your budget plays a major role in the success of your ads. LinkedIn requires a minimum CPC bid of $2 [2]. Decide on daily and lifetime budgets, set your campaign schedule, and choose between CPC (cost-per-click) or CPM (cost-per-thousand impressions) bidding.

Create and Review Ad

Use this simple checklist to finalize your ad:

  • Check that your ad adheres to LinkedIn's image and text requirements.

  • Confirm that your URL is formatted correctly and preview how the ad will look.

  • Make sure your ad complies with LinkedIn's advertising policies.

Keep in mind that LinkedIn typically takes up to 24 hours to review and approve ads, so plan accordingly [3].

Common Errors in LinkedIn Text Ads

Avoiding these common mistakes can make a big difference in the success of your LinkedIn Text Ads campaigns.

Poor Targeting

Getting your audience targeting wrong is a frequent issue. Some advertisers aim too broadly, while others narrow their focus so much that they limit their potential reach.

| Targeting Mistake | Result | How to Fix It |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Overly specific targeting | Small audience, higher costs | Find a middle ground in your criteria |
| Too broad targeting | Irrelevant clicks, wasted budget | Focus on critical job titles or industries |
| Mixed targeting signals | Confuses LinkedIn's algorithm | Stick to either job titles OR skills |

Testing different targeting options through A/B testing can help you find what works best for your campaign [1].

Weak Ad Content

Ad content that's unclear or uninspiring can hurt your campaign's performance. Strong LinkedIn Text Ads need concise, compelling headlines and clear calls-to-action (CTAs). Aim to communicate your core message in under 25 characters for the headline, and use CTAs that encourage specific actions [4].

Images Matter: Even at just 100 x 100 pixels, your visuals should be sharp and easy to recognize. High-quality images that remain clear at smaller sizes are essential [1].

Budget Issues

Keeping a close eye on your budget is crucial. Regular monitoring allows you to:

  • Spot ads that aren't performing well.

  • Adjust spending to improve cost efficiency.

  • Focus your budget on ads that deliver results.

Make sure to allocate resources wisely - invest more in top-performing ads while cutting back on ones that don't meet expectations [1][3].

Tools to Improve LinkedIn Ad Performance

Boosting LinkedIn Text Ads performance often comes down to using the right tools. These tools can simplify content creation and refine audience targeting, making your campaigns more effective.

Podify.io for LinkedIn Growth

Podify.io is a platform designed to enhance LinkedIn Text Ads campaigns. It helps advertisers craft engaging ad copy and fine-tune their targeting with the help of AI-driven tools. The platform ensures your ads align with LinkedIn's standards while staying engaging.

Here’s how Podify.io supports LinkedIn Text Ads:

| Feature | How It Helps | Practical Use |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Audience Analytics | Refines targeting | Identifies high-potential audience segments based on engagement data |
| Content Generation | Keeps messaging consistent | Produces multiple ad copy variations while staying true to your brand voice |
| Performance Tracking | Optimizes ROI | Tracks ad performance metrics to guide smarter budget allocation

One standout feature is Podify.io's audience meter, which analyzes engagement trends to help refine your targeting strategy. Its pricing is designed to be affordable for small and medium businesses, making it a practical choice for those running LinkedIn Text Ads regularly.

Beyond LinkedIn's native tools, Podify.io also offers content distribution features that amplify your ad's reach. These additional channels ensure your message gets seen in more places, complementing your primary ad placements.

Conclusion: Key Points for LinkedIn Text Ads

Achieving success with LinkedIn Text Ads requires adhering to the platform's guidelines and executing a well-thought-out strategy. To get the best results, focus on these key areas:

  • Targeting the right audience: Use precise, yet flexible criteria.

  • Managing your budget effectively: Start with CPC bidding.

  • Crafting concise, engaging content: Include clear calls to action (CTAs).

When defining your audience, avoid overly narrow criteria that might limit your campaign's reach. Experiment with different approaches, such as targeting by job titles or skills, to find what works best while maintaining a broad enough audience [1][3].

For budget control, begin with a $50 daily budget and keep a close eye on performance metrics [3]. This allows you to gather data while preventing overspending.

Leverage tools like Podify.io to gain insights into your audience and optimize your content. Regularly reviewing metrics like click-through rates (CTR) and conversion rates will help you refine your campaigns and spot areas for improvement.

To summarize, success hinges on:

  • Following LinkedIn's ad specifications

  • Targeting your audience strategically

  • Keeping your budget under control

  • Writing clear, action-oriented ads

  • Continuously monitoring and optimizing performance

FAQs

What size are LinkedIn text ads?

LinkedIn text ads come in various sizes to fit different placements on the platform. Here are the main dimensions:

| Ad Format | Dimensions (pixels) |
| --- | --- |
| Rectangle | 300 x 250 |
| Horizontal | 700 x 17 |
| Skyscraper | 160 x 600 |
| Leaderboard | 728 x 90 |
| Wide | 496 x 80

Key specifications for LinkedIn text ads [1][2]:

  • Image format: JPG or PNG files (up to 2MB)

  • Standard image size: 100 x 100 pixels

  • Headline limit: 25 characters (including spaces)

  • Description limit: 75 characters (including spaces)

To make your ads stand out, stick to simple, high-contrast images that stay sharp even at smaller sizes [1][2]. These options ensure your ads look great and are visible across LinkedIn's platform.

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