Creating content
Add a cover photo to a video
Upload a custom cover image for a video on an Instagram or Facebook post.
Updated
On this page
A cover photo is the still image that fronts your video. You can upload your own instead of taking whatever frame the platform picks.
Where it is available
Cover photos apply to Instagram and Facebook only:
- Instagram Post/Reel and Reel
- Facebook Page Post and Facebook Reel
The tool appears only when the post has exactly one video. It is not offered on Instagram or Facebook Stories, and not on TikTok, YouTube, X, LinkedIn, Threads, Pinterest, or Amazon.
Add a cover photo on the web
- Create a post and upload your video.
- Select the Instagram or Facebook channel tab.
- In the caption tools, select Cover photo.
- Select Upload cover image and pick your image.
- Finish the rest of the post: caption, hashtags, and options.
- Select Schedule post, or Pick a time if you have not set one yet.
To swap it out, open Cover photo again and select Remove cover photo, then upload a new one.
Add a cover photo in the mobile app
- Open a post with a single video.
- Tap Cover photo in the channel's tools.
- Tap to add an image in the sheet that opens.
- Tap Remove in the same sheet if you want to start over.
Cover photos work in the mobile app on both iOS and Android.