Guide to the New Google+ Cover Photo Size – With Template!
The new Google+ cover photo is quite large — which can be a good thing… The problem I have been struggling with is the fact that part of the image is hidden – depending on which device you are using and even the size of your screen (desktop).
Cover Photo Size
The maximum or recommended size for the cover photo (according to Google) is 2120px by 1192px. This is the same size they recommend for the new YouTube “One Channel” design as well. Although most of it will probably never be visible, since all but the center 350px is reserved for viewing on televisions. See my post on the new YouTube Channel Art for details and the downloadable Photoshop template.
Many Screens, Dimensions and Issues
The first thing you will notice, once you’ve uploaded your nice big image, is that not all of it is visible.
On the desktop, depending on the size of your screen you will only see the bottom two-thirds or so of the image. You have to scroll up to see the entire image. Kinda weird, right?
On your phone, when using the G+ app, you can see the cover photo when accessing the menu, and you get another (different) view when you tap on your profile photo – taking you to your profile view. The problem here is that in the pull-out menu view most of your cover photo is covered up by your profile photo and a couple of icons. On your profile, only a small portion of the cover photo is displayed and it’s not even the full width: it’s just a small piece of the background pulled from the center right side of the cover photo.
Safe Area?
I don’t recommend even trying to “optimize” your cover photo for mobile devices… it’s too crazy.
The best thing you can do is keep the most important or vital parts of your design centered in the middle part of the cover photo. The top is hidden and the bottom is covered by your profile photo and profile details.
I’ve tried to make this all very visual with the following Style Guide. I have also zipped up my Photoshop template with all the guides and layers inside so you can see what parts of your cover photo will and what parts won’t be visible.
Skip the Style Guide and download the Google+ cover photo template.
Note: We ask for your email so that we can notify you of updates to the template, just in case something changes or the information we have is incorrect. You will not be added to a mailing list.
Since Google+ is dead, the download is no longer available.
About the author:
Michael Currey is an experienced web designer, front-end developer and social media manager with 15 years of experience and an education from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
10 Responses to “Guide to the New Google+ Cover Photo Size – With Template!”
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- New Circular Google+ Profile Image Template » Blog: Social Media, FAQs & Blog | InlineVision: Web Design / E-Commerce / PPC / Social Media | Las Vegas, NV
[…] I created this quick template to allow me to see and adjust my graphics so that they fit inside the mask Google is applying to profile images. I have created a Photoshop template for the new Google+ cover photo too! Check out the Style Guide and download the template. […]
- Social kit - Templates gratuits pour vos réseaux sociaux - Kune.fr
[…] Spécifications pour votre profil Google+ (avec un template gratuit) […]
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[…] I created this quick template to allow me to see and adjust my graphics so that they fit inside the mask Google is applying to profile images. I have created a Photoshop template for the new Google+ cover photo too! Check out the Style Guide and download the template. […]
Thank you so much Michael. This is just what I needed.
I was creating a similar template and noticed the problem you addressed … How it looks different in so many different devices.
I found a similar safe area, but needed to flesh it out a bit more.
Awesome work, Michael!
Thanks Rob!
It took a while to put together but it was worth it. If I’m going to have to do something more than once it’s time for a template!
Great of you to figure this out and to make it public. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing the template. This will really help. Thank you
Thanks a ton Michael,
I was looking for something similar to design a cover photo for our agency however there isn’t much out there even on paid platforms like Graphicriver so kudos for the effort.
Regards,
Salman
thank your for your Google plus cover photos information. its very helpful to me. thanks a lots.
Greate work! Thx
[…] Spécifications pour votre profil Google+ (avec un template gratuit) […]
Gave you my email and got no template sent – not cool to collect people’s emails which are valuable information, promising a freebie and then not send it.
Hi j,
We checked and cannot find a record of your email address having been submitted.
Our system sends a confirmation email (for validation purposes) before sending out the actual message with the download link to avoid spam.
Please check your spam folder and/or make sure you add support@inlinevision.com to the list of permitted senders.