Images give readers a moment to breathe between paragraphs and can show what words alone cannot. Here is how to add them, adjust them, and choose a cover that makes your post stand out.
Put your cursor where you want the image, there are two ways to add an image:
1.Paste it. Copy an image from anywhere (a screenshot, a website, another app) and paste it into the editor with Ctrl+V (Cmd+V on Mac).
2.Use the Add image tool. Click the + button (Insert block) in the toolbar at the bottom of the editor and choose Image, or type / and choose Image. Then:
On the Upload tab, click the box to choose a file from your computer, or drag and drop one onto it.
On the URL tab, paste a direct link to an image online and click Preview.
Whichever way you choose, the image opens in the Add image window so you can adjust it before it goes into your post.
Images can be PNG, JPG, GIF, or WebP, up to 2 MB each.
The Add image window lets you get your picture just right:
Crop. Pick a shape: Original (keeps the picture as it is), Free (drag the edges however you like), 16:9 (wide), 4:3, or 1:1 (square).
Rotate a photo that came in sideways.
Zoom in to focus on what matters.
Add a caption to show under the image.
Reset to undo your changes, or Change image to pick a different picture.
When it looks right, click Insert image.
Once an image is inserted, you cannot re-crop it. To change it, delete the image and add it again.
Your cover image is the first thing readers see. It appears at the top of your post, on your publication's home page, and when someone shares your post on Google, X, or Facebook. You add it in Review and publish, under the Settings tab.
A few tips:
Go wide. Covers are cropped to 21:10 by default, which is a wide shape. A landscape photo works best, since a tall one loses most of its top and bottom.
Use a large enough image. Aim for at least 2100 x 1000 pixels so it stays sharp on big screens.
Keep the subject in the middle. Previews on different sites crop slightly differently, so anything near the edges might get cut off.
Keep it simple. One clear subject reads better at small sizes than a busy scene. Avoid putting text in the image, because it becomes hard to read in small previews.
Check the previews. Before you publish, look at the Search & social preview and the Preview tab (mobile and desktop) to see how your cover appears everywhere.
Use images you have the right to use. Your own photos are best, or images that are clearly free to use.
