I don’t think I need to be the one to tell you this, but just in case you’re one of those people who is still using their dog as the face of their social media accounts, well, it's about time we rescue you from 2010 and bring you hurtling into 2022 with some fresh social media profile picture ideas.
So, the next time you take a picture of yourself, make sure it is social media profile picture ready.
Not only does your profile picture act as the first interaction people have with you on social media, it also acts as a stand-in for your entire online presence. I mean, whether you’re trying to get Kardashian-famous or not, a picture of a daisy or a logo you whipped up on some free photo editing software is just not going to cut it.
Let’s clean up your social media presence with these selfie ideas for profile pictures.
For Instagram
While your IG profile picture might be small, it represents you more than probably any other profile picture. Think about it: Anytime you post a new IG story, what do people click on? Your profile picture. So, let’s get it right.
First of all, you should be the only one in the photo. The thumbnail is small enough as it is, don't crowd it up with other people.
Opt for a picture that shows off just your face, just like Snitchery, up there ^. While I know you’ve got that full-length shot that makes you feel like a superstar, your IG profile pic is not the place for it (dedicate a whole IG post to that if it’s your fave shot).
Color, a smile (or a smize), and good lighting will also help when it comes to your IG profile pic.
After all, if Kim K is cool with posting a selfie with just her face in the shot, you should be, too. Read more here about Instagram profile picture ideas.
Profile Picture Ideas For Facebook
I know, I know, a selfie implies you're in the photo by yourSELF, but with Facebook, I’m all about including others in your profile picture.
You don’t have to go for the full 30-person family reunion shot (in fact, please don’t), but if you want to show off your cutie BF or your BFF, well, go for it. Just, please, make sure you’re actually in the pic.
Other than that, with Facebook, your profile picture is less about you and more about showing off who you can get to take a picture WITH you (if it’s someone famous, even better). Check out our more in-depth guide on Facebook profile picture tips and ideas.
Profile Picture Ideas For TikTok
You’ll sometimes see trends where everyone starts changing their profile pictures to the same thing on TikTok, but you’re a leader, not a follower, right?
Of courseeeeee. So, on TikTok, I want you to basically follow the same “rules” as Instagram, but get a little more creative with it.
Perhaps there’s a certain kind of video you’re trying to be known for. You’re a makeup artist? Show it, like James Charles does. Do you prank people? Make your profile picture of you laughing. Or hey, if you’re all about showing off your skills in the kitchen, take a pic in an apron.
There’s likely a look and feel you want to be known for. Play it up with your profile pic on TikTok, like Nikita Dragun does with her cartoon rendering of a selfie.
Profile Picture Ideas For Twitter
You might think, "Who’s actually on Twitter these days?" The answer: a LOT. Tons of people still use this social network. Twitter has millions of active users every month.
Your Twitter selfie profile pic is going to be seen. It shows up everywhere: your feed, your followers' feeds, and even followers of your followers!
Keep your background plain (color is okay but avoid the cluttered bedroom if you can) and focus on your face. The best dimensions for a Twitter profile pic are 400 by 400 pixels, which is a bit more generous than other social networks.
Even with the extra space, this is a platform where you want to stick to a true selfie, so leave friends and family out of it. But feel free to play with profile picture ideas that include Fluffy or Fido—pet selfies are popular on Twitter.
Profile Picture Ideas For Clubhouse
Yeah, Clubhouse is an audio-only app—but you still have a profile picture, and since it’s the only place you can post a picture on the entire platform, you’ve got to make it count!
Lots of people are customizing their selfies with profile picture ideas like colorful borders or text that says, “Just listening." These things can definitely help you stand out in the room, but if you’re going to go that route, you’ll want to keep your selfie pretty simple.
A plain background, solid lighting, and your great smile are all you’ll need for this one!
Profile Picture Ideas For YouTube
If you dream of becoming the next big thing on YouTube, you’ll want to get your profile picture just right.
This is one platform where a generic profile picture isn’t going to cut it. If you've got your own YouTube channel, you'll want to snap a picture that shows off what you're all about. Ryan Reynolds knows what’s up.
Do you do hairstyling tutorials? Show off that hairdo while holding your fancy curling iron. Like to travel? Use a pic of you standing on top of your latest summit.
Whatever it is, it should help your viewers feel more connected to you and your channel.
12 awesome social media profile picture ideas
All right, so you know the ins and outs of social media profile pics for all of your favorite social media platforms. But what, exactly, should you do for your next profile pic? Feel free to change things up with these profile picture ideas that are perfect for just about any platform:
- Snap a pic with your pet: Everybody loves pets! If your profile pic has room, give your cat, dog, chinchilla, ferret, etc. a starring role. Make sure your profile pic isn’t oddly cropped when you upload it, though; you want to make sure both you and your pet are visible in the final product.
- Go to the beach: Honestly, I never get tired of beach selfies. Take a pic in front of the ocean with a big smile on your face or turn your back to the camera and look out at the ocean pensively. It’s all about the vibe you want to give off.
- Drop in a new background: Are you really digging your latest profile pic? That’s great! You can still jazz up your profile photos by dropping in a new background. Use Facetune2 to blur your existing background or drop in a new one to change things up without getting too crazy.
- Monochromatic outfits: This is one of the best profile picture ideas for fashionistas. Deck yourself out in a single color from head to toe: if you’re going for teal, wear teal makeup, a teal shirt, and teal accessories to tie everything together. This can get a little too matchy-matchy for some people, but it looks awesome, especially with a complementary banner on your profile.
- Pose in front of an Instagrammable wall: Running out of profile picture ideas in your apartment? Get out! Go to a local business, festival, or downtown area to scope out cool, selfie-worthy walls. Plenty of downtown areas have murals, which are perfect for location-specific profile pics.
- Add stickers: It can look a little cartoony, but a few well-placed stickers can make your social media profile pic look more engaging, especially on platforms like Snapchat.
- Make it a GIF: Hey, did you know you can make your Facebook profile picture an animated GIF? If you’re sick of static photos, this profile picture idea is perfect for standing out on your followers’ feeds.
- Use dramatic lighting: You can buy a lighting tower from Amazon for about $50 to $100. Pose like you normally would, and then flip through the lighting settings. When you get the color mix just right, snap a pic of your dramatic silhouette with different colors. This looks really high-end and cool, so give it a try! Just make sure you’re still recognizable in the pic, of course.
- Literally photograph your profile: Why not photograph your profile for your profile picture? Face the camera and then turn to the side. You can get a more flattering angle if you slightly lift your chin and press your shoulders down. Nobody wants a double chin, so nailing your pose here is important!
- Make it a meme: Social media is all about trends. Why not update your pic and profile to be something meme-worthy? Maybe you can update your TikTok pic to say it’s a No Bones Day. Just be sure to change your pic as trends change so it doesn’t look outdated.
- Take a classy headshot: Honestly, you can’t go wrong with a classy headshot. You can definitely use this for LinkedIn, although you’ll need to make sure it looks casual enough to use on Instagram or TikTok. Be sure to use a tripod if you take your own headshots—the last thing you want is for your arm to be sticking out to the side.
- Choose something personal: Need inspiration for your profile picture ideas? Look around your apartment. You can take a profile picture of something that means a lot to you, whether that’s your art, your pet, or your Etsy crafts. It’s good to get your face in the picture if you can, but this is a great way to share your passion with people on social media.
Shake up your social media selfie profile picture ideas
If you have any social skills at all, you understand that when you walk into a party, you need to read the room. You know, to see what the vibe is. Are people dancing, is it a chill crowd, do you need to hype up the room, are we talking PG-13 or R-rated?
Well, the same thing applies when you’re choosing your social media profile pictures. While we mention specific social media platforms in the guidelines above, no matter what platform you're on, it’s all about "reading the room."
What are you using your platform for? What do you want to be known for? Who do you want to attract? Like it or not, your profile picture will impact how people feel about you at first glance.
Regardless of where you hang out online or what vibe you want to give off, make sure you have good profile picture idea for your account. A clear, bright selfie is a great place to start, no matter the platform.
Go ahead and get creative with it. But like, not too creative (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, ‘kay?).
