Social Media AI Image Guide
Ratios, safe zones, thumb-stopping composition, and export choices for major platforms.
Match the canvas first
Set aspect ratio before you prompt composition:
- Feed square:
1:1 - Feed portrait:
4:5 - Stories / Reels / Shorts:
9:16 - YouTube thumbnail:
16:9
See Aspect ratio for a fuller table.
Leave room for UI and headlines
Mention negative space explicitly:
- “headline-safe area in top third, subject lower two-thirds, clean background”
Thumb-stopping contrast
Social feeds reward clear silhouettes and one focal subject:
- “high subject separation, readable silhouette at small size”
Text overlays
If you will add text in design tools, avoid busy textures behind type. If text is baked into the image, follow AI image text rendering.
Export formats
- JPEG for smaller uploads; PNG when you need crisp edges or transparency.
Related
- How to generate realistic photos
- Anime and illustration style for non-photo social content