Sales Loves MarketingYour X header image, once called the Twitter cover image, is the wide banner at the top of your profile. It is the largest visual on the page, so use it to tell visitors in one glance who you are, what you offer and what to do next. The ten ideas below show different ways to do that.
Twitter was rebranded as X in July 2023. The header is still the first large visual every profile visitor sees.
Why does your X header image matter?
People decide in seconds whether to follow you or click through to your website. Your name, photo, bio and header together form your first impression. A blank or outdated header makes a brand look inactive. A clear one supports everything else you post. For the wider picture, see our Twitter marketing strategy guide.
1. Humanise your brand
Behind every brand are real people. A photo of your team, at work or at an event, shows that and makes your brand easier to trust. This works especially well for agencies, consultancies and B2B companies where buyers will work closely with your people.
2. Use an action shot
An action shot sets the tone for your profile. It does not need to be dramatic. It can be your product in use, a customer at work with your tool, or your team running a workshop. Choose an image that shows energy and makes people want to know more.
3. Feature an upcoming event
If you are hosting a webinar, conference or launch, your header is a good place to promote it. Every new visitor sees it, and existing followers get a reminder. Include the name, date and a short instruction such as "register via the link in our bio". Replace it as soon as the event has passed.
4. Cross-promote your other channels
If you also run a newsletter, podcast, YouTube channel or LinkedIn page, mention it in your header. Keep it simple: one or two channels with a clear name are easier to remember than a row of icons. Growing your audience elsewhere also protects you if your reach on one platform drops.
5. Show social proof
Social proof is the tendency to follow what others do when we are unsure how to act. In a header, that can be:
- A short customer quote
- A rating from a well-known review platform
- An award or certification
- Logos of publications that have featured you, if you have permission to use them
Keep it honest and current. Out-of-date awards or unverifiable claims do more harm than good.
6. Show the main benefit
Tell visitors what they get from you. A short value proposition, five to eight words, next to a supporting image works better than a slogan nobody understands. "Close the books in three days, not three weeks" tells a finance team exactly why they should care.
7. Show what your brand stands for
People often follow brands they feel share their values. If your company stands for something specific, such as sustainability, open source or a particular way of working with customers, show it. Make sure it matches what you actually do, or it will look hollow.
8. Tell your brand story
A single image can tell a story: where you started, the problem you set out to solve or the change you help customers make. A before-and-after visual or an illustration of your customer's journey can do this with almost no text.
9. Showcase your products
Buyers cannot touch software or services, so show them. A clean product screenshot, a device mock-up or a photo of your physical product gives visitors a quick idea of what you sell. For software, show the one screen that best explains the value, not the whole dashboard.
10. Promote your website
Many followers never visit your website. Adding your web address or a short call to action to your header reminds them where to go. Make sure it matches the link in your bio, and point it to a page made for visitors from X rather than a generic homepage.
What makes a good X header design?
- One message. Pick one idea from the list above, not five.
- Little text. Use large, high-contrast type that is easy to read on a phone.
- Safe placement. Keep logos and text near the centre, away from the edges and the area around your profile photo, and check that nothing important is hidden.
- Brand consistency. Use the same colours, fonts and message as your website and other profiles.
- Regular updates. Review it when you launch something, start a campaign or change your positioning.
Check the X Help Center for the current recommended header size before you design, and preview the result on both a phone and a desktop before you publish.
For more ways to grow on the platform, read Twitter for business: actionable techniques to grow faster and learn how to find conversations with Twitter advanced search.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Twitter cover image the same as the X header?
Yes. Twitter was rebranded as X in July 2023. The large banner image at the top of a profile, once often called the Twitter cover image, is now usually called the X header image.
What should a business put in its X header image?
Use it to show one clear thing: your team, your product in use, your main benefit, an upcoming event, proof such as awards or reviews, or where to find you next. One message with little text works better than a crowded banner.
How often should you change your X header?
There is no rule. Update it when something changes, such as a product launch, an event or a campaign, and remove time-sensitive content as soon as it has passed. Otherwise keep it in line with your brand on your other channels.
What size is the X header image?
Check the X Help Center for the current recommended size before you design. Keep the important content near the centre and preview the result on both a phone and a desktop before you publish.