How to Create LinkedIn Document Ads (PDF Ads Guide)

TL;DR: LinkedIn Document Ads let you upload PDFs, slide decks, or documents directly as ad content. Users can swipe through pages within the LinkedIn feed without leaving the platform. Create via Campaign Manager > Create ad > Document ad format. Upload documents up to 10MB and 10 pages. Best for gated content, case studies, and thought leadership.

Prerequisites

Before creating LinkedIn Document Ads, you need:

• Active LinkedIn Campaign Manager account

• Campaign with "Brand awareness," "Website visits," or "Engagement" objective

• Document ready for upload (PDF, PPT, or DOC format)

• Document optimized for mobile viewing (legible text, clear images)

• Maximum file size: 10MB

• Maximum pages: 10 pages (recommended: 5-7 pages)

What Are LinkedIn Document Ads?

LinkedIn Document Ads are native ad format that displays documents (PDFs, PowerPoints, Word docs) as swipeable cards in the LinkedIn feed. Users browse through document pages without leaving LinkedIn.

Key features:

• Native experience: Documents appear as swipeable cards in feed

• Multi-page: Up to 10 pages/slides per ad

• Mobile-optimized: Vertical or square format works best

• Lead Gen integration: Attach Lead Gen Forms to capture downloads

• Download option: Users can download document after viewing

Best use cases:

• Whitepapers and ebooks

• Case studies and success stories

• Research reports and industry insights

• Product comparison guides

• Event presentations and slide decks

• How-to guides and tutorials

Engagement rate: Document Ads typically get 2-3x higher engagement than single image ads because of the interactive swipe experience.

How LinkedIn Document Ads Work

The User Experience

1. User sees ad: Document ad appears in LinkedIn feed with cover page visible

2. User engages: Swipes/clicks through document pages

3. Page tracking: LinkedIn tracks which pages user viewed

4. CTA appears: After last page, user sees download button or Lead Gen Form

5. Conversion: User submits form or clicks through to landing page

LinkedIn tracks:

• How many pages viewed

• Time spent per page

• Which users viewed all pages vs partial

• Download/conversion rate

This data helps you optimize future document content.

Step 1: Prepare Your Document

Document Format Requirements

LinkedIn accepts three file formats:

LinkedIn's recommendation: Upload as PDF for best quality and consistent rendering across devices.

Document Specifications

Technical specs:

• Max file size: 10MB

• Max pages: 10 pages (5-7 pages recommended for mobile attention span)

• Dimensions: No fixed dimensions (LinkedIn auto-formats)

• Orientation: Vertical (9:16) or square (1:1) works best on mobile

• Resolution: Minimum 300 DPI for text legibility

Design best practices:

• Large text: Minimum 24pt font (readable on mobile)

• High contrast: Dark text on light background

• Minimal text per page: 50-100 words max per slide

• Clear hierarchy: Large headlines, bullet points over paragraphs

• Mobile-first: Design for phone screens first, desktop second

Content Structure

Page 1 (Cover):

• Eye-catching headline

• Subheadline with key benefit

• Branded imagery

• Your logo

Pages 2-8 (Content):

• One concept per page

• Visuals + minimal text

• Data visualizations work well

• Clear progression of ideas

Page 9-10 (CTA):

• Call to action

• Next steps

• Contact information

• Download offer (if using Lead Gen Form)

Example structure for 7-page whitepaper:

1. Cover: "The Complete Guide to B2B Marketing"

2. Problem statement

3. Key statistic + insight

4. Solution framework

5. Case study example

6. Implementation steps

7. CTA: Download full report

Step 2: Create Campaign and Ad Group

Document Ads require specific campaign objectives:

Supported Objectives

✅ Brand Awareness: Build recognition with thought leadership content

✅ Website Visits: Drive traffic to landing page after document view

✅ Engagement: Maximize document views and swipes

❌ Not supported:

• Lead Generation objective (but you CAN attach Lead Gen Forms to other objectives)

• Job Applicants

• Website Conversions

Create Campaign

1. Campaign Manager > Create campaign

2. Choose objective: Brand Awareness or Website Visits

3. Set targeting (job title, company, industry, etc.)

4. Set budget and schedule

5. Click Next to ad group creation

6. In ad group, click Create ad

Step 3: Select Document Ad Format

In the ad creation interface:

1. Ad format options appear

2. Select Document ad

3. Click Continue

You'll see the Document Ad builder interface.

Step 4: Upload Your Document

Upload File

1. Click Upload document button

2. Select file from computer (PDF, PPT, DOC)

3. Wait for upload (5-30 seconds depending on file size)

4. LinkedIn processes and converts document to swipeable format

Processing time: 1-5 minutes. You'll see a preview once processing completes.

Preview Your Document

After upload, LinkedIn shows preview:

• Swipe through pages to check formatting

• Verify text is legible

• Check that images display correctly

• Ensure no pages are cut off or distorted

If formatting looks wrong:

• Re-export PDF at higher resolution

• Simplify page layouts (less complex graphics)

• Use standard fonts (Arial, Helvetica, Times)

• Remove animations or transitions (won't render in PDF)

Step 5: Write Ad Copy

Complete the ad fields:

Introductory Text (150 characters max)

Hook that appears above document:

Examples:

• "Struggling with LinkedIn ad targeting? This guide breaks down the exact framework we use to generate $2M in pipeline."

• "97% of B2B marketers get retargeting wrong. Here's the playbook that fixes it."

• "New research: Companies using this approach see 3x better conversion rates."

Writing tips:

• Lead with a stat or question

• Create curiosity (don't give away everything)

• Match language to target audience

• Include benefit, not just topic

Headline (70 characters max)

Appears on document cover within feed:

Examples:

• "The Complete LinkedIn Ads Playbook"

• "2026 B2B Marketing Benchmarks Report"

• "5-Step Framework for Pipeline Growth"

Best practices:

• Clear, descriptive title

• Include year if time-sensitive content

• Avoid clickbait (authenticity wins on LinkedIn)

Description (Optional, 100 characters)

Additional context about the document:

Examples:

• "Real data from 500+ B2B campaigns"

• "Used by companies like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Stripe"

• "7 actionable strategies you can implement today"

Destination URL

Option 1: LinkedIn's download page (default)

LinkedIn hosts the document; users can download after viewing

Option 2: Your landing page

Drive traffic to your website instead

Best practice: Use LinkedIn's hosted download for pure awareness. Use landing page if you want to capture emails or drive website traffic.

Step 6: Attach Lead Gen Form (Optional)

To capture leads directly within LinkedIn:

1. In ad builder, scroll to Lead Gen Form section

2. Toggle ON: "Attach Lead Gen Form"

3. Select existing form or Create new form

4. Configure form fields:

- Contact info (pre-filled by LinkedIn)

- Custom questions (optional)

- Privacy policy checkbox

- Thank you message with download link

1. Save form

User experience with Lead Gen Form:

1. User swipes through document pages

2. Clicks "Download" button at end

3. Lead Gen Form appears (pre-filled with LinkedIn data)

4. Submits form (1 click)

5. Gets download link in thank you message

Conversion rates: Lead Gen Forms convert 3-5x better than landing pages because of pre-filled fields and native experience.

Step 7: Review and Launch

Before launching:

Ad Preview Checklist

• [ ] Document uploads and displays correctly

• [ ] All pages legible on mobile preview

• [ ] Introductory text is compelling

• [ ] Headline is clear and benefit-focused

• [ ] Destination URL is correct (or Lead Gen Form attached)

• [ ] Target audience is set correctly

• [ ] Budget and schedule are configured

Launch Ad

1. Click Review ad button

2. Check all fields populated correctly

3. Click Launch

4. Ad enters review (typically approved within 24 hours)

LinkedIn reviews for:

• Policy compliance (no prohibited content)

• Document quality (readable, professional)

• Proper permissions (you own/have rights to content)

Step 8: Monitor Performance

Track Document Ad specific metrics:

Key Metrics

Optimization Signals

If CTR is low (<0.3%):

• Improve introductory text (create more curiosity)

• Test different cover images

• Refine targeting (audience not interested)

If pages viewed is low (<40%):

• Content not engaging enough after page 1

• Too text-heavy (simplify)

• Pages don't flow logically

• Mobile formatting issues

If download rate is low (<5%):

• Weak CTA on final page

• Lead Gen Form has too many fields

• Content didn't deliver on promise from intro text

• No clear value proposition for download

Advanced Document Ad Strategies

Strategy 1: Content Sequencing

Create ad series that builds on itself:

Week 1: Document Ad: "The Problem with B2B Marketing" Week 2: Retarget viewers with: "The Solution Framework" Week 3: Retarget with: "Implementation Checklist"

Use website retargeting to sequence content based on engagement.

Strategy 2: Gated vs Ungated Testing

Test two versions:

Version A: Full document viewable in feed (no form) Version B: Teaser pages + Lead Gen Form for full download Hypothesis: Version A gets more awareness, Version B captures more leads.

Strategy 3: Sales Enablement Integration

Upload case studies as Document Ads:

1. Sales team shares case study link from LinkedIn

2. Prospect views in native format

3. LinkedIn tracks which prospects engaged

4. Sales team follows up with engaged prospects

Use LinkedIn Sales Navigator integration to see who viewed documents.

Strategy 4: Event Promotion

Upload event presentation deck as Document Ad:

Before event: "Preview what you'll learn at [Event Name]" After event: "Missed [Event Name]? Here's what we covered"

Drives event registrations (before) and thought leadership (after).

Strategy 5: Competitive Differentiation

Create comparison guides:

Example: "How [Your Product] Compares to [Competitor]"

• Page 1: Feature comparison table

• Page 2-6: Detailed breakdowns

• Page 7: Why customers switch from competitor

Target competitor's customers using company list matching.

Common Mistakes with Document Ads

Mistake 1: Document Too Long (10+ Pages)

Wrong: Uploading 20-page whitepaper as-is Right: Create condensed 5-7 page version for ad, offer full PDF as download

Mobile users won't swipe through 10+ pages. Keep it concise.

Mistake 2: Tiny Text (Under 18pt)

Wrong: Using standard document formatting (12pt font) Right: Redesign for mobile with 24pt+ text

Text that's readable on desktop is too small on mobile. Design mobile-first.

Mistake 3: No Clear CTA

Wrong: Last page just says "Thank you for reading" Right: Clear CTA: "Download the full report" or "Book a demo"

Every document needs a conversion goal and clear next step.

Mistake 4: Generic Cover Page

Wrong: Plain text cover with document title Right: Eye-catching visual + benefit-driven headline

Cover page determines whether users click. Treat it like an ad creative.

Mistake 5: Not Testing Without Lead Gen Form

Wrong: Always using Lead Gen Form Right: Test ungated version for broader awareness

Sometimes better to maximize reach (ungated) vs capture leads (gated).

Troubleshooting Document Ads

Issue 1: Document Upload Fails

Causes:

• File over 10MB

• File corrupted

• Unsupported format

• Special fonts not rendering

Fixes:

1. Compress PDF (use online PDF compressor)

2. Try uploading from different browser

3. Convert to PDF if using PPT/DOC

4. Use standard fonts (embed fonts if custom)

5. Simplify page layouts (remove complex graphics)

Issue 2: Text Appears Blurry in Preview

Cause: Low resolution export Fix:

1. Re-export PDF at higher DPI (300+)

2. Use vector graphics instead of raster images

3. Increase font size (better clarity at distance)

4. Check "High Quality" or "Print Quality" export settings

Issue 3: Pages Cut Off or Distorted

Cause: Non-standard page dimensions Fix:

1. Use standard page sizes (US Letter, A4)

2. Avoid landscape orientation (use portrait or square)

3. Add margins (0.5" minimum on all sides)

4. Test with simple 2-page document first to check formatting

Issue 4: Low Engagement After Launch

Causes:

• Weak introductory text

• Cover page not compelling

• Content doesn't match intro promise

• Wrong audience targeting

Fixes:

1. A/B test different intro text

2. Redesign cover page with stronger visual

3. Survey engaged users: "Was this helpful?"

4. Review targeting: are you reaching right titles/industries?

5. Check carousel ad specs for creative inspiration

Document Ads vs Other LinkedIn Formats

When to use Document Ads:

• You have valuable long-form content (reports, guides, case studies)

• Target audience values thought leadership

• Goal is lead generation with content offer

• Want native content experience (vs driving to landing page)

When NOT to use Document Ads:

• Content under 3 pages (use single image or carousel instead)

• Direct response/sales message (use single image with clear CTA)

• Video content (use video ads)

Document Ad Creative Best Practices

Design Tips

1. Branded but not salesy: Include logo, colors, but don't make every page a pitch

2. Visual hierarchy: Headlines 2x larger than body text

3. White space: Don't cram every inch of page with content

4. Consistent design: Same layout template across pages for cohesion

5. Mobile preview: Check every page in mobile view before uploading

6. Progress indicators: Number pages (1/7, 2/7) so users know length

7. Callouts: Use colored boxes/circles to highlight key stats

8. Icons: Replace text with icons where possible (visual > text)

Content Tips

1. Front-load value: Best insight on page 2-3 (hook them early)

2. One idea per page: Don't combine multiple concepts

3. Data-driven: Include stats, charts, research findings

4. Actionable: Give takeaways users can implement

5. Storytelling: Use customer stories, case studies, examples

6. Scannable: Bullet points, numbered lists, short paragraphs

7. Credibility signals: Logos of customers, awards, certifications

8. Social proof: Testimonials, reviews, user quotes

Glossary

Verification Checklist

Before launching Document Ad:

• [ ] Document is 10MB or smaller

• [ ] Document is 10 pages or fewer (5-7 recommended)

• [ ] Text is legible in mobile preview (24pt+ font)

• [ ] Cover page is visually compelling with clear headline

• [ ] All pages display correctly in preview (no cut-off content)

• [ ] CTA is clear on final page

• [ ] Introductory text creates curiosity and states benefit

• [ ] Headline is concise and descriptive (under 70 characters)

• [ ] Destination URL is correct OR Lead Gen Form attached

• [ ] Lead Gen Form tested if using (fields pre-fill correctly)

• [ ] Campaign objective supports Document Ads (Brand Awareness, Website Visits, Engagement)

• [ ] Targeting is set to decision-makers/relevant audience

• [ ] Budget is sufficient ($20+/day recommended for document ads)

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