To add a cover image to your Medium article, you need to set one of the images already in your post as the "featured image" using the publish settings or a keyboard shortcut.
On Medium, the image that appears at the top of your story preview on the homepage, topic pages, and social shares is called the featured image. This acts as your article's cover. You can choose any image you've already added within your article body to be this featured image.
Steps to Set Your Featured (Cover) Image
There are two primary ways to designate an image as your featured cover image in a Medium story, as noted in the reference:
Method 1: Using the Publish Settings
This is typically done when you are ready to publish or update your story.
- Add Images to Your Post: First, ensure the image you want to use as your cover is already inserted somewhere within the body of your Medium story.
- Click "Publish" or "..." (for already published stories): While editing your story, click the Publish button in the top right corner. If the story is already published, click the three-dot menu (
...) and then select "Edit story". - Access Publish Settings: In the pop-up window that appears (the "Ready to publish?" screen), locate the section for managing images.
- Use the Featured Image Picker: As the reference states, use the featured image picker behind the Publish button. This interface allows you to select which image from your story you want to feature. Click on the image thumbnail you wish to set as the cover.
Method 2: Using the Keyboard Shortcut
This method is quicker if you are already viewing the image within your editor.
- Add Image to Your Post: Ensure the image you want to use is already inserted in your story.
- Select the Image: Click directly on the image within your post that you want to make the cover.
- Press the Shortcut: With the image selected, press Shift + F on your keyboard.
Using either of these methods will mark the chosen image as the featured image for your article, serving as its cover.
Important Consideration
Remember the key point from the reference: You can only feature an image that is already added to your post. Make sure your desired cover image is inserted into the body of your Medium story before attempting to set it as the featured image.
