Your LinkedIn URL is the web address people use to visit your profile directly

Your LinkedIn profile URL is a link that takes people straight to your profile page when they click it or type it into a browser. It looks something like linkedin.com/in/yourname or linkedin.com/company/yourcompanyname if you manage a business page. LinkedIn assigns you a default URL when you create an account, but you can customize it to make it shorter and easier to share.

Finding your URL takes less than a minute. The process is the same whether you are on a computer or phone, though the phone version requires a few extra taps to reach the right menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default LinkedIn URL contains a long string of numbers, but you can customize it to use your name instead.
  • You find your profile URL by clicking your profile photo, selecting "View profile," and looking at the web address in your browser's address bar.
  • LinkedIn lets you change your custom URL once every six months, so choose something professional that you plan to keep.
  • Your profile URL is public by default, so anyone with the link can see your profile unless you change your privacy settings.
  • You should use your customized LinkedIn URL when sharing your profile on resumes, business cards, email signatures, and other professional materials.

How to find your URL on a computer

Open LinkedIn in your web browser and click your profile photo in the top right corner. A dropdown menu will appear with several options. Click "View profile" to go to your profile page.

Once you are on your profile page, look at the web address bar at the top of your browser. The URL will be displayed there. If you have customized your URL, it will show something like linkedin.com/in/sarah-chen. If you have not customized it yet, it will show a longer address with numbers, like linkedin.com/in/sarah-chen-12345678.

To copy this URL so you can share it, highlight the entire address in the browser bar, right-click, and select "Copy." You can then paste it anywhere you need it.

How to find your URL on a phone or tablet

Open the LinkedIn app and tap your profile photo at the bottom of the screen. This takes you to your profile page. Tap the three dots or lines (called a menu icon) in the top right corner of your profile.

A menu will pop up with options like "Share profile" or "Copy profile URL." If you see "Copy profile URL," tap it and the address will be copied to your clipboard. If you see "Share profile," tap that instead, and you will see options to share your profile link through text, email, or other apps.

If you want to see the actual URL text instead of just copying it, open your phone's web browser and type linkedin.com/in/ followed by your name. This will take you to your profile, and you can see the full URL in the address bar.

How to customize your LinkedIn URL

A customized URL is much easier to remember and looks more professional on a resume or business card. To set one up, go to your profile page and look for the "Edit public profile & URL" button. On a computer, this button is usually on the right side of your profile header. On a phone, tap the three dots menu and look for "Edit public profile."

Click or tap that button, and you will see a section labeled "Public profile URL" or "Your public profile URL." Next to it will be a pencil icon or "Edit" button. Click that to open the customization box. LinkedIn will show you what your current URL is and let you change the part after linkedin.com/in/.

You can use your first and last name, your first name and middle initial, or a variation that is not already taken by someone else on LinkedIn. LinkedIn will tell you right away if the URL you want is available. Once you choose one, click "Save" and your new URL is live when ready.

Keep in mind that LinkedIn only lets you change your custom URL once every six months. Choose something professional that you are comfortable sharing for a while, since changing it again will require waiting another six months.

What to do if your custom URL is already taken

If the URL you want is not available, LinkedIn will show you a message saying the URL is taken. You have a few options: try adding your middle initial, add a number at the end, or use a slight variation of your name.

For example, if linkedin.com/in/john-smith is taken, you could try linkedin.com/in/john-m-smith, linkedin.com/in/johnsmith1, or linkedin.com/in/john-smith-professional. The goal is to keep it short and professional so people can remember it and type it easily.

Where to use your LinkedIn URL

Your customized LinkedIn URL belongs in several places where employers and professional contacts might look for you. Add it to your email signature so every message you send includes a link to your profile. Include it on your resume, usually near your contact information at the top.

If you have a personal website or online portfolio, add your LinkedIn URL there. Put it on your business cards if you have them. You can also share it in your social media bios on Twitter, Instagram, or other platforms where you maintain a professional presence.

When you share your URL in writing, use the customized version without the https://www part. For example, write linkedin.com/in/sarah-chen rather than the full browser address. This is cleaner and easier to read.

Privacy settings and who can see your profile

Your LinkedIn profile is public by default, which means anyone with your URL can view your profile. This is usually what you want for professional networking, but you can change it if you prefer more privacy.

To adjust who can see your profile, go to your settings by clicking the profile photo and selecting "Settings and privacy." Then click "Visibility" and look for options about your public profile. You can choose to make your profile visible to everyone, to logged-in members only, or to nobody.

Keep in mind that if you make your profile private, sharing your URL will not help people find you, since they will not be able to see your information. Most professionals keep their profiles public because the whole point of LinkedIn is to be discoverable by recruiters, colleagues, and potential clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my LinkedIn URL more than once?

LinkedIn allows you to change your custom URL once every six months. After you make a change, you have to wait six months before you can change it again. This is why it is worth thinking through your choice before you save it.

What happens to my old URL if I change it?

Your old custom URL stops working once you change it to a new one. Anyone who tries to use the old link will get an error. This is another reason to update your resume, business cards, and email signature after you change your URL.

Is my LinkedIn URL the same as my LinkedIn ID?

No. Your LinkedIn ID is a long number that LinkedIn uses internally to identify your account. Your LinkedIn URL is the web address people use to visit your profile. You only need to share your URL, not your ID.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my custom URL?

No. LinkedIn only allows letters, numbers, and hyphens in custom URLs. You cannot use spaces, underscores, periods, or other special characters. If your name has a space, use a hyphen instead, like linkedin.com/in/mary-jane-williams.

What if I cannot find the Edit button for my URL?

Make sure you are logged into your own account and viewing your own profile, not someone else's. The Edit button only appears on your own profile. If you still cannot find it, try logging out and logging back in, or try using a different web browser.