What a LinkedIn web address is and why you might want to change it

Your LinkedIn web address is the custom URL that appears in your profile link — the part after linkedin.com/in/. By default, LinkedIn assigns you a string of numbers and letters that looks like linkedin.com/in/john-smith-a1b2c3d4e5f6. You can change this once to something shorter and more memorable, like linkedin.com/in/johnsmith.

Most people change their LinkedIn web address to make their profile easier to share in emails, resumes, or business cards. A clean, readable URL looks more professional than a random string of characters. You might also change it if your name has changed, if you want to use a professional nickname, or if you made a typo the first time you set it.

LinkedIn lets you change your web address once. After that, you cannot change it again — so choose carefully. If you change it, your old URL stops working, which means any links you shared before will break.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your LinkedIn web address once to a custom URL that is easier to remember and share.
  • The change takes effect when ready, and any old links to your profile will no longer work.
  • Your custom URL must be between 3 and 30 characters and can include letters, numbers, and hyphens.
  • After you change your web address once, LinkedIn does not allow you to change it again, so verify your choice before confirming.

How to access the web address settings on your profile

Open LinkedIn and sign into your account. Click your profile photo in the top right corner of the page, then select "View profile" from the dropdown menu.

On your profile page, look for the "Edit public profile & URL" button. This button appears in the top right area of your profile, near your name and headline. Click it to open the profile editing panel.

In the right sidebar that opens, scroll down until you see the "Public profile URL" section. This section shows your current web address. Next to it, you will see a pencil icon or an "Edit" button — click that to begin changing your URL.

Choosing and entering your new web address

When you click to edit your URL, a text field will appear with your current web address highlighted. Delete the current text and type your new custom URL. LinkedIn will show you what the full link will look like as you type.

Your custom URL must follow these rules: it can be 3 to 30 characters long, it can include letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and hyphens, and it cannot include spaces or special characters like periods or underscores. LinkedIn will tell you when ready if your choice breaks these rules or if the URL is already taken by someone else.

Choose something professional and tied to your name or brand. Common options are your first and last name (johnsmith), your first name and middle initial (johnmsmith), or your first name and a number if your name is common (john-smith-1). Avoid URLs that include slang, inside jokes, or anything you might regret in a professional context — this URL will appear on your resume and in your professional communications.

What happens when you confirm the change

Once you have entered your new URL and confirmed it, the change takes effect when ready. Your profile now appears at the new address. LinkedIn does not send you a confirmation email or ask you to verify the change — it happens right away.

Any links that pointed to your old URL will stop working. If you shared your old LinkedIn profile link in emails, on your website, in a resume, or anywhere else, those links will return a "page not found" error. You will need to update those links manually if they are important to you.

LinkedIn does not create a redirect from your old URL to your new one. This is why changing your web address once is the limit — the company wants to prevent people from constantly changing URLs and breaking links across the internet.

Updating your web address in other places

After you change your LinkedIn URL, search for anywhere you have shared it and update those links. Check your email signature, your personal website or blog, your resume, your Twitter or other social media profiles, and any business cards or printed materials that list your LinkedIn profile.

If you have a portfolio website or personal brand site, update the LinkedIn link there. If you have sent your LinkedIn profile to recruiters or in job applications, consider sending a brief follow-up email with your new URL so they have the correct link on file.

You can also update your LinkedIn headline or "About" section to mention your new URL if you want to help people find the correct link. For example, you might add "LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith" to your email signature so new contacts have the right address.

What to do if you made a mistake or want to change it again

If you realize you made a typo or chose a URL you do not like, you have a short window to fix it. Go back to your profile, click "Edit public profile & URL" again, and you can change it one more time — but only once. After that second change, LinkedIn locks your URL permanently.

If you have already used your one change and want a different URL, you cannot change it through the normal settings. LinkedIn does not offer a way to reset or unlock your URL after you have made your choice. Your only option would be to contact LinkedIn Support and explain your situation, though they rarely grant exceptions.

This is why it is worth taking a moment to think through your choice before you confirm. Test how it looks in an email or on a business card. Say it out loud to make sure it is straightforward to pronounce and spell. Once you have made your second change, that URL is yours for as long as your account exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use special characters like periods or underscores in my LinkedIn URL?

No. LinkedIn only allows letters, numbers, and hyphens in your custom URL. You cannot use periods, underscores, spaces, or other special characters. If you want to separate words, use a hyphen instead — for example, john-smith rather than john.smith or john_smith.

What if the URL I want is already taken?

LinkedIn will tell you the URL is unavailable when you try to claim it. Choose a different variation — add your middle initial, a number, or a descriptor related to your field. For example, if johnsmith is taken, try john-smith-1, johnmsmith, or john-smith-marketing.

Do I have to change my web address, or can I keep the default one?

You do not have to change it. The default URL works fine and your profile is fully functional with it. Changing your URL is optional and mainly useful if you plan to share your profile frequently or want it to look more polished on a resume or business card.

If I change my LinkedIn URL, will my connections be notified?

No. Your connections will not receive a notification that your URL changed. However, if they try to use an old link you sent them, it will not work. If you want them to know about the change, you will need to tell them directly or update the link wherever you shared it.

Can I change my LinkedIn URL more than twice?

No. You get one change, and after that one change, you get one more — for a total of two custom URLs in your account lifetime. After your second change, your URL is locked and cannot be changed again. This is why it is important to choose carefully before you confirm.