LinkedIn is one of the most powerful professional networking platforms, allowing users to connect, share content, and engage with others in their industry. While sending messages is a key part of networking on LinkedIn, many users wonder how to include clickable hyperlinks in their messages to share valuable resources, articles, or websites effectively. Unfortunately, LinkedIn does not currently support clickable hyperlinks in its direct messaging feature, but there are several workarounds to ensure that your links are shared in an easy-to-use and professional manner.
This blog post will guide you through the steps for adding hyperlinks in LinkedIn messages, alternative solutions to share links, best practices for using hyperlinks effectively, and creative ways to enhance your messaging on the platform.
Understanding LinkedIn’s Limitations with Hyperlinks in Messages
Unlike traditional email platforms or other messaging tools, LinkedIn’s messaging system doesn’t allow you to embed clickable hyperlinks directly in the body of a message. This means that when you paste a link into a LinkedIn message, it will appear as plain text rather than a clickable link that recipients can click on directly.
However, there are ways around this limitation. While users may not be able to click directly on the link, they can still copy and paste the URL into their web browser to access the resource. To make this process easier and more professional, there are certain techniques and best practices that you can implement when sharing links on LinkedIn.
2. How to Add a Hyperlink to a LinkedIn Message
Although LinkedIn doesn’t allow clickable links in messages, you can still share links effectively by following these steps:
Step 1: Copy the URL You Want to Share
First, copy the URL of the website or resource you want to share. This could be an article, your company’s website, a YouTube video, or any other type of online content.
Step 2: Paste the URL into Your LinkedIn Message
Navigate to your LinkedIn messages and open a conversation with the person you want to send the link to. Paste the URL directly into the message box. While the link won’t be clickable, the recipient will see the full URL.
Step 3: Add Context to the Link
To increase the likelihood that the recipient will engage with your link, provide context around why you are sharing it. Explain what the link contains, how it can benefit the recipient, and any other relevant information that would encourage them to take the time to copy and paste the link into their browser.
Example:
“Hi [Name], I came across this article that I thought you might find valuable. It covers the latest trends in digital marketing and includes some actionable insights. You can check it out here: [URL]. Let me know your thoughts!”
By providing context, you increase the chances of the recipient taking the time to visit the link.
3. Shortening Your Links for a Cleaner Look
Long URLs can make your message look cluttered and unprofessional. One way to clean up your message is by using a link-shortening service, which turns long URLs into shorter, more aesthetically pleasing links. Popular link-shortening tools include Bitly and TinyURL.
Here’s how to use a link-shortening service:
Step 1: Copy the Original URL
Copy the URL you want to share, just like in the previous method.
Step 2: Use a Link Shortener
Visit a link-shortening website, like Bitly, and paste your original URL into the designated field. The tool will generate a shortened version of the link.
Step 3: Paste the Shortened Link into Your Message
Copy the shortened link and paste it into your LinkedIn message. This creates a cleaner look and makes your message appear more professional.
Example:
“Hi [Name], I found this insightful article on the latest trends in digital marketing that I think you’ll enjoy. Here’s the link: [shortened link]. Let me know what you think!”
Shortened links are especially useful when sending links to recipients on mobile devices, as they make the message more readable.
4. Adding Hyperlinks in LinkedIn Posts and Articles
While LinkedIn doesn’t allow clickable links in direct messages, it does allow you to add clickable hyperlinks in other areas such as LinkedIn posts and articles. If you’re sharing content publicly or creating a piece of thought leadership, you can use hyperlinks to provide direct access to resources and websites.
How to Add Hyperlinks to LinkedIn Posts:
- Start a new post from your LinkedIn homepage.
- Type your message or update.
- Paste the URL you want to share directly into the post. LinkedIn will automatically generate a preview of the website or article, including a clickable image and title.
- Once the preview is generated, you can remove the URL from the text (the preview will still remain).
- Post your update.
This method provides a cleaner appearance and encourages engagement with the clickable preview.
How to Add Hyperlinks to LinkedIn Articles:
- Navigate to the “Write an article” section from your LinkedIn homepage.
- Write your article or content.
- Highlight the text where you want to insert the hyperlink.
- Click the link icon (represented by a chain link) from the formatting options.
- Paste your URL into the hyperlink field and click “Apply.”
- Publish your article with clickable hyperlinks.
This feature is ideal for professionals who write long-form content and want to include multiple links throughout their articles.
5. Best Practices for Using Links in LinkedIn Messages
To ensure that your links are well-received and effective, consider the following best practices:
Be Clear About What You’re Sharing
Always provide context around the link to avoid coming off as spammy. Let the recipient know why you’re sharing the link and how it could be beneficial to them. Avoid sending random or irrelevant links, as this can damage your professional credibility.
Use Shortened Links for Professionalism
As mentioned earlier, shortening your links makes your messages look more polished. Additionally, shortened links are easier for recipients to copy and paste, especially on mobile devices.
Avoid Overloading Your Message with Links
Sending too many links in a single message can overwhelm the recipient. Stick to one or two relevant links and focus on the most important content.
Ensure Links Are Relevant to the Recipient
Make sure the links you share are highly relevant to the recipient’s interests or needs. Sending irrelevant or generic links can result in a low engagement rate or even a negative response.
Follow Up with the Recipient
If you’ve shared an important link, follow up with the recipient after a few days to check if they’ve had a chance to review it. This can spark further conversation and show that you value their opinion on the content.
6. Alternative Methods to Share Links on LinkedIn
If you want to make it easier for your connections to access links, consider using alternative methods such as:
- Attach a File: If the link leads to a document (such as a PDF or presentation), consider downloading the file and attaching it directly to your LinkedIn message. This eliminates the need for a link altogether and allows the recipient to open the document immediately.
- Share via Email: If clickable links are essential for the information you’re sharing, ask the recipient for their email address and send the link in an email. This allows you to create a more structured and clickable message.
- Include Links in Your LinkedIn Profile: Add important links to your LinkedIn profile, such as in your “Featured” section. This is a great way to ensure that your connections can easily access resources and websites associated with your professional activities.
Conclusion
While LinkedIn doesn’t support clickable hyperlinks in direct messages, there are still plenty of ways to share links effectively. Whether you’re pasting the full URL, using a link shortener, or adding links in posts and articles, you can provide valuable resources to your connections and increase engagement. By following best practices and using alternative methods where necessary, you can maintain professionalism and improve the chances that recipients will engage with the content you share.
As LinkedIn continues to evolve, keeping up with the platform’s features and limitations ensures you can maximize its potential as a networking tool. Although adding hyperlinks in messages requires a bit of extra effort, the payoff in terms of engagement and professional opportunities can be well worth it.