Having a customized LinkedIn URL can make your profile appear more professional, easy to share, and memorable. By default, LinkedIn assigns users a URL with random numbers and letters, which can look cluttered and unpolished. Customizing this URL not only gives you a cleaner, branded online presence but also boosts your personal branding, especially when you share your LinkedIn profile on resumes, email signatures, or business cards.
In this guide, we’ll explore why it’s important to customize your LinkedIn URL, how to do it, and tips to choose the best URL for your professional identity.
Why Customize Your LinkedIn URL?
1. Improves Your Personal Branding
A clean and customized LinkedIn URL helps you stand out as a professional. Instead of a long, generic link, your URL becomes memorable and aligned with your name or personal brand. This is particularly useful if you’re networking, applying for jobs, or showcasing your profile as part of your online portfolio.
2. Easier to Share
Customizing your LinkedIn URL makes it shorter and easier to share, whether you’re adding it to a business card, resume, portfolio, or email signature. A personalized URL looks polished and conveys attention to detail.
3. SEO Benefits
Search engines like Google index LinkedIn profiles, and a customized URL can help improve the search engine optimization (SEO) of your profile. This means that when someone searches for your name, a clean and optimized LinkedIn URL is more likely to appear higher in the search results.
4. Professional First Impression
A well-crafted LinkedIn URL gives a great first impression to potential employers, clients, or business partners. It shows that you take your professional presence seriously and pay attention to details.
How to Customize Your LinkedIn URL
Customizing your LinkedIn URL is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps to create a personalized and professional-looking URL.
Step 1: Log in to LinkedIn
Go to LinkedIn.com and log into your account using your username and password.
Step 2: Access Your Profile
Once logged in, navigate to your profile by clicking on your profile picture or name in the top-right corner of the homepage.
Step 3: Edit Your Public Profile & URL
On your profile page, look to the right-hand side of the screen. You’ll see a section labeled “Edit public profile & URL” under your profile photo and headline. Click this option.
Step 4: Customize Your URL
You’ll be taken to a new page where you can edit your public profile settings. At the top-right of this page, under the “Edit your custom URL” section, click the pencil icon next to your current LinkedIn URL.
Step 5: Choose Your URL
Now you can edit the text of your URL. LinkedIn lets you customize the URL to include your name or a variation of it. The format will be:www.linkedin.com/in/yourname
Here are some best practices for choosing your LinkedIn URL:
- Use your full name: Ideally, your LinkedIn URL should be your first and last name (e.g.,
linkedin.com/in/johndoe). - Avoid numbers and symbols: Numbers, special characters, and underscores can make your URL harder to remember and less professional.
- Keep it simple: If your name is common and already taken, consider adding a middle initial or your profession (e.g.,
linkedin.com/in/johndoe-marketing). - Consistency with other social media profiles: If possible, align your LinkedIn URL with your other professional social media handles to create a cohesive online brand.
Step 6: Save Your Changes
After entering your preferred custom URL, click “Save” to finalize your changes. Your LinkedIn URL will now be updated, and you can start sharing it.
Best Practices for Choosing a LinkedIn URL
1. Keep it Professional
Your LinkedIn URL should reflect your professional brand. Avoid using nicknames, numbers, or symbols unless necessary. Keep it straightforward so that people can easily associate it with your name.
2. Use Keywords if Necessary
If your name is already taken, consider adding keywords that reflect your industry or profession, such as “johnsmith-marketing” or “janedoe-finance.” This not only makes your URL unique but also provides context about your expertise.
3. Align it with Your Personal Brand
If you use social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or GitHub for professional purposes, try to match your LinkedIn URL with your other social media handles for consistency across platforms.
4. Avoid Unnecessary Numbers
If the exact version of your name isn’t available, you might be tempted to add numbers (e.g., JohnDoe123). However, this can make your URL look unprofessional and generic. Instead, try adding your middle initial, industry keywords, or job title to create a professional alternative.
5. Consider Length
While LinkedIn allows up to 30 characters for your custom URL, it’s best to keep it as short and memorable as possible. A shorter URL is easier to read, remember, and share.
How to Use Your Customized LinkedIn URL
Once you’ve customized your LinkedIn URL, you can leverage it in various professional settings to boost your visibility and branding.
1. Add It to Your Resume
Include your LinkedIn URL in the header or contact section of your resume. A clean, customized URL enhances your resume’s professional look and makes it easy for recruiters or hiring managers to access your profile.
2. Use It in Your Email Signature
Adding your LinkedIn URL to your email signature is a great way to passively promote your professional profile. It makes it easy for colleagues, clients, and prospective employers to view your LinkedIn page directly from your emails.
3. Share It on Business Cards
When networking in person, having a personalized LinkedIn URL on your business card gives people a direct link to learn more about your professional background.
4. Promote It on Other Social Media Platforms
If you have professional accounts on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, consider adding your LinkedIn URL to your bio or “about” sections. This cross-promotion helps others connect with you on LinkedIn and keeps your professional brand consistent across different channels.
5. Incorporate It into Your Online Portfolio or Website
If you have an online portfolio or personal website, adding your LinkedIn URL enhances your professional credibility and provides visitors with a direct link to your professional network.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Customizing LinkedIn URL
1. Using Unprofessional Words
Your LinkedIn profile is a reflection of your professional identity. Avoid using slang, humorous terms, or irrelevant words in your custom URL. Stick to variations of your name or professional keywords.
2. Changing It Too Frequently
Once you’ve created a customized URL, it’s best to stick with it. Constantly changing your LinkedIn URL can confuse contacts or recruiters who have saved your old link. Consistency is key in building your online presence.
3. Not Updating It Across Platforms
After updating your LinkedIn URL, be sure to update any instances of your old URL on your resume, email signature, website, or business cards. Keeping everything aligned ensures a cohesive online brand.
Conclusion
Customizing your LinkedIn URL is a simple yet effective way to enhance your professional brand. A clean, personalized URL makes it easier for recruiters, clients, and your network to find you, while also giving your profile a polished and professional look. By following the steps outlined above and adhering to best practices, you can create a memorable LinkedIn URL that aligns with your personal brand and makes a strong first impression.