How to Change LinkedIn URL

Changing your LinkedIn URL lets you remove the random numbers and dashes LinkedIn assigns and replace them with a clean, professional custom address. A custom URL like linkedin.com/in/johndoe looks far better on a resume, business card, or email signature than linkedin.com/in/john-doe-a7b8c9d0. The entire process takes less than a minute on desktop.

Key Takeaways

• Where: Profile > Edit public profile & URL > Edit custom URL > pencil icon
• Rules: 3-100 characters, letters and numbers only, no spaces or special characters
• Case: URLs are case-insensitive (JohnSmith, johnsmith, and johnSmith all go to the same profile)
• Limit: Maximum 5 URL changes within 180 days
• Old URL: Stays active and redirects for 6 months after a change
• Tip: Keep your URL under 30 characters for easy sharing

Video Guide

Watch our step-by-step tutorial on changing your LinkedIn URL:

Why LinkedIn Adds Random Numbers and Dashes

When you create a LinkedIn account, the platform automatically generates a URL using your name plus random alphanumeric characters (like a7b8c9d0). LinkedIn does this to ensure every profile URL is unique — especially important when multiple users share the same name.

These random characters serve a technical purpose but make your URL look unprofessional, hard to remember, and difficult to share verbally or in print.

Why You Should Customize Your LinkedIn URL

Before (default):

linkedin.com/in/john-doe-a7b8c9d0

After (custom):

linkedin.com/in/johndoe

A custom URL without random characters provides real professional advantages:

• Looks professional on resumes and CVs — recruiters see a polished URL, not a string of random characters
• Fits cleanly on business cards — no wasted space on meaningless numbers
• Works in email signatures — a clean link builds credibility before anyone clicks
• Is easier to remember and type — people can find you without copy-pasting
• Improves SEO — custom, name-based URLs are easier for Google to index, helping you rank higher in both LinkedIn and Google search results
• Makes a stronger first impression — shows attention to detail and personal branding awareness
• Reduces errors — fewer characters means fewer typos when someone types your URL manually

Step-by-Step: How to Change Your LinkedIn URL

Step 1: Go to Your Profile

Log in to LinkedIn on desktop and navigate to your profile:

1. Click Me in the top navigation bar
2. Select View Profile

Step 2: Open the Public Profile & URL Settings

Find the URL editing option (two methods):

Method 1 (recommended):

1. Look at the right sidebar on your profile page
2. Click Edit public profile & URL

Method 2 (alternative):

1. Click the Contact info section on your profile
2. Click the pencil icon next to your profile URL

Both methods open your public profile settings where you can customize your URL.

Step 3: Click Edit Custom URL

In the right panel, locate the custom URL section:

1. Find Edit your custom URL in the top-right area
2. Click the pencil icon next to your current URL

Step 4: Type Your Desired URL

Enter your preferred custom URL:

1. Delete the existing random characters
2. Type your desired URL (e.g., your full name like johndoe or john-doe)
3. LinkedIn accepts 3-100 characters, but aim for under 30 characters for sharing ease
4. Use only letters (a-z) and numbers (0-9) — no spaces, symbols, or special characters
5. Do not include the word "LinkedIn" in your URL

Important: LinkedIn URLs are case-insensitive. JohnSmith, johnsmith, and johnSmith all point to the exact same profile. Choose whatever capitalization looks best to you — it won't affect functionality.

Step 5: Save Changes

1. Click Save
2. If your URL is available, it activates immediately
3. If taken, LinkedIn will notify you — try a variation

LinkedIn URL Rules and Restrictions

According to LinkedIn Help:

Rule	Requirement
Length	3-100 characters (keep under 30 for best results)
Allowed characters	Letters (a-z), numbers (0-9)
Not allowed	Spaces, symbols, special characters, the word "LinkedIn"
Case sensitivity	Case-insensitive (JohnDoe = johndoe = JOHNDOE)
Change limit	Maximum 5 changes within 180 days
Availability	First-come, first-served

The 180-day restriction is important: LinkedIn limits you to 5 URL changes within any rolling 180-day window. If you've used all 5 changes, you must wait until the earliest change falls outside the 180-day window before you can make another update. Plan your URL carefully to avoid wasting changes.

How to Choose the Best Custom LinkedIn URL

Follow these guidelines when picking your URL:

Use Your Full Name

The best LinkedIn URL is simply your first and last name: linkedin.com/in/firstname-lastname or linkedin.com/in/firstnamelastname. This is the most professional, memorable, and SEO-friendly option.

Add an Industry Keyword if Your Name Is Taken

If your name is common, append a relevant industry keyword or professional identifier:

Strategy	Example
First-last name	linkedin.com/in/johndoe
With hyphen	linkedin.com/in/john-doe
Add middle initial	linkedin.com/in/johnrdoe
Add profession	linkedin.com/in/johndoe-cmo
Add industry keyword	linkedin.com/in/johndoe-marketing
Add location	linkedin.com/in/johndoe-nyc
Add credential	linkedin.com/in/johndoe-cpa

Avoid These URL Mistakes

• Don't use nicknames — coolsarah123 looks unprofessional
• Don't use generic terms — hireme or bestmarketer won't age well
• Don't add random numbers — you're trying to remove them, not add new ones
• Don't make it too long — even though LinkedIn allows up to 100 characters, shorter is better
• Don't use a job title that will change — johndoe-vp-sales breaks when you get promoted

What Happens to Your Old URL

When you change your LinkedIn URL:

1. New URL activates immediately: Works as soon as you save
2. Old URL stays linked: Continues redirecting to your profile for 6 months
3. After 6 months: Old URL may become available to others
4. No broken links: Anyone using your old URL still reaches you during the redirect period
5. Manual unlink option: If you manually unlink your old URL, it becomes available to others after just 7 days

This means you can safely update your URL without worrying about broken links on resumes, business cards, or websites you've already shared.

Can I Change My LinkedIn URL on Mobile?

No. LinkedIn URL customization is only available on the desktop website. The mobile app does not provide access to public profile URL settings.

Workaround: Open linkedin.com in your mobile browser (Chrome, Safari — not the LinkedIn app), request the desktop version of the site, and follow the same steps described above.

Common Issues and Solutions

"This URL is already in use"

Solution: Try a variation. Add your middle initial, profession, industry keyword, or location to make it unique. See the table above for ideas.

"You've reached the maximum number of changes"

Solution: Wait until 180 days have passed since your earliest change in the current window. LinkedIn restricts you to 5 URL changes within any 180-day period.

"Invalid characters"

Solution: Remove spaces, special characters (underscores, periods, ampersands), or the word "LinkedIn" from your URL. Only letters and numbers are allowed.

Can't find the edit option

Solution: You must be on the desktop website — not the mobile app. Navigate to your profile, then look for "Edit public profile & URL" in the right sidebar.

Where to Add Your New LinkedIn URL

With a clean, professional URL, share it everywhere it can drive traffic to your profile:

1. Resume and CV — add it to your contact section alongside your email and phone
2. Email signature — hyperlink your name or display the URL as text
3. Business cards — a short URL fits cleanly and looks intentional
4. Social media profiles — Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook bios
5. Personal website or blog — header, footer, or contact page
6. Company website — team page or author bios
7. Alumni databases — university career portals and directories
8. Guest articles and publications — author bios at the end of blog posts
9. Podcast and video appearances — show notes and descriptions
10. Online portfolios — Behance, Dribbble, GitHub profiles

A custom URL looks intentional and professional in all of these contexts. It signals that you take your online presence seriously.

SEO Benefits of a Custom LinkedIn URL

Custom LinkedIn URLs help with search engine visibility in two key ways:

1. Google indexes name-based URLs more effectively — a URL containing your actual name is more relevant to searches for your name than a random string of characters
2. LinkedIn profiles rank highly in Google — for most professionals, their LinkedIn profile is the first or second Google result for their name. A clean URL reinforces this ranking signal.

If you want people to find you when they search your name on Google, a custom LinkedIn URL is one of the simplest optimizations you can make.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I remove numbers from my LinkedIn URL?

Go to your profile on desktop, click "Edit public profile & URL" in the right sidebar, click the pencil icon next to your URL, delete the random numbers and characters, type your preferred clean URL (like your name), and click Save.

Can I remove dashes from my LinkedIn URL?

Yes. When editing your custom URL, you can remove any dashes between your first and last name. Instead of john-doe, simply type johndoe as one word. If your preferred URL without dashes is taken, you may need to keep them or try a variation.

How often can I change my LinkedIn URL?

You can change your LinkedIn URL up to 5 times within any 180-day (roughly 6-month) rolling window. After reaching this limit, you must wait for earlier changes to fall outside the 180-day period before making new ones.

Does changing my URL affect my connections?

No. Your connections, messages, endorsements, and all profile content remain completely unchanged. Only your URL changes — everything else stays the same.

Are LinkedIn URLs case-sensitive?

No. LinkedIn URLs are entirely case-insensitive. JohnSmith, johnsmith, and JOHNSMITH all resolve to the same profile. You can capitalize letters for readability when sharing (e.g., on a business card), but it makes no functional difference.

Should I include my job title in my LinkedIn URL?

Generally, no. Job titles change when you switch roles or companies, but your URL should stay consistent long-term. Use your name for longevity. If your name is common and taken, consider adding your profession or industry (e.g., johndoe-attorney) rather than a specific title.

Can I get my old URL back?

If you change back within 6 months, yes — your old URL is reserved during that period. After 6 months, your old URL may be claimed by someone else and won't be retrievable.

How do I add my LinkedIn URL to my resume?

Once you have a custom URL, add it to the header or contact section of your resume. Format it as linkedin.com/in/yourname (you can drop the https://www. prefix to save space). Place it near your email address and phone number.

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