How to customize your Linkedin URL

By Debra Manente

The most frequent question people have at our popular LinkedIn workshops is always, ‘How do I change my LinkedIn URL?’

Without changing your URL, LinkedIn assigns a series of numbers which can be hard to remember, however, your URL can be customized.  By doing this, your URL becomes more visually appealing and can then be used on your resume, business cards, or email signature. 

Your custom URL can contain between 5-30 letter and numbers and be as simple as your name, or your “brand.” However, LinkedIn will not allow the use of spaces, symbols, or special characters. If you decide to change your URL, remember to always choose a URL that reflects professionalism. If your name is John Smith and John Smith is already being used, you may opt to use your middle initial or a combination of your first/last initial and then your first/last name.  Whatever you chose, keep it professional because everyone in your network will see it. 

Keep in mind that some URLs may be unavailable, as each URL is offered on a first come, first served basis.  If a member uses a URL and then changes it, the URL they first chose will be unavailable for use by another member for several months.  Also, if you change your URL more than three times in six months, you will have to wait another six months before you can change it again.  Therefore, you may want to sit with a pad and pen and jot down possible combinations in the instance your name is already being used. 

Once you decide which version of your name you want to go with, the steps to change the URL are as follows:

1.       Move your cursor over Profile at the top of your homepage and select Edit Profile.

2.       Below your picture, there will be a Linkedin URL. It will look something like this: www.linkedin.com/in/yourname.......

3.       Click the word Edit next to that URL.

4.       In the Your public profile URL box in the bottom right, click "Customize your public profile URL.”

5.       Type your name, or whatever you want the last part of your new custom URL to be, in that text box.

6.       Remember to click Set Custom URL.

You have now customized your LinkedIn URL.  If you go back and click on Profile, at the top of your homepage, you will notice your new URL below your picture.  It’s that easy.   

By customizing your URL, you have now taken control of another part of your “online brand;” along with demonstrating your savvy technical skills. Now you are ready to network with people and add your URL to your resume, business card, or any social media platform you use.

Good luck and let us know how customizing your URL has made a difference!