Find and Change LinkedIn Profile URL
To find your LinkedIn profile URL, go to your profile page and look in the browser address bar—it ends with your public identifier (e.g., linkedin.com/in/yourname). To change it, click the Edit public profile & URL button in the top-right of your profile, then type a new custom URL and save. This article walks through the exact steps for both desktop and mobile, explains how custom URLs work, and covers common problems like unavailable URLs and privacy settings.
What Is a LinkedIn Profile URL?
Your LinkedIn profile URL is the web address that directly opens your public profile. The default format is linkedin.com/in/ followed by a string of letters, numbers, or a name—often auto-generated from your name when you first joined (e.g., linkedin.com/in/john-smith-3a4b5c). The part after /in/ is called your public identifier. You can customize this to something clean and memorable, like linkedin.com/in/johnsmith.
This URL is what you share on resumes, business cards, email signatures, and social media. A custom URL looks more professional and is easier to type than the long default string. LinkedIn allows you to change it, but only to a name that is not already taken by another member.
How to Find Your Profile URL (Desktop)
- Log in to LinkedIn on your computer.
- Click the Me icon (your profile picture) at the top of the homepage, then click View profile.
- Look at the address bar in your browser. The full URL is your profile URL, e.g.,
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourname. - Copy it by selecting the text and pressing Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac).
If you don’t see the URL in the address bar (some browsers hide it), click the address bar once and it will appear. Alternatively, click the More button on your profile and select Share profile—LinkedIn will show a copyable link.
How to Find Your Profile URL (Mobile App)
- Open the LinkedIn app on your phone or tablet.
- Tap your profile picture in the top-left corner, then tap View Profile.
- Tap the Share icon (an arrow) near the top of your profile.
- In the share sheet, tap Copy link. The copied text is your profile URL.
Unlike the desktop version, the mobile app does not display the full URL in a visible address bar. The share method is the fastest way to get it.
How to Change Your LinkedIn Profile URL
Changing your URL is straightforward, but the option is tucked away. Here are the steps for desktop:
- Go to your profile page (as described above).
- In the top-right of your profile card, click Edit public profile & URL (this is a small link next to the “Open to� button).
- You’ll be taken to a page titled “Edit public profile & URL.� On the right side, under “Edit your custom URL,� you’ll see a text box with your current URL ending.
- Type your desired new URL ending (e.g.,
johnsmith). It must be 3–100 characters, using letters, numbers, and hyphens only (no spaces, underscores, or symbols). - Click Save. If the URL is available, it will be saved immediately. If not, you’ll see an error message asking you to try another.
On the mobile app, the process is slightly different:
- Tap your profile picture, then View Profile.
- Tap the Edit (pencil) icon in the top-right.
- Scroll down to the Contact section and tap the pencil next to your profile URL.
- Edit the URL ending and tap Save.
Note: LinkedIn only allows you to change your URL a limited number of times in a given period (the exact limit is not published). If you hit the limit, you’ll see a message saying you’ve reached the maximum number of changes—wait a few months before trying again.
Choosing a Good Custom URL
Your custom URL is part of your professional brand. Here are practical tips:
- Use your real name (e.g.,
janedoe) if available. If it’s taken, add a middle initial, city, or profession:janedoe-nycorjanedoe-marketing. - Keep it short—under 30 characters is ideal for typing and printing.
- Avoid numbers that look random (like
janedoe-1987) unless they have meaning (e.g., a graduation year). - Do not use underscores or special characters—they are not allowed and look unprofessional.
- Make it consistent with your other social handles (e.g., same as your Twitter or GitHub username) for easy recognition.
Once you change your URL, the old URL will stop working immediately. Anyone who had the old link will get a “page not found� error, so update your resume, email signature, and any printed materials right away.
Common Problems and Fixes
“URL is not available� error: This means another member already has that exact URL. Try adding a middle initial, a hyphen, or a number. LinkedIn checks availability in real time, so you’ll know instantly.
Can’t find the “Edit public profile & URL� button: This button only appears on the desktop version of your profile. If you’re on mobile, use the app’s edit contact method. Also, make sure you’re viewing your own profile, not someone else’s.
URL changed but old link still works? LinkedIn may take a few minutes to propagate the change. If it persists after an hour, clear your browser cache or try an incognito window.
URL is too long or contains invalid characters: LinkedIn automatically strips spaces and symbols, but you cannot use them in the first place. If you type john_smith, the underscore will be rejected. Use hyphens instead.
I want to revert to my old URL: If you changed it recently, you can go back to the edit page and type the old ending. If it’s still available (it should be, since you just released it), it will work. If not, you’ll need to pick another.
Privacy and Visibility of Your Profile URL
Your profile URL is public by default—anyone with the link can view your profile, even if they are not logged in. This is intentional, as the URL is meant for sharing. However, you can control what appears on your public profile via the Edit public profile & URL page. Scroll down to “Public profile settings� and toggle off sections you don’t want visible to non-logged-in visitors (e.g., your activity, recommendations, or contact info).
Changing your URL does not affect your privacy settings. Your profile remains visible or hidden exactly as before. If you want your profile completely hidden from search engines, you can uncheck “Make my public profile visible to everyone� on the same edit page. But note that this will make your URL return a “profile not found� page for non-logged-in viewers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many times can I change my LinkedIn URL?
A: LinkedIn does not publish a specific number, but many users report being able to change it a few times per year. If you hit the limit, you’ll see an error message. To avoid running out, choose a URL you plan to keep long-term.
Q: Can I use uppercase letters in my URL?
A: Yes, but LinkedIn treats URLs as case-insensitive. JohnSmith and johnsmith point to the same profile. For consistency, use lowercase.
Q: What happens to my old URL when I change it?
A: It becomes available for anyone else to claim. If you change back quickly, you might get it again, but there’s no guarantee. Always update your links before changing.
Q: Can I change my URL to a company name or a generic word?
A: Yes, as long as it’s not already taken. However, using a personal name is generally better for individual branding. If you change it to a company name, you might confuse people looking for your personal profile.
Q: Why does my URL have extra numbers at the end?
A: That’s LinkedIn’s way of making the URL unique when your name is common. You can remove those numbers by customizing the URL to a different combination, e.g., adding a middle initial instead.
Q: Will changing my URL affect my connections or job applications?
A: No, your connections and profile content remain unchanged. Only the web address changes. However, any external links (resumes, email signatures) using the old URL will break, so update them immediately.
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