Ever tried sharing your LinkedIn profile only to realize your URL looks like a random jumble of letters and numbers? Yeah, not a great look—especially if you’re trying to impress potential employers, clients, or connections. The good news? You can easily clean it up. In this guide, we’ll show you how to shorten your LinkedIn URL step by step, plus why it’s a must for personal branding and networking.
Let’s get that URL looking sharp.
Why You Should Shorten Your LinkedIn URL
Before we dive into the how, let’s talk about the why. Shortening your LinkedIn URL isn’t just about aesthetics—it comes with real benefits:
A. Looks More Professional
A clean, custom LinkedIn URL shows that you pay attention to detail and take your professional branding seriously. When recruiters, potential clients, or business partners view your profile, a polished URL makes a stronger first impression. It also eliminates the random numbers and letters, making your LinkedIn presence feel more intentional and well-organized.
B. Easier to Share
Have you ever tried typing out a long, complicated URL from a printed resume or business card? It’s frustrating and error-prone. A shortened LinkedIn URL makes it much easier for others to find and connect with you. Whether you’re networking at an event, applying for jobs, or adding it to your email signature, a simple, customized URL is far more memorable and user-friendly.
C. Better for SEO
When someone searches for your name on Google, your LinkedIn profile is often one of the top results. A custom URL with your name increases the chances of your profile appearing higher in search results. This is especially useful for professionals, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who want to stand out in a competitive job market. If your LinkedIn URL matches your name or brand, it strengthens your overall online presence.
D. Reduces Link Clutter
Long URLs with random numbers and characters not only look unprofessional but also clutter your digital presence. A short, clean LinkedIn URL keeps things neat, whether you’re adding it to your Twitter bio, online portfolio, or social media profiles. Plus, it improves the readability of your LinkedIn link when displayed in plain text, ensuring that people can easily recognize and click on it.
By shortening your LinkedIn URL, you’re making it easier, cleaner, and more effective for networking and personal branding. Now, let’s dive into how you can actually do it. 🚀
How to Shorten Your LinkedIn URL
Step 1: Go to Your LinkedIn Profile
- Open LinkedIn and sign in.
- Click on “Me” (your profile picture in the top right corner).
- Select “View Profile” from the dropdown.
Step 2: Access the URL Customization Option
- On your profile page, look at the right sidebar.
- Click on “Edit public profile & URL.”
- A new page will open. On the top right, you’ll see “Edit your custom URL.”
Step 3: Shorten Your LinkedIn URL
- Click the pencil icon next to your URL.
- Remove the long string of numbers and replace it with a variation of your name or brand (e.g., linkedin.com/in/johndoe).
- Click Save.
That’s it! Your LinkedIn URL is now clean, professional, and easy to share.
Best Practices for Choosing a Custom LinkedIn URL
Now that you know how to shorten your LinkedIn URL, let’s make sure you choose the best one.
✅ Use your full name – If available, linkedin.com/in/yourname is ideal.
✅ Keep it simple – Avoid unnecessary characters, numbers, or symbols.
✅ Stay consistent – Match your LinkedIn URL with your usernames on other platforms.
✅ Avoid job titles – Roles change, but your name doesn’t (hopefully).
Example:
- ✅ linkedin.com/in/johndoe (Clean and professional)
- ❌ linkedin.com/in/johndoe1992-bestdeveloper (Too long, cluttered, and unnecessary details)
Where to Use Your Shortened LinkedIn URL
Now that your LinkedIn URL is looking good put it to work!
📌 Your Resume & CV – Make it easy for recruiters to find you.
📌 Business Cards – A short, clean URL fits better and looks more professional.
📌 Email Signature – A great way to drive connections with every email you send.
📌 Social Media Bios – Especially useful on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
📌 Freelance & Portfolio Websites – If you’re a freelancer, add it to your portfolio.
Pro Tip: Want an even shorter LinkedIn URL? You can use a URL shortener like Bitly or Rebrandly to make it even more compact (bit.ly/yourname).
Common Issues & How to Fix Them
❌ Someone Already Took Your Name
If your name is common, you might find that linkedin.com/in/johndoe is already taken. Try these alternatives:
- linkedin.com/in/johndoe1
- linkedin.com/in/johndoeofficial
- linkedin.com/in/johndoe-marketing
❌ LinkedIn Won’t Let You Save Your URL
- Check that you’re not using special characters.
- Ensure your URL is between 3-100 characters (LinkedIn’s limit).
- If LinkedIn is glitchy, try again using a different browser.
Final Thoughts
A long, messy LinkedIn URL does you no favors. By shortening your LinkedIn URL, you make it easier to share, more professional, and better suited for networking. So take five minutes today to clean it up—you’ll thank yourself later.
