How to Change LinkedIn URL

A memorable LinkedIn URL can be the difference between a polished professional brand and a missed opportunity. That random string of letters and numbers at the end of your default URL doesn't do you any favors, but fixing it is one of the easiest and most impactful changes you can make to your profile. This guide will walk you through exactly how to change your LinkedIn URL on desktop and mobile, share best practices for choosing the perfect custom link, and explain why it's such an important tweak for your personal brand.

Why Your LinkedIn URL Matters (More Than You Think)

You might see your LinkedIn URL as just another web address, but it’s a foundational piece of your digital professional identity. Optimizing it is a small task with an oversized impact, playing a role in everything from personal branding to search engine visibility. Here’s why taking a minute to customize it is well worth your time.

It’s Your Professional Web Address

Think of your custom LinkedIn URL as your personal domain name on the world’s largest professional network. Which of these looks more authoritative and easier to trust?

• linkedin.com/in/sarah-chen-marketing
• linkedin.com/in/sarah-chen-a5b18z73

The first option is clean, intentional, and immediately communicates who you are and what you do. The second looks like a default setting - messy, forgettable, and slightly unprofessional. The default URL suggests you haven't taken the time to complete your profile, while a custom URL shows attention to detail and a commitment to your professional image.

It Improves Memorability and Shareability

Whether you're speaking at a conference, networking at an event, or just telling a colleague where to find you, a simple, custom URL is infinitely easier to share. It's easy to add to a business card, include in your email signature, and display cleanly on your resume or personal website. When someone can remember and type your URL from memory, you’ve removed a major point of friction, making it that much easier for potential clients, collaborators, and recruiters to find you.

It Boosts Your Profile's SEO

When someone searches for your name on Google, what do you want them to find? LinkedIn profiles have very high domain authority, which means they tend to rank highly in search results. By customizing your URL to include your full name and possibly a relevant keyword (like your industry or specialty), this simple act drastically increases the odds that your LinkedIn profile will be one of the top results when people search for you online, allowing you to control the first impression you make.

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

Ready to ditch the default numbers and letters? The process is straightforward whether you’re on a computer or your phone. We recommend using a desktop browser since the layout is a bit more direct, but both methods work perfectly.

On a Desktop or Laptop (The Easiest Way)

Follow these quick steps to get a clean, professional URL in under a minute.

1. Log into LinkedIn and navigate to your profile page. You can do this by clicking the “Me” icon in the top navigation bar, then selecting “View Profile” from the dropdown menu.
2. Once you're on your profile page, look to the upper-right corner. You’ll see a link that says “Edit public profile &, URL.” Click it.
3. A new tab will open, showing you what your public profile looks like. On the right side of this page, you'll see a section called “Edit your custom URL.” Click the small pencil icon next to your current URL to begin editing.
4. In the text box, type your new desired custom URL. Remember, it has to be unique. LinkedIn will tell you if the one you’ve chosen is already taken.
5. Once you're happy with your new handle, click the blue “Save” button. That's it! Your profile now has a new and improved address.

On the LinkedIn Mobile App (iOS &, Android)

You can also update your URL on the go using the LinkedIn mobile app. The steps are a little different, but still simple.

1. Open the LinkedIn app and tap on your profile picture in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. On the panel that slides out, tap “View Profile” directly under your name and headline.
3. Find the pencil icon (Edit) just below your header image and to the right of your name. Tap it.
4. Scroll down to the very bottom of the "Edit intro" screen until you reach the “Contact info” section. Tap the text that says "Edit contact info."
5. The first option on this screen will be your "Profile URL." Tap on it.
6. Finally, you'll land on the "Edit public URL" page. Tap the pencil icon next to your current custom URL.
7. Type in your new URL, a green checkmark will appear if it's available. Tap "Save" to finalize the change.

Best Practices: How to Choose the Perfect Custom LinkedIn URL

Now that you know how to change your URL, let's talk about what it should be. Your goal is to create a URL that is professional, memorable, and aligned with your personal brand. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the right one.

Keep It Clean and Professional

The best default option for most people is a variation of your name. It's clean, professional, and helps with search visibility.

• Standard Format: The gold standard is linkedin.com/in/firstnamelastname. For example: "johnsmith" or "sarahjones".
• Common Variations: If your name is taken, which is very common, don't worry. Here are some excellent professional alternatives:
  • Add a middle initial: "johncsmith"
  • Use your last name first: "smithjohn"
  • Add a dash for readability: "john-smith" (Note: a simple name without a dash is often slightly cleaner, but a dash is a perfectly fine option if needed.)

Add Your Industry or Niche (When Appropriate)

For consultants, freelancers, or anyone deeply tied to a specific industry, adding a keyword can be a great branding move. It signals your expertise right in the URL.

• Examples: "lisachenwriter", "mikeevansdev", "amandascottmarketing".

A word of caution: Be careful not to make it too specific. A URL like "chicagoweddingphotographer" might be great now, but it could feel limiting if you expand into B2B corporate photography later. Broader terms like "photographer," "designer," or "marketing" are often safer bets.

What to Avoid in Your LinkedIn URL

Just as important as knowing what to do is knowing what not to do. Avoid these common mistakes to keep your URL looking professional.

• Random Numbers: Steer clear of things like "davismiller1989" or "brianlee432". Numbers often make your URL look like an auto-generated one you forgot to change unless a number is a genuine part of your official brand name.
• Unprofessional Nicknames or Handles: Your LinkedIn URL is not the place for old gaming tags or personal inside jokes. "techyguy88" or "surferdude" don't project the professional image you want.
• Confusing Characters: Avoid special characters, underscores, and hard-to-type replacements (like using a '0' for 'O'). Keep it limited to letters and, if necessary, a single hyphen. The easier it is for someone to type, the better.
• Overly Long URLs: The point is for your URL to be simple and memorable. linkedin.com/in/robertjones-senior-project-manager-chicago is far too long. Stick to your name and perhaps one identifier if needed.

Troubleshooting: Common Questions and Issues

Even though the process is easy, a few common questions can pop up. Here’s how to handle them.

"What if my desired URL is already taken?"

This is the most common hurdle. With millions of users, it's likely someone else has your name. Don’t panic. Go back to the "best practices" section and try the recommended variations. Adding a middle initial, a hyphen, or a concise professional title ("jenny-wright-editor") will almost always solve the problem.

"How many times can I change my URL?"

LinkedIn allows you to change your custom URL up to five times within a 180-day period. Once you've hit that limit, the option will be locked for the remainder of the six months. This is why it's a good idea to spend a few minutes thinking about the best option upfront so you don't use up your changes unnecessarily.

"I changed my URL. What happened to the old one?"

Your old URL will be released and will eventually become available for other members to claim. According to LinkedIn, it may take up to 180 days for this to happen. For this period, anyone visiting your old link will see an error page.

"Help! My old links are now broken. What should I do?"

This is the one "catch" you need to be aware of. When you change your URL, any old links you’ve shared in email signatures, on business cards, on websites, or in other social media profiles will no longer work. Make a checklist and update your URL everywhere!

• Your email signature
• Your resume (digital and print)
• Your personal website or portfolio
• Your bios on other social platforms (like X or Instagram)
• Your business cards
• Any author bios for guest posts or articles

Do this right after you make the change so you don’t leave a trail of broken links behind you.

Final Thoughts

Customizing your LinkedIn URL is a small detail that says a lot about your professional brand. Following the steps in this guide will help you create a clean, memorable link that makes your profile easier to find, reinforces your professional identity, and shows you’re a pro who minds the details.

Building a cohesive professional image across platforms is something we think about constantly at Postbase. After you've polished your LinkedIn profile with a new URL, the next challenge is keeping your brand's voice and visuals consistent in your content. Our visual calendar helps you plan and schedule posts for all your networks, including LinkedIn, from a single dashboard, so your message stays on-point - just like your professional profile.