How to Edit Your LinkedIn Public Profile URL

Your LinkedIn URL is more than just a link, it's the digital equivalent of a name on a business card. A clean, custom URL makes your profile look professional, is easier to share, and helps you stand out in a sea of generic, number-heavy links. This guide will walk you through exactly how to personalize your LinkedIn address, share some best practices for choosing the right one, and explain why this small change makes such a big impact on your personal brand.

Why Your LinkedIn URL Matters (A Lot)

Before we get into the "how," let's quickly cover the "why." By default, LinkedIn assigns you a URL cluttered with random characters, like linkedin.com/in/your-name-a1b2c3d4e5. It's forgettable, looks messy on a resume, and does nothing for your professional image. Customizing it to something like linkedin.com/in/yourname offers three powerful benefits:

• Professionalism and Branding: A custom URL instantly elevates your profile's credibility. It shows you're detail-oriented and have taken the time to curate your online professional identity. It creates a simple, consistent brand handle you can use across all your professional materials.
• Memorability and Shareability: Which is easier to remember or type into a browser? linkedin.com/in/janedoe-marketing or linkedin.com/in/jane-doe-9a8b7c6d5? A simple URL is easy to share verbally, in an email, or on a presentation slide.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Customizing your URL with your name and perhaps your main keyword (like "janedoe-copywriter") helps search engines like Google understand what your profile is about. This can help you rank higher when someone searches for your name or profession.

Think of it as setting up a redirect from a complicated address to a prime piece of real estate. You want people to find you easily, and a custom URL is the fastest way to get them there.

How to Edit Your LinkedIn URL: A Step-by-Step Guide

The process is straightforward on both desktop and mobile, though the steps vary slightly. You can only make this change a few times (LinkedIn allows 5 changes in 180 days), so it's worth getting it right the first time. Follow the steps below for your preferred device.

On a Desktop Computer or Laptop

Doing this on a desktop is the most direct way to access your public profile settings. Here's how:

1. Log in to your LinkedIn account.
2. Navigate to Your Profile: Click the "Me" icon (with your profile picture) in the top right corner of the navigation bar. A dropdown menu will appear. Click "View Profile". This takes you to your main profile page, where you see your summary, experience, and other details.
3. Go to Your Public Profile Settings: On your profile page, look to the top right section. You’ll see a box with the option “Edit public profile & URL”. Click on it.
4. Edit Your Custom URL: A new page will open showing you how your public profile appears to people who aren't logged in. On the top right, under the "Edit your custom URL" section, you’ll see your current URL (e.g., www.linkedin.com/in/your-name-123456). Click the small pencil icon next to it.
5. Enter Your New URL: A text box will appear where you can type your desired custom URL. Your new professional vanity URL must be between 3 and 100 characters and can't contain spaces, special characters, or symbols (dashes are okay).
6. Save Your Changes: After typing in your new URL, click the "Save" button. If the URL is already taken by another user, LinkedIn will prompt you to choose a different one. Once you find an available one and save it, you’re all set!

On the LinkedIn Mobile App (iOS and Android)

The process on mobile is a little different, as it eventually directs you to a web view within the app to make the final change. The most reliable path is through your settings.

1. Open the LinkedIn app and go to your profile. Tap your profile picture in the top left corner of your home feed.
2. Access Settings: On the screen that slides out, tap on "Settings".
3. Go to Visibility Settings: From the Settings menu, tap on the "Visibility" tab.
4. Find Your Profile Editing Options: In the "Visibility" section, tap on “Edit your public profile.” This will open an in-app browser view of your public profile settings page, which looks very similar to the desktop version.
5. Locate and Edit the URL: Just like on desktop, you'll see a section at the top titled "Edit your custom URL." Tap the pencil icon next to your current URL.
6. Type and Save: Enter your desired custom URL in the provided box and tap "Save." If the name is available, you're good to go.

Best Practices for Creating the Perfect LinkedIn URL

Just because you can change your URL doesn't mean you should pick anything that comes to mind. Your URL should be a strategic part of your professional branding. Here are some guidelines to follow:

• Use Your Real Name: This is the golden rule. The most professional and effective formula is some variation of your first and last name. Common formats include:
  • /firstname-lastname
  • /firstnamelastname
  • /flastname (e.g., /jdoe)
• Aim for Clean and Simple: Avoid adding strings of numbers or irrelevant words. If your name is taken, try a simple, professional variation before resorting to random numbers. For example, if "JaneDoe" is taken, try:
  • /jane-doe (dashes are a great way to separate names)
  • /janedoepro
  • /janedoe-NYC (if location is part of your brand)
  • /janedoe-writer (if your profession is a key identifier)
• Maintain Consistency: If possible, align your LinkedIn URL with your handles on other professional social media platforms (like X/Twitter) or your personal website domain. For example, if your portfolio is at janedoewrites.com and your X handle is @janedoewrites, grabbing /linkedin.com/in/janedoewrites creates a powerful, unified online presence.
• Think Twice About Niche Keywords: While adding a keyword like "sales" or "cpa" can be helpful for discoverability, it can also pigeonhole you. If you might change careers or specialize in something new later, sticking with just your name might be a safer, more future-proof option. The best choice is often the simplest one: your name.

Don't Forget This Final Step: Update Your URL Everywhere!

Your work isn't done once you hit "Save." Your old LinkedIn URL is now a broken link. It's important to update your link in all the places you've shared it. Forgetting this step means people might be clicking on a link that leads to a "profile not found" page, which is not a great first impression.

Here’s a quick checklist of places to update:

• Your Resume &, CV: Your digital and printed resumes should always have the most up-to-date link.
• Your Email Signature: It's a key piece of personal branding seen by everyone you correspond with.
• Your Personal Website or Portfolio: Check your contact page, about page, and footer.
• Your Other Social Media Profiles: Add your new, clean LinkedIn URL to your bio on platforms like X (Twitter), Instagram, and Threads.
• Link Trees or "Link in Bio" services: Update any hub pages where you collect your most important links.
• Business Cards: If you have them, remember to update the design before your next print run.

Final Thoughts

Changing your LinkedIn URL is a simple action that takes less than five minutes but pays long-term dividends for your professional brand. A clean, custom URL strengthens your credibility, makes you easier to find, and adds a polished touch to all your professional materials.

Once your profile is optimized with a great URL, the real work of building your brand on LinkedIn begins with consistent, valuable content. Staying organized across different platforms can be a challenge, which is why we built Postbase. Our visual calendar and straightforward scheduling tools make it easy to plan and publish your content across LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and more, all from one clean dashboard. We help you stay consistent so you can focus on making connections, not wrestling with messy workflows.