How to Fix a LinkedIn URL

Your LinkedIn URL is probably clunky, forgettable, and capped off with a random string of numbers. That default URL you were assigned when you signed up isn't just an eyesore, it's a small but significant drag on your professional brand. This guide will walk you through exactly how to fix it, why it's so important, and the steps to take to create a clean, memorable URL that works for you, not against you.

Why Your Default LinkedIn URL Is Holding You Back

Fresh out of the signup process, LinkedIn assigns everyone a profile URL that looks something like this: www.linkedin.com/in/john-smith-9b1a58231. While functional, it’s far from ideal. Leaving your URL in this default state misses a major opportunity for easy branding. A simple, customized link is a signal to recruiters, potential clients, and industry peers that you pay attention to the details.

Professionalism and Credibility

Imagine handing someone a business card. Would you prefer it had a clean, modern design or one that was cluttered and hard to read? Think of your LinkedIn URL the same way. A custom URL like linkedin.com/in/johnsmith instantly looks more professional and intentional than one with a dozen random characters at the end. It’s a subtle yet powerful signal that you’ve taken the time to curate your digital presence.

Improved Memorability and Shareability

Let's be realistic: no one is ever going to remember a URL with a string of numbers. But they might remember your name. When you’re networking in person or speaking on a podcast, saying “Find me on LinkedIn, my URL is LinkedIn dot com slash in slash John Smith” is clear and easy. A default URL is impossible to share verbally and looks messy on resumes, email signatures, and presentation slides. A clean link is easy to remember, type, and share anywhere.

Enhanced Personal Branding

Your name is your brand. A custom LinkedIn URL allows you to claim that name in the digital space, reinforcing who you are and what you do. Every touchpoint you have with your audience, from your website to your social profiles, should feel consistent. By aligning your LinkedIn URL with your personal and professional identity, you create a more cohesive brand experience for anyone who looks you up.

Better SEO for Your Name

When someone Googles your name, LinkedIn profiles often rank surprisingly high on the first page of results. By customizing your URL to include just your name or keywords related to your profession (e.g., JaneDoeWriter), you are providing another strong signal to search engines. This helps them connect your profile with searches for your name, increasing the likelihood that your polished LinkedIn profile will be one of the top results people see.

Components of a Perfect LinkedIn URL

Before you jump into the settings, take a moment to decide on the best URL structure for you. The goal is to create something short, professional, and evergreen. Here’s a simple framework to guide your choice.

Keep It Clean and Simple

Your public profile URL should ideally be some variation of your real name. This isn't the place for obscure nicknames or clever handles you use on other platforms. Simplicity and professionalism are what you’re aiming for. The very best URLs contain only letters and are easy to read.

Try Your Full Name First

The gold standard is your first name followed directly by your last name:

• www.linkedin.com/in/sarahjones
• www.linkedin.com/in/davidchen

This is the cleanest and most professional option available. If your name is available in this format, claim it immediately.

What If Your Name is Taken?

If you have a common name, chances are the simple first-name-last-name combination is already in use. Don't worry, there are plenty of professional alternatives that still look great.

• Add Your Middle Initial: A classic move that keeps it clean. sarahmJones
• Reverse the Order: Try jonesSarah. It’s still recognizable and professional.
• Add a Relevant Field/Keyword: This has the added benefit of immediately signaling your specialty. For example: sarahjonesmarketing, davidchentech, or analuizwriter.
• Specify Your Role: Add your general title to your name. sarahjonesconsultant or davidchencpa.
• Include an Initial: Use SJones if SarahJones is taken, but the full version is always better.

What to Avoid in Your Custom URL

To keep things looking polished, steer clear of common mistakes.

• Random Numbers: Avoid URLs like sarahjones84 or davidchen092. These look just as unprofessional as the default URL assigned by LinkedIn. The only exception is if a number is an integral part of your established brand identity.
• Clumsy or Gimmicky Words: Phrases like thesarahjones, sarahjmarketingpro, or davidismyname can come across as amateurish.
• Spaces or Special Characters: LinkedIn URLs can only contain letters and numbers. Don’t add symbols, spaces, or hyphens - they will make the link invalid. A dash is acceptable between words but generally, a clean string of letters is better.

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

Customizing your URL takes less than a minute. The most straightforward method is on a desktop web browser, but it's also possible to do it from the mobile app if you know where to look.

On a Desktop Browser (The Easiest Way)

Following these steps is the quickest path to your new URL.

1. Go to your Profile: Log in to LinkedIn and click on your profile picture or the "Me" icon in the top navigation bar, then select "View Profile."
2. Navigate to Your Public Profile Settings: On your profile page, look to the top-right corner. You will see a box that says "Edit public profile &, URL." Click on it.
3. Find the URL Editor: A new page will open, showing you how your public profile appears to non-connections. On the right side of this page, under the section titled "Edit your custom URL," you’ll see your current URL.
4. Change Your URL: Click the small pencil icon next to your URL. This will make the address editable. Clear out the old one and type in the new custom URL you've chosen.
5. Save Your Changes: After typing your new vanity URL, click the "Save" button. If the URL is available, a success message will appear. If not, LinkedIn will prompt you to try another one.

That's it! Your personal link is updated and ready to be shared.

On the LinkedIn Mobile App

The process on mobile is a little more buried in the menus, but it's still quick once you know the path.

1. Open your profile page: Launch the LinkedIn app and tap on your profile picture in the top-left corner. Then, tap on "View Profile" under your name.
2. Access the intro section editor: Tap the pencil icon located to the right of your name to edit your basic profile information.
3. Edit your contact info: Scroll to the bottom of the "Edit intro" screen and tap "Edit contact info."
4. Change your profile URL: In the "Edit contact info" screen, tap on your current profile URL. This will take you to the "Public profile settings" page.
5. Edit and Save: Tap the pencil icon next to your URL, type in your new custom address, and click "Save."

My New URL Isn't Working! Common Issues and Quick Fixes

Sometimes you might run into an issue while trying to make the change. Here are the most common problems and how to solve them.

Problem: "That vanity URL is not available."

This is the most frequent issue. It simply means someone else has already claimed that specific URL. Go back to the "What If Your Name is Taken?" section of this article and try one of the alternative strategies. Creativity with initials, professions, or a minor reordering of your name can often solve the problem immediately.

Problem: The URL must contain 3-100 letters or numbers.

LinkedIn has a few simple formatting rules for URLs. You cannot use spaces, symbols, or special characters. Make sure your desired URL is one continuous string of alphanumeric characters.

Problem: My New URL Won't Save.

LinkedIn limits how often you can change your URL to prevent confusion and misuse. You can only customize it up to five times within a six-month period. If you've recently made several changes, you will need to wait before you can edit it again.

You've Fixed Your URL. Now What?

Changing your LinkedIn URL is a great first step, but its real power is unlocked when you use it. To fully capitalize on your shiny new address, there are a few final housekeeping tasks to complete.

Update Your Link Everywhere

Your old, unattractive URL is likely lurking in several different places. Take ten minutes to replace it with your newly customized one. Check these spots:

• Your email signature
• Your business cards
• Your personal website, blog, or online portfolio
• The link-in-bio section of your Instagram, TikTok, and X profiles
• Your resume and any digital versions of your CV

This ensures that everyone finds your most up-to-date, professional profile from now on.

Check for Broken Links

A word of caution: when you change your LinkedIn URL, the old one immediately deactivates. LinkedIn does not automatically redirect old links to the new one. If you’ve previously shared your profile in a guest post, on a podcast's show notes page, or anywhere else on the web, that link is now permanently broken and leads to a 404 "Page Not Found" error. While it’s impractical to track down every old mention, it’s worth updating any key placements that you control.

Final Thoughts

Customizing your LinkedIn URL is one of the quickest, easiest ways to elevate your professional brand online. It’s a small detail that communicates professionalism, makes your profile more shareable, and helps you create a consistent identity across all your digital platforms.

Maintaining a strong, consistent brand goes beyond just one URL fix. It’s about ensuring every post, comment, and Reel aligns with your values and voice. After years of running marketing teams, we realized navigating brand consistency across LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, and other channels was a mess. Older social media tools were built for a text-and-photo world, leaving video and an intuitive planning calendar as an afterthought. That’s why we created Postbase, a clean, modern hub to help you plan, schedule, and engage without an outdated interface fighting you every step of the way.