How to Shorten a LinkedIn Profile Link

Having a clunky, auto-generated LinkedIn URL filled with random numbers is like showing up to a networking event with a messy, handwritten name tag. You can easily clean it up and create a custom, professional link that strengthens your personal brand. This guide will take you through exactly how to shorten your LinkedIn profile link, why it matters, and the best practices for choosing a new one.

Why Bother Shortening Your LinkedIn Profile Link?

Changing your LinkedIn URL might seem like a small detail, but it has a surprisingly big impact on your professional presentation. The default URL LinkedIn assigns you (something like linkedin.com/in/jane-doe-a1b2c3d4) is neither memorable nor professional. Customizing it is a quick win for your personal brand that signals attention to detail.

It Projects Professionalism and Strong Branding

Your unique profile link is an extension of your professional brand. A clean URL, like linkedin.com/in/janedoe, looks polished and intentional. It demonstrates that you take your professional image seriously, right down to the links you share. It creates a cohesive brand identity when it matches your name and, ideally, your handles on other professional platforms. It’s a subtle but powerful way to communicate that you are detail-oriented and in control of your online presence.

It Makes Your Profile Easier to Find and Share

Picture this: you meet a potential client or recruiter at an event and want to connect. Instead of fumbling with your phone to look them up, you can simply say, "Find me on LinkedIn - I'm Jane Doe Marketing." A custom URL is also much easier to type directly into a browser. This simplicity removes friction, increasing the chances that new connections will actually visit your profile. It's also far easier to include a clean link in a presentation, speech, or portfolio without cluttering the slide or page.

It Looks Tidier on Resumes, Business Cards, and Email Signatures

Physical and digital real estate is valuable. A long, messy URL with a string of random characters looks sloppy on a sleek resume or business card. It takes up unnecessary space and detracts from an otherwise professional design. A shortened, customized URL maintains a clean aesthetic and directs all the attention to your name and credentials, rather than a jumble of computer-generated text. This becomes particularly important in email signatures, where clarity and conciseness are essential.

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

LinkedIn makes this process straightforward, whether you're on a desktop computer or using the mobile app. We’ll cover both methods so you can get it done in just a few minutes, wherever you are.

On a Desktop or Laptop Browser

Using a desktop computer is the most direct way to change your URL, as it takes you to the right settings page with just two clicks.

1. Go to Your Profile: Log in to your LinkedIn account. On the homepage, look at the navigation bar at the top and click on the "Me" icon (with your profile picture). In the dropdown menu, select "View Profile."
2. Find the "Edit Public Profile & URL" Option: Once you're on your profile page, look to the top right-hand corner. You will see a button or link with the text "Edit public profile & URL." Click on it.
3. Edit Your Custom URL: This action will open a new browser tab with your public profile settings. On the right side of this new page, you'll see a section titled "Edit your custom URL." Click the small pencil icon next to your current URL address.
4. Enter Your New URL and Save: A box will appear where you can type your preferred customizations. Your URL must be between 3 and 100 characters long and can only contain letters and numbers (no spaces, symbols, or special characters). After typing your new vanity URL, click the "Save" button. LinkedIn will let you know if the name is already taken.

And that's it! Your LinkedIn profile link has been successfully shortened and customized.

On the LinkedIn Mobile App (iOS and Android)

You can also change your URL from your phone, though it requires a few more taps as the app will redirect you to a mobile browser to complete the process.

1. Navigate to Your Profile: Open the LinkedIn app and tap on your small profile picture in the top-left corner of the screen. This will open a side menu. Tap "View Profile" at the top.
2. Access the Editing Options: On your profile page, find the pencil icon located to the right of your profile summary/intro section. Tap it to enter the "Edit intro" screen.
3. Find Your Contact Info: Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the "Edit intro" page. You'll see a "Contact info" section. Tap "Edit contact info."
4. Go to the Profile URL Editor: On the "Edit contact info" page, you'll see a field for "Profile URL." Tap on the text of your URL. This will open a new page within a browser inside the app that looks very similar to the desktop settings page.
5. Edit Your Custom URL: Under the "Edit your custom URL" heading, tap the pencil icon. Type in your desired new URL and hit "Save."

Best Practices for Creating Your Custom URL

Just because you can change your URL doesn't mean you should pick just anything. Your goal is to create something professional, memorable, and aligned with your personal brand. Here are some guidelines.

1. Use Your Name

The simplest and most effective option is to use your first and last name. For example, if your name is Alex Chen, aim for variations like:

• linkedin.com/in/alexchen
• linkedin.com/in/alex-chen

This is straightforward, professional, and helps people find you when they search your name on Google or other search engines.

2. Add a Middle Initial or Name if Needed

Many common names are already taken. If `alexchen` is unavailable, adding a middle initial is a great next step. For example:

• linkedin.com/in/alexjchen

This keeps it professional and uniquely identifies you without adding clutter.

3. Incorporate Your Industry or Skillset

If your name with a middle initial is still taken, consider adding a keyword that represents what you do. This can also help with discoverability for recruiters searching for specific roles.

• linkedin.com/in/alexchen-marketing
• linkedin.com/in/alexchendesigns
• linkedin.com/in/coder-alexchen

Keep it brief and relevant. Don't add a long string of keywords - one descriptive word is enough.

4. Keep It Consistent with Other Social Handles

Do you have a personal website, GitHub, or X (formerly Twitter) profile you use for professional purposes? If you use a consistent handle across those platforms, try to use it for your LinkedIn URL as well. This creates a unified brand presence that makes you instantly recognizable everywhere online.

5. Things to Avoid in Your Custom URL

• Random numbers: Avoid URLs like `alexchen94` unless the number is part of your established brand name. Numbers can seem unprofessional and make the URL harder to remember.
• Unprofessional nicknames or slang: This should go without saying, but always keep your professional audience in mind.
• Temporary information: Don't include your current employer or titles that might change, like `alexchen-abccorp`. Your LinkedIn profile should evolve with your career, and you don't want to have to change your URL every time you change jobs.

What to Do After You Shorten Your Link

Once you’ve successfully claimed your new and improved URL, your work isn’t quite done yet. You need to update it everywhere you’ve previously shared the old one to ensure your network can always find you.

Update Your Key Professional Materials:

• Resume/CV: Go through every version of your resume and replace the old link with the new one.
• Email Signature: This is a big one. Update the LinkedIn icon in your email signature so it points to the new URL.
• Business Cards: If you're printing new business cards, make sure you use your clean, new URL.
• Personal Website or Portfolio: If you have "Contact Me" or "About" pages that link to your LinkedIn, be sure to update them.

Update Other Social and Online Profiles:

Many people link to their LinkedIn profiles from other platforms. Check places like:

• Your X (Twitter) bio
• Your Instagram bio link
• Your GitHub profile
• Author bios on any blogs or articles you've written

While LinkedIn does a good job of redirecting your old URL to the new one for a while, it's not a permanent guarantee. Manually updating your links ensures there are no broken pathways for recruiters, clients, or collaborators trying to find out more about you.

Final Thoughts

Customizing your LinkedIn URL is a small task that pays off in big ways, sharpening your professional image and making your profile more accessible. Following these steps helps you project a consistent brand and makes it easier for others to connect with you across a range of materials, from your resume to your email signature.

Managing brand consistency on one platform is a great start, but the real challenge is keeping that message strong across all your social channels. That's why we built Postbase. We designed it to be a clean, modern command center for all your content - a place where you can visually plan your schedule, publish to every platform at once, and see what's actually working without ever getting lost in a cluttered interface. It helps you maintain that same sharp, professional presence effortlessly, everywhere.