How to Write a LinkedIn Handle

Your LinkedIn handle is your digital handshake, and that string of random numbers tacked onto the end of your profile URL isn't making a great first impression. It’s a small detail that has a big impact on your professional brand. This guide will walk you through exactly how to choose, change, and use a custom LinkedIn URL to look more polished, making it easier for connections and recruiters to find and remember you.

First Things First: What Exactly is a LinkedIn Handle?

On LinkedIn, what we casually call a "handle" is officially known as your public profile URL. It's the unique web address that leads directly to your profile page. When you first create an account, LinkedIn assigns you a generic URL that usually looks something like this:

www.linkedin.com/in/john-doe-a1b2c3d4/

The customizable part - your handle - is the part that comes after "/in/". By changing it, you can transform that clunky, forgettable address into a clean, professional link that represents you or your brand.

For example, a marketing manager named Sarah Chen could change her URL from:

www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-chen-98765x321/

To something clean and memorable, like:

www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmchen/

It’s a simple change, but it makes a world of difference in how you present yourself online.

Why a Custom URL is Non-Negotiable

Leaving your default LinkedIn URL is like showing up to a job interview with a coffee stain on your shirt - it suggests a lack of attention to detail. A customized handle is a quick win for your professional branding for a few key reasons:

• It signals professionalism. A clean URL shows that you’re digitally savvy and care about your professional image. It’s a subtle sign that you know your way around the platform and have taken the time to complete your profile thoughtfully.
• It's easy to remember and share. Nobody is going to remember "a1b2c3d4." But "sarahmchen" is simple. You can confidently share it verbally, on a podcast, or during a presentation.
• It strengthens your personal brand. Your URL is another opportunity to reinforce your name and professional identity. Consistency across platforms helps build a recognizable brand, making it easier for people to connect the dots between your work, your website, and your social presence.
• It enhances shareability. A short, clean URL looks much better on business cards, resumes, email signatures, and presentation slides. It removes unnecessary clutter and focuses attention on your name.
• It helps with search engine visibility. A custom URL containing your name and/or relevant keywords can potentially help your LinkedIn profile rank higher when people search for you on Google or other search engines.

How to Change Your LinkedIn Handle: The Simple 5-Step Process

Updating your URL takes less than a minute. LinkedIn makes it incredibly straightforward once you know where to look. Here’s how to do it step-by-step.

Step 1: Go to Your Profile

Log in to LinkedIn and navigate to your own profile page by clicking the "Me" icon in the top navigation bar and then selecting "View Profile."

Step 2: Find the "Edit Public Profile & URL" Option

On the top-right side of your profile page, you’ll see a link that says “Edit public profile & URL.” Click on it. This will take you to your public profile settings page.

Step 3: Locate Your Custom URL Settings

On this new page, look again to the top-right corner. You’ll find a section headed "Edit your custom URL." This is where you can personalize your profile's web address.

Step 4: Craft Your New Handle

Click the pencil icon next to your current URL (the one with all the numbers). A text box will appear, letting you type in your new desired handle. Your custom URL must be between 3-100 characters and can only contain letters and numbers - no spaces, symbols, or special characters allowed, except for hyphens.

Step 5: Save Your Changes

Once you’ve typed in a handle that is available, simply click the "Save" button. And that’s it! Your new, professional LinkedIn URL is live and ready to share.

Pro-Tip: Once you change your URL, the old one will no longer work. Be sure to update it anywhere you've shared it previously, like your email signature or personal website, to avoid sending people to a broken link.

The Art of the Handle: Best Practices for Crafting Your Custom URL

Choosing a handle seems easy, but finding one that is professional, available, and memorable requires a bit of strategy. Here are some best practices to guide you.

Start with Your Real Name

For 99% of professionals, the best approach is to use your full name. It's the most straightforward and effective way for people to find you. The standard formats are:

• firstnamelastname (e.g., /in/janedoe)
• firstname-lastname (e.g., /in/jane-doe)
• firstinitiallastname (e.g., /in/jdoe)
• lastnamefirstname (e.g., /in/doejane)

The hyphenated version (firstname-lastname) is often the most readable and professional-looking, but any of these are great options. The goal is clarity and simplicity.

What to Do If Your Name is Already Taken

With over a billion users on LinkedIn, it's very likely that a common name is already claimed. If "johnsmith" is taken, don't give up and revert to the random numbers. Here are some smart alternatives:

• Add Your Middle Initial: This is the cleanest and most common solution. For example, john-f-smith or johnfsmith.
• Add Your Profession or Niche: Including your industry or title can reinforce your brand and make your URL unique. Examples: johnsmithwriter, brian-jones-cpa, or sarahchen-marketing.
• Incorporate Your Location: If you serve a specific geographic area, adding a city or state can be effective. For instance: lisawong-nyc or markdavis-realestate-sf.
• Use a Professional Prefix or Suffix: Adding a subtle prefix like "the" can sometimes secure your name. Example: the-john-smith. Tread carefully here and keep it professional.

Crafting a Handle for a Company Page

For a LinkedIn Company Page, the goal is brand consistency. Your handle should be your exact company name, without any extra words or characters.

For example, if your company is "Acme Innovations," your URL should be:

www.linkedin.com/company/acmeinnovations/

Make sure this handle matches your usernames on other social platforms like X, Instagram, and Facebook. Consistent branding across the board makes your company look organized and easy to find.

Common Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs

Your handle is a direct reflection of your professional identity. Steer clear of these common mistakes to maintain a polished image:

• Using Unprofessional Nicknames: A handle like techguru-dave or sammysweatpants worked on AOL Instant Messenger in 2002, but it has no place on LinkedIn. Always stick to your real name or a professional variation.
• Adding Random Numbers: While numbers may be part of a company brand name (e.g., Postbase24), tacking your birth year or a random string of digits onto the end of your name (kevinsmith1987) looks amateurish and dated.
• Making It Too Long or Complex: Your URL should be easy to type and remember. Avoid long, complicated phrases. chicago-based-b2b-saas-marketer-mike is descriptive, but it's not practical.
• Using Underscores or Other Symbols: LinkedIn only allows letters, numbers, and hyphens in the custom URL. Don’t try to use any other characters.

You've Got Your New Handle. Now What?

Once you’ve claimed your perfect LinkedIn URL, it's time to put it to work. Its primary job is to make you more accessible and professional, so you need to feature it in all the right places. Take a few minutes to update your digital and physical assets:

• Update your email signature to include a direct link to your new profile URL.
• Add it to the header of your resume and cover letter templates.
• Reprint your business cards with the clean, new link.
• Link to it from your personal website, blog, or portfolio.
• Display it prominently in the bios of your other social media profiles, like X, Threads, or Instagram, to guide traffic to your professional hub.

Treat your new handle as your central professional address and make sure it leads people right to your digital doorstep, no matter where they find you.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a clean, on-brand LinkedIn handle is a tiny task that pays big dividends for your personal brand. It projects professionalism, makes you more memorable, and simplifies the process for others to connect with you in a crowded digital world.

Of course, building a commanding presence across all your social channels means creating and scheduling great content consistently, not just optimizing usernames. It can be a real headache juggling multiple accounts and calendars. We designed Postbase to eliminate that chaos, especially for video-heavy platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. It gives you one simple, visual calendar to plan and publish content reliably so you can focus on bigger picture things than remembering to post.