You've spent hours perfecting and optimizing your LinkedIn profile. Your headline captures attention, your summary tells your story, and your experience showcases expertise. Yet when someone asks for your linkedin url, you share something like: linkedin.com/in/sarah-johnson-47b891234.
That random string of numbers instantly undermines your professional image. It looks like you're new to LinkedIn or don't care about your personal brand. Worse, it's impossible for people to remember or type correctly.
Your linkedin url appears everywhere, business cards, email signatures, resumes, and social media profiles. A messy URL suggests carelessness; a clean, custom URL signals professionalism.
This guide shows you exactly how to get a linkedin url customized into a professional, branded asset that enhances your credibility.
Why Your LinkedIn URL Matters More Than You Think
Before diving into how to get linkedin url customized, understand why this small detail significantly impacts your professional brand.
First Impressions Count: When someone sees your linkedin url on your business card, a clean firstname-lastname format looks professional. Random numbers look amateurish.
Memorability Matters: Can someone remember linkedin.com/in/michaelchen versus linkedin.com/in/michael-chen-9b3847291? The custom version is memorable; the default is forgettable.
Sharing Simplicity: Understanding how to find linkedin url becomes easy when yours is clean: "It's just linkedin.com/in/yourname." No spelling out random numbers.
SEO Benefits: Search engines index your linkedin url. A custom URL containing your name improves chances your profile appears when someone searches for you online, resulting in higher search rankings.
Professional Consistency: If your Twitter is @JohnSmith and your website is johnsmith.com, having linkedin.com/in/johnsmith creates cohesive personal branding. Random numbers break that consistency.
Understanding LinkedIn URL Basics
Every LinkedIn member gets assigned a linkedin url automatically when creating their profile. LinkedIn generates these URLs using your name plus random numbers.
Those random numbers ensure every profile has a unique identifier even when thousands share the same name. However, LinkedIn allows customization, removing numbers and creating something memorable.
Your custom linkedin url can be 3-100 characters, though shorter is better. You can use letters, numbers, and hyphens only. Spaces, underscores, symbols aren't permitted.
Step-by-Step: How to Get LinkedIn URL Customized
Ready to transform your linkedin url? Follow these steps:
Step 1: Access Your Profile
Log into LinkedIn and navigate to your profile. Click "Me" at the top, then select "View profile."
Step 2: Locate Edit Profile Option
On your profile page, look for "Edit public profile & URL" on the right side near your profile photo. Click this link.
Step 3: Find Your Current URL
On the right side, you'll see "Edit your custom URL" displaying your current linkedin url, likely ending with random numbers.
Step 4: Click the Edit Icon
Next to your current linkedin url, click the small pencil icon to begin customization.
Step 5: Enter Your Desired URL
A text box appears where you can type your preferred custom linkedin url. Enter what you want after linkedin.com/in/. LinkedIn checks availability in real-time.
Step 6: Check Availability
If someone claims your desired URL, LinkedIn notifies you immediately. We'll cover alternatives below.
Step 7: Save Your Changes
Once you've entered an available custom linkedin url, click "Save." LinkedIn updates your URL immediately.
Step 8: Verify Your New URL
Test it by knowing how to copy a linkedin url and pasting it into a browser to ensure it directs to your profile correctly.
How to Find LinkedIn URL After Customization
Once customized, you'll need to know where to find a linkedin url quickly when sharing it.
Method 1: From Your Profile
Visit your LinkedIn profile. Your custom linkedin url appears in your browser's address bar at the top. This is the simplest way to find linkedin url anytime.
Method 2: From Edit Settings
Navigate to "Edit public profile & URL" on your profile. Your custom linkedin url displays on the right under "Edit your custom URL."
Method 3: From LinkedIn Settings
Click "Me," select "Settings & Privacy," then "Visibility" and "Edit your public profile." Your custom linkedin url appears here.
Understanding where to find linkedin url ensures you can share it confidently whether adding it to your resume, business cards, or introducing yourself to connections.
How to Copy LinkedIn URL for Sharing
Knowing how to copy linkedin url properly ensures you share the correct link every time.
On Desktop:
Navigate to your profile so your linkedin url appears in the browser address bar. Click once on the URL to highlight it, then press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac) to copy.
On Mobile:
Open the LinkedIn app and go to your profile. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner. Select "Share profile" then "Copy link." This is how to copy linkedin url on mobile devices.
From Desktop to Mobile:
If you need to share your linkedin url from computer to phone, email it to yourself or save it in a note-taking app that syncs.
Mastering how to copy linkedin url makes sharing your profile effortless during networking events or when applying for opportunities.
Choosing the Perfect Custom LinkedIn URL
Creating an effective custom linkedin url requires strategic thinking:
Use Your Full Name: The ideal format is simply your first and last name: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith. This is professional, memorable, and clearly identifies you.
Keep It Short: Shorter URLs are easier to remember. Aim for 15-25 characters maximum when learning how to get linkedin url customized.
Avoid Numbers: Unless necessary, don't include numbers. They look less professional and are harder to remember.
Stay Professional: Your linkedin url isn't the place for nicknames or creativity. This is your professional identity.
Match Other Platforms: Create consistency across your digital presence. If you're @JaneSmith on Twitter, try linkedin.com/in/janesmith.
What to Do When Your Name Is Already Taken
What if someone already claimed your preferred linkedin url?
Add Your Middle Initial: linkedin.com/in/johnmsmith if linkedin.com/in/johnsmith is taken.
Include Your Location: linkedin.com/in/johnsmithnyc or linkedin.com/in/johnsmith-chicago helps differentiate you professionally.
Add Your Profession: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith-marketing works if your name is common.
Use a Slight Variation: linkedin.com/in/john-a-smith provides alternatives while keeping your name recognizable.
The key is maintaining professionalism while creating something unique as your linkedin url.
Once your LinkedIn URL looks professional, the next step is consistent visibility. FinalLayer helps you create and optimize LinkedIn content that gets discovered, clicked, and remembered, so your clean URL actually works for you.
Common LinkedIn URL Mistakes to Avoid
Even understanding how to get linkedin url customized, professionals make avoidable mistakes:
Using Underscores: LinkedIn doesn't allow underscores. Don't try john_smith.
Including Special Characters: Only hyphens are permitted in your linkedin url.
Making It Too Long: A 50-character URL defeats the purpose. Keep it concise.
Using Nicknames: Your professional linkedin url should reflect how you're known professionally.
Never Customizing: The biggest mistake is leaving the default random-number URL.
Changing It Frequently: Once established, changing your linkedin url breaks links on business cards and resumes you've distributed.
Where to Use Your Professional LinkedIn URL
Once you know how to find linkedin url and have customized it, maximize its value:
Email Signature: Add your linkedin url to your email signature. Every email becomes a networking opportunity.
Business Cards: Include your custom linkedin url. It's often more useful than a phone number for initial connections.
Resume and CV: List your linkedin url prominently near contact information. Recruiters check LinkedIn profiles before interviews.
Other Social Media: Add your linkedin url to Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook bios for cross-platform visibility.
Personal Website: Include your linkedin url in the contact or about section.
Conference Materials: When speaking or attending events, include your linkedin url on presentations or handouts.
Understanding where to find linkedin url for each platform ensures consistent professional presence everywhere.
Maintaining Your LinkedIn URL Strategy
After learning how to copy linkedin url and customizing it, maintain its effectiveness:
Monitor Profile Completeness: A professional linkedin url should lead to a complete, updated profile. Regularly review your content.
Track Performance: Notice if people mention finding you through your linkedin url. This validates your customization choice.
Update Business Materials: Ensure all materials reflect your current custom linkedin url. Outdated URLs waste networking opportunities.
Respond Promptly: When people connect via your shared linkedin url, respond quickly. Professional URLs should lead to professional engagement.
The Bottom Line
Your linkedin url is a small detail with significant professional impact. A customized URL transforms you from just another LinkedIn user into a polished professional who understands personal branding. The process of learning how to get a linkedin url customized takes five minutes. The benefits, enhanced professionalism, improved memorability, easier sharing, last throughout your career. Stop sharing that messy default URL with random numbers. Take control of your professional online presence by creating a custom linkedin url that represents your brand effectively.
