How to Use and Customize Your linkedin.comink Link — Tips, SEO & Best Practices

If you’ve ever shared your LinkedIn profile with someone, you’ve probably noticed the link starts with linkedin.com/in/ followed by your name or a string of numbers. That small detail may not seem important, but it can make a big difference in how professional and memorable your profile looks.

Think about it. You meet someone at a networking event, they ask for your LinkedIn, and you send them a long, messy link with random digits. Compare that with a short, clean URL like linkedin.com/in/janedoe. Which one looks better on a resume or business card?

In this article, I’ll explain what the linkedin.com/in link is, why it matters, and how you can customize it. I’ll also share personal tips from my own experience, examples of good and bad URLs, and best practices for optimizing your profile for both people and search engines.

By the end, you’ll know how to create a LinkedIn link that is easy to share, professional, and helps build your personal brand.

What is linkedin.com/in?

Every LinkedIn profile has a unique web address. By default, LinkedIn generates one for you when you sign up, and it usually looks like this:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-doe-123456789/

The part after /in/ is your identifier. It could be your name if it’s available, or it might include random letters and numbers. That string is what makes your profile unique among LinkedIn’s millions of users.

linkedin.com/in vs other LinkedIn links

• linkedin.com/company/ is for business pages.

• linkedin.com/jobs/ is for job listings.

• linkedin.com/learning/ is LinkedIn Learning.

• linkedin.com/in/ is for personal profiles.

So, if you want people to find you, the /in/ version is the one you’ll be sharing most often.

Read Also: Bardid: Meaning, Origin, and How It Is Used

Why customizing your LinkedIn URL is important

When I first created my LinkedIn profile years ago, my link had my name plus a string of random numbers. I didn’t think it mattered until I started applying for jobs. One recruiter actually mentioned my URL looked “messy.” That was the wake-up call I needed.

Here’s why customizing your URL matters:

1. Professional branding
   A clean, simple link shows you pay attention to detail. It’s like wearing polished shoes to an interview.

2. Memorability
   If someone hears your name and wants to look you up, it’s much easier to remember /in/janedoe than /in/jane-doe-9237462.

3. SEO benefits
   A URL with your name in it can rank better in Google search results. That means if someone Googles you, your LinkedIn profile has a higher chance of showing up on top.

4. Consistency across platforms
   Many people match their LinkedIn URL with their Twitter handle, personal website, or even email address. It creates a unified personal brand.

5. Trust and credibility
   A customized link looks more legitimate. Recruiters and clients are more likely to click it when they see it on a resume or in an email signature.

How to customize your LinkedIn URL (step-by-step guide)

Here’s how you can create your own linkedin.com/in link:

1. Log in to LinkedIn and go to your profile.

2. On the right side, click “Edit public profile & URL.”

3. In the new window, look for “Edit your custom URL.”

4. Click the pencil icon and type your desired link.

5. Save your changes.

That’s it. Your new link will update instantly.

Tips when choosing your link:

• Use your full name if possible. Example: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

• If your name is common, try variations like john-smith-marketing or john-r-smith.

• Avoid numbers, nicknames, or random words.

• Keep it short and professional.

Best practices for LinkedIn URLs

Over time, I’ve noticed some patterns in good and bad LinkedIn URLs.

Do’s

• Keep it simple: /in/janedoe

• Add middle initials if needed: /in/jane-m-doe

• Add your profession if your name is taken: /in/janedoe-designer

• Match it with other platforms (Twitter, portfolio site, etc.)

Don’ts

• Avoid numbers: /in/janedoe12345

• Don’t add random words: /in/janedoe-rockstar

• Don’t make it too long: /in/janedoe-professional-marketing-specialist-2025

• Don’t change it often, or your old links may break.

How to use your LinkedIn link smartly

Once you’ve created a professional link, make sure you use it in the right places.

1. Resumes & CVs
   Place it near your email and phone number. Hiring managers appreciate direct links.

2. Email signatures
   Add it with your name and title. It makes your emails look polished.

3. Business cards
   It shows you’re active on LinkedIn, which is especially important for networking events.

4. Personal website or portfolio
   Link your LinkedIn on your About page.

5. Social media bios
   Twitter, Instagram, and even TikTok creators often add their LinkedIn as proof of professionalism.

Optimizing LinkedIn for SEO

Customizing your URL is just one piece of the puzzle. If you want your LinkedIn profile to show up in Google, here are a few more steps:

1. Make your profile public
   Check your privacy settings to ensure recruiters can see you.

2. Use your full name consistently
   Your URL, headline, and profile name should match.

3. Include keywords in your headline and summary
   For example, “Digital Marketing Specialist | SEO & Content Strategy.”

4. Build backlinks
   Link to your LinkedIn from your website, blog, or guest posts.

5. Engage actively
   Google tends to rank active, updated pages higher.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Frequent changes: Stick to one URL. Changing it often can break links on resumes or business cards.

• Unprofessional words: Avoid nicknames or slang.

• Ignoring privacy: Make sure you’re comfortable with your visibility settings before sharing your link.

• Forgetting to update resumes: If you ever change your link, update all the places where you’ve shared it.

Case study: Good vs bad examples

• Good: linkedin.com/in/michael-chen
  Simple, clean, and professional.

• Bad: linkedin.com/in/michaelchen1992937
  Long, messy, and hard to remember.

In my own case, I used to have numbers in my link. After changing it to /in/[firstname-lastname], I noticed a real difference. People told me my resume looked cleaner, and recruiters mentioned how easy it was to find me online.

Advanced tactics

• Custom domain redirect: If you own janedoe.com, you can set it up to forward visitors to your LinkedIn profile.

• Branded short links: Tools like Bitly let you create short, trackable versions of your LinkedIn link.

• Marketing materials: Include your LinkedIn on flyers, proposals, or even presentations.

Keeping your link updated

Life changes. Maybe you change your name, rebrand, or want a fresh start. That’s fine. Just remember:

• Update your resumes and emails if you switch URLs.

• Tell your network if your old link no longer works.

• Stick with one version for as long as possible to avoid confusion.

Conclusion

Your linkedin.com/in link may seem small, but it plays a big role in your personal brand. A customized, clean URL makes you look more professional, helps recruiters find you, and creates consistency across your online presence.

If you haven’t updated yours yet, take five minutes today and do it. It’s one of the easiest ways to improve your LinkedIn profile.

FAQs

1. Can two people have the same LinkedIn URL?
No. Each link is unique. If your name is taken, try variations.

2. What if my name is already in use?
Add a middle initial, profession, or location. Example: /in/johndoe-marketing.

3. Can I change my LinkedIn URL again later?
Yes, but old links will no longer work.

4. Does changing my URL affect my connections?
No. Your network stays the same. Only the link changes.

5. Should I add keywords to my LinkedIn URL?
Yes, but only if they make sense. Keep it short and professional.