What You Can Change and What You Cannot

LinkedIn lets you customize the web address of your profile — the part that comes after linkedin.com/in/. By default, LinkedIn assigns you a URL with numbers in it, like linkedin.com/in/john-smith-12345678. You can change this to something shorter and cleaner, like linkedin.com/in/johnsmith, but only if that version is not already taken by someone else.

You cannot change your LinkedIn URL more than a few times, and the exact limit depends on your account type and history. Once you change it, you should wait at least a few days before changing it again. LinkedIn does not publish a hard rule on how many times you can change it, but most users report they can change it two or three times before hitting a restriction.

The URL you create must be between 3 and 30 characters long. It can contain letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters like periods or underscores. LinkedIn will reject URLs that are already taken, that match LinkedIn's own branded terms, or that violate their policies.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your LinkedIn URL through your profile settings, not through a separate page or tool.
  • The new URL must be between 3 and 30 characters, can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, and cannot contain spaces or special characters.
  • LinkedIn does not let you change your URL unlimited times — most accounts can change it a few times before a restriction kicks in.
  • After you change your URL, your old URL stops working, so update any places where you have shared your profile link.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your URL on Desktop

Open LinkedIn and go to your profile by clicking your profile photo in the top right corner, then selecting "View profile." On your profile page, look for the "Edit public profile" button or pencil icon near the top of your profile photo. Click it to enter edit mode.

Once you are in edit mode, look at the top of your profile where your name appears. You should see your current LinkedIn URL displayed there. Click directly on the URL or look for an edit icon next to it. A text box will appear where you can type your new URL. Delete the current one and type the new one you want to use.

As you type, LinkedIn will tell you whether the URL is available. If it shows a green checkmark, the URL is free to use. If it shows a red X or a message saying it is taken, you will need to choose a different one. Once you have a URL that is available, click the "Save" button to confirm the change.

Changing Your URL on Mobile

The process on mobile is similar but the layout is slightly different. Open the LinkedIn app and tap your profile photo at the bottom of the screen. Tap the pencil icon to edit your profile.

Scroll to the top of your profile and tap on your current LinkedIn URL. A text box will open where you can edit it. Type your new URL, and LinkedIn will show you in real time whether it is available. Once you have chosen an available URL, tap "Save" or "Done" to confirm.

What Happens After You Change Your URL

Your old LinkedIn URL stops working immediately after you change it. Any links you shared before — in emails, on your resume, on your website, or on social media — will no longer work. If someone tries to visit your old URL, they will see an error page.

This is why you should update your LinkedIn URL in any place where you have shared it. If your resume has a link to your old LinkedIn URL, update it. If your email signature includes your LinkedIn profile link, change that too. If you have shared your profile on Twitter, Facebook, or your personal website, update those links as well.

Your new URL becomes active right away, and you can share it immediately. There is no waiting period before the new URL works.

Choosing a URL That Works for You

The best LinkedIn URLs are short, easy to spell, and professional. Most people use some version of their name — firstname-lastname, firstnamelastname, or firstname.lastname (though LinkedIn does not allow periods, so use hyphens instead). If your name is common and the simple version is taken, you can add a middle initial or a number, like john-smith-3.

Avoid URLs with numbers at the end unless you have a specific reason for them. They are harder to remember and look less professional. If your name is very common, consider adding your industry or location, like john-smith-marketing or john-smith-denver.

Test your URL by saying it out loud or sending it to a friend. If it is hard to spell or sounds awkward, choose something different. You will be sharing this URL with employers, clients, and colleagues, so make it something you are comfortable with.

Troubleshooting: URL Not Changing or Already Taken

If you see a message that your URL is already taken, someone else has claimed it. You will need to choose a different one. Try adding a middle initial, a number, or a hyphen. If your name is john-smith and that is taken, try john-m-smith or john-smith-1.

If the change button is not appearing or is grayed out, you may have changed your URL recently and hit LinkedIn's rate limit. Wait at least a few days before trying again. If you have changed your URL multiple times in a short period, you may need to wait longer or contact LinkedIn support.

If you changed your URL but it is not showing up correctly, try logging out and logging back in. Sometimes the change takes a few minutes to show across all of LinkedIn's servers. Clear your browser cache if the old URL still appears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my LinkedIn URL back to my old one?

Not directly. Once you change your URL, the old one becomes available for someone else to claim. If you want to use it again, you would need to wait for it to become available and then claim it before someone else does. This is why you should be thoughtful before changing your URL.

What if someone else takes my name as their LinkedIn URL?

If someone else has claimed the URL you want, you cannot use it. LinkedIn does not have a process for reclaiming URLs from other users. Your best option is to choose a variation of your name or add a middle initial, location, or industry descriptor.

Does changing my LinkedIn URL affect my profile visibility or search ranking?

Changing your URL does not hurt your profile visibility on LinkedIn itself. However, if you have external links pointing to your old URL (from your website, resume, or social media), those links will break. Update those links to your new URL so people can find you.

How long does it take for my new LinkedIn URL to work?

Your new URL works immediately after you save it. You can start sharing it right away. The old URL stops working at the same time, so make sure you have updated any places where you shared your profile link before changing it.

Can I use special characters like periods or underscores in my LinkedIn URL?

No. LinkedIn only allows letters, numbers, and hyphens in profile URLs. You cannot use periods, underscores, spaces, or other special characters. If you want to separate words, use a hyphen instead.