How to Find, Customize, and Share Your LinkedIn URL in 20 Seconds (2026 Guide)
Your default LinkedIn URL looks something like this: linkedin.com/in/jane-doe-4b2a9c183
That string of random characters at the end is generated automatically when you create your account. It's functional, but it's not doing you any favors. A custom URL takes 20 seconds to set up and makes a real difference in how your profile looks and performs.
Here's everything you need to know.
TL;DR
- Your default LinkedIn URL has a random string at the end — customize it to look professional
- Go to Edit public profile & URL on desktop, then click the pencil icon next to your URL
- Use firstname-lastname format; add your industry if the name is taken
- LinkedIn allows up to 5 URL changes in a 6-month period — old URLs become available to others
- A clean URL helps with Google search results, looks better on resumes, and is easier to share verbally
What Is Your LinkedIn URL?
Your LinkedIn profile URL is the web address that takes people directly to your profile. Every LinkedIn member has one. The default version includes your name plus a random alphanumeric string.
A custom URL replaces that string with something clean and memorable: linkedin.com/in/janedoe or linkedin.com/in/jane-doe-marketing.
It's a small change with a disproportionate impact on how your profile is perceived.
What Is the LinkedIn URL Format?
Before customizing, it helps to understand what LinkedIn allows and what it doesn't.
100 Characters Is the Limit
Your custom URL can be between 3 and 100 characters. In practice, shorter is better. Aim for something under 30 characters.
Case Doesn't Matter
linkedin.com/in/JaneDoe and linkedin.com/in/janedoe go to the same profile. LinkedIn treats URLs as case-insensitive, so don't worry about capitalization.
No Spaces Allowed
Spaces aren't permitted in LinkedIn URLs. Use hyphens to separate words: jane-doe not jane doe.
No Special Characters
Only letters, numbers, and hyphens are allowed. No underscores, periods, or symbols.
Avoid the Word 'LinkedIn'
LinkedIn doesn't allow you to include "linkedin" in your custom URL. It's reserved.
How to Find Your LinkedIn URL
How to Find Your LinkedIn URL on the App
- Tap your profile photo in the top left corner
- Tap "View Profile"
- Tap the three dots (more options) near the top right
- Select "Contact info" — your profile URL appears there
How to Get a LinkedIn Profile URL on the Website
- Click your profile photo or "Me" in the top navigation
- Select "View Profile"
- Look at the URL in your browser's address bar — that's your current LinkedIn URL
- You can also find it by clicking "Edit public profile & URL" on the right side of your profile page
Quick Copy-Paste Method (20-Second Hack)
On desktop, go to your profile and look at the browser address bar. The URL there is your profile URL. Copy it directly. If it has a random string at the end, that's your cue to customize it.
How to Customize Your LinkedIn URL in 5 Easy Steps
Customize Your LinkedIn Profile Link
On desktop (the fastest way):
- Go to your LinkedIn profile
- Click "Edit public profile & URL" on the right side of the page
- In the top right of the page that opens, find "Edit your custom URL"
- Click the pencil icon next to your current URL
- Type your preferred URL (letters, numbers, and hyphens only — no spaces)
- Click "Save"
That's it. The whole process takes under a minute.
On mobile:
- Go to your profile
- Tap the three dots near the top right
- Select "Edit public profile & URL"
- Follow the same steps as desktop
Can I Change My LinkedIn URL Anytime?
Yes, but with limits. LinkedIn allows up to 5 URL changes in any 6-month period. After that, you'll need to wait until the window resets. This is rarely a problem in practice — most people set their URL once and leave it.
How to Customize Your Company's LinkedIn URL
Company pages have their own URLs, separate from personal profiles. To customize your company page URL:
- Go to your company page
- Click "Admin tools" in the top right
- Select "Edit page"
- Find the "Public URL" field and update it
Company URLs follow the format linkedin.com/company/your-company-name. Keep it consistent with your brand name.
LinkedIn Custom URL Generator
There's no official LinkedIn URL generator, but the process is simple enough that you don't need one. If you want suggestions, try variations of your name: firstname-lastname, firstnamelastname, firstname-lastname-industry. Pick the cleanest one that's available.
How to Create a Short LinkedIn URL for Easy Sharing
LinkedIn doesn't offer a built-in URL shortener, but you have options:
Option 1: Customize your URL to be naturally short. linkedin.com/in/janedoe is already short enough for most purposes.
Option 2: Use a URL shortener. Services like Bitly or Rebrandly let you create a short link that redirects to your LinkedIn profile. This is useful for business cards or situations where you want a branded short link.
Option 3: Use your LinkedIn QR code. LinkedIn generates a QR code for your profile that you can share in person. Find it by tapping the grid icon in the LinkedIn app search bar.
Can You Change the LinkedIn URL?
Yes. You can change your LinkedIn URL as many times as you want within the 5-change-per-6-months limit.
How to Change LinkedIn URL on Phone
- Open the LinkedIn app
- Tap your profile photo
- Tap "View Profile"
- Tap the three dots in the top right
- Select "Edit public profile & URL"
- Tap the pencil icon next to your current URL
- Type your new URL and save
How to Share Your LinkedIn Profile Link
Once you have a clean URL, put it everywhere:
Email signature: Add it as a clickable link or just the URL text. Most email clients will auto-link it.
Resume: Include it in your contact information section at the top, alongside your email and phone number.
Business cards: If you still use them, your LinkedIn URL belongs there.
Twitter/X bio: If you're active on other platforms, cross-link to LinkedIn.
Personal website or portfolio: A "Connect on LinkedIn" link is standard on most professional sites.
Zoom/video call backgrounds: Some people add their LinkedIn URL to their virtual background. It's subtle but effective for networking calls.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind About Your LinkedIn Profile URL
Custom Links Are Not Provided Upon Request
LinkedIn doesn't grant custom URLs on request or reserve them for specific users. It's first-come, first-served. If your preferred URL is taken, you'll need to find a variation.
It Can Be Changed Five Times in a Six-Month Period
LinkedIn limits URL changes to 5 per 6-month window. This is rarely a constraint, but it's worth knowing before you start experimenting.
Your Last URL Is Still Yours for Six Months Unless You Unlink It
When you change your URL, the old one doesn't immediately become available to others. LinkedIn holds it for 6 months before releasing it — unless you explicitly unlink it. This gives you some protection if you change your mind.
How to Fix an 'Invalid LinkedIn URL'
Sometimes a LinkedIn URL stops working or shows an error. Here are the most common causes and fixes.
If You Cannot Change Your URL
- You may have hit the 5-change limit for the 6-month period. Wait until the window resets.
- The URL you want may already be taken. Try a variation.
- Make sure you're not using special characters or spaces.
If the URL Is Inaccessible After Sharing
- You may have changed your URL after sharing the old one. The old URL is gone (or held for 6 months).
- Update any places where you shared the old URL: resume, email signature, business cards.
- If someone else has claimed your old URL, you can't get it back.
If Your Profile Doesn't Appear in Search Results
- A custom URL helps with Google search, but it's not instant. Give it a few weeks for search engines to re-index your profile.
- Make sure your profile is set to public. Go to "Edit public profile & URL" and check that your profile visibility is set to "Public."
Wrapping Up
Customizing your URL is the kind of quick win that takes almost no time but makes your profile look significantly more polished. It's one of the first things to do when optimizing your LinkedIn presence.
Once your profile is set up properly, the next step is using it to actually generate opportunities. Outly helps you automate LinkedIn outreach so your profile works for you even when you're not actively on the platform.
Ready to Turn Your LinkedIn Profile Into a Lead Machine?
A clean URL gets people to your profile. Outly turns those visits into conversations. AI-powered LinkedIn outreach with human review — Starter at $39.99/mo, Pro at $79.99/mo.
