LinkedIn is a powerful tool for professionals seeking to expand their network and showcase their achievements. However, the default LinkedIn profile URL can be long and cumbersome, making it less suitable for sharing on resumes, business cards, or email signatures. Shortening your LinkedIn URL not only makes it more visually appealing but also easier to remember and share. This guide will walk you through the steps to create a concise and professional LinkedIn URL.
Preparing to Shorten Your LinkedIn URL
A shortened LinkedIn URL offers several advantages. Firstly, it enhances your personal brand by presenting a clean and professional image. Long, complex URLs can appear cluttered and unprofessional, which may deter potential employers or connections. Additionally, a shorter URL is easier to remember and type, reducing the likelihood of errors when someone tries to access your profile. Finally, a concise URL fits better on printed materials like business cards and resumes, ensuring your LinkedIn profile is easily accessible.
When to shorten a link
Long links look unaesthetic and are often inconvenient to use. Short links look better and are easy to dictate.
A short url is worth using if you have to:
- send a link in messenger, by SMS or dictate it;
- disguise referral links;
- make the link visually appealing – for promotional materials;
- save space in messages of limited length – for example, in SMS;
- prevent incorrect copying (clipping) of long links;
- keep statistics on conversions and audience – this is possible in some services.
When shortening links is not appropriate
A short link looks neat, but sometimes shortening the url can lead to unpleasant consequences.
You shouldn’t pass on a shortened link:
- in emails – short links cause emails to go into spam;
- for website pages – when the link shortener stops working, you will have to change links;
- if you need a link that works forever – the reason is above.
Is it safe to shorten URLs?
URL shortening is generally safe, but it’s important to be careful with any URL shortening service. While we keep our platform secure, shortened URLs can sometimes hide the original destination, which can be used by attackers to disguise malicious sites. Always trust the source of the shortened link. Use the additional security features available on our platform to improve security, such as tracking and managing your links to see where traffic is coming from.
Steps to Shorten Your LinkedIn URL
Before you can shorten your LinkedIn URL, you need to log into your LinkedIn account. Open your web browser and go to the LinkedIn website. Enter your email address and password in the designated fields and click “Sign In.” Once logged in, you will be directed to your LinkedIn homepage.
Accessing Profile Settings
To access the settings needed to shorten your URL, navigate to your profile page. Click on your profile picture or your name at the top of the LinkedIn homepage. Once on your profile page, locate the “Edit public profile & URL” option on the right-hand side of the screen. This will open the public profile settings page, where you can make changes to your URL.
- Click on the pencil icon next to your public profile URL. This icon is located near the top right corner of the page.
- Edit your URL in the provided text box. Your current URL will be displayed, and you can replace the existing text with your desired URL.
- Choose a unique and professional URL. Ideally, your URL should be a variation of your name, such as “linkedin.com/in/yourname.”
- Save your changes. Once you have entered your new URL, click “Save” to apply the changes.
By following these steps, you will have successfully shortened your LinkedIn URL, making it more suitable for professional use.
Conclusion
Shortening your LinkedIn URL is a simple yet effective way to enhance your professional presence online. This process not only improves the aesthetics of your URL but also makes it more memorable and convenient for sharing. Remember to choose a URL that reflects your professional identity and is easy to communicate. Additionally, regularly updating and maintaining your LinkedIn profile ensures that it remains an accurate representation of your professional achievements and skills.