Your LinkedIn profile link is the URL in your browser's address bar when you're viewing your own profile

When you visit your LinkedIn profile, the web address in the top of your browser shows something like linkedin.com/in/yourname or linkedin.com/in/yourname-12345. That is your profile link. You can copy it directly from the address bar, or LinkedIn gives you a button to copy it in one click from your profile settings.

The reason this matters: your profile link is how recruiters, employers, and people researching you online will find your profile. It is also what you share when you want someone to see your work history, skills, or recommendations without having to search for you by name.

Key Takeaways

  • Your profile link appears in the browser address bar when you view your own profile and always starts with linkedin.com/in/.
  • LinkedIn lets you customize your profile link to remove the random numbers at the end, making it shorter and easier to share.
  • You can copy your profile link from the address bar or use LinkedIn's built-in copy button on your profile page.
  • Sharing your profile link with employers, recruiters, or on your resume makes it easier for people to verify your work history and skills.

Finding your profile link in the address bar

The simplest way to get your profile link is to look at what your browser shows. Open LinkedIn, click on your profile photo in the top right corner, and select "View profile" from the menu. The URL that appears in the address bar at the top of your browser is your profile link.

If you see a long string of numbers at the end (like linkedin.com/in/yourname-12345), that is LinkedIn's default format. The numbers are there to keep profile links unique, but you can remove them by customizing your URL.

Customizing your profile link to make it shorter

LinkedIn lets you change your profile link to remove those numbers. Go to your profile, click the "Edit public profile URL" link on the right side of your profile header (you may need to scroll to see it), and then click the pencil icon next to your URL. Type in the custom name you want — usually your first and last name, or a variation if that is already taken.

Once you customize it, your link becomes something like linkedin.com/in/sarah-chen instead of linkedin.com/in/sarah-chen-98765. This is easier to remember, easier to type, and looks more professional when you share it.

You can only change your custom URL once every six months, so choose something you are comfortable with long-term. LinkedIn will tell you if the name you want is already taken and suggest alternatives.

Copying your profile link to share

Once you have your profile link, you can copy it in two ways. The first is to highlight the URL in your browser's address bar, right-click, and select "Copy." The second is to use LinkedIn's built-in button: on your profile page, look for the "Share profile" or similar option (the exact wording changes with LinkedIn updates), and select "Copy profile link." This copies the link to your clipboard so you can paste it anywhere.

After you copy it, you can paste it into an email, a resume, a job process form, or a social media post. When someone clicks the link, they will see your public profile — the information you have chosen to make visible to people outside your network.

What people see when they visit your profile link

When someone clicks your profile link, they see your public profile. This includes your headline, photo, work history, education, skills, and recommendations — but only the parts you have marked as public. If you have set something to "visible to connections only," people who are not connected to you will not see it.

Before you share your profile link widely, check what your public profile actually shows. Click on your profile photo, select "View profile," and then look for a button that says something like "View as public" or "How others see your profile." This shows you exactly what a stranger would see when they click your link.

Using your profile link on a resume or job process

Many job applications now include a field for your LinkedIn profile. Paste your customized profile link there — it is cleaner and more professional than a long URL with numbers. Some employers use your profile link to verify your work history and check recommendations from former colleagues.

You can also add your profile link to your resume under your contact information, usually next to your email and phone number. Format it as linkedin.com/in/yourname so it is straightforward to read. Do not use a shortened URL service like bit.ly for your LinkedIn link — employers prefer to see the real LinkedIn domain.

Privacy and who can find your profile through your link

Sharing your profile link does not expose information you have kept private. Only the parts of your profile you have set to public will be visible to people who click the link. Your email address, phone number, and any information marked "visible to connections only" will remain hidden from people outside your network.

That said, your profile link is a direct path to information about your work history, education, and skills. If you are concerned about privacy, review your public profile settings before sharing your link widely. You can always adjust what is public and what is not at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my profile link more than once?

LinkedIn allows you to change your custom profile URL once every six months. If you change it and then want to change it again, you will need to wait six months from the date of your last change. The old link will stop working once you change it.

What if the profile link I want is already taken?

LinkedIn will tell you if someone else has already claimed the name you want. You can try adding a middle initial, a number, or a hyphen — for example, linkedin.com/in/sarah-m-chen or linkedin.com/in/sarahchen1. LinkedIn suggests alternatives when you try to claim a name that is taken.

Does sharing my profile link let people message me?

Not automatically. People who view your profile through your link can send you a message only if you have messaging turned on in your settings. You can control who can message you — LinkedIn members, connections only, or no one. Check your privacy settings to see what you have chosen.

Can I use my profile link on other websites?

Yes. You can add your LinkedIn profile link to your personal website, resume, email signature, or any other place you want people to find your professional information. It is a public link, so there is no risk in sharing it widely.