Profile · URL
LinkedIn Custom URL Optimizer
Create a professional, memorable LinkedIn profile URL. Get scored URL ideas from your name, check the URL you have now, and copy ready-made formats for your resume and email signature. Free to use, no login required.
- Free to use
- No login required
- Instant URL suggestions
- URL checker
- Real LinkedIn rules
- Email signature formats
Custom URL Optimizer
Create the perfect LinkedIn profile URL
Your Name or Desired URL
URL Suggestions update as you type. Accents and symbols are converted automatically (José O'Brien → jose-obrien).
Or analyze your current URL
Saved in this browser
What's New in the LinkedIn Custom URL Optimizer (2026 Upgrade)
We rebuilt the URL tool from scratch — better ideas, a real URL checker, and everything you need after you pick one:
Scored URL ideas
Up to 10 ideas built from your name, field, city, and credential — each scored and ranked best first.
Current URL checker
Paste any LinkedIn link — with https, www, country subdomains, or tracking codes — and get a score and fixes.
Default URL detection
We spot LinkedIn's auto-generated URLs (the ones ending in random characters) instantly.
Check your own idea
Type any idea to see its score — accents and symbols are cleaned up automatically.
Ready-to-use formats
Copy your new URL formatted for your resume, email signature, website, and business card.
Real LinkedIn rules
3–100 characters, up to 5 changes in 180 days, and step-by-step instructions for desktop and mobile.
Fixed name handling
“John Doe” now gives john-doe and johndoe — the old version could only make johndoe.
Import & save
Import your name and current URL from the Profile Analyzer. Your choice is saved and synced when you sign in.
What Is a LinkedIn Custom URL?
A LinkedIn custom URL (also called a vanity URL) replaces the default URL that LinkedIn assigns you — something like linkedin.com/in/john-doe-8a3b2c1d — with a clean, memorable link like linkedin.com/in/johndoe.
Your LinkedIn URL appears on resumes, business cards, email signatures, portfolios, and Google search results. A professional custom URL signals attention to detail and makes it easy for recruiters, clients, and connections to find you.
Easier to Find
A URL with your name is easier to recognize when people search for you
Professional Branding
Looks polished on resumes, business cards, and email signatures
Easy Sharing
Short, memorable URLs are easy to share verbally and in print
Before vs After: Custom URL Examples
Scores calculated by the optimizer itself:
Before · 40
linkedin.com/in/sarah-johnson-7b2a9c4e
After · 100
linkedin.com/in/sarahjohnson
Clean first+last name
Before · 40
linkedin.com/in/michael-chen-marketing-3d8f1e
After · 100
linkedin.com/in/michaelchen
Removed random characters
Before · 40
linkedin.com/in/alex-rodriguez-dev-a1b2c3d4
After · 97
linkedin.com/in/alex-rodriguez
Hyphenated for readability
Before · 40
linkedin.com/in/priya-sharma-42x9z8w7
After · 97
linkedin.com/in/priyasharma-ux
Added specialty for common name
Before · 40
linkedin.com/in/david-kim-pmp-6y5t4r3e
After · 100
linkedin.com/in/davidkim-pm
Short + professional differentiator
LinkedIn URL Facts
- Characters allowed in custom URLs
- 3-100
- Custom URL per profile
- 1
- URL changes allowed in 180 days
- 5
- Free to customize — no Premium needed
- 100%
How to Use the Custom URL Optimizer
- 01
Enter Your Name
Add your first and last name — plus your field, city, or credential if you want more options.
- 02
Pick the Best URL
Review your scored ideas, check your own, and choose one. Best options are listed first.
- 03
Change It on LinkedIn
Follow the step-by-step instructions to save your new URL on desktop or mobile.
- 04
Use It Everywhere
Copy the ready-made formats for your resume, email signature, and business card.
How URL Ideas Are Scored
Every idea — and any URL you check — gets a score out of 100. A URL that looks like LinkedIn's default is capped at 40.
- 30 pts
Not a default URL
No random characters at the end.
- 15 pts
Clean characters
Only letters, numbers, and hyphens.
- 20 pts
Short
12 characters or fewer scores best; under 30 is good.
- 10 pts
No numbers
Numbers are hard to remember and look default.
- 10 pts
2-3 words
Easy to read and say out loud.
- 15 pts
Includes your name
Connects the URL to you.
How to Change Your LinkedIn Custom URL (Step-by-Step)
Follow these steps to customize your LinkedIn profile URL in under 2 minutes.
Step 1: Go to Your LinkedIn Profile
Log into LinkedIn and click your profile picture or ‘Me’ icon in the top navigation. Then click ‘View Profile’ to open your full profile page.
Step 2: Click 'Edit Public Profile & URL'
On the right side of your profile page (desktop), click ‘Edit public profile & URL’. On the mobile app, tap the three dots (…) on your profile to find it. This opens your public profile settings.
Step 3: Find the URL Section
In the right sidebar, you will see ‘Edit your custom URL’ with a pencil icon. Your current URL is displayed below it. Click the pencil icon to enter edit mode.
Step 4: Type Your Desired URL
Enter your preferred custom URL — use our optimizer above to find the best options. Use letters and numbers only (hyphens between words are fine), 3-100 characters, with no spaces or symbols.
Step 5: Check Availability & Save
LinkedIn will tell you if your chosen URL is taken. If it is, try the next idea on your list (add a middle initial, field, or city). Once it's accepted, click Save. Your new URL works right away.
Step 6: Update All Your Links
After changing your URL, update it everywhere: resume, email signature, business cards, personal website, other social media bios, and any printed materials. Links to your old URL may stop working.
LinkedIn URL Formatting Rules
LinkedIn has specific rules for custom URLs. Follow these to avoid errors.
Allowed
- Letters (a-z) — lowercase looks cleanest
- Numbers (0-9)
- Hyphens (-) between words
- 3 to 100 characters total
- Examples: johndoe, john-doe, john-m-doe
Not Allowed
- Spaces or underscores (_)
- Special characters (@, #, $, %, etc.)
- Periods, commas, or other punctuation
- Fewer than 3 characters
- A URL another member already uses
LinkedIn URL Naming Strategies
Your name is taken? Here are 8 strategies to create a professional alternative — our tool generates these for you.
- Best
First + Last Name (No Separator)
linkedin.com/in/johndoe
Great option if available. Clean, short, and professional.
- Best
First + Last Name (Hyphenated)
linkedin.com/in/john-doe
Just as good — slightly easier to read for longer names.
- Great
Add Middle Initial
linkedin.com/in/john-m-doe
Good differentiator for common names. Still looks natural.
- Good
Add Your Industry/Role
linkedin.com/in/johndoe-marketing
Tells people what you do. Great for common names.
- Decent
Add Your Location
linkedin.com/in/johndoe-nyc
Useful for location-specific industries and local businesses.
- Decent
Add a Credential
linkedin.com/in/johndoe-pmp
Shows certification in your URL. Good for credential-heavy fields.
- OK
First Initial + Last Name
linkedin.com/in/j-doe
Very short and clean. Works well for common first names.
- Temporary
Full Name + Graduation Year
linkedin.com/in/johndoe2026
Acceptable for new grads. Plan to change once established.
12 Places to Use Your LinkedIn Custom URL
Maximize your URL's value by placing it everywhere professionals will see it.
Resume Header
Add it right below your name and contact info
Email Signature
Link it as a clickable icon or text link
Business Cards
Print it alongside your phone and email
Personal Website
Add it to your contact page and footer
GitHub Profile
Add it to your GitHub bio for recruiter discovery
Social Bios
Cross-link your social presence
Speaker Profiles
Conference bios and speaker pages
Link-in-bio & Messaging
Add to your link-in-bio or messaging profiles
Portfolio / Behance
Link from your design or writing portfolio
University Profiles
Alumni directories and academic pages
Cover Letters
Include in the header or closing paragraph
Published Articles
Author bios on Medium, blogs, and publications
10 LinkedIn URL Mistakes to Avoid
These mistakes make your profile look unprofessional or hard to find.
Keeping the default random URL
Fix: Customize it with your name — it takes 2 minutes and is free
Using random numbers (johndoe123)
Fix: Use meaningful differentiators: middle initial, industry, or location
Making it too long
Fix: Keep it under 20 characters if possible. Shorter = more memorable
Using underscores or symbols
Fix: Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens — LinkedIn rejects symbols
Including your current company name
Fix: Companies change. Use your name for a timeless URL
Using ALL CAPS in shared links
Fix: LinkedIn URLs aren't case-sensitive — lowercase looks cleanest
Not updating links after changing URL
Fix: Old links may stop working. Update resume, email signature, and all profiles
Changing URL too frequently
Fix: LinkedIn allows only 5 changes in 180 days. Pick one and stick with it
Using nicknames or abbreviations
Fix: Use your professional name as it appears on your resume
Forgetting to set profile to public
Fix: A custom URL helps far less if your public profile is hidden
LinkedIn URL & Google SEO: How They Connect
Your LinkedIn URL affects how you appear in Google search results. Here's how to make the most of it.
- 01
Google Can Index Public LinkedIn Profiles
If your public profile is visible, LinkedIn profiles are often among the top results when someone Googles a name. A custom URL with your name makes the result instantly recognizable.
- 02
Your Name in the URL Helps Recognition
Google shows the URL in search results. A URL containing your name makes it obvious the result is you — and words in a URL can be a small relevance signal too.
- 03
Clean URLs Look More Trustworthy
A clean linkedin.com/in/yourname looks more professional in search results than a messy URL with random characters — which makes people more likely to click it.
- 04
Consistency Across Platforms Builds Recognition
Using the same name format in your LinkedIn URL, social handles, GitHub username, and personal domain creates a consistent identity that's easy to find and remember.
- 05
Links to Your LinkedIn Help People Find You
When your LinkedIn URL appears on other websites — your company page, publications, speaker bios — it gives people and search engines more paths to your profile.
YouTube Tutorials on LinkedIn URLs
Watch these quick tutorials to customize your LinkedIn URL in minutes.
- How to Customize Your LinkedIn URLChange your URL in under 2 minutes.
- LinkedIn Profile URL: Why It MattersWhat a custom URL does for your brand.
- LinkedIn Tips: Custom URL & BrandingPersonal branding basics.
- LinkedIn SEO: URL OptimizationHelp people find you on Google.
- Personal Branding on LinkedInBuild a consistent online identity.
- LinkedIn Profile Setup: Complete GuideSet up every section, including your URL.
Must-Read Articles on LinkedIn URLs
Expert guides on LinkedIn URL optimization and personal branding.
- LinkedIn Help: Customize your public profile URLLinkedIn's official instructions and rules.
- Indeed: LinkedIn URL Best PracticesHow job seekers should use their URL.
- HubSpot: How to Customize Your LinkedIn URLStep-by-step guide.
- Jobscan: LinkedIn Profile OptimizationThe complete profile guide.
- Search Engine Journal: LinkedIn SEOHelp your profile show up in search.
Pro Tips for LinkedIn URL Optimization
Use the same name format across ALL platforms — LinkedIn, GitHub, social media, personal site — for consistent personal branding
Custom URLs are first come, first served — if your name is free, claim it now even if you're not job hunting
Share your profile in person with LinkedIn's built-in QR code — tap the QR icon in the mobile app's search bar
After customizing, search your name on Google in a private window — your profile may take a few days to update
Do NOT change your URL right before a job application — old links on submitted resumes may stop working
If you have a PhD, MBA, or CPA, consider adding it to your URL only if it is central to your professional identity
Your LinkedIn URL is case-insensitive — linkedin.com/in/JohnDoe and linkedin.com/in/johndoe go to the same profile
Keep a list of where you've shared your LinkedIn URL so you can update every link if you ever change it
Name taken? Try the “Your field”, “City”, and “Credential” boxes in the tool for more options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a LinkedIn custom URL?
A LinkedIn custom URL (also called a vanity URL) replaces the default random-character URL (linkedin.com/in/john-doe-8a3b2c1d) with a clean, memorable link like linkedin.com/in/johndoe. It looks more professional on resumes, business cards, and email signatures, and is easier to find and share.
How do I change my LinkedIn URL?
Click Me → View profile, then click 'Edit public profile & URL' in the top right. Under 'Edit your custom URL', click the pencil icon next to your current URL. Type your desired custom URL and click Save. On the mobile app: tap your photo → View profile → the three dots → Edit public profile & URL.
Does a custom LinkedIn URL help with SEO?
It can help. LinkedIn profiles often appear when someone Googles a name, and a clean URL with your name is clearer in search results and easier to recognize than a random-character URL. Your headline, About section, and a public profile matter more for ranking, but a custom URL is a quick, free win.
What characters are allowed in a LinkedIn URL?
LinkedIn custom URLs can be 3-100 characters long and use letters and numbers — no spaces, symbols, or special characters. Hyphens between words are common and widely used. URLs aren't case-sensitive, so use lowercase.
What if my name is already taken as a LinkedIn URL?
Try variations: add your middle initial (john-m-doe), add your field (johndoe-marketing), add your city (johndoe-nyc), or add a credential (johndoe-pmp). Avoid random numbers like johndoe123 — they're hard to remember and can look like a default URL. Our tool generates and scores these options for you.
Can I change my LinkedIn URL more than once?
Yes, but LinkedIn limits how often: you can change your custom URL up to 5 times in a 180-day period. Pick one you'll be happy with long-term, because every change means updating your resume, email signature, and anywhere else you've shared the link.
Should I use my real name in my LinkedIn URL?
Yes, in most cases. Your real name is the most searchable and professional option. It helps people find you when they search your name, makes your profile easy to share verbally, and looks best on resumes and business cards.
What is the best format for a LinkedIn URL?
The best format is your first and last name — firstname-lastname or firstnamelastname, whichever is available and easier to read. If both are taken, add a middle initial or your field. Avoid numbers unless they are meaningful. Keep it as short and memorable as possible.
Where should I use my LinkedIn custom URL?
Add it to your resume header, email signature, business cards, personal website, portfolio, GitHub profile, social bios, speaker profiles, and conference badges. Our tool gives you ready-to-copy formats for your resume, email signature, and business card.
Does my LinkedIn URL appear on Google?
If your public profile is visible, Google can index it, and LinkedIn profiles often appear on page 1 for name searches. Make sure your public profile visibility is on (Edit public profile & URL → visibility settings).
Can I have different LinkedIn URLs for different languages?
No. LinkedIn allows only one custom URL per profile. However, your profile can be viewed in different languages if you set up profiles in other languages. The URL stays the same regardless of the language version viewed.
What happens to my old LinkedIn URL when I change it?
Links using your old URL may stop pointing to your profile, and the old URL may become available to other members. Update all places where you have shared your LinkedIn URL right after making a change.
Should I include my job title in my LinkedIn URL?
Generally no — job titles change. Use your name for a timeless URL. However, if you have a very common name, adding your field (johndoe-designer) can help differentiate you and is usually still relevant years later.
How long should my LinkedIn URL be?
As short as possible while remaining clear and professional. First + last name is ideal (often 10-15 characters). LinkedIn allows up to 100 characters, but URLs under 30 characters are much easier to remember, share, and type.
Is this LinkedIn URL optimizer tool free?
Yes, completely free with no login required. Generate scored URL ideas, check your current URL, get ready-to-use formats, and learn best practices — all at no cost. Sign in only if you want your work synced across devices.
Can the tool tell me if a URL is available?
No — and no tool can honestly promise that. LinkedIn doesn't let other websites check URL availability. Our tool ranks your best options; try your favourite first, and if LinkedIn says it's taken, use the next one on the list.
How are the URL ideas scored?
Out of 100: not a default-style URL (30 points), only clean characters (15), length — shorter is better (up to 20), no numbers (10), 2-3 words (up to 10), and includes your name (15). A URL that looks like LinkedIn's default is capped at 40.
My name has accents or an apostrophe. What should I do?
Use plain letters. Our tool converts accents and removes symbols automatically — for example, José O'Brien becomes jose-obrien. People can type that easily on any keyboard.
Ready to Optimize Your LinkedIn URL?
Scroll up and use our free Custom URL Optimizer to get scored URL ideas, check your current URL, and copy ready-made formats for your resume and email signature.