Can I create a test LinkedIn account?

Yes, it is possible to create a test LinkedIn account. LinkedIn allows users to create multiple accounts, which can be useful for testing out different profile setups or for managing multiple brands/businesses. Here are some key things to know about creating a test LinkedIn account:

Why create a test account?

There are a few main reasons people create test LinkedIn accounts:

• To experiment with different profile layouts or content strategies without impacting their real account
• To manage multiple brands or businesses by having separate LinkedIn pages for each
• To check how your profile appears to others and test out networking approaches
• To post job listings or access recruiting tools while keeping your personal account separate

Having a separate test account allows you to optimize your main profile while also testing out different ideas and approaches risk-free.

Is it allowed by LinkedIn?

Yes, LinkedIn’s User Agreement specifically permits the creation of multiple accounts:

“You can maintain separate LinkedIn accounts for personal and business use, or multiple business accounts, provided that the additional accounts adopt Materially different identities.”

So you can definitely create test accounts as long as they are used for legitimate purposes and don’t misrepresent yourself.

How to create a test LinkedIn account

If you want to set up a test account, here is the process:

Use a different email address

You’ll need to sign up for the test account with a new email address that hasn’t been associated with LinkedIn before. This allows both accounts to exist simultaneously.

Choose a different name

Come up with a different name for your test profile. This prevents any confusion between your real identity and the test account. You can use your first and middle name or a variation.

Build out a test identity

Populate the test profile with details for the fake identity: job title, education, skills, etc. Make it seem realistic. Use a different profile photo of yourself or a stock image.

Follow diferent people and companies

Have the test account follow different connections than your real profile. This further separates the two identities.

Engage with your network

Interact with your test connections by liking and commenting on updates. This makes the profile seem more active.

Turn off notifications

To avoid mix-ups, turn off email and push notifications for the test account in Settings. Check it manually when needed.

Things to keep in mind

Here are some important things to be aware of if maintaining multiple LinkedIn accounts:

• Don’t use test accounts to mislead others or misrepresent yourself.
• Keep the identities and connections of each account separate.
• Log out completely before switching between accounts.
• Monitor comments and interactions closely to avoid mix-ups.
• Consider turning off notifications for the test account.
• Check LinkedIn’s terms regularly for any updates on multiple accounts.

Following LinkedIn’s guidelines and being transparent that it’s a secondary account for testing purposes only will ensure there are no issues.

Pros of having a test account

There are many benefits to setting up a separate test LinkedIn profile:

• Test profile changes: Experiment with adding new sections, reorganizing content, using different profile templates, tweaking headlines, etc.
• Test content strategies: Try posting different types of content regularly to see what performs best.
• Build connections: Grow your network in a risk-free environment to evaluate networking approaches.
• Monitor brand pages: Manage multiple brand pages from separate accounts without mixing professional and personal identities.
• Access recruiter tools: Use recruiter features to post jobs and search candidates without cluttering your personal account.
• View profile anonymously: See exactly how your profile appears to others and adjust accordingly.

Having the freedom to test and optimize different aspects of your LinkedIn presence can be extremely valuable.

Cons of having a test account

However, there are also a few drawbacks to maintaining multiple LinkedIn accounts:

• It can be time-consuming to manage multiple accounts regularly.
• Comments or messages could be posted from the wrong account by mistake.
• Connection requests could accidentally be sent from the wrong profile.
• It may seem disingenuous if contacts realize you have multiple accounts.
• Building an entire separate network requires significant effort.
• You’ll need to log out and switch accounts to post from different profiles.
• Important notifications could be missed if turned off.

Juggling multiple accounts does take effort. But being cautious can help avoid any mix-ups or misunderstandings.

Steps to delete a LinkedIn test account

If you want to delete your LinkedIn test account, here is how to do it:

1. Click on the “Me” icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage and select “Settings & Privacy”.
2. On the Account tab, click “Close account” at the bottom.
3. Select the reason you are closing the account from the dropdown menu.
4. Enter your account password to confirm your identity.
5. Click the “Close Account” button.
6. LinkedIn will now begin permanently deleting your account. This can take up to 24 hours to complete.

Once you close the account, it can’t be reactivated. LinkedIn will remove your profile, connections, network activity, and groups. Some data may still appear in searches for a short time.

If you want to delete a secondary account while keeping your primary profile, follow these steps. This can help declutter your LinkedIn presence.

Conclusion

Having a separate test LinkedIn account can be extremely useful for optimizing your profile, testing content strategies, managing brands/businesses, and checking profile visibility anonymously.

It is permitted by LinkedIn as long as the accounts have clearly distinct identities and are not used to mislead others. However, managing multiple accounts does require vigilance to avoid mix-ups.

When ready, test accounts can be easily deleted while keeping your real profile intact. Creating a test account allows valuable profile experimentation without risking your primary LinkedIn presence.