LinkedIn is a popular professional networking platform used by millions of people around the world. With a LinkedIn account, you can connect with other professionals, join industry groups, follow companies, and more. This allows you to build your professional brand, network, look for jobs, and stay up to date on industry news.
It’s common for people to wonder if they can share access to their LinkedIn account with someone else – for example, allowing an assistant, co-worker, or partner to manage your profile. The short answer is no, LinkedIn does not allow account sharing between users. LinkedIn’s Terms of Service prohibit sharing accounts or login credentials. However, there are some workarounds that may suit your needs.
Reasons You Might Want To Share Access
There are a few reasons why someone might want to provide account access to another person, such as:
Delegating LinkedIn Management
You might want to delegate managing your LinkedIn presence to an assistant, social media manager, or virtual assistant to save time. For example, they could handle connecting with new people, posting updates, joining groups, and messaging on your behalf.
Job Search Collaboration
If you are actively job hunting, you may want to collaborate with a partner, mentor, or career coach to optimize your LinkedIn profile and networking strategy.
Business Partnerships
Some business partnerships or teams want to share a company LinkedIn page. This allows multiple people to collectively manage content and engagement.
Overseas Work
If you need to work overseas for an extended time, you may want to authorize someone back home to manage your LinkedIn account while you are away.
Risks of Sharing Accounts
While it may seem convenient, sharing access to your LinkedIn account also comes with substantial risks, such as:
Security & Privacy Concerns
Giving others your login information compromises the security of your account. It also gives them access to your private messages and personal data.
Loss of Control
Once you’ve given someone your password, you’ve lost control over what they can do in your account. They could potentially change settings, send unwanted messages, or even lock you out.
Violates LinkedIn Terms
As mentioned earlier, sharing accounts goes against LinkedIn’s User Agreement. If discovered, LinkedIn may suspend or terminate your account.
Reputational Risks
If the person you’ve shared access with does anything inappropriate or unprofessional in your account, it can damage your reputation and relationships.
Legal Liability
You may be legally liable for anything that’s done in your account, even if it wasn’t you personally who did it.
LinkedIn Account Sharing Options
Instead of directly sharing login credentials, there are a few different options to collaborate on LinkedIn legally and safely:
LinkedIn Partners
LinkedIn Partners allows two accounts to be linked. Partners can endorse each other and share profile updates. However, each person still logs into their own account.
Company Pages
For business collaboration, create a Company LinkedIn Page. Multiple admins can be given access to post and engage as the company.
Showcase Pages
Company Showcase Pages also allow a group of employees to curate content under a brand name.
Manager Accounts
Some social media management platforms like Hootsuite offer “manager accounts” where you safely grant limited LinkedIn access.
Agency Services
Consider hiring a social media agency or virtual assistant to professionally manage your LinkedIn presence. Vet them thoroughly first.
Account Monitoring
Use LinkedIn’s account activity dashboard to monitor logins and stay updated on changes.
Content Collaboration
Have colleagues or assistants draft content in a shared document, then copy it over to your personal LinkedIn account.
Best Practices For Safely Collaborating
If you want to collaborate with others on LinkedIn, here are some best practices:
– Maintain separate accounts and do not share logins. Use LinkedIn’s partnership features instead.
– Thoroughly vet anyone who you allow to post or message on your behalf, such as an agency or virtual assistant. Review their work regularly.
– Use two-factor authentication for extra security on your account.
– Set up email alerts for suspicious activity detection.
– Remove any collaborators’ account access immediately if you part ways.
– Use LinkedIn’s Activity Dashboard to monitor logins and stay updated on changes.
– Draft content in a shared doc then have one person post it from their account.
– Give collaborators view-only access to your LinkedIn profile and activity using a social media manager tool. Do not provide your password.
– Designate only one person to connect with new professional contacts to avoid spamming.
– If managing a Company or Showcase Page, assign multiple admins so that work is distributed.
Pros of Having Separate Accounts
While sharing access may seem convenient, maintaining separate accounts comes with many advantages:
Full Control
With your own login, you have full control over your profile and account settings. You don’t have to worry about collaborators making unauthorized changes.
Increased Security
Separate accounts are much more secure. You don’t have to provide your password or compromise your account’s privacy settings.
Personal Branding
Your own LinkedIn presence allows you to build your unique personal brand and professional identity.
Networking Boundaries
You make all connections yourself and can network independently. Collaborators won’t spam your contacts.
Content Ownership
The content you post is clearly attributable to you. Your ideas and perspectives remain your own.
Compliance
Individual accounts prevent Terms of Service violations that could get your account suspended.
Avoids Legal Issues
With separate accounts, there is no ambiguity about who is accountable for any given activity.
Professionalism
Granting access for others to post and message on your behalf can appear lazy or inappropriate in a professional context.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn does not allow users to share the same account. This is to protect privacy and prevent misuse. The best approach is to keep separate accounts and utilize LinkedIn’s partnership features or Showcase Pages to collaborate professionally. If you need to delegate LinkedIn management, explore social media tools and managed services. But be very cautious sharing any direct login access to your account. Maintaining your own individual presence ensures you stay in control of your professional brand and identity.
| Pros of Separate Accounts | Cons of Sharing Access |
|---|---|
|
– Full control over profile & settings – Increased security – Build your personal brand – Network independently – Content ownership – Compliance with Terms – Avoids legal issues – Professionalism |
– Security & privacy risks – Loss of control – Violates Terms of Service – Reputational damage – Legal liability |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my LinkedIn login with my assistant?
No, you should not share your LinkedIn login credentials with anyone, including assistants. This violates LinkedIn’s Terms and compromises security.
Can my business partner and I share a LinkedIn account?
LinkedIn prohibits sharing the same account login between users. Even business partners should maintain separate accounts.
Is it OK for my social media manager to post on my LinkedIn account?
You should not give direct login access to anyone outside your company. However, social media managers can help draft content or provide input.
What if I want to collaborate on my LinkedIn activity?
Instead of sharing accounts, use LinkedIn’s partnership features. You can also draft content collaboratively in a shared doc then post individually.
Is there a way to safely grant LinkedIn access to an agency?
Some social media management platforms let you provide limited access without sharing passwords. Thoroughly vet any agency or assistant before granting any LinkedIn access.
Key Takeaways
– Sharing LinkedIn accounts is prohibited by LinkedIn’s Terms. Do not provide your password to anyone.
– Maintain separate accounts and use LinkedIn’s partnership features to collaborate professionally.
– Be very cautious granting any account access to assistants, agencies, or partners due to security risks.
– Drafting content collaboratively in shared docs then posting individually is safer than sharing logins.
– Monitor your account activity closely and remove any shared access immediately if you part ways with collaborators.