Adding a link to a LinkedIn message allows you to share websites and online content with your connections. LinkedIn messages with links tend to get more engagement as they provide valuable resources. There are a couple easy ways to include a link when composing a LinkedIn message.
Paste the Link Directly Into the Message
The simplest way to add a link to a LinkedIn message is to paste the full URL directly into your message text. For example, if you want to share a relevant article from a company’s blog, you can copy and paste the article’s URL into your message. LinkedIn will automatically convert the pasted URL into a clickable link.
Here are the steps:
- Copy the URL of the website or content you want to share
- Compose your LinkedIn message in the messaging window
- Paste the copied URL into the message text
- Finish composing your message and click send
The pasted URL will become an active hyperlink that the recipient can click on to visit the website. This is the fastest and easiest option for including a link.
Use the Add Link Icon in the Message Window
Another way to add a link to a LinkedIn message is by using the add link icon in the message window. Here are the steps:
- Compose your message in the messaging window
- Click on the add link icon (it looks like interlocking rings)
- A window will pop up where you can paste in a URL to create a linked text
- Paste the desired URL into the URL field
- Type the text you want to display as the clickable link in the Text field
- Click Add to insert the link into your message
- Finish composing your message and click send
This method allows you to customize the visible linked text that the recipient sees. For example, instead of pasting a long URL, you can input “Click here” as the text to create a cleaner looking link.
Check That Your Link Formatted Correctly
After inserting a link in your LinkedIn message, double check that it formatted correctly before sending. The URL should be converted to a clickable hyperlink. If it did not format properly, try removing the link and adding it again.
Here are some common issues to look for:
- Make sure the full URL pasted correctly with no typos
- The hyperlink text should be concise and descriptive
- The link should be working and clickable
- If adding multiple links, they should be spaced apart
Taking a quick second to verify the link formatted correctly will ensure your recipient can access the content you want to share with them.
Additional Tips for Adding Links in LinkedIn Messages
Here are some additional tips and best practices to keep in mind when adding links to LinkedIn messages:
- Use links sparingly and make sure they are relevant to your message – Do not overcrowd your messages with too many links
- Hyperlink text should be concise, such as “article” or “website” – Avoid long phrases or sentences as hyperlinked text
- Add context before or after the link to summarize what it is – Give the recipient insight into what they will find in the linked content to pique their interest
- Test that the links work from the recipient’s perspective before sending – This ensures the content is accessible
- Use LinkedIn’s URL shortener under the add link icon to shorten long links – This creates a neater message
- Enable link previews if available to display a preview thumbnail – This gives the recipient a preview of the content
Conclusion
Adding links within LinkedIn messages is easy to do and a great way to share supplemental content that enriches your messages. By directly pasting URLs or using LinkedIn’s add link icon, you can insert clickable links that recipients can access with one click. Following best practices for hyperlink text and testing links before sending will ensure an optimal experience. Well-placed links to quality content make messages more valuable and engaging.
| Link Type | Example Use Cases |
|---|---|
| Blog article or post | Share a relevant article about your industry or role |
| Research study or whitepaper | Provide data and insights from a detailed report |
| How-to guide or tutorial | Helpful resources to explain a concept or process |
| Job posting or event listing | Share openings or events at your company |
| Website or landing page | Drive traffic to your site or campaign pages |
As shown in the table above, links allow you to connect your messages to all types of external content, from blog articles to job postings and more. The key is to ensure the links provide value to the recipient and relate back to the overall message.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add links to LinkedIn messages on mobile?
Yes, the process for adding links to LinkedIn messages is the same on mobile devices. You can paste URLs directly into your message text or use the add link icon in the messaging window. LinkedIn’s iOS and Android apps fully support adding hyperlinks.
Do links count towards the character limit in messages?
No, the character count for messages only includes the regular text, not any embedded hyperlinks. However, it is still best practice to keep your overall message concise even when adding links.
Can I add images and videos to LinkedIn messages?
Unfortunately you cannot embed images, videos, or other multimedia directly in LinkedIn messages. The only content you can include are hypertext links to websites, articles, and documents. To share images, you would need to include a link to view the image file.
Are there any restrictions on links I can include in messages?
LinkedIn does moderate message content including links. Typically links to harmful, illegal, or malicious content would be blocked. Advertising links or mass messages with many links may be restricted. As long as you share legitimate links relevant to your recipients, there should be no issues.
Can I add tracking parameters to my links?
Yes, you can add UTM tracking codes or other URL parameters to LinkedIn message links. This allows you to track clicks and traffic in Google Analytics or other analytics platforms to monitor engagement.
Message Template Examples
Here are some sample LinkedIn message templates with links:
Sharing a Helpful Article
Hi [name], I came across this [article on increasing manufacturing efficiency] that I thought could be helpful for you. As a leader in [industry], I think you’ll find the insights useful. Let me know if it gives you any ideas! [Link to article]
Connecting on an Event
Hi [name], I really enjoyed connecting at [event name] last week. As discussed, here is the [link to whitepaper] that provides in-depth analysis of [key topic]. Let’s keep the conversation going!
Introducing a New Service
Hi [name], I wanted to share exciting news! We just launched [new service] to help clients improve [key metric]. Check out the [website link] to learn more and let me know if you would like a personal demo. I think this could be a gamechanger for your company!
Adding Value with Links
Links provide value in messages by:
- Allowing you to share more content than just text
- Directing recipients to helpful resources and relevant sites
- Boosting engagement as recipients click through links
- Tracking how many people clicked to gauge interest and relevancy
Quality links demonstrate knowledge, thought leadership, and insights. But low-value links can damage your brand and relationship with recipients. Follow best practices when including links in messages.
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Include links relevant to the recipient | Spam or mass message links |
| Summarize what the link is about | Just include standalone links with no context |
| Use brief, descriptive text for the hyperlink | Have extremely long hyperlink text |
| Test links work before sending | Include broken or inactive links |
| Send valuable resources and insights | Overuse links or include too many |
Being thoughtful and selective with the links you include will ensure your recipients have a positive experience. Over time, they will look forward to the insightful content you regularly share via links.
Troubleshooting Issues
Link Not Formatting Properly
If your links aren’t formatting correctly in messages, try the following:
- Make sure the full URL is pasted without any typos
- Remove the link and try adding it again from scratch
- Switch from pasting the URL to using the add link icon instead
- Use LinkedIn’s URL shortener if the original URL is very long
- Restart the LinkedIn app or webpage to refresh the messaging window
9 times out of 10, the issues is either a typo in the pasted URL or needs to be removed and re-added. Using LinkedIn’s built-in tools for adding/shortening links can also help.
Link Directs to Wrong Place
If your links go to the wrong webpage, it likely means the original URL copied was incorrect. Double check that:
- The URL copied goes directly to the intended webpage
- There are no extra parameters or tracking codes on the URL
- You did not mistype anything when pasting into LinkedIn
Copying the URL straight from your browser’s address bar is the most reliable approach to ensure accuracy.
Link Was Blocked or Disabled
In some cases, LinkedIn may block or disable links in messages if they violate community guidelines or seem suspicious. This can happen if:
- The link is considered harmful or malicious
- The link points to inappropriate or explicit content
- You are mass spamming many recipients with the same link
- The link uses a URL shortener or redirect to hide the true destination
To avoid issues, only include legitimate links from reputable sites relevant to your recipients. If a link was incorrectly blocked, you can contact LinkedIn support.
Message Success Metrics
You can use these metrics to measure the success of LinkedIn messages with links:
- Click-through rate – Percentage of recipients who clicked on the link in your message
- Traffic driven – Volume of visitors who came to your site from the LinkedIn message
- Conversions – Sign-ups, purchases, or other goals achieved by those who clicked
- Engagement – Comments, likes, shares, and overall interaction with the message
Analyze these metrics over time to fine-tune your messaging strategy and increase engagement.
| Metric | Benchmark | How to Improve |
|---|---|---|
| Click-through rate | 5-10% is good | More relevant links, better copy |
| Traffic driven | Varies widely by industry | Focus on high-quality connections |
| Conversions | Varies based on type of link | Target recipients, compelling offers |
| Engagement | 10-20% is good | Provide value, encourage sharing |
Benchmarks vary widely by factor like industry and link type, but aiming for continuous improvement is key. Study top performers in your field as well.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key tips to effectively use links in LinkedIn messages:
- Paste URLs directly into messages or use the add link icon
- Customize hyperlink text using descriptive phrases
- Test all links before sending to ensure they work
- Craft contextual messages around the links you share
- Limit links to the most relevant, valuable resources
- Use UTM parameters to track performance
- Follow up with recipients to ask for feedback
Adding great links provides immense value but low-quality links can damage your brand. Be thoughtful and strategic with each link to maximize engagement and strengthen connections.