Having a LinkedIn icon can be very beneficial for establishing your professional brand online. The LinkedIn icon is easily recognizable and allows people to quickly identify your LinkedIn profile. In this article, we’ll walk through the different ways you can get a LinkedIn icon to use on your website, social media profiles, resume, business cards, and more.
Using the LinkedIn Avatar
The easiest way to get a LinkedIn icon is to use the profile photo from your LinkedIn account. This is called your LinkedIn avatar. Here’s how to find and download your LinkedIn avatar:
- Go to your LinkedIn profile
- Click on your profile photo in the top right corner
- In the pop-up window, click “Save to Profile”
- Right click on your profile photo and choose “Save image as…”
- Save the image file to your computer
Your LinkedIn avatar is a square cropped version of your profile photo. It has a white background and displays well at small sizes, making it perfect to use as a LinkedIn icon. Once you’ve downloaded your avatar, you can upload it anywhere you want to display your LinkedIn link.
Creating a Custom LinkedIn Icon
If you want something more than just your profile photo, you can create a custom LinkedIn icon. Here are some tips for making one:
- Use an icon or vector creator like Canva to make your icon. This allows you to start with a LinkedIn logo template.
- Incorporate your photo into the icon design if you wish.
- Stick to simple, recognizable shapes like circles or squares.
- Use the official LinkedIn brand blue color #0077B5 so it’s identifiable.
- Keep the file size small (under 100KB) so it loads quickly online.
- Export the file as PNG for the best quality.
With an icon creator, you can make something as simple as your initials on a blue background or get more creative with shapes and graphics. Just ensure it’s clearly identifiable as a LinkedIn icon.
Where to Get a Free LinkedIn Icon
Don’t want to make your own icon? You can find free LinkedIn icons to use online. Here are some sources:
- LinkedIn’s Brand Asset Library – Download official icons in different styles.
- Iconfinder – Search for free LinkedIn icons to use.
- Flaticon – Tons of free vector icons including LinkedIn.
- Freepik – Download free LinkedIn icons in various formats.
When using a free icon, be sure to check the license type. Some require attribution while others can be used commercially. Pay attention to the file format too – PNGs are best for digital use.
Using the LinkedIn Icon on Your Website
Once you’ve got your LinkedIn icon, it’s time to display it on your website. Here are some tips:
- Place the icon in your website’s header or footer so it’s visible on every page.
- Include the icon alongside your other social media links like Twitter and Facebook.
- Make the icon clickable, linking to your LinkedIn profile page.
- Use HTML to add the icon. For example:
<a href="your profile link"> <img src="your icon file path" alt="LinkedIn Icon"> </a>
- Set icon dimensions to be 16×16 pixels up to 32×32 pixels for best quality.
Having a LinkedIn icon on your website lets visitors connect with you on LinkedIn without leaving your site.
Displaying the Icon on Social Media
In addition to your website, you can display your LinkedIn icon on your social media profiles. Here’s how:
- Twitter – Upload icon as your profile photo. hyperlink to your profile.
- Facebook – Add icon to the photos section of your profile.
- Instagram – Use icon sticker in Stories linking to your profile.
- YouTube – Add icon overlay to video thumbnails.
- Pinterest – Upload icon pin linking to your LinkedIn.
Using your icon as your profile picture or adding it to your bio makes it easy for anyone viewing your social media to connect with you on LinkedIn.
Ways to Use Your LinkedIn Icon Offline
There are also many offline uses for your LinkedIn icon:
- Business cards – Add icon next to your name.
- Resumes – Include hyperlinked icon in your contact section.
- Name badges for events – Display icon on your event name badge.
- Presentation slides – Hyperlink icon to your profile on the footer of slides.
- Print marketing materials – Icon in brochures, flyers, ads.
- Signatures – Insert icon hotlinked to your profile in your email signature.
Wherever you are sharing your professional credentials offline, include your LinkedIn icon to drive connections.
Icon Size and Placement Best Practices
To ensure your LinkedIn icon looks crisp and polished, follow these best practices:
- For profile photos, use an icon sized 400×400 pixels.
- Optimal digital icon size is 32×32 pixels or 16×16 pixels.
- Print icons should be approximately 1 inch in size if possible.
- Icons look best on solid color backgrounds.
- Place icons in consistent locations like navigation menus.
- Ensure there is sufficient contrast between icon color and background.
Properly sizing your LinkedIn icon and placing it appropriately strengthens its branding impact.
Should My LinkedIn Icon Match My Other Icons?
Consistency is key for strong branding. If you are already using other social media icons, create your LinkedIn icon in the same visual style. For example:
- Use the same shape like round or square.
- Match the same color palette.
- Incorporate a similar graphic style.
- Keep all icons close to the same file size for unity.
- Align icons consistently on websites and profiles.
Having a cohesive set of icons makes your personal brand instantly recognizable.
Tips for a Strong LinkedIn Icon
Follow these tips for making the most effective LinkedIn icon:
- Stick to the LinkedIn brand color palette with their blue as the dominant color.
- Make sure the LinkedIn “in” logo is clearly visible within the icon.
- Keep it simple rather than trying to cram too much in.
- Use shapes like circles and squares that render cleanly at small sizes.
- Optimize backgrounds to ensure good contrast with the icon.
- Export file as a PNG for best digital quality.
Your icon doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on simplicity, recognizability, and consistency.
Common LinkedIn Icon Mistakes to Avoid
When designing your LinkedIn icon, steer clear of these common mistakes:
- Using colors other than LinkedIn’s official palette – stick to their blue!
- Making the file size too large – keep it under 100KB.
- Exporting as JPG instead of PNG – PNG maintains transparency.
- Including too many design elements – simple is better.
- Not linking the icon to your LinkedIn profile.
- Placing the icon on backgrounds lacking contrast.
- Using the wrong brand font or lettering.
Proofread all icon details before publishing to ensure optimal quality and branding.
Conclusion
Adding a LinkedIn icon to your online and offline personal branding is a great way to demonstrate your professionalism and connect with more LinkedIn contacts. With an instantly recognizable icon that links to your profile, you make it simple for people to find and connect with you on LinkedIn. Just be sure to follow best practices for icon size, design, linking, and placement to maximize its impact.
So don’t leave your LinkedIn profile stranded all alone. Get yourself a polished LinkedIn icon and watch the connections start pouring in!