How do I rename my LinkedIn username?

Changing your LinkedIn username is a simple process that allows you to update your profile and URL to better represent your professional brand. With a customized LinkedIn URL, you can promote your profile and make it easier for others to find and connect with you on LinkedIn.

Why Would You Want to Change Your LinkedIn Username?

There are a few common reasons why you may want to change your LinkedIn username:

• Your current username is unprofessional or embarrassing
• Your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, etc.
• You want to create a personalized URL that’s easier to remember and share
• Your current username makes it difficult for people to find you
• You have a new professional brand or nickname you want to use

In most cases, changing your LinkedIn username allows you to present a more professional image and makes it simpler for your network to locate your profile and connect with you.

LinkedIn Username Requirements

Before changing your username, it’s important to be aware of LinkedIn’s requirements:

• Usernames must be between 5–30 characters
• Usernames can only contain alphanumeric characters (letters A–Z and numbers 0–9) as well as periods, dashes, and underscores
• Usernames are case insensitive (capitalization does not matter)
• Usernames must be unique (not already in use by another member)

Knowing these rules will help you pick a new username that meets LinkedIn’s criteria. It’s also a good idea to check username availability before finalizing your selection.

How to Change Your LinkedIn Username

Changing your LinkedIn username is easy and can be done in a few quick steps:

1. Login to your LinkedIn account and go to your profile page.
2. Click “View profile” to edit your profile.
3. Under your name, click the pencil icon next to your current public profile URL.
4. Type your new desired username in the field and click “Set Custom URL.”
5. If your new username is available, LinkedIn will update your public profile URL. If not, you’ll have to choose a different username.
6. Click “Save” to finish updating your profile URL.

It may take up to 24 hours for your new public profile URL to update across LinkedIn. You can double check by logging out of your account and searching for your profile using the new URL.

What Happens When You Change Your Username

Here’s what you need to know about how changing your LinkedIn username affects your profile:

• Your profile URL will be updated to reflect your new username.
• Previous URLs pointing to your profile will redirect to your new URL.
• Connections will not be notified or required to re-accept invitations after you change your username.
• You will retain all of your existing connections and network.
• Your profile will still appear correctly in Google search results.
• Old links to your profile on the internet may break or show 404 errors until search engines recrawl them. This can take a few weeks to fully update.

In most cases, changing your username will not disrupt your existing LinkedIn presence or connections. However, it’s a good idea to check that your profile is updating properly after making the change.

Best Practices for Your New LinkedIn Username

To get the most out of your new LinkedIn username, keep these tips in mind:

• Use your first and last name so you are easy to find.
• Incorporate industry keywords like “engineer,” “marketer,” etc.
• Add your location like a city or state to stand out in searches.
• Use consistent versions of your name across your professional profiles and websites.
• Check for username availability before finalizing your selection.
• Use dashes, dots or underscores to separate words if needed.
• Avoid obscure abbreviations and inside jokes.
• Make it memorable and on-brand for your professional identity.

An optimized LinkedIn username makes it easier for co-workers, recruiters, potential clients and other network contacts to locate your profile and learn about your professional background.

How Often Can You Change Your LinkedIn Username?

LinkedIn allows you to change your public profile URL as often as you want. However, there are a few caveats:

• You can only switch to a new username once every 30 days.
• Your current username becomes unavailable for one year after changing it.
• Frequently changing your username can confuse your network and impact SEO.

In general, you should not need to change your username more than once a year. Choose your new username carefully, as it will represent your professional brand both on and off LinkedIn.

What to Do If Your Preferred Username is Unavailable

If the username you want is already taken, here are some tips to try:

• Add your middle initial or name to make it unique.
• Use a slightly different version like your full middle name or abbreviations.
• Add your graduation year or birthday as numbers.
• Use a customized version with dots, dashes or underscores.
• Add your industry or job title.
• Incorporate your company name or initials.
• Try a geographic location instead of your name.

Getting creative with variations can help you find an available alternative to your first choice. You can also set up email alerts for when a specific username becomes available in the future.

Conclusion

Renaming your LinkedIn username is simple and can help optimize your professional brand and online presence. When changing your URL, be sure to pick something representative of your identity that aligns with your broader career goals. Avoid changing it too frequently, and be creative if your first choice isn’t available. With a customized profile link, you can share your LinkedIn profile with pride and make it easy for the right connections to find you.