LinkedIn verification is an important process for establishing credibility and trust on the platform. Verification proves that a LinkedIn profile belongs to the person or company it claims to represent. There are a few key things to know about how LinkedIn verification works and what the verified badges look like.
Who can get verified on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn allows verification for individual LinkedIn members and LinkedIn Company Pages. To get verified, you must prove you are the real person or business you claim to be on LinkedIn. The main types of profiles that can get verified are:
- Individual professionals
- Influencers, thought leaders, and public figures
- Businesses and organizations
LinkedIn has a strict verification process to confirm someone’s identity before awarding a verified badge. Individuals must prove their identity by submitting legal documentation like government IDs, while companies provide details like business licenses and corporate documents.
What do the different LinkedIn verified badges look like?
There are two main verification badges LinkedIn uses:
Blue verified badge
The blue verified badge on LinkedIn includes a blue checkmark icon next to the profile name. This verification badge is used to verify the identity of individual LinkedIn members. When you see the blue checkmark icon, it means LinkedIn has confirmed that the account belongs to the real person claiming the identity.
Gold verified badge
The gold verified badge is for Company Pages on LinkedIn. With a gold checkmark icon, this badge verifies the authenticity and official status of branded company profiles. It confirms that the business is real and the account is managed by the official company.
Where do you see the LinkedIn verification badges?
The verification badges appear in a few key places on LinkedIn:
- Next to the profile name at the top of an individual member’s profile
- Beside the Company Page name on branded organization profiles
- On profile previews when searching LinkedIn
- Next to profile names when sharing posts or articles
Wherever a profile name appears, the verification icon will display if LinkedIn has verified that account. This makes it easy to identify verified accounts at a glance.
Why get verified on LinkedIn?
There are a few key benefits to getting verified on LinkedIn:
- Increases credibility and authority
- Builds trust with your network and customers
- Helps prevent impersonation and fake accounts
- Lets people know your brand is real
- Stands out when networking and connecting
The verification badge is a sign of authenticity on LinkedIn. It indicates you are the real deal and not an impersonator or fake account. This lends more credibility to your profile and activities.
How to get verified on LinkedIn
LinkedIn has strict criteria for verifying accounts. Here is an overview of how to get verified:
Verify individual LinkedIn profiles
To verify an individual profile, you must:
- Be a real person with an accurate identity
- Be notable, influential, or a thought leader in your industry
- Have an optimized, complete LinkedIn profile
You can then request verification through your LinkedIn account settings. LinkedIn will ask for official documents like photo IDs, press links mentioning you, and other details to confirm your identity.
Verify LinkedIn Company Pages
To verify a Company Page, you must:
- Be an official representative of the company
- Have an optimized, complete Company Page
- Provide business documents like licenses, registration, articles of incorporation, etc.
You can request verification for your Company Page through the page admin settings. LinkedIn will ask for corporate documents and details to confirm it is an official company account.
LinkedIn verification requirements
To qualify for verification, LinkedIn has requirements both individuals and companies must meet. Some key verification requirements include:
For individual members:
- Your profile must be public, accurate, and complete
- You must provide legal documentation of identity like photo IDs
- You must have press, news, or web links that prove notability
- Your account must be in good standing without violations
For Company Pages:
- Your Page must be optimized with key details like services, products, and employee stats
- You must provide legal business documentation
- Your account must be in good standing without violations
Meeting these requirements proves you are who you say you are on LinkedIn.
How long does LinkedIn verification take?
The verification process usually takes a few weeks after submitting a request. First, LinkedIn will review your documentation and profile to confirm you meet the requirements. If approved, you will receive the verification badge on your profile.
Verification times can take longer if you need to provide additional documents or your profile needs optimization. LinkedIn aims to complete verification within 30 days but may take up to 60 in some cases.
Can you lose your LinkedIn verification?
Yes, it is possible to lose your verification badge if you violate LinkedIn’s policies or no longer meet the verification requirements. For example:
- Having an incomplete or inaccurate profile
- Violating community guidelines or Terms of Service
- Sharing prohibited content like spam or scams
- Purchasing followers or artificial engagement
- Purchasing an account that was previously verified
Maintaining your eligibility for verification is key to retaining your badge. Verification may also be revoked if you can no longer substantiate your identity.
Key takeaways
Here are some key points to remember about LinkedIn verification:
- The blue checkmark verifies real individuals; the gold checkmark is for official Company Pages
- Verification badges appear next to profile names and in search results
- Verification increases credibility and prevents impersonation risks
- Strict requirements must be met to qualify for verification
- The approval process typically takes a few weeks after submitting a request
- Verified status can be revoked for violations of LinkedIn policies
Verification is intended for real professionals, thought leaders, brands and organizations on LinkedIn. The checkmark icon helps build trust and showcase authenticity across the platform.
| Type of Profile | Verification Badge Color |
|---|---|
| Individual member | Blue |
| Company Page | Gold |
This table summarizes the two main types of verification badges used on LinkedIn and the associated colors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request LinkedIn verification?
You can request verification through your account settings. Click your profile photo > Settings & Privacy > Request verification. LinkedIn will then guide you through providing the required documentation.
Can anyone get a LinkedIn verification badge?
No, LinkedIn has strict eligibility criteria. You must prove you are a real public figure, thought leader, business, or organization. Fake or anonymous accounts cannot be verified.
Is a verification badge required for a Company Page?
No, verification is optional for Company Pages. It helps prove authenticity but is not mandatory. Many reputable companies have Pages without verification badges.
Can I buy or transfer a verification badge?
No, verification badges cannot be purchased or transferred between accounts. LinkedIn conducts a thorough review process for each account receiving verification.
How much does LinkedIn verification cost?
LinkedIn verification is free. There are no fees or costs associated with getting your profile or Company Page verified by LinkedIn.
Conclusion
LinkedIn verification badges are the mark of authenticity and trust. The unique requirements and thorough review process ensures verified profiles are credible representations of real brands, professionals, and thought leaders on LinkedIn. The blue and gold checkmark icons offer valuable visual confirmation that profiles are legitimate and official.
