If you want to change the LinkedIn interface and content language, you can do so easily by updating your language settings.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of changing the display language on LinkedIn.
Why Change the Language on LinkedIn?
Here are some of the top reasons you may want to change the language on LinkedIn:
- To view LinkedIn in your native language if it’s not English. This will make navigating LinkedIn much easier.
- To view content posted by connections and companies in your preferred language. LinkedIn will automatically translate content to match your set language.
- To post your own content in your native language to reach connections speaking that language.
- To make your LinkedIn profile and activity information appear in the language you are most fluent and comfortable with.
- To standardize the language across your LinkedIn experience if you use multiple languages. Setting a primary language will display most things in that set language.
Whatever your reasons, LinkedIn makes it simple to customize the language to meet your needs.
How to Change the LinkedIn Interface Language
LinkedIn allows you to choose from over 30 different interface languages. Here are the steps to change your LinkedIn interface language:
- Log into your LinkedIn account on the desktop site.
- Click on your profile picture at the top right and select Settings & Privacy from the dropdown menu.
- On the Account preferences page, click on Language from the menu on the left.
- Under Site language, click on the dropdown menu and select your desired language.
- Click Save.
Once you have saved the settings, you will see LinkedIn reload in the new language. The interface text on your homepage, profile, news feed, jobs page, and all other sections will display in the selected language.
Considerations
- Only languages fully supported by LinkedIn will appear in the dropdown menu.
- Some parts like notifications may still appear in English initially until you refresh the page.
- Any changes you make to the interface language are only visible to you when logged into your account.
How to Change the LinkedIn Content Language
In addition to the main interface language, you can also configure LinkedIn to display content in a specific language. This will translate posts, articles, and profiles to your set language.
Follow these instructions to update your LinkedIn content language:
- Go to the Language settings section under Account preferences.
- Under Content language, click on the dropdown and choose your desired language.
- Check the box next to Automatically translate into this language.
- Click Save to confirm the new content language.
Once you save these settings, LinkedIn will automatically translate and display content in the configured language whenever possible.
Key Points
- Content language controls translation for posts, articles, and profile text.
- Check the box to always turn on auto-translation to your language.
- The original language will still be visible, with your language shown above it.
How to Add Additional Languages
You can also set additional languages on LinkedIn, beyond just your primary interface and content language. There are a couple ways to configure extra languages:
Adding Display Languages
Follow these steps to add secondary interface languages:
- Go to Language under Account preferences.
- Under Additional display languages, click Add language.
- Select any other languages you want displayed.
- Use the up and down arrows to arrange them in order of preference.
- Click Save.
Adding display languages will enable you to easily toggle between multiple interface languages from the dropdown menu.
Enabling Languages for Content Translation
To add more content translation options:
- Go to Language settings.
- Under Content translation languages, click Add language.
- Check the box next to all languages you want auto-translation for.
- Click Save.
This will automatically translate content into any languages you select.
How to Change Language on the LinkedIn Mobile App
You can also change the LinkedIn language on iOS and Android apps. Here’s how to update language on mobile:
On Android
- Open the LinkedIn app and tap your profile picture.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Language.
- Select your desired language.
- Press Done.
On iOS
- Open the LinkedIn app and tap your profile picture.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Language & Region.
- Select your desired language.
The LinkedIn app will change over to the new language. Make sure to completely close and restart the app if you don’t see the update.
How to Add Languages to Your LinkedIn Profile
To showcase your language skills on your LinkedIn profile:
- Go to your LinkedIn profile.
- Click Add profile section.
- Select Languages.
- Enter the languages you speak, along with your proficiency level.
- Click Save.
This displays your languages prominently on your profile for recruiters and connections to see.
Tips for Adding Languages
- List your strongest languages at the top.
- Include your native/first language(s).
- Only include languages you are conversational in.
- Accurately assess your proficiency level.
Highlighting your language skills is a great way to showcase your multilingual capabilities to your network.
The Benefits of Changing LinkedIn Language
Updating your LinkedIn language settings provides many advantages:
- Use LinkedIn comfortably in your native language.
- View all content on the LinkedIn platform in your preferred language.
- Post and share updates with your connections in the language of your choice.
- Showcase regional or cultural expertise by having a multilingual profile.
- Increase engagement and reach with your target audience by interacting in their language.
- Improve understanding and context by eliminating potential language barriers.
In today’s global business world, your ability to adapt cross-culturally is a huge asset. Optimizing your LinkedIn language settings is an easy way to demonstrate this value.
Potential Issues When Changing Language
While changing your LinkedIn language is straightforward, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Some parts of LinkedIn may still appear in English initially until you refresh.
- Occasional translation errors are possible when viewing translated content.
- Only supported languages will appear as options to choose from.
- Switching languages too frequently can create confusion.
Test out your language settings changes first to identify any potential display issues before publishing content or updating your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about changing LinkedIn language settings:
Does changing the LinkedIn language affect my connections?
No, any changes you make to language settings only apply to your account view. Your connections will still see LinkedIn in their own set language.
Can I change language on just the mobile app or website?
Yes, you can change the language specifically for the mobile app or website. The instructions above apply separately for app and desktop.
How many languages can I add to LinkedIn?
You can add as many additional languages as you want for both interface display and content translation. LinkedIn supports dozens of languages.
Does LinkedIn automatically detect my language?
No, you have to explicitly choose your LinkedIn language. It will default to English when you first create your account.
Can I reorder my additional display languages?
Yes, you can reorder your list of interface languages using the up/down arrows based on preference. The top language will display first.
Conclusion
Being able to adapt LinkedIn’s language opens up greater connectivity and engagement opportunities worldwide. By following the steps above, you can easily configure your personalized language settings.
Key takeaways:
- Change interface language under Site language in Settings.
- Set content language and auto-translation in Language settings.
- Add display and translation languages to enable more options.
- Update mobile language separately in the LinkedIn app.
Optimizing your language use on LinkedIn helps create a more global experience and inclusive professional community.
