LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, with over 722 million members worldwide. As a professional networking site, LinkedIn encourages users to share details about their career histories, skills, education, accomplishments, and more. One piece of information that users can opt to display or keep private is their contact information. But should you share details like your email address, phone number, and mailing address on your LinkedIn profile? There are pros and cons to consider when deciding whether or not to make your contact information public on LinkedIn.
Pros of Sharing Contact Info on LinkedIn
Here are some potential benefits of making your contact details visible on your LinkedIn profile:
Allows People to Easily Reach Out and Connect
Displaying your contact info makes it simple for other LinkedIn members to get in touch with you directly. Rather than having to send an initial message through LinkedIn asking for your email or phone number, they can immediately contact you via the details provided. This facilitates networking, recruiting, sales prospects, and more.
Shows You Have Nothing to Hide
Posting your contact information suggests you are open, accessible, and transparent. You have no reason to conceal your email, phone number or address. This builds trust between you and other LinkedIn users.
Provides Credibility
Seeing your contact details can add legitimacy and authority to your profile. It shows you stand behind your identity, qualifications and experience listed on LinkedIn.
Increases Visibility
Your contact info makes you more visible and discoverable in LinkedIn search. Users can search for profiles specifically based on email address, phone number, location, and more.
Allows Direct Contact for Sales Prospecting
For sales professionals and recruiters, displaying contact details on your profile allows easy direct outreach to potential leads and candidates. They can message or call prospects instantly.
Cons of Sharing Contact Info on LinkedIn
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider before posting your personal contact information on your LinkedIn profile:
Risk of Spam
Unfortunately, making your email address or phone number public opens the possibility of receiving unsolicited communications. Spammers, cold callers, and other parties may scrape your info for marketing and outreach. This could mean more spam emails or sales calls.
Privacy and Security Concerns
Any information posted publicly online carries privacy and security risks. Contact details like an email address could potentially be leaked, sold, or used for nefarious purposes like hacking or identity theft phishing scams.
Inundated with Messages
A public phone number or email address on LinkedIn may lead to an overwhelming influx of messages. Recruiters, salespeople, marketers, and others may bombard you with emails, calls, and texts. This could become a nuisance.
Unwanted Solicitation
Some unscrupulous LinkedIn members may use contact information to constantly pitch business deals, job offers, investments, and other opportunities – wanted or not. This could become aggravating.
Loss of Control Over When and How You’re Contacted
Posting your details online relinquishes control over when, how, and why people reach out to you. They can instantly message or call you without a proper introduction or context.
Tips for Sharing Contact Info on LinkedIn
If you do opt to display some contact information on your LinkedIn profile, here are some best practices to follow:
Use a Dedicated LinkedIn Email Address
Rather than your primary personal or work email, create a separate public email just for LinkedIn connections and outreach. This contains potential spam to one place.
Only Share What is Necessary
You may not need to enter your phone number, mailing address, and email all in your profile. Perhaps an email or just a city and country location is sufficient. Only share details necessary for your purposes.
Use a Google Voice Number
Google Voice provides free virtual phone numbers that forward calls to your actual number. So you can display this public Google Voice number on LinkedIn rather than your private mobile number.
Screen Messages and Calls
Exercise caution responding to unsolicited outreach via the contact details on your profile. Always verify the sender and their intentions before engaging.
Update Settings Frequently
Periodically check your LinkedIn contact information visibility settings. You can toggle them on or off or change details anytime.
Who Should Share Contact Info on LinkedIn?
Here are some examples of LinkedIn users who may benefit most from displaying contact details publicly:
Job Seekers
Those actively searching for a new job can share their email or phone number so recruiters can easily reach them about opportunities.
Freelancers / Consultants
Self-employed professionals may choose to list contact info to have sales leads, potential new clients, and hiring managers connect with them directly.
Salespeople
Sales representatives can share details to engage leads, prospects, and existing customers right from their profile.
Executives / Leadership
Decision makers and senior leaders may want to be accessible for partnership, media, and other important inquiries.
Open Networkers
People focused on networking and expanding their professional contacts are likely to share their email and phone publicly.
Who Should Not Share Contact Info?
Here are some examples of LinkedIn users who may want to keep their contact information private:
Currently Employed / Content in Role
Those not actively job seeking often don’t need their details public. They can still be messaged through LinkedIn.
Concerned About Spam
Anyone worried about getting inundated with unsolicited emails, calls, and sales pitches may refrain from posting contact info.
Focused on Limited, Select Opportunities
Users only interested in hearing about certain roles or ventures may keep info private to be more selective about inbound inquiries.
Value Strong Work-Life Balance
People who want to maintain boundaries around when and how they can be reached likely won’t post contact details publicly.
In Public-Facing Roles or Industries
Figures who already have highly visible online presences – like politicians, celebrities, journalists – tend to closely guard contact info.
Closing Recommendations
Think Critically Before Posting
Take time to carefully weigh the pros and cons before making your contact information visible to all LinkedIn members. Consider your career status, priorities, preferences, and concerns.
Start Slowly
If unsure, take a gradual approach. Perhaps begin by displaying just your LinkedIn-dedicated email address and limit other details.
Customize Settings
Remember you can customize visibility settings – choose to display your info only to 1st-degree connections or 2nd-degree connections, for example.
In summary, the decision of whether or not to share contact details on your LinkedIn profile is a personal one with individual factors to consider on both sides. There are benefits like increased exposure and accessibility, but also potential downsides like spam and unwanted solicitation. Take the time to think through what’s best for your own preferences, career situation and goals. With 722 million users, LinkedIn is a valuable professional networking platform. But how you utilize your profile – including your contact information settings – depends on your specific needs.
