Having a LinkedIn premium account comes with many benefits – expanded search filters, unlimited messages, professional learning courses, and more. One of the perks is the ability to showcase a “premium” badge on your profile. But should you enable this badge for all to see?
What is the LinkedIn premium badge?
The LinkedIn premium badge is a small icon that appears next to your name and photo on your profile when you have an active premium subscription. It visually signifies to others that you have a paid premium account.
The badge is silver with the word “premium” inside. It’s very subtle but does stand out next to non-premium profiles without the badge. You have the option to toggle it on or off in your account settings.
Pros of showing the LinkedIn premium badge
There are a few potential benefits to displaying your premium badge for others to see:
Shows you invest in professional development
Having a premium LinkedIn account signals that you’re investing in your career growth and professional brand. Premium memberships provide access to things like skill assessments, courses, and coaching – so the badge subtly conveys your commitment to continuous learning.
Displays higher engagement
Since premium members can send unlimited messages and view expanded profiles, the badge hints that you’re more engaged on LinkedIn compared to free users. This may make you appear more approachable and active in your industry’s community.
Strengthens credibility
Fair or not, the premium badge also lends a small amount of credibility. It shows you value LinkedIn enough to pay for premium features, so you may be viewed as more professional or knowledgeable compared to others without it.
Cons of showing the LinkedIn premium badge
On the other hand, there are also some potential drawbacks to having your premium badge enabled:
Comes across as bragging
The premium badge could be perceived as bragging or elitist. Some people may think you are showing it off to feel special or above non-paying members. This can rub certain people the wrong way.
Premium doesn’t equal skills
Having a premium account doesn’t actually reflect your real-world skills, experience, or expertise. So there’s a risk of misrepresenting your abilities or professional qualifications if that’s the only signal shown.
Reduced privacy
Displaying the badge makes it public knowledge that you have a paid account. For privacy reasons, some professionals may prefer keeping their LinkedIn membership type more private from their network.
Who should show their LinkedIn premium badge?
Whether to boldly display your premium badge comes down to personal preference and profession. Here are a few types who may want to consider leaving it on:
- Active job seekers – it can strengthen your professional brand
- Freelancers & consultants – presents you as credible
- Startup founders – conveys you are invested in LinkedIn for your company
- Recruiters or salespeople – signifies your LinkedIn power use for prospecting
- Thought leaders & influencers – shows engagement with your community
Who should hide their LinkedIn premium badge?
On the flip side, here are some examples where it may be better to keep your premium status private:
- More junior professionals – could be seen as undeserved or flaunting
- Technical experts – skills matter more than badges
- Corporate executives – maintaining professionalism
- Employees at non-tech companies – LinkedIn use may raise eyebrows
- Anyone wanting increased privacy
How to show or hide your premium badge
It only takes a few clicks to update your premium badge visibility settings:
- Click on “Me” and go to your profile
- Click “View profile”
- Go to the “Edit public profile & URL” section
- Toggle your premium badge on or off
- Click “Save”
Once updated, the change will apply across your LinkedIn profile and posts. Note that it may take up to 48 hours for the premium badge to disappear after you hide it.
The verdict on LinkedIn premium badges
Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preferences and career goals. Here are a few final pros and cons to consider:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Signals professional investment | Could be seen as pretentious |
| Conveys higher engagement | Skills still matter more than badges |
| Strengthens credibility | Reduces privacy around premium status |
Weighing it all, premium badge visibility is generally recommended for active LinkedIn users who want to strengthen their professional brand and network. Job seekers, thought leaders, recruiters, and freelancers tend to benefit the most.
Those who want increased privacy or feel it may conflict with their profession’s culture are likely better off keeping it hidden. There’s no universally right or wrong answer – do what feels best for your career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the premium badge make you look better?
The premium badge can make some people look more professional, credible, and engaged on LinkedIn to others in their network. However, it could backfire and be seen as pretentious depending on your industry and who is viewing your profile.
Is the LinkedIn premium badge worth it?
For most professionals, the benefits of LinkedIn Premium justify the cost, especially active job seekers and recruiters. But the premium badge specifically may or may not be worth displaying – weigh the pros and cons carefully.
Can you have a premium badge without premium?
No, the LinkedIn premium badge will only display on your profile if you have an active paid premium subscription. You cannot show the badge without paying for premium.
Does premium help get more profile views?
Yes, one of the benefits of LinkedIn Premium is increased profile visibility in search results, which leads to getting more profile views overall compared to free accounts.
Conclusion
Displaying your LinkedIn premium badge is a personal choice that depends on your career path and priorities. For some professionals, keeping it enabled can strengthen their brand and convey higher engagement. For others, hiding it is better to maintain privacy or avoid misperceptions. Consider your industry norms and goals to decide what’s best for you.