LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, with over 850 million members worldwide. Having an optimized LinkedIn profile, especially a compelling headline, is crucial for standing out and getting noticed by recruiters and potential connections. But with limited real estate to make an impact, it’s important to craft your headline strategically to highlight your value proposition concisely. So what is the recommended character count for LinkedIn titles to maximize their effectiveness?
The 60 Character Limit
LinkedIn officially allows for 120 characters in the headline field when you’re editing your profile. However, on the homepage and in search results, LinkedIn displays only the first 60 characters, followed by an ellipsis if your headline exceeds that.
Therefore, the recommended limit is 60 characters to ensure your entire headline is displayed prominently everywhere on LinkedIn without getting cut off. This enables readers to immediately grasp what you want to convey.
Why 60 Characters is Ideal
Here are some key reasons why crafting a 60 character (or shorter) headline is advised:
Improves Visibility
Succinct titles are more eye-catching in crowded news feeds and search results. LinkedIn members tend to ignore overly lengthy headlines that come across as stuffy. 60 characters force you to pare down your profile summary to what matters most.
Drives Engagement
Short, scannable headlines pique interest and get more profile views and connection requests. People want to know more about who you are and what you do after reading your intriguing headline.
Reflects Today’s Short Attention Spans
In an age of information overload, people skim rather than read. You only have a brief window to grab attention on social media. The shorter your headline, the greater its stop power.
Matches Other Platform Best Practices
Many other social networks limit titles to very short lengths. For instance, Twitter only allows 70 characters for tweets, compelling you to be succinct. LinkedIn’s 60 character guideline aligns with wider social media trends.
Crafting a Strong 60 Character LinkedIn Headline
Here are some tips for crafting a compelling 60 character (or shorter) LinkedIn headline:
Lead with Your Key Differentiator
What makes you stand out? Lead with your most important credential, achievement or skill. For example: Olympic Gold Medalist, Seven-Time NYT Bestselling Author, Senior Product Marketing Manager.
Convey Your Value Proposition
Communicate what problems you solve or value you add. For instance: Helping Startups Launch Successful Marketing Campaigns, Architecting Scalable Cloud Solutions.
Leverage Power Words
Use strong action verbs that convey leadership, expertise and potential. For example: Transforming, Revitalizing, Strategizing, Mastering.
Avoid Filler Words
Cut any fluff. Omit common filler terms like “passionate”, “results-driven”, “dynamic”. Let your headline specifics speak for themselves.
Be Authentic
Reflect your true professional identity vs. forcing a clever turn of phrase. You want to attract the right opportunities aligned with your experience.
Examples of Strong 60 Character LinkedIn Headlines
Here are some real examples of excellent 60 character LinkedIn titles:
Olympic Gold Medalist Turned Youth Athletics Coach
This headline immediately establishes credibility and expertise, letting the reader know how this person is uniquely qualified to coach youth athletes after an esteemed Olympic career.
Product Design Leader Solving Big Challenges
This uses power words like “leader” and “solving” to convey professional leadership and the ability to resolve key problems.
Award-Winning Marketing Strategist | Storyteller
In just 46 characters, this headline communicates proven marketing expertise and thought leadership.
Versatile Communications Pro | Journalist ⟶ Corporate ⟶ Nonprofit
The arrow icons creatively convey a varied background across sectors while keeping the headline compact.
Global C-Suite Advisor | Leading Digital Transformations
This quickly establishes elite executive experience driving digital change. The appeal is broadened by stating “Global” rather than limiting to a certain industry.
When to Use More Than 60 Characters
While 60 characters is recommended, there are certain cases where using closer to the 120 character limit may be beneficial:
If You Have Multiple Areas of Expertise
For those with diverse skill sets, utilizing more characters can better capture your multifaceted capabilities. Just take care not to cram too much in.
If Your Job Title is Very Long
Some formal job titles can take up 50+ characters alone, so using more of the 120 space may be needed to incorporate additional descriptive details.
If You are Making a Career Change
Those pivoting into a new role may require additional context to explain and justify the move in their headline. But be as concise as possible.
When Targeting Specific Audiences
Sometimes it pays to be very niche and direct if your goal is attracting certain readers. This may warrant extra characters to clearly convey specialties.
Tips for Longer LinkedIn Headlines
If you do opt for a longer 120 character LinkedIn headline, some tips are:
Lead With Key Details
Still start with the most important info like your current position and industry. Burying these late risks key people overlooking them.
Use Clear Separators
Add symbols like | or – to divide up different portions of your headline and improve scannability.
Seek Concise Phrasing
Avoid unneeded filler words. Get straight to the point. Every character counts, so make them all work toward your goals.
Proofread for Needed Pruning
Edit down redundant or unnecessary phrasing. Remove generic embellishments that dilute your message.
Test Different Versions
Experiment with slightly shorter or longer versions to see which generates the best engagement and connections. Refine based on results.
Conclusion
In summary, while LinkedIn allows up to 120 characters in headline fields, the recommended best practice is crafting a compelling title using 60 characters or less. This helps ensure your entire headline is displayed prominently everywhere to maximize impact. A tight 60 characters forces you to highlight your greatest value and accomplishments. However, in certain cases using closer to the 120 character maximum can work well, especially if you have multiple areas of expertise or a lengthy job title. The key is being as concise as possible while conveying what makes you unique. With a strategically crafted, short and catchy headline, you can attract more profile views, connections and opportunities.
