This is a common question for those who share a LinkedIn account with a spouse or colleague. The short answer is yes, two people can use the same LinkedIn account at the same time, but there are some important caveats.
The basics of shared LinkedIn accounts
LinkedIn allows multiple users to share the same account. This can be useful for spouses who work together, job seekers sharing an account with a career coach, or colleagues managing a company page.
To set up a shared account, the primary account holder simply needs to add the other person as an “additional user” under account settings. Both users will then have full access to the same inbox, connections, profile, and all other account features.
Limitations of simultaneous use
While LinkedIn does allow account sharing, there are some limitations to keep in mind:
- Only one user can be logged in to the account at the same time. If the other person tries to log in, the first user will be automatically logged out.
- You may not see real-time notifications or updates from the other user right away. There can be a lag before notifications sync across shared accounts.
- If both users try to edit the profile or make conflicting changes, it can create confusion and overlap.
Best practices for shared account use
To make dual access work smoothly, the users of a shared LinkedIn account should follow a few best practices:
- Communicate with each other when you plan to log in and out of the account. A quick Slack message or text can avoid overlaps.
- Stick to a schedule if possible, with each user having set times they plan to use the account.
- Clarify who is responsible for checking notifications and messages. Don’t assume the other user has seen something.
- Discuss any major changes you plan to make to the profile or settings before making them.
- Respect the other user’s connections and relationships. Don’t reach out to someone without their knowledge.
Managing a shared LinkedIn account
To help manage a shared LinkedIn account, here are some additional tips:
Customize your experience
LinkedIn allows each shared account user to customize their feed, language settings, ads, and more. Take advantage of this to personalize your view.
Use different photos
The account can only have one profile photo at a time. But you can periodically swap out the photo to represent whoever is actively using and managing the account at the moment.
Create a shared calendar
Use a Google calendar or Excel sheet to track who has ownership of the account on which days and times. This helps avoid conflicts.
Use status updates
When you log in, post a status update saying something like “Steve is now managing this account” so your connections understand who they’re interacting with.
Enable login notifications
Under account settings, turn on notifications for when the account is accessed. This lets you track logins and logouts.
Pros of sharing a LinkedIn account
While sharing a LinkedIn account takes coordination, there are some potential benefits:
- Cost savings from having only one Premium subscription
- Shared access to the same contacts and network
- Collaborative control of brand/company pages
- Joint monitoring of messages, notifications, and job leads
- Ability to maintain activity during travel or vacation
Cons of sharing a LinkedIn account
The disadvantages of sharing a LinkedIn account include:
- Confusion for contacts trying to identify who they’re interacting with
- Potential mismatch between branding/messaging and the person using the account
- Lack of personalized feed, notifications, and job recommendations
- Maintaining separate resume versions and saved jobs can be challenging
- Harder to network and connect authentically as an individual
LinkedIn’s policy on shared accounts
While LinkedIn does permit account sharing, users should be aware of the platform’s policies:
- Accounts cannot have more than 50 additional users.
- All users must acknowledge acceptance of LinkedIn’s terms of service.
- The primary account holder remains responsible for the account’s use.
- Impersonation or creating fake personas is forbidden.
- Commercial account sharing services are prohibited.
As long as both parties use the account ethically, LinkedIn allows and supports shared access. But the company does occasionally audit accounts for misuse.
Is sharing a LinkedIn account worth it?
Here is a quick pros vs. cons summary of shared LinkedIn accounts:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Cost savings on Premium | Less personalization for each user |
Shared professional network | Confusion for contacts |
Collaborative access | Weaker individual branding |
Joint monitoring of account | Resume and job management harder |
In general, sharing a LinkedIn account makes most sense for spouses or partners actively working together, groups wanting to manage a company page collaboratively, or users who only need basic LinkedIn access.
For individual professionals who want to network and brand themselves independently, having separate accounts is usually ideal.
LinkedIn alternatives if you want separate accounts
If sharing a LinkedIn account does not work for your needs, some alternatives to consider include:
Get individual free accounts
LinkedIn allows every user to have one free account with basic access. You won’t get all the Premium features, but it’s your own account.
Split the cost of two Premium accounts
If you were planning to pay for Premium access anyway, consider splitting the cost and having your own login.
Use a personal CRM like Hubspot
For saving contacts and networking, Hubspot has a free CRM users can customize.
Try an open network like Behance
For creators and self-employed pros, Behance offers free portfolios and networking options.
Build connections locally
Attending local industry events, meetings, and conferences can build connections without LinkedIn.
Use Facebook Groups relevant to your industry
While Facebook has less business focus, relevant Groups can also aid networking.
Key takeaways on sharing LinkedIn
Some final points to remember about using one LinkedIn account for multiple users include:
- Communicate clearly to avoid overlapping logins and activity
- Customize notifications and settings for each individual
- Swap out profile photos to indicate who is managing the account
- Post status updates when switching users
- Map out a schedule if possible for account sharing
- Understand LinkedIn’s policies on shared accounts
- Weigh the pros and cons for your professional needs
- Explore alternatives like free basic accounts if needed
The bottom line
At the end of the day, LinkedIn does allow account sharing. But whether it is the right choice depends on factors like your profession, need to network independently, open communication with the other user, and willingness to coordinate schedules and access.
If done ethically and transparently, sharing a LinkedIn account can be a pragmatic solution for some. But for others who want full personal branding and networking control, having individual accounts is better.
Hopefully this breakdown gives you the knowledge to make the most informed decision for your needs when it comes to potentially sharing a professional LinkedIn profile.