Having multiple LinkedIn profiles can be useful in some situations, but it does come with some risks. LinkedIn’s terms of service allow you to have only one personal LinkedIn profile, but you can have multiple company pages tied to a single account. There are a few main reasons why someone might want more than one LinkedIn profile:
- To separate professional and personal connections
- To showcase different skills or experiences
- To manage profiles in different languages
- To maintain anonymity for privacy reasons
However, having multiple personal profiles goes against LinkedIn’s terms of service. It can also cause problems with LinkedIn’s automated algorithms that are designed to connect professionals and combat fake accounts. Here is an overview of what you need to know about having two LinkedIn profiles.
Why Would You Want Two LinkedIn Profiles?
There are some legitimate reasons why a person might consider having two separate LinkedIn profiles:
Keep Professional and Personal Separate
For some users, it can be beneficial to keep professional and personal contacts separated. With one profile, you may not feel comfortable connecting with family, friends from childhood, etc. because you want to maintain a purely professional persona on LinkedIn. A second profile could be used just for those personal connections.
Showcase Different Experiences
If you have diverse work experiences that don’t necessarily fit together, two profiles may help you showcase each area appropriately. For example, an accountant that is also a personal chef on the side could have one profile highlighting accounting skills and another for the chef expertise.
Manage Profiles in Different Languages
For multilingual professionals living abroad, having profiles in two languages can help them connect and network in both their native and second language. The same qualifications and experiences can be presented differently for each target audience.
Maintain Anonymity
In some cases, people want to network on LinkedIn without using their real identity. This could be due to privacy concerns about connecting with strangers online. Or professionals who are exploring new career options may not want their current employer and network to know. A second anonymous profile would allow them to keep their main profile private.
The Risks of Having Two LinkedIn Profiles
While there may be some scenarios where a second profile seems appealing, there are also a number of risks:
Violates LinkedIn Terms of Service
LinkedIn’s User Agreement states: “You can’t create more than one personal account” and “you cannot buy, sell, share, rent or trade LinkedIn accounts.” Violating these terms can result in account suspension or termination.
Hurts Your LinkedIn Presence
All of your professional connections and credentials are split across two profiles, which dilutes your overall LinkedIn presence. It’s better to have one robust profile rather than spreading your connections and content over two accounts.
Causes Problems with Algorithms
LinkedIn uses advanced technology to monitor profiles and activity. Things like duplicate contacts, content, and references can trigger account flags. You may encounter issues like suspended accounts, removed connections, or lack of visibility in searches and recommendations.
Potential Legal Issues
In rare cases, maintaining anonymous accounts or profiles with false information can get you in legal trouble depending on the circumstance and jurisdiction.
What LinkedIn Recommends
Given the associated problems, LinkedIn explicitly recommends against having multiple personal profiles. Here is their guidance:
- Only create and use one LinkedIn profile to represent yourself professionally.
- You can create company pages for businesses you are affiliated with.
- Add positions across different industries and careers to a single profile to showcase your full experience.
- Use your name and photo on your account so you can be identified by connections.
- If you need anonymity, consider using a private browsing window instead of a second profile.
Following these suggestions will provide the most seamless and productive LinkedIn experience. Your profile, connections, and activity will all flow through one account.
How to Merge Two LinkedIn Profiles
If you currently have two LinkedIn profiles that you want to merge into one account, it is possible by following these steps:
- Log into the profile you want to keep as your main account moving forward.
- Go to your account settings and access the “Merge LinkedIn accounts” option.
- Enter the email address associated with your secondary profile when prompted.
- Confirm the merge by entering your LinkedIn password.
- LinkedIn will automatically merge your secondary profile into your primary account.
- LinkedIn will message your connections to confirm the merge. You can also message them individually if needed.
Once complete, you will have one LinkedIn profile that contains all positions, education, connections, and any other information from both accounts.
Best Practices for LinkedIn Profiles
Instead of having two LinkedIn profiles, a better approach is optimizing a single profile. Here are some best practices:
- Craft a descriptive headline that sums up your professional value.
- Write an informative summary tailored to your target audience.
- Showcase all relevant experience and education.
- Expand your connections through networking and groups.
- Share content that demonstrates your expertise.
- Get recommendations from managers, colleagues, clients.
- Claim your unique LinkedIn profile URL.
- Customize your LinkedIn background photo.
- Keep your profile active by regularly updating work history and skills.
Following these tips will maximize the impact of your personal brand on LinkedIn while abiding by their terms of service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about having two LinkedIn profiles:
Can you have 2 LinkedIn profiles with the same email address?
No, LinkedIn only allows one profile per email address at a time. If you try to create a second profile using an email already associated with another account, you will receive an error message.
What happens if LinkedIn catches you with 2 profiles?
If LinkedIn determines through their technology that you have two personal profiles, they will likely suspend one or both accounts per their terms prohibiting multiple profiles. You may also lose existing connections and content.
Can you have 2 LinkedIn profiles for two different careers?
It’s not recommended. Even if you have two very distinct careers, LinkedIn encourages users to showcase all their professional experiences on a single profile. Trying to maintain two separate accounts for different audiences puts you at risk of account suspension.
Is it OK to have a business profile and personal profile on LinkedIn?
Yes, while you can only have one personal LinkedIn profile, you are permitted to create multiple company/business pages tied to your account. These group pages are meant to represent organizations rather than yourself as an individual.
Can you transfer connections from one LinkedIn to another?
There is no direct way to transfer connections between two existing LinkedIn profiles. This is another reason it’s better to merge accounts rather than trying to manage two separate profiles.
Conclusion
While maintaining two LinkedIn profiles may seem beneficial in some use cases, it ultimately violates their terms of service and poses risks to your account stability. Instead of splitting your connections, the best approach is to optimize a single profile that demonstrates the full breadth of your professional capabilities. Concentrate on building an authoritative and impactful personal brand on one powerful LinkedIn profile.