LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 800 million members. As a platform designed to connect professionals, LinkedIn aims to maintain the authenticity of user profiles. One way LinkedIn does this is by requiring phone verification for new accounts. So does LinkedIn require phone verification? The short answer is yes, LinkedIn does require phone verification when creating a new account. However, there are some nuances to LinkedIn’s phone verification requirements. Keep reading for a more in-depth look at LinkedIn’s phone verification process.
Why LinkedIn Requires Phone Verification
LinkedIn requires phone verification for new accounts in order to:
- Confirm users are real people, not bots or spam accounts
- Prevent fake profiles and maintain trust in the network
- Comply with legal requirements to verify user identities
- Protect users’ personal data and privacy
By requiring a valid phone number to create an account, LinkedIn can reduce the number of fake or spammy profiles on its platform. This helps build trust between users because they know the people they are connecting with are verified. It also protects users’ personal data from potential misuse by fake accounts. Overall, phone verification is a key part of LinkedIn’s efforts to keep its professional network authentic and secure.
What Phone Verification Entails on LinkedIn
Here are the key steps involved in LinkedIn’s phone verification process when creating a new account:
- Enter basic profile information – You first enter your name, email address, password, and other initial profile details.
- Input phone number – LinkedIn then asks you to enter a phone number to verify your identity.
- Receive verification code – LinkedIn sends a 6-digit verification code to the phone number provided via call or SMS.
- Enter verification code – You must enter the 6-digit code into LinkedIn within 10 minutes to validate your number.
- Verify and create account – Once verified via code, LinkedIn confirms your phone number and allows you to complete setting up your profile.
So in summary, to create a LinkedIn account you need to provide a valid, working phone number that can receive calls or text messages to obtain a verification code.
Requirements for Phone Numbers
LinkedIn does have some specific requirements when it comes to the phone numbers used for verification:
- The phone number must be associated with a mobile phone or landline – VOIP numbers often don’t work.
- The number needs to be able to receive calls or texts to obtain the verification code.
- The phone number should match your country of residence for your LinkedIn profile.
- You must have access to the phone to enter the verification code LinkedIn sends.
Virtual phone numbers, forwarded numbers, and VOIP numbers frequently don’t meet LinkedIn’s verification requirements. So it’s best to use a real mobile number or landline tied directly to you when creating your LinkedIn profile.
What if You Don’t Have a Phone?
For those without access to a working mobile or landline phone, LinkedIn does provide alternative verification options:
- Video Verification – You can verify your identity by taking a video selfie within the LinkedIn app.
- Trusted Contacts – Someone who is already connected to you on LinkedIn can vouch for your identity.
- Customer Support – You may be able to verify your account through direct assistance from LinkedIn’s customer service team.
However, phone verification is LinkedIn’s primary method for new accounts. The alternatives often take longer and may not always be available options when creating your profile.
Is Phone Verification Required for Existing Accounts?
For existing LinkedIn accounts that have already been through the verification process, additional phone verification is not typically required. However, there are some cases where LinkedIn may ask for phone verification again on an existing profile:
- Making major changes to your account information
- Suspicious activity detected on your account
- Your account is reported for potentially being fake or spam
- You need to reset your password or security info
So while phone verification is mainly for new accounts, even established accounts may occasionally need to go through the process again if major changes are made or your account comes under scrutiny.
How Often Does the Phone Number Need to be Verified?
In most cases, you only need to verify your phone number once when initially creating your LinkedIn account. After your account is set up, you shouldn’t have to re-verify your number again unless one of the exceptional situations mentioned above occurs.
LinkedIn’s verification is on a per-account basis, not per phone number. So you shouldn’t have to repeatedly re-verify your number every time you login or use LinkedIn on a recurring basis. Just a single verification when you create your new account is standard.
Can You Change the Phone Number on Your Account?
Yes, you can change the phone number associated with your LinkedIn account. To do so:
- Go to your LinkedIn account settings
- Select the Phone tab
- Enter your new phone number and select Verify
- A verification code will be sent to your new number to validate the change
When adding a new number, you will have to go through LinkedIn’s phone verification process again to confirm the number. But once verified, the new phone number will be updated on your account profile.
Can You Have Multiple Numbers on One Account?
LinkedIn only allows one phone number to be associated with an account at any given time. You can change the number as needed, but can’t have multiple numbers linked to a single profile.
If you do try to add an additional number without removing the previous one, LinkedIn will simply overwrite the old number with the new one after verification.
Does LinkedIn Allow Prepaid or Virtual Numbers?
LinkedIn discourages the use of virtual phone numbers for verification, including:
- Prepaid phone numbers
- VOIP numbers
- Internet numbers
- Forwarded numbers
- Online texting numbers
These types of numbers often don’t work for receiving verification texts or calls. LinkedIn prefers numbers directly tied to you through a mobile carrier or landline provider.
However, some users report successfully verifying with Google Voice, Skype, and other virtual numbers. But this is hit or miss and not guaranteed to work in most cases.
The Risks of Using a Fake Phone Number
While it may be tempting to try and use a fake or virtual number to bypass phone verification, doing so risks getting your account automatically suspended by LinkedIn. This could happen immediately during the verification process if LinkedIn detects the number is invalid. Or your account could get suspended down the line if LinkedIn later learns the number is fake or being misused. Having your account shut down means losing access to your profile and connections.
Additionally, using an inaccurate or false number violates LinkedIn’s User Agreement. Your account could potentially be reported and banned if others notice you are using a fake number. Overall, it’s not worth the hassle and risks of trying to trick the verification system.
Tips for Smooth Phone Verification
To ensure LinkedIn’s phone verification process goes smoothly, keep these tips in mind:
- Use a mobile phone number or landline directly registered to you
- Double check the number entered is correct
- Use a number capable of receiving calls or text messages
- Be ready to access the verification code promptly
- If issues arise, try using an alternate number or verification method
- Contact customer support if you are having trouble with verification
Following LinkedIn’s requirements and having patience through the process can help avoid hiccups when verifying your phone number.
Can You Create a LinkedIn Without Phone Verification?
Given how integral phone verification is to LinkedIn’s signup process, creating an account without any phone validation is extremely difficult. Essentially, the only way to bypass verification is to misuse options intended for those without phones:
- Attempting video selfie verification when you do have a phone available
- Having someoneprovide false confirmation to vouch for your fake identity
- Lying to customer service about not having a phone
All these methods violate LinkedIn’s policies and could get your account immediately banned. While workarounds may exist, it’s not recommended you attempt to create a LinkedIn profile without proper phone verification.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn does require phone verification for all new user accounts in order to maintain trust and security on its platform. The verification process involves providing a valid mobile or landline number that can receive a 6-digit confirmation code. While workarounds exist, using your actual phone number is the safest approach as per LinkedIn’s guidelines. Overall, LinkedIn’s phone verification requirements aim to keep the network authentic by confirming real people behind every profile.
The History and Evolution of LinkedIn’s Phone Verification Policies
LinkedIn first introduced mandatory phone verification for new accounts in 2017. Here is an overview of how LinkedIn’s phone number requirements have evolved over time:
Year | Phone Verification Policy |
---|---|
2003 | At launch, no phone verification required to create a LinkedIn account |
2011 | Optional phone numbers added to profiles for increased user visibility |
2015 | Select users required to verify phone number before messaging |
2017 | Phone verification made mandatory for all new LinkedIn member signups |
2022 | Alternative video selfie verification introduced for users without phones |
In the early years, LinkedIn focused on growing its user base rapidly with minimal verification. Phone numbers were optional for the first decade. It wasn’t until issues with spam and fake accounts arose that LinkedIn moved to institute required phone verification in 2017.
Requirements were gradually tightened for specific use cases like messaging prior to blanket verification for all users. Alternative methods like video selfies were eventually added to ensure universal access.
But phone verification has remained the primary means of validating new accounts given its efficiency and reliability for LinkedIn.
How Phone Verification Fits Into LinkedIn’s Larger Trust and Safety Strategy
LinkedIn’s phone verification policy is one piece of a broader set of trust and safety initiatives to protect its users. Other key elements include:
- Real Identity Requirements – Prohibiting anonymous profiles, pseudonyms, or impersonation
- Manual Profile Moderation – Human review of high-risk profiles flagged for potential abuse
- Automated Systems – AI tools to detect spammy behavior and content
- Member Reporting – Users can report concerning profiles or content to LinkedIn
- Security Operations – Cybersecurity experts monitoring the platform for threats
- Partnerships with Law Enforcement – Collaborating with authorities on serious cases
Phone verification provides the crucial first line of defense by confirming real users. Additional human, technical, and policy protections work together to further identify bad actors who slip past initial screening.
With a multifaceted approach, LinkedIn strives to maintain the professional integrity of its community and the safety of its members.
Criticisms of LinkedIn’s Phone Verification Policy
While LinkedIn considers phone verification necessary, some critics argue weaknesses in the policy include:
- Excluding populations without mobile/landline access
- User data privacy concerns from providing sensitive numbers
- Texting charges if required to receive SMS verification codes
- Hassle for users managing profile number changes
- Security risks if numbers are compromised in LinkedIn breaches
Advocates counter that minimal personal information is required, text-free call verification is available, and exclusions are temporary with alternative options offered.
But the debate remains heated regarding how much individual users should be prodded to validate their identities in order to access social platforms.
LinkedIn’s Future Phone Verification Plans and Strategies
As technology evolves, LinkedIn is exploring ways to enhance and refine phone verification, such as:
- Streamlining verification for trusted linked devices
- Leveraging biometric facial/voice recognition on smartphones
- Partnering with mobile carriers for seamless network-based authentication
- Using blockchain to decentralize digital identity verification
However, completely eliminating mandatory phone verification seems unlikely given LinkedIn’s security priorities.
Focus will remain on balancing robust identity validation through phones and other means with convenience and inclusive access moving forward.
How Other Professional Networks Handle Phone Verification
Platform | Phone Verification Policy |
---|---|
Viadeo | Required for all new members to provide and validate phone number |
Optional phone numbers but not required for signup | |
IAF | No phone number required, just name and email to register |
InterNations | Must enter phone to register but can skip verification process |
LinkedIn’s mandatory phone verification makes it an outlier among professional networks globally. While others recommend or request phone numbers, most don’t enforce upfront ID validation via phones to create accounts.
LinkedIn stands out for prioritizing identity authenticity over ease of access in its security policies.
Should You Include Your LinkedIn Verified Phone Number on Your Profile?
Best practices regarding displaying your verified phone number on your LinkedIn profile include:
- Only displaying if you are comfortable being contacted directly
- Using the option selectively if needed for your profession
- Being cautious about oversharing contact details
- Using your company phone number instead of personal number if possible
- Keeping your profile public but limiting displayed contact info
In summary, listing a verified phone presents minor security risks but can be helpful professionally. Use judicious discretion based on your comfort level and career needs.
Conclusion
LinkedIn phone verification is mandatory for all new accounts to maintain trust and prevent abuse on the platform. The process requires providing a valid associated mobile or landline number capable of receiving one-time passcodes.
While a nuisance for some, most understand why identity checks are necessary for LinkedIn’s professional environment. Alternatives help ensure inclusive access for all.
Overall, LinkedIn is unlikely to remove phone verification given its security benefits. But the system may continue evolving in coming years to strike the right balance between identity proofing and user experience.