Quick Answer
To get the LinkedIn icon to display next to your name in email signatures, you need to enable the LinkedIn plugin for your email client. This allows the icon to be pulled in dynamically from LinkedIn’s servers. The steps vary slightly depending on if you use Gmail, Outlook, or another system. Generally it involves going into your email settings and enabling the LinkedIn plugin.
Steps to Get the LinkedIn Icon in Gmail
Here are the steps to get the LinkedIn icon to appear next to your name in Gmail:
1. Open Gmail and click on the Settings icon (shaped like a gear) in the top right.
2. Select “See all settings.”
3. Click on the “Labs” tab.
4. Scroll down and enable “Inserting rich link snippets.”
5. Scroll to the bottom and click “Save changes.”
This will enable LinkedIn’s plugin that allows them to insert profile information next to your name. Now when you send emails, Gmail will reach out to LinkedIn to pull in your profile photo and logo.
Keep in mind you’ll need to have a LinkedIn account for this to work. The icon will not show up if you don’t have a LinkedIn profile.
Steps for Outlook
To get the LinkedIn icon in Outlook, follow these steps:
1. Open Outlook and go to File > Options > Mail.
2. Under “Composing and replying”, click on “Stationery and Fonts.”
3. Beside “Email signature”, click on “Signatures…”
4. Under “Select signature to edit”, choose the signature you want to add the icon to.
5. Place your cursor where you want the LinkedIn icon to appear.
6. Click on “Business Card” and select “LinkedIn” from the dropdown menu.
7. The LinkedIn logo will now appear in your signature and will pull in dynamically when you send emails.
Again, this requires having a LinkedIn account for the icon to populate. If you don’t have a profile, the logo will not show up.
Steps for Other Email Providers
For other email providers like Outlook.com, Yahoo Mail, or Apple Mail, you will need to manually insert the LinkedIn icon rather than use a dynamic plugin. Here is the process:
1. Copy the LinkedIn icon URL – https://static.licdn.com/sc/p/com.linkedin.email-assets-frontend%3Aemail-assets-frontend-static-content%2B__latest__/f/%2Femail-assets-frontend%2Fimages%2Flogos%2Flogo_linkedin_92x22_v2.png
2. Edit your email signature and paste the URL where you want the icon to appear.
For example:
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3. The static icon will now show up in your signature, but it won’t update dynamically if you change your LinkedIn photo. You’ll need to manually update it.
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some things to try if you enabled the LinkedIn plugin but the icon isn’t showing up:
– Double check that you have a LinkedIn account with a profile photo uploaded. The icon relies on your profile information to populate.
– For dynamic solutions, give it some time to sync after making changes to your LinkedIn profile. It may take up to 24 hours to update the icon everywhere.
– Make sure images aren’t being blocked in your email client. The settings may need to be adjusted to allow third party content.
– Try using a different web browser or email app. Sometimes they have issues pulling in third party images.
– As a workaround, use the manual signature method of pasting the LinkedIn icon URL directly.
Benefits of Adding the LinkedIn Icon
Here are some of the benefits of including the LinkedIn icon in your email signature:
– **Increased brand recognition** – The simple LinkedIn logo is recognizable around the world. Displaying it clearly associates your name with your LinkedIn profile.
– **Professional credibility** – Many people judge professional credibility by the presence of a LinkedIn profile. The icon signals you have an established LinkedIn presence.
– **Networking opportunities** – Conveying your LinkedIn profile opens the door for recipients to view your full credentials and connect with you.
– **Cleaner contact information** – The icon eliminates the need to clutter up your signature with a long LinkedIn profile URL.
Key Benefits Summary
Benefit | Description |
---|---|
Brand Recognition | The familiar LinkedIn logo associates your name with your profile |
Credibility | Signals you have an established presence on the popular professional network |
Networking | Allows connections to easily view your full profile and credentials |
Cleaner Signature | Replaces clutter of a full profile URL in your contact info |
Customizing the LinkedIn Icon
While the standard LinkedIn icon is the blue logo on a white background, there are a few ways you can customize it:
– **Size** – LinkedIn lets you scale the icon in increments of 22px up to 100px wide. Just adjust the pixel number in the image URL.
– **Color** – Alternate logo colors like white or black can be specified with URL parameters. Add ?color=white or ?color=black to the end of the URL.
– **Language** – Change the language localization of the LinkedIn branding by altering the URL:
– English: com.linkedin.email-assets-frontend
– French: fr.linkedin.email-assets-frontend
– German: de.linkedin.email-assets-frontend
– **Photo Version** – There is a photo icon version that pulls in your profile picture. Useful if you don’t have a logo option.
LinkedIn Icon Customization Options
Customization | Example |
---|---|
Size | Scale from 22px up to 100px wide |
Color | Add ?color=white or ?color=black parameter |
Language | English, French, German URL variants |
Photo Version | Displays your profile picture instead |
Conclusion
Adding the LinkedIn icon to your email signature is a simple way to enhance your professional brand and open networking opportunities. Both dynamic and static options allow you to display your profile no matter which email service you use. Make sure to customize the icon to an appropriate size and color for your liking. With the iconic LinkedIn logo now accompanying your messages, you can expand your reach and establish credibility wherever your emails end up.