LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 660 million members. As a professional networking and job seeking site, having a strong LinkedIn presence can be invaluable for making connections, getting noticed by recruiters, promoting your business, and building your personal brand. One of the key ways to get more visibility and exposure on LinkedIn is by improving your search appearance – that is, how prominently you show up in LinkedIn searches. Here are some tips and best practices for boosting your LinkedIn search appearance.
Optimize your profile for keywords
Just like with SEO for Google search, the keywords and phrases you use throughout your LinkedIn profile impact how and where you will show up in LinkedIn searches. The best way to optimize your profile is to incorporate relevant keywords in your headline, summary, experience descriptions, skills section, and anywhere else that makes sense. For example, if you are a digital marketing manager, you could use phrases like “digital marketing,” “SEM,” “SEO,” “social media marketing,” and more. Think about words people would search to find profiles like yours, and work them organically into your profile content.
Fill out your profile completely
A complete, 100% filled out LinkedIn profile has a better chance of appearing in search compared to an incomplete profile. Be sure to include all relevant sections – summary, experience, skills, education, certifications, volunteer work, accomplishments, courses, projects, and more. The more robust your profile, the more opportunities there are to be found in search. Avoid leaving any sections blank if possible.
Get endorsements and recommendations
LinkedIn profiles with lots of endorsements and recommendations tend to rank higher in search results. The more people willing to publicly vouch for your skills and abilities, the more credibility your profile has in LinkedIn’s eyes. Ask managers, colleagues, clients or vendors to write recommendations highlighting your strengths. Also, endorse your connections for skills they have. This will encourage them to return the favor with endorsements on your profile.
Increase your number of connections
Typically, the more LinkedIn connections you have, the more likely you are to stand out in search results. Of course, focusing on quality connections versus quantity is important. But networking strategically and making new connections steadily over time can potentially give your profile a small rankings boost versus someone who has very few connections.
Join relevant LinkedIn Groups
Joining and participating in LinkedIn Groups related to your industry or interests can increase your visibility and exposure within your target circles. When you engage consistently in Group discussions, you’ll become more familiar and recognizable to others who are also part of those Groups. This can lead to more opportunities and interest in connecting with and learning about you.
Publish long-form posts
Publishing long-form posts on LinkedIn not only builds your credibility as a thought leader, but it can also improve your search presence. For example, writing posts for LinkedIn Publisher positions you as an expert and surfaces your knowledge. The content also has the potential to rank well in LinkedIn search if you focus on using relevant keywords.
Section | Best Practices |
---|---|
Headline | Include keywords like job titles or areas of expertise |
Summary | Highlight top skills, achievements, and professional branding |
Experience | Use keywords relevant to your roles and industry |
Skills | Include niche skills that set you apart |
Education | List degrees, majors/minors, certifications |
Accomplishments | Quantify achievements and awards |
Groups | Join those related to profession and interests |
Posts | Publish thoughtful leadership articles |
This table summarizes profile optimization best practices by section.
Use media in your profile
Including relevant images, videos, SlideShare presentations, or other media in your LinkedIn profile makes it more engaging and interactive. When done tastefully, adding visual elements can capture attention and showcase your skills or experience. For example, a designer could include a portfolio, or a speaker could embed a video of a presentation. Photos also add a human touch and make your profile stand out.
Sign up for LinkedIn Premium
One of the advantages of LinkedIn Premium accounts is that they offer expanded search appearance options not available to regular members. For example, with Premium you can select up to 3 “Featured” sections to highlight at the top of your profile – this makes those parts most prominent. Premium also allows you to see more profile analytics, like how many times you appeared in search results.
Follow Company Pages
Following Company Pages demonstrates interest and commitment to certain organizations. When those companies search LinkedIn for potential candidates or partners, they may look specifically for users who follow them. So identify relevant companies you want to get on the radar of, and make sure to follow their pages.
Tips for Standing Out in People Search Results
In addition to general profile optimization, here are some pointers for making your profile appealing in LinkedIn’s “People Search” function:
- Have a professional looking profile photo – no selfies, landscapes, or party pics
- Order your positions reverse chronologically
- Include plenty of numeric results and metrics in your experience descriptions
- Get recommendations from coworkers at reputable, well-known companies
- Join alumni and industry Groups related to top companies
- Use a customized URL for your profile instead of the default one
- Mention being inducted into honors societies or professional associations
Tips for Standing Out in Job Search Results
To maximize your visibility when recruiters search for candidates in LinkedIn Jobs, incorporate these suggestions:
- Use a keywords optimized headline like “Digital Marketing Manager”
- Include all your skills – even basic ones recruiters search for
- Mention being open to job opportunities in your summary
- Follow companies you want to work for
- Join geographic/city-based alumni and professional Groups
- Get current/former coworkers to endorse you for in-demand skills
- Publish articles demonstrating expertise companies want
Conclusion
Boosting your LinkedIn search visibility takes time and effort, but pays dividends in terms of expanding your professional opportunities and connections. Focus on optimizing each section of your profile with keywords and compelling content. Engage consistently on LinkedIn by publishing, commenting, joining Groups, and connecting. Consider Premium for extra analytics and display options. With the right strategy, you can improve your LinkedIn search appearance and reach the right audiences.