Having a LinkedIn Premium subscription can be a useful tool for promoting your professional brand and making connections. One of the features that comes with a Premium subscription is the ability to display a “Premium” badge on your profile. But should you enable this badge? There are pros and cons to consider.
What is the LinkedIn Premium Badge?
The LinkedIn Premium badge is a small icon that shows up next to your name and profile photo. It visually signals to other LinkedIn users that you have a paid Premium subscription. Some of the key benefits that come with LinkedIn Premium include:
- Seeing who has viewed your profile
- Sending InMail messages to people outside your network
- Removing LinkedIn ads
- Accessing more advanced analytics about your profile
- Taking unlimited online courses through LinkedIn Learning
So in short, the Premium badge indicates you have access to these exclusive, “premium” features.
Pros of Displaying the Badge
There are a few potential advantages to displaying your LinkedIn Premium badge:
Shows You Invest in Your Professional Brand
Having the Premium badge signals that you care about managing your professional reputation and presence on LinkedIn. It shows you put resources into amplifying your brand and expanding your network.
Indicates You Have Additional Features
The badge serves as a quick visual indicator that you have extra capabilities like seeing profile views, sending InMail, and viewing advanced analytics. Other users may be aware of these Premium features and what the badge represents.
Increases Authority and Influence
LinkedIn Premium is not free – it costs between $29.99-$59.99 per month for an individual subscription. Displaying the badge shows you have the financial resources to invest in premium services. This can improve perceptions of your influence and authority in your industry.
Stands Out on a Busy Platform
With over 850 million members on LinkedIn, there is lots of competition for attention. The Premium badge can help you stand out from the non-Premium masses and catch the eye of professionals viewing your profile.
Cons of Displaying the Badge
On the other hand, there are also some potential downsides to consider before enabling the Premium badge on your profile:
May Come Across as Bragging
The Premium badge could be perceived as bragging about being able to afford the paid service. Some people may react negatively if they think you are flaunting the badge just to signal status or privilege.
Premium Isn’t Required to Have a Strong Profile
You can have a compelling, professional-grade LinkedIn profile without the Premium features. The badge may imply you relied on Premium instead of putting in the hard work yourself. Focusing on strong content is more impressive than a badge.
Reduces Opportunity to Showcase Branding
Displaying the Premium badge takes up profile space near your photo and name. This reduces real estate you could instead use to convey your professional brand through a background photo, customized URL, or headline.
Could Deter Some Viewers
Some LinkedIn users immediately disregard profiles with Premium badges, reacting negatively to what they perceive as showing off. This could deter certain professionals from connecting with you if they get the wrong impression.
Who Should Display the Badge?
Here are some of the profiles that likely benefit most from showcasing the LinkedIn Premium badge:
- Active recruiters or HR professionals – Reinforces their investment in tools to source great talent.
- Marketing, sales, or business development roles – Shows their commitment to relationship-building.
- Consultants or coaches – Highlights their professional services and knowledge.
- Startup founders and entrepreneurs – Displays their willingness to invest in their venture.
- Young professionals – Can indicate their ambition and interest in self-development.
In short, the badge tends to provide the most value for those actively leveraging LinkedIn to advance business or career goals.
Who May Want to Avoid the Badge?
Here are situations where displaying the Premium badge may be less beneficial:
- Technical and engineering roles – Strong skills matter more than signals like a badge for these roles.
- Individual contributors – The badge provides fewer advantages if you aren’t actively networking.
- Senior executives – Status and influence usually already evident based on job title and experience.
- Entry-level professionals – Want to focus on skills and potential rather than perceived privilege.
- Creative fields – Authenticity and work samples tend to matter more than badges.
Ultimately, each person should evaluate if displaying the Premium badge aligns with their professional brand strategy.
Premium Badge Alternatives
If you want to highlight your Premium status but also avoid potential downsides of the badge, here are a few alternatives:
- List “LinkedIn Premium Subscriber” in your professional headline or summary section.
- Include Premium icon images in your profile background photo.
- Add the text “LinkedIn Premium” to your profile URL customize link.
- Mention your use of Premium features like InMail within content you share.
Each of these options more seamlessly incorporates your Premium status while enabling you to still customize the rest of your profile branding.
The Verdict: Should You Display Your Badge?
Here is a table summarizing the key potential pros and cons of displaying the Premium badge on LinkedIn:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Shows investment in professional brand | May come across as bragging |
Quickly indicates additional features | Premium not required for strong profile |
Increases perceived authority and influence | Reduces space for custom branding |
Can stand out on busy platform | Could deter some viewers |
Weighing these potential upsides and downsides depends a lot on your specific goals and situation. Here are a few final tips on deciding whether displaying the badge is right for you:
- Understand perceived connotations – Does the badge align with how you want to come across?
- Consider your target audience – Will the badge impress the right people?
- Evaluate other branding elements – Does the badge complement or distract from them?
- Test it out – Try displaying the badge for a little while and monitor reactions.
- Remember you can always change it – There’s no long-term commitment to showing the badge.
The Bottom Line
Displaying the LinkedIn Premium badge can strengthen your professional brand when used strategically. But it also has the potential to deter some viewers or take up valuable profile space. Consider your specific goals, target audience and overall brand identity to decide if enabling the badge is the right choice for you.