Having a custom URL for your LinkedIn profile can be very beneficial for personal branding and making your profile easily shareable. However, custom URLs are not permanent, and LinkedIn may revoke your custom URL under certain circumstances. Let’s explore the factors around LinkedIn profile URLs and whether you can count on keeping a custom URL forever.
What is a LinkedIn profile URL?
When you create a LinkedIn profile, you are automatically assigned a unique profile URL that follows this format:
www.linkedin.com/in/yourname
For example, if your name is John Smith, your default profile URL may be:
www.linkedin.com/in/john-smith
This unique URL leads directly to your public profile and makes it easy for people to find and share your profile. It essentially acts as your LinkedIn username.
In addition to the default URL, LinkedIn allows you to create a custom URL for your profile, such as:
www.linkedin.com/in/johnsmith
Custom URLs are shorter and more professional looking than the default. They also make your profile easier to remember and share. According to LinkedIn, profiles with custom URLs get 30% more profile views.
Why would LinkedIn revoke your custom URL?
When you claim a custom URL for your LinkedIn profile, it does not necessarily belong to you forever. LinkedIn reserves the right to reclaim or revoke a custom URL under certain conditions, including:
- You delete your LinkedIn account
- You change your name
- Your LinkedIn account is closed due to inactivity
- You violate LinkedIn’s User Agreement
- LinkedIn discontinues the custom URL service
Essentially, custom URLs are dependent on you keeping your LinkedIn account active and in good standing. If you want to change your name or branding, LinkedIn may update or revoke your custom URL accordingly.
Deleting your account
If you decide to delete your LinkedIn account entirely, this will automatically free up your custom URL to be claimed by another user. LinkedIn wants to ensure custom URLs are associated with accurate profiles, so deleting your account essentially surrenders your claim to that custom name.
Changing your name
Your custom URL is tied to your name for branding purposes. If you legally change your name or update your name on LinkedIn to something completely different, your custom URL may no longer make sense.
For example, if you created the custom URL linkedin.com/in/johnsmith and then changed your name to Jane Doe, visitors would no longer be able to easily associate the “johnsmith” URL with your Jane Doe profile. In this case, LinkedIn may revoke or automatically update your custom URL.
Account inactivity
If your LinkedIn account remains completely inactive for an extended period of time, LinkedIn may close your account and release your custom URL. This keeps quality custom URLs in circulation for active users on the platform.
Violating user agreement
Make sure to abide by LinkedIn’s User Agreement terms when using your profile and account features. Violating any terms, such as spreading misinformation or harassing other users, can result in your account being closed and custom URL lost.
Discontinued service
Highly unlikely, but LinkedIn reserves the right to discontinue the custom URL service altogether. All custom URLs would revert to default URLs if this occurred.
Tips for keeping your custom URL
Here are some tips to boost the chances of retaining your custom LinkedIn URL long-term:
- Keep your profile and account consistently active. Check in and make updates periodically.
- Only make necessary name changes and maintain your core branding.
- Keep your contact info up-to-date so LinkedIn can reach you if there are issues.
- Follow all LinkedIn user policies and avoid violations that could get your account closed.
- Link and promote your custom URL everywhere to build its branding power.
What happens if you lose your custom URL?
If LinkedIn revokes your custom profile URL, here is what you can expect:
- Your profile will automatically revert to the default URL format with your name.
- Any previous links or shares using your old custom URL will be redirected to your new default URL.
- You will need to re-claim and verify a new custom URL if you want one.
- Your profile views and connections will not be affected.
Essentially, you will not lose any of your actual profile content if your custom URL is revoked. But you will need to put in some work to update your links and shares across the web to use your new URL. It’s disruptive, but not catastrophic.
Can you reclaim a custom URL?
If your custom URL was revoked, you may be able to reclaim it by verifying your name and profile again, as long as it has not already been reassigned to another LinkedIn user. However, there is no guarantee you can get the exact same custom URL again if it was taken.
The best option is to properly maintain your custom URL from the start by keeping your profile active and adhering to LinkedIn’s policies. Don’t take the risk of losing a great URL that boosts your personal brand.
Conclusion
While custom LinkedIn profile URLs are neat and helpful, they do not intrinsically belong to you forever. LinkedIn may revoke or change your custom URL if you delete your account, change your name, remain inactive, violate user policies, or if LinkedIn discontinues the service.
The best practices are to keep your account in good standing, maintain consistent branding, and stay active on LinkedIn. This will maximize the chances that your custom URL remains stable and continues directing people to your professional profile.
Treat your LinkedIn custom URL like a valuable digital asset, promote it widely, but understand it may not be permanent if your circumstances change. With care and discipline, a custom LinkedIn URL can become a highly effective calling card for your personal brand.
Reason | Result |
---|---|
Deleting account | Custom URL released automatically |
Changing name | Custom URL possibly revoked or changed |
Account inactivity | Account closed and custom URL released |
Violating user policies | Account closed and custom URL released |
LinkedIn discontinues service | All custom URLs revert to default format |
This table summarizes the potential reasons LinkedIn may revoke your custom profile URL and the resulting impact on your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else claim my custom URL if it’s revoked?
Yes, if you lose your custom URL for any reason, it can then be claimed on a first-come, first-served basis by another LinkedIn user. So you wouldn’t want someone else taking over a great brand name you’ve built up.
Does losing my custom URL impact my profile visibility?
No,your connections, profile views, and search visibility will not be directly affected by losing your custom URL. However, it could indirectly impact visibility if you had shared your profile with the old custom URL extensively.
Can I request my custom URL back if it was given to another user?
Unfortunately no. Once a custom URL is released and claimed by someone else, it is under their control. You will have to come up with a new custom URL that is still available.
Do unpaid LinkedIn members get custom URLs?
No, only paid Premium and Business members are eligible for custom URLs. Free members must use the default structured URL format.
Can I free up my old custom URL again if I wanted to reuse it?
No, you cannot free up old custom URLs you have used in the past. Even if you delete your account, that URL remains assigned in LinkedIn’s system, preventing reuse.