What you need to start

Creating a LinkedIn account takes about five minutes and requires only an email address, a password, and your name. You can sign up on LinkedIn's website or through the mobile app for iPhone or Android. LinkedIn will ask for your current job title and company during setup, but you can skip these fields and fill them in later.

You do not need to upload a photo to finish creating your account, though adding one later makes your profile more visible to other users. LinkedIn accepts most image formats, and the photo should show your face clearly.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to linkedin.com or open the LinkedIn app, enter your email address and create a password, then verify your email before your account is active.
  • You can skip the job title and company fields during signup and add them to your profile at any time afterward.
  • LinkedIn will suggest people to connect with based on your email contacts and work history, but you control who you accept.
  • Your profile is public by default, meaning anyone on LinkedIn can see your name, headline, and photo unless you change your privacy settings.

Step-by-step signup on the website

Open linkedin.com in your web browser. Click the "Sign up" button in the top right corner. Enter your email address in the first field, then create a password at least six characters long. LinkedIn will ask for your first and last name. Click "Agree & join" to move to the next step.

LinkedIn will send a verification code to your email address. Open your email, find the message from LinkedIn, and copy the six-digit code. Return to LinkedIn and enter the code in the verification field. Once verified, your account is active and you can start using LinkedIn immediately.

The site will then ask for your current job title and company name. You can type in what you do now, or click "Skip for now" to add this information later. Either way, you will land on your new profile page.

Signing up through the mobile app

Download the LinkedIn app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Open the app and tap "Sign up with email." Enter your email address and create a password, then tap "Next." Type your first and last name and tap "Next" again.

LinkedIn will send a verification code to your email. Check your email, copy the code, return to the app, and enter it in the verification field. Once verified, the app will ask about your job title and company. You can fill these in or skip them and add the information to your profile later.

What happens after you verify your email

After verification, LinkedIn shows you a list of people from your email contacts who already have accounts. You can send connection requests to anyone on this list, or skip this step entirely. Sending requests is optional — you do not have to connect with anyone right away.

LinkedIn will also suggest people based on your work history and location. Again, you control whether to send requests. You can browse these suggestions and ignore them if you prefer to build your network slowly.

Your profile is now live and visible to other LinkedIn users. Your name, headline (if you added one), and profile photo appear in search results and in other people's feeds. You can adjust who sees your profile by changing your privacy settings in the Account section.

Completing your profile after signup

Your profile starts with just your name and email. To make it more complete, add a professional photo, write a headline that describes what you do, and add your work history. Click "Edit public profile" on your profile page to add these details.

You can add your current job by clicking "Add profile section" and selecting "Experience." Type your company name, job title, and dates. You can also add past jobs, education, skills, and a summary of who you are. None of these fields are required — you can add them whenever you are ready.

LinkedIn lets you control what information is public and what is private. Most of your profile is visible to anyone on LinkedIn by default. To change this, go to Settings & Privacy, select Visibility, and adjust who can see your profile and contact information.

Connecting with other people

Once your account is active, you can send connection requests to people you know. Click on someone's profile, then click the "Connect" button. You can add a personal message to your request, which increases the chance they will accept. Keep the message brief and explain how you know them or why you want to connect.

When someone sends you a connection request, you will see a notification. You can accept, decline, or ignore the request. Accepting adds them to your network. Declining removes the request. Ignoring leaves it in your inbox until you decide.

Your network grows as you connect with colleagues, classmates, and people in your industry. LinkedIn uses your network to show you job postings, news from people you follow, and suggestions for who else to connect with.

Privacy and security after signup

LinkedIn stores your email address and password securely. Use a strong password — at least eight characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols — to protect your account. Do not share your password with anyone, and do not use the same password on other websites.

You can add two-factor authentication to your account for extra security. Go to Settings & Privacy, select Security, and turn on "Two-step verification." LinkedIn will then ask for a code from your phone or email each time you log in from a new device.

Be cautious about what information you share on your profile. LinkedIn is a public platform, and anything you post can be seen by your network and sometimes by people outside it. Avoid posting sensitive personal information like your home address or phone number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a phone number instead of an email address to sign up?

No, LinkedIn requires an email address to create an account. You can add a phone number to your account later in the settings, but you must start with email during signup.

What if I forget my password after I sign up?

Go to linkedin.com and click "Forgot password?" on the login page. Enter your email address, and LinkedIn will send you a link to reset your password. Click the link in the email and create a new password.

Do I have to use my real name on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn's terms require you to use your authentic identity. You can use a professional name or nickname if that is what you go by, but you cannot use a fake name or business name as your account name.

Can I delete my account after I create it?

Yes. Go to Settings & Privacy, select Account, and scroll to "Close your account." LinkedIn will ask you to confirm and explain why you are leaving. Your profile will be removed from search results within a few hours, though it may take up to 24 hours to fully disappear.

Is LinkedIn free to use?

Yes, creating an account and using the basic features are free. LinkedIn also offers paid plans called Premium that add features like seeing who viewed your profile and sending more messages, but these are optional.