LinkedIn addresses are public profile URLs that follow a standard format

A LinkedIn address is the web link to someone's profile — it looks like linkedin.com/in/firstname-lastname or linkedin.com/company/company-name. These URLs are public by default, which means anyone can view them without being connected to that person. The address itself is different from your LinkedIn username (which you use to log in) and is designed to be shareable.

The easiest way to find someone's LinkedIn address is to visit their profile directly and copy the URL from your browser's address bar. If you already know their name and have a LinkedIn account, you can search for them using LinkedIn's search function. If you don't have an account, you can still find some profiles through Google search, though your options are more limited.

Key Takeaways

  • LinkedIn profile addresses are public URLs that follow the format linkedin.com/in/firstname-lastname and can be viewed without logging in.
  • The fastest way to get someone's address is to search for them on LinkedIn, open their profile, and copy the URL from your browser.
  • You can find LinkedIn profiles through Google by searching the person's name plus "site:linkedin.com/in" to narrow results to profile pages.
  • LinkedIn profile addresses are customizable — the person may have changed theirs to something other than their full name.
  • Some profiles are hidden from search results if the person has adjusted their privacy settings, making them harder to locate.

Search on LinkedIn directly if you have an account

Open LinkedIn and use the search bar at the top of the page. Type the person's name, company, or job title. LinkedIn will show you matching profiles with their photo, headline, and current role. Click on the profile you're looking for to open it.

Once you're on their profile page, look at the URL in your browser's address bar at the top. It will show something like linkedin.com/in/jane-smith-12345678. Copy this entire URL — that's their LinkedIn address. You can now share it, bookmark it, or use it to reference their profile.

Use Google search if you don't have a LinkedIn account

Open Google and search for the person's name in quotes, followed by site:linkedin.com/in. For example: "Jane Smith" site:linkedin.com/in. This tells Google to show only LinkedIn profile pages that contain that exact name. Results will display public profiles that Google has indexed.

Click on the result that matches the person you're looking for. The URL in your browser will be their LinkedIn address. Keep in mind that not all profiles appear in Google search results — some people have adjusted their privacy settings to hide their profile from search engines, or their profile is too new to be indexed yet.

Understand LinkedIn's custom URL feature

LinkedIn allows users to customize their profile address. Instead of the default format with numbers at the end, someone might set theirs to linkedin.com/in/janesmith or linkedin.com/in/jane-smith-marketing. This means the address won't always match their exact name.

If you search for someone and their profile doesn't appear with a straightforward name-based URL, try variations: add their middle initial, company name, or job title to your search. You can also check if they've listed their LinkedIn address on their personal website, resume, or email signature — many professionals do this to make themselves easier to find.

Check company pages for employee profiles

If you're looking for someone who works at a specific company, you can start by finding the company's LinkedIn page. Search for the company name on LinkedIn, open their page, and look for an "Employees" or "People" section. This shows workers at that organization and links to their individual profiles.

This method is useful when you know where someone works but not their exact name spelling, or when you want to verify someone's current role before reaching out. Company pages also show how many employees work there and what departments exist, which can help you narrow your search.

Know what to do if you can't find someone

If your search returns no results, the person may not have a LinkedIn profile, or their privacy settings may prevent them from appearing in search results. Some people set their profile to "private" or choose not to be indexed by search engines. Others may have a profile under a different name than you're searching for — perhaps a maiden name, nickname, or professional name that differs from their legal name.

Try searching with different name variations, or ask a mutual connection if they can share the person's profile link directly. You can also check if the person has listed their LinkedIn address on their company website, professional portfolio, or social media profiles. If they don't appear anywhere, it's likely they either don't use LinkedIn or have chosen not to be publicly searchable.

Verify you have the right person before contacting them

Once you find a profile, confirm it's actually the person you're looking for. Check their current job title, company, location, and work history. A profile photo helps too — if you know what the person looks like, you can verify the photo matches. This prevents you from contacting the wrong person, which is especially important if you're reaching out for a job, business opportunity, or professional reason.

Look at their headline and "About" section to see if their background matches what you know about them. If you're still unsure, you can check their connections — if you have mutual contacts, that's a good sign you've found the right profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find someone's LinkedIn address without creating an account?

Yes, you can use Google search with the command site:linkedin.com/in plus the person's name to find public profiles. However, you won't be able to use LinkedIn's search function or see as much detail about the person without logging in. Some profiles are also hidden from Google search if the person has adjusted their privacy settings.

What's the difference between a LinkedIn username and a LinkedIn address?

Your username is what you use to log into LinkedIn — it's private and only you know it. Your profile address (URL) is public and is what you share with others to let them view your profile. The address appears in your browser's address bar when you're on your profile page.

Why can't I find someone's LinkedIn profile?

They may not have a LinkedIn account, or they may have set their profile to private or hidden from search results. Some people also use different names on LinkedIn than their legal name. Try searching with variations of their name, or ask a mutual connection if they can share the link directly.

Can I change my own LinkedIn address?

Yes, LinkedIn allows you to customize your profile URL. Go to your profile, click "Edit public profile URL" in the top right, and enter your custom address. You get one custom URL per account, and it must be between 3 and 30 characters.

Is it safe to share my LinkedIn address with strangers?

Your LinkedIn address is public by design, so sharing it is generally safe. However, be cautious about who you connect with or message on the platform. You can adjust your privacy settings to control who can message you and what information is visible on your profile.