You can change your LinkedIn web address once every 120 days

Your LinkedIn web address is the custom URL that appears in your profile link — something like linkedin.com/in/yourname instead of a string of numbers. LinkedIn lets you change this address to something more memorable and professional, but only once every 120 days. The change takes effect immediately, and your old URL stops working.

The process itself takes about two minutes. You do not need to contact LinkedIn support or wait for approval. You can change it directly in your profile settings on a computer or through the mobile app, though the desktop version is simpler to navigate.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your LinkedIn web address once every 120 days through your profile settings under "Public profile & URL".
  • Your new URL must be between 3 and 30 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and hyphens, and cannot match an existing LinkedIn username.
  • After you change your URL, the old one becomes inactive and anyone using the old link will see an error page.
  • Update your resume, website, and email signature with your new LinkedIn URL so people can still find you.

How to change your URL on desktop

Open LinkedIn in a web browser and go to your profile by clicking your profile photo in the top right corner, then select "View profile." On your profile page, look for the "Open to" section near the top. Just below that, you will see your current LinkedIn URL in gray text. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

A box will appear showing your current URL. Delete the existing text after "linkedin.com/in/" and type your new address. LinkedIn will show you in real time whether the name is available — if it is taken, you will see a red X and a message saying "This URL is taken." If it is available, you will see a green checkmark. Once you have a name that works, click "Save" and the change is complete.

How to change your URL on mobile

Open the LinkedIn app and tap your profile photo at the bottom of the screen to go to your profile. Scroll to the top and tap the pencil icon next to your name. Scroll down until you see "Public profile & URL" and tap it. You will see your current LinkedIn URL listed there. Tap the pencil icon next to the URL field to edit it.

Type your new address in the field that appears. The app will check availability as you type. Once you see the green checkmark confirming the name is available, tap "Done" or "Save" depending on your phone's operating system. The change takes effect immediately.

What makes a valid LinkedIn URL

Your new URL must follow specific rules. It can be between 3 and 30 characters long. You can use letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and hyphens, but no spaces, underscores, or special characters like periods or apostrophes. LinkedIn treats uppercase and lowercase letters the same way, so "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" are considered identical.

The URL cannot be a name that is already taken by another LinkedIn member. It also cannot be a reserved word that LinkedIn uses for its own pages — for example, you cannot use "jobs," "help," "company," or "school" as your URL. If you try to use a reserved word, LinkedIn will tell you it is unavailable. Common professional names like "john-smith" or "jane-doe-marketing" usually work unless someone else has already claimed them.

What happens to your old URL

When you change your LinkedIn URL, the old one becomes inactive immediately. Anyone who clicks a link to your old URL will see an error page saying the page does not exist. This matters if you have shared your old LinkedIn URL in your email signature, on your resume, on your website, or in job applications.

Before you change your URL, make a list of everywhere you have shared the old one. After the change, update those places with your new URL. Check your email signature, your personal website or portfolio, your resume if you have it online, your Twitter or other social media profiles, and any cover letters you have sent recently. This prevents potential employers or contacts from hitting a dead link when they try to visit your profile.

When you cannot change your URL yet

If you have changed your LinkedIn URL within the last 120 days, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again. The 120-day timer starts from the date of your most recent change, not from when you first created your account. You cannot bypass this waiting period — LinkedIn enforces it for all users without exception.

If you are locked out of changing your URL and need to for an urgent reason, your only option is to wait. LinkedIn does not offer exceptions to the 120-day rule, and contacting support will not speed up the process. Plan your URL changes carefully so you do not waste your one change per 120 days on a name you will want to change again soon.

Choosing a URL that will last

Since you can only change your URL once every 120 days, pick a name you will be comfortable with for a while. A good LinkedIn URL is professional, easy to spell, and unlikely to become outdated. Your full name or first name plus last initial usually works well — "linkedin.com/in/priya-desai" or "linkedin.com/in/p-desai" are both clear and professional.

Avoid URLs with numbers that represent a year, like "priya-desai-2024," because they look dated within months. Do not use nicknames or inside jokes unless they are how you are known professionally. If your name is common, adding your industry or location can help — "priya-desai-security" or "priya-desai-nyc" — but keep it short and relevant to your field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use special characters like periods or underscores in my LinkedIn URL?

No. LinkedIn only allows letters, numbers, and hyphens. Periods, underscores, apostrophes, and other special characters will not work. If you want to separate words, use a hyphen instead — "john-smith" instead of "john.smith" or "john_smith".

What if the URL I want is already taken?

You cannot use it. LinkedIn will show you a red X when you try. Try adding a middle initial, your location, or your industry to make it unique — "john-smith-marketing" or "john-m-smith" instead of just "john-smith".

Do I lose my profile history or connections if I change my URL?

No. Changing your URL does not affect your profile, your connections, your messages, or any of your content. Only the web address changes. Your profile stays exactly the same.

Can I change my URL back to what it was before?

Only if you wait 120 days after your most recent change. If you changed your URL and want to go back, you will have to wait until the 120-day window opens again, then change it back. This uses up your one change for that 120-day period.

Why does LinkedIn limit URL changes to once every 120 days?

LinkedIn enforces the limit to prevent spam and abuse. Without it, people could rapidly cycle through URLs to hide their activity or impersonate others. The 120-day window gives you time to use a URL while still allowing changes when your professional situation changes.