How to Merge LinkedIn Accounts & Check Visibility: The Ultimate Guide

In today’s fast-paced professional world, the LinkedIn network has become an indispensable tool for networking, job searching, and building your personal brand.

At Social Think, we understand the importance of having a strong and cohesive LinkedIn presence.

One question we often hear from our clients is, “Can you merge LinkedIn accounts?”

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go deep into the topic of merging LinkedIn accounts, exploring the benefits, challenges, and step-by-step process to help you make informed decisions about managing your LinkedIn profile.

What is LinkedIn Account Merging?

LinkedIn account merging is the process of combining two or more LinkedIn accounts into a single, unified profile. This can be useful if you have multiple accounts with different email addresses or if you want to consolidate your professional identity on the platform.

Can You Merge LinkedIn Accounts?

You can merge LinkedIn accounts. However, it’s important to note that LinkedIn’s user agreement only allows one account per person. If you have duplicate accounts, LinkedIn recommends closing the secondary account and adding any relevant information to your primary account.

Why to Merge LinkedIn Accounts?

There are several compelling reasons to consider merging your LinkedIn accounts:

Having Multiple LinkedIn Accounts

If you have created multiple LinkedIn accounts over time, perhaps using different email addresses, merging them can help you maintain a consistent online presence and avoid confusion among your connections.

Simplifying Account Management

Managing multiple LinkedIn accounts can be time-consuming and inefficient. Though merging your accounts, you can streamline your LinkedIn activity, making it easier to engage with your network and stay on top of your professional goals.

Impact of Merging LinkedIn Accounts

Before merging your LinkedIn accounts, it’s important to understand the potential impact on your profile, connections, and overall visibility:

• Your primary account will absorb the connections, endorsements, and recommendations from the secondary account(s).
• Group memberships and followed pages will be transferred to the primary account.
• Your profile URL may change if you merge accounts with different vanity URLs.

Eligibility For Merging LinkedIn Accounts

Not all LinkedIn accounts are eligible for merging. To successfully merge your accounts, you must meet the following requirements:

Requirements to Merge Accounts

• You must have access to the login information and password for all accounts involved in the merge process.
• The accounts must represent the same person (i.e., you cannot merge a personal profile with a company page).
• The accounts must not have any active LinkedIn Ads campaigns or outstanding balances.

Possible Challenges of Merging.

While merging LinkedIn accounts is generally straightforward, there are some potential challenges to keep in mind:

• If your accounts have significantly different profile information, you may need to manually update your merged account to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Merging accounts with a large number of connections may take some time to process.
• If you have a premium LinkedIn account, you’ll need to cancel any duplicate subscriptions after merging.

How to Merge LinkedIn Accounts?

Now that you understand the benefits and considerations of merging LinkedIn accounts, let’s walk through the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Choose the Primary Account: Decide which account you want to keep as your primary profile. This account will be the one that remains active after the merge.

Step 2: Close the Secondary Account: Before initiating the merge, you’ll need to close your secondary account(s). To do this:

• Log in to the account you want to close.
• Click on the “Me” icon at the top of the LinkedIn homepage.
• Select “Settings & Privacy” from the dropdown menu.
• Under the “Account” tab, click “Closing your LinkedIn account” at the bottom of the page.
• Follow the prompts to confirm the account closure.

Step 3: Re-add Connections and Information: After closing your secondary account(s), log in to your primary account and manually re-add any important connections, skills, or other profile information that may not have transferred during the merge process.

• Post-Merge Activities: Once you’ve successfully merged your LinkedIn accounts, there are a few key tasks to ensure your profile is up-to-date and optimized:
• Updating Profile Information: Review your merged profile thoroughly, updating any outdated or missing information. This includes your headline, summary, experience, education, and skills.
• Checking and Changing Privacy Settings: Merging accounts may impact your privacy settings. Take a moment to review your account preferences and adjust your visibility settings as needed.
• Alternatives to Merging LinkedIn Accounts: If merging your LinkedIn accounts isn’t the best way solution for your situation, consider these alternatives:
• Using LinkedIn’s Profile Linking Feature: LinkedIn allows you to link up to three related profiles (e.g., a personal profile and a company page) to showcase your professional affiliations without merging accounts.

Maintaining Separate Accounts for Different Purposes

In some cases, it may be beneficial to maintain separate LinkedIn accounts for distinct purposes, such as a personal profile for job searching and a business account for lead generation.

Just be sure to keep each account active and compliant with LinkedIn’s professional community policies.

FAQ’s:

Can I merge my personal and business LinkedIn accounts?

No, LinkedIn does not allow merging of personal profiles with company pages or showcase pages. These account types must remain separate.

Can I merge more than two LinkedIn accounts?

Yes, you can merge multiple LinkedIn accounts as long as they all represent the same person and meet the eligibility requirements.

Can I merge LinkedIn accounts with different email addresses?

Yes, as long as you have access to the login information for each account, you can merge LinkedIn accounts with different email addresses.

What happens to my endorsements and recommendations after merging?

Endorsements and recommendations from your secondary account(s) will be transferred to your primary account during the merge process.

Will I lose my connections when merging accounts?

No, your connections from the secondary account(s) will be added to your primary account. However, it’s a good idea to review your merged account and re-add any missing connections manually.

How long does it take to merge LinkedIn accounts?

The time required to merge LinkedIn accounts varies depending on the number of connections and the complexity of the account data. In most cases, the process is completed within a few hours.

Conclusion

Merging LinkedIn accounts can be a smart strategy to simplify your online presence and make the most of your professional network.

To understand the benefits, requirements, and process of merging accounts, you can make informed decisions about managing your LinkedIn profile.

Revoking your LinkedIn presence is a powerful tool for building your brand and advancing your career. At Social Think, we’re committed to providing the insights and guidance you need to thrive in the ever-evolving world of social media.

If you have any questions about merging LinkedIn accounts or optimizing your profile, our team of experts is here to help.