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Written By firstgrowth@dmin
February 28, 2025
You probably have seen LinkedIn profiles with a shield badge next to their names. That’s called a verification badge. The verification badge lets others know that your profile is verified and authentic as per LinkedIn’s stringent requirements. Let’s discuss in this blog the details of the LinkedIn verification badge, along with how to use it and its benefits.
The LinkedIn verification badge is a small shield symbol that appears next to your name, showing your peers on LinkedIn that you have an authentic profile and can be trusted. Previously, this symbol looked like a plain checkmark, and over the years, they have frequently changed its design. Today, it looks like a shield. Besides this one benefit of LinkedIn verification, it fosters your profile’s visibility, helping you stand out on the platform.
Now before you click that Apply for Verification button impulsively following the above two paragraphs, let us tell you there’s more to LinkedIn verification than just click and get it. You need to ensure beforehand applying for verification that your profile meets the requirements of verification. For your help, we have prepared an easy checklist below. Have a look:
Let’s talk about how to get verified on LinkedIn. Follow this easy and no-nonsense step-by-step guide on getting your LinkedIn verification badge.
The 2026 LinkedIn verification requirements include having your profile entirely filled out, as we mentioned above. An updated email address along with the current phone number should be on your profile. If you have a website, make sure to include it on your profile as well. Lastly, the number of connections isn’t an official requirement to get a verification badge, having over 500 connections and followers can significantly improve your chances of getting verified.
So you have met all the requirements we talked about and now clicked on Apply for verification, LinkedIn will take you to a page where you will ask about relevant documents. This is the step where you have to provide LinkedIn with government-issued IDs like driver’s license or passport. If you don’t want to submit these, you can go for proof of employment as well, preferably saved in PDF or JPEG formats.
If you’re verifying on a desktop, you won’t face this issue, but sometimes not having updated app versions acts like a hurdle in the verification step. So it’s better to download the current app version of LinkedIn on your mobile, log in to account, and carry out the procedure.
Double-check all the information for accuracy and submit your application and wait for LinkedIn to review your details. The review process can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. After double-checking that everything is in order, click the Submit button. LinkedIn will then review your application, which typically takes anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. You’ll receive a notification once your verification is approved or if LinkedIn needs more information.
If LinkedIn needs more information or your application is delayed, follow the instructions in the notification they send. Respond promptly to any requests to keep the process moving smoothly. If your application is delayed or you receive a request for more information, don’t panic. Simply follow the instructions provided in the notification and update your submission accordingly. LinkedIn’s support team is there to help, and a timely response on your end can speed up the process.
While following the steps above will put you in a strong position, here are a few additional tips to make the process even smoother:
By following these tips, you’re not only expediting your verification process but also reinforcing your overall professional image.
Pros |
Cons |
| It enhances your profile’s credibility, acting like a stamp of authenticity, making you appear a trustworthy professional. | It raises privacy concerns for some individuals who are reluctant with sharing personal information, government-issued ID and other documents. |
| It increases your likeability to get found in search results since verified profiles are prioritized via LinkedIn’s algorithm. | It might restrict you to select certain companies or institutions as the verification often gives limited availability, acting like a barrier for some users. |
| It opens your gateway to next-level networking since the badge shows that you’re professional and this wants peers to connect with you. | It raises concerns for data being sent to countries with lower data protection standards, despite LinkedIn’s high-level security. |
| It lowers the chances of impersonation and fake profiles that can affect your brand’s image. | Minor mismatches between LinkedIn profile name and ID name can bring frustrating verification delays. |
Getting a LinkedIn verification badge can be a game changer for your personal brand. It enhances your reputation on the platform, making you appear trustworthy towards your prospects. This leads to positive networking and impactful growth. Although it comes with minor odds, leaving people worried about their privacy when they use government-issued IDs for LinkedIn badge verification, it is still trusted by the majority of the people out there.
LinkedIn verification is a feature that confirms certain details on a LinkedIn profile, such as identity, workplace, or educational institution. Once verified, a badge appears on the profile to show that LinkedIn or its verification partners have confirmed the information.
The LinkedIn verification badge means that a profile has completed at least one verification method available on LinkedIn. It helps other users know that the person’s identity, workplace, or education has been checked, which can make the profile look more authentic and trustworthy.
To get verified on LinkedIn, go to your LinkedIn profile and look for the verification option. Depending on your location and eligibility, you may be able to verify your identity with a government ID, verify your workplace with a company email or approved work credential, or verify your education through a supported institution.
Yes, LinkedIn verification is free. Users do not need to pay LinkedIn to verify their profile. However, availability depends on your country, company, institution, and the verification method supported for your profile.
LinkedIn currently supports different types of verification, including identity verification, workplace verification, and educational institution verification. Identity verification may require a government-issued ID, workplace verification may use a work email or company credential, and education verification may use supported educational access.
Getting verified on LinkedIn can help build trust, reduce impersonation risk, improve profile credibility, and make people more confident when connecting with you. It is especially useful for recruiters, executives, consultants, sales professionals, founders, and anyone who uses LinkedIn for professional networking.
LinkedIn verification may not show if the feature is not available in your country, company, institution, or account type. It may also be unavailable if your profile details do not match your ID, workplace, or educational record. Updating your profile and checking LinkedIn’s verification options can help.
Yes, LinkedIn can remove a verification badge if the verified information changes or no longer matches your profile. For example, if you change your name, leave a company, update your workplace, or lose access to a verified credential, you may need to verify again to keep the badge visible.