How to Change Your Headline on LinkedIn (2026)
Your headline is the line under your name — it’s the most-seen text on LinkedIn, appearing in search results, comments, and connection requests. You get up to 220 characters. Here’s how to change it and make it work harder.
1. Change Your Headline (Desktop)
- Go to your profile.
- Click the pencil/edit icon in the top section, next to your name and photo.
- Find the Headline field (just below your name).
- Delete the existing text and type your new headline — up to 220 characters.
- Click Save.
2. Change Your Headline (Mobile)
- Tap your photo > View Profile.
- Tap the pencil/edit icon in your top profile card.
- Edit the Headline field and tap Save.
3. Write a Headline That Gets Found
By default LinkedIn fills your headline with your current job title. Replace it with something searchable and specific:
- Lead with keywords recruiters search — your role and specialty (e.g., “Senior Product Manager | B2B SaaS | Fintech”).
- Use the full 220 characters if you can — more keywords means more search surface.
- Separate ideas with | or · for scannability.
- Skip clichés like “guru” or “ninja”; they don’t match how people actually search.
4. Troubleshooting
My headline reverts to my job title
If you’ve never set a custom headline, LinkedIn auto-fills it from your current position. Edit the Headline field directly and save — that overrides the default.
Adding a new job changed my headline
When you add a position, LinkedIn may offer to update your headline. Decline that, or re-edit the headline afterward to restore your custom text.
The headline is cut off in search results
Search and comment views show only the first ~50 characters. Front-load your most important keywords so they appear before the truncation.
Is 220 characters a hard limit?
Yes. The field stops accepting text at 220 characters. Tighten wording or drop separators if you’re over.
Related LinkedIn guides: How to add the Featured section · How to add a promotion · How to add skills · How to change your LinkedIn URL. To turn a sharper profile into real follow-ups, see Carly’s LinkedIn integration.
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