How To Merge Two LinkedIn Accounts: A Pro’s Guide

Unfortunately, LinkedIn does not offer a direct “merge” feature to combine two existing accounts. However, fear not! While a true merge is impossible, you can strategically consolidate your professional presence by deactivating one account and transferring valuable connections and information to your primary LinkedIn profile. This article will guide you through this process and answer frequently asked questions to ensure a seamless transition.

The Strategic Consolidation Approach: Deactivate & Migrate

Instead of a simple “merge,” think of this process as a strategic consolidation. You’ll designate one account as your primary profile and then systematically move the crucial elements from your secondary account before permanently closing it. This is the only official method recommended (and supported) by LinkedIn.

Here’s the breakdown:

1. Identify Your Primary Account: Decide which LinkedIn account you want to keep. This should be the one with the most robust network, most relevant endorsements, and most accurately reflects your current career trajectory.

2. Export Your Connections: Before deactivating the secondary account, download a list of your connections. LinkedIn allows you to export your connection data in a CSV file. This invaluable file serves as your “digital Rolodex,” ensuring you don’t lose touch with anyone. To do this, go to “Settings & Privacy,” then “Data Privacy,” and finally “Get a copy of your data.” Choose “Connections” and request the archive.

3. Personalized Connection Requests: Using the CSV file, revisit your primary LinkedIn account and send personalized connection requests to your former connections. This is crucial! A generic connection request can be easily ignored. Mention your previous connection in the message to jog their memory, for example: “Hi [Name], we were connected on LinkedIn previously through my other account, which I’m consolidating. It would be great to reconnect!”

4. Transfer Endorsements & Recommendations (Indirectly): Unfortunately, LinkedIn doesn’t directly transfer endorsements or recommendations. However, you can:

   • Reach Out: Privately message individuals who endorsed you on the deactivated account and politely request they endorse you for the same skills on your primary profile.
   • Highlight Skills: Strategically update the skills section of your primary profile to reflect the skills you were endorsed for on the deactivated account. This encourages new endorsements.

5. Manually Copy Profile Information: Copy and paste any unique or valuable information from your secondary profile to your primary one. This includes:

   • Job Descriptions: Extract detailed descriptions of your past roles from the deactivated account.
   • Publications & Projects: Ensure all your publications and projects are represented on your primary profile.
   • Education Details: Double-check that your education history is complete.

6. Update Contact Information: Ensure that your contact information is accurate and consistent across your primary LinkedIn profile and any other online presence.

7. Deactivate the Secondary Account: Once you’ve transferred all vital information and reconnected with your key contacts, deactivate the secondary account. Go to “Settings & Privacy,” then “Account Preferences,” and finally “Close Account.” Choose the appropriate reason for closing and follow the prompts. This step is irreversible, so ensure you’ve taken all necessary precautions.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

• Forgetting to Export Connections: This is the most common mistake. Export your connections before you deactivate!
• Sending Generic Connection Requests: Personalization is key. Tailor each request to maximize your reconnection rate.
• Neglecting Recommendations: While you can’t transfer them, reaching out to recommenders is crucial for rebuilding your credibility.
• Rushing the Process: Take your time and meticulously transfer all valuable data. This ensures a smooth transition and minimizes any potential loss.

FAQs: Your LinkedIn Consolidation Questions Answered

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the process of consolidating your LinkedIn presence.

1. Can I truly merge two LinkedIn accounts with a single click?

No, LinkedIn does not offer a direct merge feature. You must deactivate one account and manually transfer information to the other. Think of it as strategically consolidating your digital footprint, not magically fusing two profiles together.

2. What happens to my LinkedIn groups when I deactivate an account?

When you deactivate an account, you’ll be removed from all groups associated with that account. You’ll need to rejoin these groups using your primary LinkedIn profile.

3. Will I lose all my endorsements when I close an account?

Yes, endorsements are tied to the specific profile. That’s why reaching out to those who endorsed you on the deactivated account is crucial for rebuilding your endorsement base on the primary account.

4. Is there a way to transfer my LinkedIn articles or posts from one account to another?

Unfortunately, there’s no direct transfer feature. You’ll need to manually copy and paste the content of your articles and posts from the deactivated account to your primary profile. Consider re-editing them for freshness and relevance.

5. Can I transfer my LinkedIn Learning courses and certificates?

No, these are also tied to the specific account. You’ll need to complete the courses again on your primary account if you wish to have them associated with that profile.

6. What if I accidentally deactivate the wrong account? Can it be recovered?

Generally, deactivated accounts can be reactivated within a certain timeframe (usually a few weeks). Contact LinkedIn Support immediately if you deactivate the wrong account. Time is of the essence.

7. How long does it take to reconnect with all my former connections?

The timeframe varies depending on the size of your network and your outreach efforts. Be patient and consistent with your personalized connection requests. Don’t spam; focus on genuine reconnection.

8. Will my previous job applications through LinkedIn be affected?

Job applications submitted through the deactivated account will likely become inaccessible. If you have important job applications still active, consider contacting the recruiters directly with your updated contact information from your primary LinkedIn profile.

9. Does deactivating an account affect my LinkedIn Recruiter profile, if I have one?

Yes, deactivating your personal account will also affect any associated LinkedIn Recruiter profile. Ensure you transfer any recruiter-specific data before deactivating. Contact LinkedIn Recruiter support for specialized assistance.

10. Is it against LinkedIn’s terms of service to have multiple accounts?

While LinkedIn doesn’t explicitly forbid multiple accounts, it’s generally discouraged. Having multiple profiles can be seen as misrepresenting yourself. Consolidating your presence into a single, strong profile is the recommended approach.

11. What if I don’t remember the email or password for the account I want to deactivate?

Use LinkedIn’s account recovery process. Follow the prompts to verify your identity and regain access to the account. You might need to provide information such as your name, previous email addresses, and connection details.

12. After I deactivate an account, how long before I can reuse the email address for a new account?

You typically cannot reuse the email address associated with a deactivated LinkedIn account immediately. It might take some time for LinkedIn to release the email address back into the pool of available addresses. Try again after a few weeks or months. Alternatively, consider using a different email address for any new LinkedIn accounts.

Conclusion: A Streamlined Professional Identity

While merging LinkedIn accounts isn’t a straightforward process, by following these steps and being mindful of the potential pitfalls, you can effectively consolidate your professional online presence. This strategic approach ensures a clean, focused, and impactful LinkedIn profile that accurately represents your skills, experience, and network. Remember, a strong, singular LinkedIn profile is always more effective than multiple fragmented ones. Good luck!