What is a LinkedIn headline?
Your headline is the line under your name on LinkedIn. It follows you everywhere: search results, comments, connection requests and job applications. For most people it's the only thing they read before deciding whether to open your profile.
If you never edit it, LinkedIn fills it with your current job title and company. That's fine, but it wastes space you could use to say what you're good at and who you help.
How long can a LinkedIn headline be?
LinkedIn allows up to 220 characters. That's room for a role, a few skills and a line of proof, but not all of it shows everywhere. In search results, comments and on phones, the headline is often cut after the first 50 to 70 characters, depending on the screen.
So front-load it. The words that matter most go first, and the nice-to-have detail goes at the end, where it can be cut without losing the point.
A simple formula that works
Strong headlines usually mix three parts. You don't need all three in every version, but two beats one.
- Role: the title people search for, like Product Designer, not an invention like Pixel Wizard.
- Value: who you help and with what, like Helping B2B SaaS teams with design systems.
- Proof: a number, a past employer, a result or a credential, like Ex-Shopify or 40+ products shipped.
Use the words people search
Recruiters search LinkedIn by job title and skill, and your headline is one of the places those searches look. Use the plain words from job posts in your field. If every listing says content strategist, that phrase belongs in your headline, even if your current title is something else.
Separators like | or · make a list of skills easy to scan. Pick one and use it all the way through.
Mistakes to avoid
A few things make a headline easy to skip:
- Buzzwords with no proof: passionate, results-driven, ninja, guru.
- Only saying you're open to work. Say which job you want instead.
- Ten skills in a row. Three or four read better.
- Lots of emoji. One can suit a creative field; five looks like spam.
Frequently asked questions
How many characters can a LinkedIn headline have?
Up to 220. Only the first part shows in search results and comments, so put your role and main keyword first.
What should my headline say if I'm looking for work?
Lead with the role you want and your strongest skills, then add proof, like Data Analyst | SQL, Python, Tableau | 5 years in retail. It does more than Looking for opportunities on its own.
Should my headline just be my job title?
It can be, but a title alone misses the chance to add skills and proof. Adding who you help and one result makes you easier to find and remember.
Can I use emoji in a LinkedIn headline?
Yes, LinkedIn allows them. Use one at most, and only if it suits your field. Plain text is the safer choice for most industries.
How often should I update my headline?
Whenever your focus changes: a new role, a skill you want to be hired for, or a result worth showing. It takes a minute and you can change it as often as you like.