Understanding LinkedIn’s Policy on Multiple Accounts

This document provides an overview of LinkedIn’s guidelines regarding the creation and management of multiple accounts. While there is no explicit limit on the number of accounts an individual can have, LinkedIn’s Terms of Service emphasize the importance of maintaining a single personal account. This document outlines the key points to consider when navigating LinkedIn’s policies on account management.

1. **LinkedIn’s Policy on Multiple Accounts**

• One Personal Account: LinkedIn recommends users maintain only one personal account. Creating multiple personal accounts for the same individual violates LinkedIn’s Terms of Service. If you have multiple accounts, you risk having one or more flagged or suspended.

• Business Accounts: Users can create a LinkedIn Company Page for their business, which is separate from their personal account. This page can have multiple admins if necessary.

2. **Reasons to Avoid Multiple Personal Accounts**

• Violation of Terms: If LinkedIn detects multiple personal accounts, it can lead to one or both accounts being restricted or deactivated.

• Confusion and Management: Managing more than one personal account can be challenging and time-consuming, especially since LinkedIn’s algorithm associates your connections, activity, and recommendations with a single account.

3. **What You Can Do Legally**

• Separate Accounts for Different Roles: In certain situations, if you hold two distinct professional roles (e.g., working in different industries or having separate personal and professional identities), you may create a second account. However, you must adhere to LinkedIn’s guidelines and ensure that:

  • The second account is used for legitimate business purposes.

  • Both accounts comply with LinkedIn’s policies.

  As a general rule, LinkedIn prefers users to consolidate their experiences into a single account to prevent confusion and misuse.

4. **LinkedIn Groups and Pages**

• LinkedIn Groups: You can join as many groups as you wish with your personal account, but you cannot create multiple accounts solely to join more groups.

• Company Pages: Businesses or organizations can create multiple LinkedIn Company Pages, each representing a different business or brand under the same organization. These pages can be managed by different admins.

5. **If You Need Multiple Accounts**

If you find it necessary to have separate accounts (for example, one for personal networking and another for professional branding), consider the following:

• Contact LinkedIn Support: Seek clarification on your specific situation to ensure compliance with their terms.

• Maintain Compliance: If you create a second account for legitimate reasons, ensure it is entirely separate in terms of contacts, content, and activity.

 

Conclusion

While LinkedIn does not impose a strict limit on the number of accounts one can create, it is crucial to adhere to LinkedIn’s Terms of Service and avoid creating multiple personal accounts, as this could lead to account suspension. Always keep your LinkedIn account activity transparent and within the guidelines to ensure your accounts remain in good standing.