Citing a LinkedIn profile correctly is an imperative task when leveraging this professional networking platform for research or reference purposes. Citing a LinkedIn profile demonstrates the seriousness and integrity of your work, and can enhance its credibility. Let’s delve deeper into how one can accurately cite a LinkedIn profile.
Here are some crucial steps and examples to help you cite a LinkedIn profile appropriately:
- Gather Information: Understanding the necessary details that must be included in the citation.
- APA Citation: Familiarize with the rules of citing a LinkedIn profile in APA format.
- APA Example: An illustrative example to guide you through APA citation.
- APA Post Citation: Learn how to cite a LinkedIn post specifically in APA style.
- MLA Citation: Grasp the nuances of citing a LinkedIn profile in MLA mode.
- MLA Example: A practical example for better understanding of MLA citation.
- Variety of Styles: Knowledge of citing LinkedIn profiles in different styles.
Adhering to these steps will ensure an accurate and proper citation of LinkedIn profiles, enhancing the reliability and authenticity of your content.
Contents
- Gathering Information for LinkedIn Citations
- How to Cite a LinkedIn Profile in APA
- Example Citation for Citing a LinkedIn Profile
- How to Cite a LinkedIn Post in APA
- LinkedIn Post Citation Example
- How to Cite LinkedIn in MLA
- Example Citation for Citing a LinkedIn Post
- Citing LinkedIn Profile in Various Styles
- Profile Citation Simplified
A Comprehensive Guide for Citing a LinkedIn Profile
The precise formatting of a citation might vary according to citation styles such as APA, MLA, etc. Hence, it’s recommended to check the particular style guide for specific instructions.
Notably, all citations should include basic elements such as who (author), when (date), what (title), and where (URL).
The way you cite a LinkedIn profile can impact the perception of your content’s authenticity, which underscores the importance of getting it right.
Finally, always remember to re-check your citation for accuracy and completeness to maintain the standard of your work.
Gathering Information for LinkedIn Citations

Conducting research in the digital sphere, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, demands astute observable skills and a discerning eye.
To extract accurate information from LinkedIn profiles, it’s crucial to evaluate your sources for reliability. Always do a background check to confirm the authenticity of the details provided.
Understanding search engine optimization (SEO) is critical in navigating online information. It effectively begins the database processing of your research.
Take note, various search engines might generate different results due to varying SEO algorithms.
When citing social media resources like LinkedIn, understanding more about each user beyond their profile name is essential.
A user’s activities, connections, and endorsements can all contribute to their credibility. It’s always prudent to scrutinize these factors before using them as a source.
Personal websites or blogs may sometimes be linked on LinkedIn profiles. These can be useful when evaluating a person’s credibility.
In fact, Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab recommends checking the author’s affiliations and determining their legitimacy.
Bear in mind that while podcasts are increasingly popular as digital mediums, their reliability may vary based on the speaker’s qualifications and credibility.
How to Cite a LinkedIn Profile in APA

Citing a LinkedIn profile in APA format involves specific steps. First, note down the name of the individual whose profile you’re referencing.
Next, since LinkedIn profiles don’t have associated dates, write (n.d.) for “no date”. This will be placed in brackets right after the person’s name.
LinkedIn Page Notation
Following this, you should insert “[LinkedIn page]” in square brackets. This immediately follows the no-date notation.
The website name comes next, which in our case is LinkedIn. Just write it as it is.
Importance of Retrieval Date
A crucial step in citing LinkedIn profiles is the inclusion of the retrieval date. This accounts for any future changes made to the profile over time.
The final part of your citation should be the URL of the profile. This URL permits others to directly visit the profile you’re referencing.
Tying it All Together
Lets use Ray Dalio’s profile as an example. His LinkedIn citation would read: Ray Dalio. (n.d.). [LinkedIn page]. LinkedIn. Retrieved Date: URL.
Your in-text citation should look like this: (Ray Dalio, n.d.). Now you’re all set to correctly cite LinkedIn profiles in APA!
Example Citation for Citing a LinkedIn Profile

Citing LinkedIn profiles necessitates understanding specific guidelines. The account name serves as the reference’s name.
LinkedIn does not provide precise post dates. Users need to infer a specific date, using the information provided.
Post Title and Content
For title reference, use the first 20 words of the post. URLs, hashtags, or emojis falling within these words are included as a word each.
Incorporating Multimedia Elements
If posts incorporate images, videos, or outside links, indicate this after the title in square brackets.
The post type (i.e., “[Post]”, “[Video]”) is designated in square brackets after any content description.
Crediting LinkedIn Source
Credit LinkedIn as the source and provide the URL of the post. An example of citation is: (American Psychological Association, 2019; Goodwin, 2019).
Citation for LinkedIn Pages
Citing LinkedIn pages involves utilizing the page title for references (e.g., “Home”, “About”, “Jobs”).
Include “[LinkedIn Page]” in square brackets following the title.
A retrieval date should be provided because content changes over time and is not archived. Also, include the page’s URL in your citation.
How to Cite a LinkedIn Post in APA

The APA citation for LinkedIn posts follows a specific template as outlined in the Publication Manual Section 10.15 and the Concise Guide Section 10.13.
First, the name associated with the account should be used as the reference name.
While LinkedIn does not provide exact dates for posts, an inferred date is typically used based on how long ago the post was made.
Name | Date of Post | Title of Post (First 20 words) |
---|---|---|
John Doe | February 2022 (1 month ago) | An in-depth analysis of recent… |
Jane Smith | January 2022 (2 months ago) | As per the latest market research… |
Billy Bob | December 2021 (3 months ago) | The financial prowess of major… |
Mary Sue | November 2021 (4 months ago) | Critical findings from our latest… |
Nick Fury | October 2021 (5 months ago) | In light of recent developments… |
Table: Examples of LinkedIn post citations in APA format |
Your citation should also include a title which consists of the initial 20 words of the post.
Should a URL, hashtag, or even an emoji fall within this word count, tally them as individual words and include them within the reference.
Bear in mind that emojis shouldn’t be italicized.
If a post has additional elements like images, videos, thumbnail links or content from another post, indicate them using square brackets after the title.
Finally, you should identify the post type (i.e., “[Post],” “[Video]”) inside square brackets after any description of the attached content.
LinkedIn is credited as the site name in the source element and then followed by the URL of the post. This rule applies universally across different LinkedIn references as per APA guidelines. For more insights on this, you can visit APA Style Guidelines.
LinkedIn Post Citation Example

Browsing around LinkedIn, you might find a post that piques your interest. To use it in your content, you must cite it correctly.
Citations of LinkedIn posts start with the account name associated with the post. It is followed by the approximate posting date if available.
If the post has a title, include it and italicize it. If it doesn’t, use the first 20 words as the title.
Ensure to include all URLs, hashtags, or emojis within these initial 20 words. Note that emojis should not be italicized.
Next, denote the nature of content in brackets such as [Thumbnail link] or [Article]. Remember that LinkedIn is the source site.
The URL of the post should also be provided. For instance, an excerpt from a LinkedIn post could look like:
_The ability to make money, save it… [Thumbnail with link] [Post]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/raydalio_changingworldorder-booklaunch-activity-6875877869655080960-nw6W
In-text citation would then be: (Ray Dalio, 2021).
For a LinkedIn profile citation without a specific date, use “n.d.” in brackets. Explicitly state “[LinkedIn page]” in square brackets right after the account name.
The retrieval date and profile URL are also essential parts of your citation. An example would look like:
Ray Dalio [LinkedIn page]. LinkedIn. Retrieved February 3, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/raydalio/
In-text citation would then be: (Ray Dalio, n.d.).
For more details on how to cite LinkedIn references, visit this guide.
Citing LinkedIn posts and profiles correctly is crucial in the world of professional networking and content creation.
Ensure your citations adhere to the rules outlined above, maintaining both professionalism and accuracy.
How to Cite LinkedIn in MLA

The Modern Language Association (MLA) has specific rules for citing social media sources, including LinkedIn. Knowing how to correctly cite these sources can greatly enhance your academic or professional document’s credibility.
Whether you’re citing a LinkedIn post or profile, the fundamental elements remain the same. Here’s a step-by-step guide to make it easier.
- Author Details: Always include the full name of the author or profile owner.
- Title: For posts, use the title within quotes. For profiles, use the profile title with quotation marks.
- Social Media Platform: Specify ‘LinkedIn’, and italicize it.
- Date: Mention publication date for posts. For profiles, omit this as dates aren’t specified.
- URL: Provide a direct link to the post or the profile.
This referenced information should especially aid those seeking a deeper understanding of MLA citation rules. To delve even further into this topic, consider exploring MLA’s guidelines.
Doing so will allow you to cite LinkedIn sources accurately and confidently in your writing pursuits.
Example Citation for Citing a LinkedIn Post

When citing a LinkedIn post, start with the author’s name. The name should correspond to the account associated with the post.
Inferring the Date of the Post
LinkedIn doesn’t give exact dates for posts, only general times like “2 days ago” or “1 week ago”. With this info, you can infer an approximate date for referencing purposes.
Title Creation
The post’s title in your citation should be the first 20 words of the post. Count URLs, hashtags, and emojis as words if they are in this count.
Inclusion of Post Content
Include any attached content in your citation. For instance, write [Thumbnail with link attached] or [Video] after the title if such content is present.
Source Identification
For the source element, credit LinkedIn as the site name and include the URL of the post for easy reference.
If we use these guidelines to cite a LinkedIn post such as https://www.linkedin.com/posts/raydalio_changingworldorder-booklaunch-activity-6875877869655080960-nw6W.
We would get: Ray Dalio. (2021). The ability to make money, save it, and put it into capital (i.e., capitalism) is an effective motivator of people [Thumbnail with link attached] [Post]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/raydalio_changingworldorder-booklaunch-activity-6875877869655080960-nw6W
Lastly, the in-text citation would simply be (Ray Dalio, 2021).
Simplifying LinkedIn Citation
These tips can help you correctly cite a LinkedIn post, ensuring your references are informed and comprehensive.
Citing LinkedIn Profile in Various Styles

LinkedIn profiles can be cited in various ways depending on the citation style used. Here’s how to do this in APA Style:
- Citing LinkedIn Posts: In this case, use the name associated with the account as the reference. Given that LinkedIn does not provide exact dates, you’ll have to infer the date from the post information. Include up to 20 words of the post as the title, counting URLs, hashtags, and emojis each as one word. You can also include descriptions of any attached content like images or links within brackets. Always credit LinkedIn as the site name and provide its URL.
- Citing LinkedIn Pages: Use the page title in your citation. Add “[LinkedIn page]” in brackets after this title. Since LinkedIn page content can change over time, include a retrieval date. Lastly, don’t forget to provide the page’s URL.
These guidelines ensure that your citations are accurate and appropriate for an academic or professional setting.
If you need more detailed instructions on referencing LinkedIn entities, consider referring to seventh edition APA Style manuals in their respective sections.
This way, you’re giving due credit to the original source while adhering to rigorous academic or professional standards.
Profile Citation Simplified
Citing a LinkedIn profile is straightforward: identify the individual’s name, title, and the date of access. Proceed to locate the unique URL of the profile. The citation format largely depends on the rule set you’re using – APA, MLA, or Chicago style. Always ensure your citations adhere to ethical standards and respect privacy terms.