How to find LinkedIn ID: 5 fast methods to locate any profile ID

Finding a LinkedIn ID is a small technical step that unlocks powerful use cases: importing contacts, mapping connections to CRM records, troubleshooting integrations, or preparing automation workflows. In this guide you’ll learn five safe, reliable ways to find a LinkedIn ID — from the simplest URL trick to the developer-friendly API method — plus practical tips for automation and personal-brand workflows.

Why finding a LinkedIn ID matters for professionals and automation

Most LinkedIn users share a vanity URL (linkedin.com/in/jane-doe). That’s fine for discovery, but many tools and integrations prefer or require the canonical LinkedIn member ID (for example: urn:li:member:123456789). Knowing how to get either the vanity URL or the numeric/member URN helps you:

• Sync LinkedIn profiles to CRMs and contact databases reliably.
• Build automation rules for scheduling and personalization in tools like Linkesy.
• Troubleshoot OAuth and integration issues when you need the member URN.
• Export clean lists for research or recruiting while respecting privacy and TOS.

If you're using AI content automation, linking posts to exact profile IDs prevents duplication and ensures analytics attribution is accurate.

Quick primer: vanity URL vs. member ID (what they are)

Vanity URL: A human-friendly address such as linkedin.com/in/jane-doe. Visible in the browser address bar and shareable.

Member ID / URN: A canonical identifier used internally and by LinkedIn APIs, often formatted as urn:li:member:123456789 or returned as a numeric ID in older endpoints. This is what many integrations require.

5 proven methods to find a LinkedIn ID (step-by-step)

We cover fast-to-slow options: copy the profile URL, use the mobile share link, inspect network calls in DevTools, view page source to find the URN, and use the official LinkedIn API (developer access required).

1. Copy the public profile URL (fastest)

1. Open the member's LinkedIn profile (desktop or mobile browser).
2. Copy the address bar URL. If it’s a vanity URL (linkedin.com/in/name), that is the public identifier.

Why this helps: many tools accept the vanity URL directly. For basic automation and scheduling, the vanity URL is enough. If you need the numeric member ID later, one of the following methods will get it.

2. Use the mobile app “Share profile” link (works when web source hides numeric ID)

1. Open the LinkedIn mobile app and open the profile.
2. Tap the three-dot menu → "Share profile" → "Copy link to profile".
3. Paste the link into a notepad: sometimes it includes a query string (e.g., li_follower_id or other parameters) that can reference the numeric ID or URN.

Note: Behavior varies across Android/iOS and LinkedIn versions. If the mobile-generated link still doesn’t show a numeric ID, proceed to DevTools or API options.

3. Inspect the page network calls with DevTools (reliable for numeric URN)

1. Open the profile in a desktop browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox).
2. Right-click → Inspect → Network tab.
3. Reload the page and filter network requests by "profile", "voyager", or "identity". Look for JSON responses containing "entityUrn":"urn:li:member:123456789" or similar.

This method is ideal for developers and integrators because LinkedIn often includes the full URN inside API-like JSON payloads used to render the page.

4. View page source and search for member URN (good fallback)

1. Open the profile page in desktop browser.
2. Right-click → View page source (or press Ctrl+U / ⌘+U).
3. Search (Ctrl+F) for "urn:li:member" or "member:"
4. Copy the numeric ID displayed next to the URN.

Tip: LinkedIn’s rendering can be obfuscated, but the server-sent JSON often contains the URN. Use the earlier DevTools method if the source is minified.

5. Use the official LinkedIn API (best for apps and automation)

1. Create a LinkedIn developer app at LinkedIn Developers.
2. Request r_liteprofile or r_basicprofile permissions and complete the OAuth flow.
3. Call the People API and inspect the response for id or entityUrn values.

Use case: If your automation or SaaS requires consistent, scalable access to profile IDs, the API is the correct, supported path. See LinkedIn's docs for rate limits and policy: LinkedIn API docs.

Comparison table: which method to use when

Practical tips, legal notes, and common mistakes

Respect privacy and LinkedIn’s Terms of Service. Avoid scraping techniques that violate TOS. Use the official API for automated, repeatable access. If you're building integrations, follow LinkedIn's developer policies strictly.

• Don’t assume the vanity URL equals the canonical ID. Vanity names change; the URN stays stable for integrations.
• Avoid bulk scraping. For lists and exports, use LinkedIn-provided data export or API.
• Keep rate limits in mind. LinkedIn API enforces limits — design retries and backoff.

Pro tip: If you need profile IDs to match analytics or run personalization at scale, store both the vanity URL and the canonical URN. That provides human readability plus integration stability.

How this helps with LinkedIn automation and personal branding (Linkesy use cases)

When you automate content and scheduling with a platform like Linkesy, mapping posts and engagement to the correct profile matters. Linkesy uses profile links to personalize post voice, assign analytics, and ensure scheduled posts appear on the right account.

• Linkesy accepts vanity URLs for simple setups and can map to canonical IDs if available.
• For teams and advanced automations, provide the URN or API-linked account to ensure consistent scheduling and attribution.

Ready to save time? Try Linkesy free and generate a 30-day content calendar from a single profile link or account integration.

Checklist: how to get a LinkedIn ID quickly

1. Open the profile — copy the vanity URL first.
2. If numeric ID needed, use mobile "Share profile" and inspect the link.
3. Use browser DevTools → Network → search for "urn:li:member".
4. Fallback: view page source and search for URN.
5. For repeated or large-scale access, register a LinkedIn developer app and use the API.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find a LinkedIn numeric ID from a vanity URL?

Open the profile in a desktop browser, open DevTools (Network), reload and inspect JSON responses for "urn:li:member:123...". If unavailable, use the LinkedIn API via an authorized developer app.

Can I use the vanity URL for automation tools?

Yes. Many tools accept the public vanity URL. For guaranteed programmatic access and attribution, link the account via OAuth so the platform receives the canonical ID.

Is it legal to find and store LinkedIn IDs?

Collecting public profile links is generally allowed, but respect LinkedIn’s Terms of Service and privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA). For large-scale collection use the API and obtain necessary permissions.

Why does LinkedIn sometimes hide numeric IDs?

LinkedIn’s front-end has evolved to show vanity URLs for usability. Numeric URNs are still present in API payloads but may be obfuscated in the visible page source; use DevTools network calls or API for reliable access.

Can Linkesy use a LinkedIn ID to schedule posts?

Linkesy can schedule posts using an authenticated LinkedIn account (OAuth). Providing the profile link helps Linkesy match voice, visuals, and analytics to the right account. Get started with Linkesy.

Next steps and recommended resources

Follow these next steps to put this guide into practice:

1. Try copying a public profile URL and testing it in your CRM or tool.
2. If you need canonical IDs, try the DevTools network method on one profile to see the URN pattern.
3. For recurring needs, register a LinkedIn developer app and use API access for clean, supported results. See the official documentation: LinkedIn API docs.

Want to automate content once your profiles are connected? Explore Linkesy’s features: Try Linkesy free or See our plans to generate 30 days of AI-written, voice-matched LinkedIn posts and auto-schedule them while keeping profile mapping accurate.

Related Linkesy resources

• LinkedIn Growth and Personal Branding (Pillar)
• AI Content Automation for LinkedIn
• LinkedIn Content Strategy: Post Types & Calendar
• Tools & Integrations for LinkedIn (Comparisons)

Final note: Use the fastest method that meets your needs. For one-off lookups, copy the URL or inspect DevTools. For scale and integrations, use LinkedIn’s API. And when it's time to automate posting and build your brand consistently, Linkesy reduces weekly LinkedIn work from hours to minutes so you can focus on your business.