LinkedIn has made several changes to profile features over the past year, and one of the most confusing updates is around adding a custom button or website links to your profile.

I personally used the LinkedIn Creator Mode custom link feature to add my portfolio website to my own LinkedIn profile. If you have followed older tutorials, you may have noticed that things no longer work the same way. That is because LinkedIn has officially removed the Creator Mode toggle and quietly adjusted who can add custom links and buttons to their profile. In this updated 2026 guide, I will explain what has changed, who is eligible to add portfolio links, how LinkedIn Premium affects this feature and how you can still add or edit your portfolio link if you are eligible.

What changed with LinkedIn Creator Mode

LinkedIn has now removed the option to turn Creator Mode on and off. This means older guides that rely on enabling Creator Mode to add a website link in your profile header are no longer fully accurate. As a result, many users are now confused about why they cannot see the custom link or button option in their profile settings.

Is adding a custom portfolio link now a Premium feature

One of the biggest changes is that adding a custom link or custom button in the LinkedIn profile header now appears to be a Premium-only feature. According to LinkedIn’s own help documentation, the custom button feature is currently available only to a selected group of users, including:

LinkedIn Premium subscribers
LinkedIn Business subscribers
Sales Navigator users
Recruiter Lite users

Existing users may still have access without Premium

If you used Creator Mode in the past, you may still be able to display a custom website link in your profile header, even if you are not a LinkedIn Premium user. For example, I previously enabled Creator Mode on my profile and, despite not having a Premium subscription, I can still display my portfolio website link in the profile header. Important note: This eligibility is not guaranteed and may change at any time.

How to add or edit your custom link on LinkedIn

If you are eligible to add a custom link, follow these steps:

Go to your LinkedIn profile page
Click the pencil icon to edit your profile header
Scroll down until you see the custom link or website section
Click Edit custom button or link
Add or update your portfolio website URL
Save your changes

If you already have a link added, it is a good idea to keep it updated, as future changes may affect eligibility.

Video tutorial: How to Add a Custom Link on LinkedIn

If you prefer a visual, step by step walkthrough, I have also created a YouTube tutorial that shows exactly how to add or edit a custom link on your LinkedIn profile, including how the feature looks for eligible and Premium users. You can watch the full video guide here: https://youtu.be/XOnSJJ_K91w?si=siotXZ5pKFp_L_9n

What LinkedIn officially says about custom links

If you search on Google for "add custom button in LinkedIn profile" and open the LinkedIn Help page, you will see a clear message at the top stating that this feature is available only to selected users. https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a1484520 LinkedIn also mentions that the feature will be rolled out to more users in the future. This means availability may expand or change over time. You can check your eligibility directly from your profile settings.

Custom link vs Premium Custom Button

If you are eligible, you may see two different options:

Standard Custom Link

Displays as a simple text link in your profile header
Available to some older accounts without Premium
Less visually prominent

Premium Custom Button

Displays as a bold call to action button
Available only to Premium users
Includes options such as:
- View my newsletter
- Visit my portfolio
- Book an appointment
- Visit my store

The Premium Custom Button feature is more noticeable and encourages higher engagement compared to a standard link. This feature allows to display CTA like Book an appointment or Visit my website directly under the profile headline. These buttons are visually stronger than text links and are designed to drive direct actions from profile visitors. If you are serious about lead generation or personal branding, this is one of the key advantages of LinkedIn Premium.

What if you do not see the custom link option

If you are a new LinkedIn user and never enabled Creator Mode in the past, you may not see the custom link or button option at all. In that case, your options are:

Upgrade to LinkedIn Premium
Wait and see if LinkedIn expands eligibility
Add your portfolio link in other sections, such as:
- Contact Info
- Featured section
- About section

These alternatives still work well for visibility.

Final thoughts

LinkedIn’s approach to custom links and the custom buttons option is clearly evolving. What was once free and widely available is now partially locked behind Premium, with some older users retaining access. If you already have the ability to add a portfolio link as a custom link, my advice is simple. Add it now and keep it updated. If you do not, consider whether LinkedIn Premium is worth it for your goals, or focus on optimising other sections of your profile.

How to Add a Portfolio Link to Your LinkedIn Profile

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