LinkedIn’s Update on Custom CTA Buttons
Clarification: LinkedIn is not removing custom CTA buttons for Premium Business subscribers but is removing the option to add a URL link to your profile, previously available through Creator Mode.
What’s Changing?
LinkedIn’s custom profile CTA buttons, introduced as a Premium feature in 2023, allow users to add external URLs linked to CTAs such as “Visit my Store” or “Visit my Website.”
Now, LinkedIn will:
- Discontinue support for adding new links to profiles via custom CTA buttons.
- Allow existing custom links to remain visible on profiles.
- Prevent users from changing or re-adding links once removed.
Reasoning Behind the Change
LinkedIn stated the change is part of ongoing feature evaluation to focus on offerings that bring the most value to members and customers.
Possible reasons include:
- Low usage of profile CTA links by visitors.
- Desire to keep users engaged within the LinkedIn app.
- Preventing questionable or harmful external links that could impact LinkedIn’s SEO.
Impact on Users and Businesses
This change affects only Premium subscribers who had access to adding custom CTA links. Users with existing buttons will retain them but cannot add new ones once removed.
Interestingly, Premium Company Pages still support custom CTA buttons prominently, which have proven highly effective, generating over 10 times more clicks on average.
This suggests LinkedIn values CTA buttons more for brands and businesses than for individual users, possibly due to different usage trends.
Context on LinkedIn Premium Usage
- LinkedIn Premium has approximately 175 million paying subscribers.
- Premium subscriptions have grown 50% over the past two years.
- Growth includes new features like Premium Company Pages with enhanced CTA options.
